1.7 C
Problem 6
Stress- non-specific response of the human body to any demand made
on it
Eustress- good stress
Distress- bad stress
Stressor- physical or psychological demands to which an individual
responds
Strains- reactions or responses to stressors
Workplace stress
Kahn and Byosiere Model: 3 factors
1. Work stressors
2. Moderators of stress process
3. Strains and Consequences of Stress
Cannon- animals have adaptive response to stressful situations:
Fight or flight/ Tend and befriend
Tend and befriend- responding to stress by caring for
relatives, seeking and providing social support
o typical of females as stress response: social support
beneficial for health, so may explain females longer
life expectancy
o Response to sudden stress
o Lasts short period
Selye- eustress and distress
eustress makes challenges motivating people to work to meet
goals (+)
distress is from stressful situations over time, negative
outcome (-)
o Responses to disease/trauma very similar:
General Adaption Syndrome- progression stages
“U-shaped” curve- some demands necessary, too high is
harmful
1. Alarm Reaction- body mobilises resources to cope with
more stress
Increased heart rate
Stress hormones released (adrenaline, noradrenaline,
epinephrine, cortisol)
2. Resistance stage- body copes with original stress source,
resistant to other stressors lowered
3. Exhaustion stage- resistance drops
Adverse consequences inc. burnout, illness, potentially
death
o Bodily response to stress
o Last long period
Lazarus and Folkman- stress= ongoing process
Individuals appraise environment and attempt to cope with
stressors
Appraisal triggers automatic coping responses
, o Health or unhealthy if chronic
Coping Styles
Problem-focused coping- managing or altering the problem that is
causing the stress
Eg. defining problem, trying to solve it
Emotion-focused coping- reducing the emotional response to the
problem
Eg. avoidance, distancing from problem
Common Workplace Stressors
Both can occur at the same time- stressors can be cumulative
1. Physical/Task Stressors
o Uncontrollable noise
lower task performance, diminished motivation
Study: exposure to low-level noise increases stress hormones
Significance- stressors may exist even when worker isn’t
aware of stressor
o Job demands eg. stressors from personal conflict, fear of
losing job
Task requirements central demand for most workers
Working moderate hours not strong predictor of illness,
but shift work is
Study: British employees in call centres- those with heavier
workload likelier have back disorders
2. Psychological Stressors
o Lack of Control/Predictability
Perception (affected by environment characteristics) of
control/predictability determines response (autonomy)
Scheduling and pace of work influence feelings of
control
Flexitime increases perceptions as can help balance
work-family
If enhance perceptions of job control, likely reduce stress
and strain
o Interpersonal Conflict
Occurs when:
Sparse work resources
Incompatible employee interests
Feeling of unfair treatment for employees
Distracts workers from tasks, physical health problems,
depression, job dissatisfaction, aggression, theft,
violence
Study: longitudinal, showed significant link between
interpersonal conflict at work and subsequent health
problems
o Role stressors
Role stressors- collective of role ambiguity, role conflict, and
role overload
Problem 6
Stress- non-specific response of the human body to any demand made
on it
Eustress- good stress
Distress- bad stress
Stressor- physical or psychological demands to which an individual
responds
Strains- reactions or responses to stressors
Workplace stress
Kahn and Byosiere Model: 3 factors
1. Work stressors
2. Moderators of stress process
3. Strains and Consequences of Stress
Cannon- animals have adaptive response to stressful situations:
Fight or flight/ Tend and befriend
Tend and befriend- responding to stress by caring for
relatives, seeking and providing social support
o typical of females as stress response: social support
beneficial for health, so may explain females longer
life expectancy
o Response to sudden stress
o Lasts short period
Selye- eustress and distress
eustress makes challenges motivating people to work to meet
goals (+)
distress is from stressful situations over time, negative
outcome (-)
o Responses to disease/trauma very similar:
General Adaption Syndrome- progression stages
“U-shaped” curve- some demands necessary, too high is
harmful
1. Alarm Reaction- body mobilises resources to cope with
more stress
Increased heart rate
Stress hormones released (adrenaline, noradrenaline,
epinephrine, cortisol)
2. Resistance stage- body copes with original stress source,
resistant to other stressors lowered
3. Exhaustion stage- resistance drops
Adverse consequences inc. burnout, illness, potentially
death
o Bodily response to stress
o Last long period
Lazarus and Folkman- stress= ongoing process
Individuals appraise environment and attempt to cope with
stressors
Appraisal triggers automatic coping responses
, o Health or unhealthy if chronic
Coping Styles
Problem-focused coping- managing or altering the problem that is
causing the stress
Eg. defining problem, trying to solve it
Emotion-focused coping- reducing the emotional response to the
problem
Eg. avoidance, distancing from problem
Common Workplace Stressors
Both can occur at the same time- stressors can be cumulative
1. Physical/Task Stressors
o Uncontrollable noise
lower task performance, diminished motivation
Study: exposure to low-level noise increases stress hormones
Significance- stressors may exist even when worker isn’t
aware of stressor
o Job demands eg. stressors from personal conflict, fear of
losing job
Task requirements central demand for most workers
Working moderate hours not strong predictor of illness,
but shift work is
Study: British employees in call centres- those with heavier
workload likelier have back disorders
2. Psychological Stressors
o Lack of Control/Predictability
Perception (affected by environment characteristics) of
control/predictability determines response (autonomy)
Scheduling and pace of work influence feelings of
control
Flexitime increases perceptions as can help balance
work-family
If enhance perceptions of job control, likely reduce stress
and strain
o Interpersonal Conflict
Occurs when:
Sparse work resources
Incompatible employee interests
Feeling of unfair treatment for employees
Distracts workers from tasks, physical health problems,
depression, job dissatisfaction, aggression, theft,
violence
Study: longitudinal, showed significant link between
interpersonal conflict at work and subsequent health
problems
o Role stressors
Role stressors- collective of role ambiguity, role conflict, and
role overload
