Missionary stressors and implications for care

A Likert-type rating scale was used to tate the amount of stress caused by potential stressors. These ratings were completed by 306 Christian gi Missionary Alliance missionaries in 13 fields over an 8-year period. The top 10 to 15 stressors were consistently identified and were consistent with those identified by Gish (1983). Stressors on the whole rated higher than in Gish's study. Two major themes emerge encompassing most of the highest stressors, namely interpersonal relationships and management issues. Comparison between fields, males and females, and marrieds and singles are presented. Implications for missionary care are suggested.