Many academics in the UK are suffering from stress and psychological problems, suggests a survey.

Research from the universities of Hertfordshire and Luton claims that more than half of academics believe themselves to have "poor psychological health".

And over a quarter reported that they had suffered from a "stress-related" illness in the past year.

Among the most common causes of this stress and anxiety were difficulties in balancing work and home life and the perception that university staff were over-burdened with bureaucracy.

As well claiming to be over-stressed and anxious, there were also many academics who felt that they were now in the wrong job. Over half said they "regretted" becoming academics and 44% said that they had considered leaving.

The survey of almost 800 academics, carried out by Gail Kinman and Fiona Jones, was presented to the Brtish Psychological Society's annual conference in Winchester, Hampshire.

Universities and lecturers' unions have reported difficulties with recruiting and retaining academics, with complaints that low pay and excessive workloads have deterred young people from academic careers.

There have also been claims that a large number of university staff are approaching retirement, which threatens to create a recruitment crisis in the next few years.