Identifying the Components of Job Stress in Teleworking Conditions and Stress Management Tactics in Governmental Organizations of Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the components of job stress in teleworking conditions and explore effective stress management tactics in government organizations in Baghdad, Iraq.Methodology: This qualitative study adopted a fundamental research design using the Glaserian grounded theory approach. Eighteen experienced managers and specialists with at least 15 years of professional exposure to job stress participated through snowball sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic content analysis in MAXQDA. The coding process yielded 952 initial codes, which were refined into 91 subcategories and 13 core components. Selective and theoretical coding was conducted using Glaser’s “tactics and dimensions” coding family to construct a conceptual model of job stress and its mitigation strategies.Findings: The study identified seven main dimensions of job stress in teleworking: physical symptoms, time-related stress, work-related stress, knowledge-related stress, social stress, psychological stress, and insight-based stress. Concurrently, six categories of stress management tactics emerged: behavioral, psychological, physical, cultural, managerial, and individual tactics. These strategies included organizational support, emotional regulation, physical health promotion, technological adaptation, clear communication, autonomy, and structured routines. The interaction of these dimensions and tactics formed a comprehensive framework that highlights the multilayered and contextual nature of occupational stress in telework settings.Conclusion: The findings underscore the complexity of job stress under remote working conditions and provide actionable insights for policymakers and organizational leaders. The identified tactics offer a practical roadmap for mitigating stress among teleworkers, enhancing psychological well-being, improving performance, and promoting sustainable teleworking cultures within Iraqi public institutions.