Short paperJob stress in Japanese academia: The role of relative income, time allocation by task, and children

We examine the role of income relative deprivation, time allocation by task, and children in the job stress experienced by Japanese academics. Males' job stress increases when their incomes are lower than that of their peers', but females are not susceptible to such income comparisons. Job stress decreases with hours spent on research, provided the hours are not excessive; however, hours spent in teaching and on administrative tasks always increase job stress. The presence of young children increases job stress only for females, and children largely explain the observed gender differences in job-related stress.

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