5. Work and Stress

Question 1

Why is looking at stress in the workplace even important??

Answer 1

• we spend 90,000 hours in the workplace
• 1/3 of EU workers are stressed at work
• cost: 3-4% of country’s GDP
• trend starting in LEDCs

Question 2

What does OHP stand for?

Answer 2

Occupational Health Psychology

Question 3

What is OHP?

Answer 3

application of psychology to…

• improve work life quality
• promote safety, health, wellbeing

Question 4

Name some negative consequences of stress at the workplace

Answer 4

absenteeism
burnout
conflicts

psychosomatic symptoms
personality disorders
musculoskeletal disorders

sleep problems
drug abuse
workaholism
workplace bullying

Question 5

What is stress?

Answer 5

a substantial imbalance between
DEMAND and RESPONSE CAPABILITY

under the condition that failure to meet these demand has important consequences

(McGrath, 1970)

Question 6

define STRESSOR

Answer 6

any event that the body tries to adapt to

Question 7

define STRESS RESPONSE

Answer 7

set of reactions to stressor

Question 8

Differentiate EUSTRESS and DISTRESS

Answer 8

eustress: pos (motivating)
distress: neg (reduces wellness)

Question 9

Stress consequences: INDIVIDUAL

Answer 9

affective: anxiety, depression
cognitive: impaired decision-making
physical: CHD, headache
behavior: smoking, binging, hyperactivity, stimulants

Question 10

Stress consequences: GROUP/ interpersonal

Answer 10

affective: irritability
cognitive: hostility
physical: n/a
behavior: social isolation

Question 11

Stress consequences: ORGANIZATIONAL

Answer 11

affective: job dissatisfaction
cognitive: distrust
physical: low effort
behavior: absenteeism

Question 12

Summarise the PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS RESPONSE

Answer 12

1. nervous system perceives stress, sends signal to brain
2. pituitary gland releases ACTH
3. adrenal glands release stress hormones
4. stored fat, carbs, protein converted to glucose
5. vital organs prepared for FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT

Question 13

Name three stress hormones.

Answer 13

CORTISOL
EPINEPHRINE
NOREPINEPHRINE

Question 14

what is GAS

Answer 14

the general adaptation syndrome

• a model of stress reaction based on HOMEOSTASIS

alarm –> resistance –> exhaustion

Question 15

GAS: implications

Answer 15

• too general???
• long-term exposure is detrimental
• no role of PERCEPTION/APPRAISAL

Question 16

Define allostasis…

Answer 16

the many changes that occur in the body –> to maintain homeostasis

Question 17

define allostatic load…

Answer 17

the cost to the brain and body of prolonged neurochemical imbalance (allostatic response)

Question 18

Name consequences of chronic stress…

Answer 18

fatigue, diabetes
hypertension
stress ulcers (suppression of digestion)
stress dwarfism (suppression of growth)
erectile dysfunction, anovulation (suppression of reproduction)

IMMUNE SUPPRESSION

Question 19

Name the functions of cortisol…

Answer 19

1) alters fat, protein and glucose metabolism –> energy

2) suppresses inflammatory and immune response

Question 20

From where is cortisol secreted?

Answer 20

adrenal glands (cortex)

Question 21

Distinguish Type A from type B personality…

Answer 21

A: ambition, competition, hostility
B: calm, patient, relaxed

Question 22

What are the effects of cortisol on the brain?

short term/ long term

Answer 22

short: memory impairment
long: damage to hippocampus (–> no proper feedback to hypothalamus –> cortisol continues to be secreted)

Question 23

What is the hippocampus responsible for?

Answer 23

memory, learning

Question 24

Name 3 work stress models…

Answer 24

1) JOB DEMAND CONTROL MODEL (Karasek)
2) JOB DEMANDS RESOURCES MODEL (Demerouti)
3) COGNITIVE APPRAISAL MODEL (Lazarus)

Question 25

Summarise: Job demand control model (Karasek)

Answer 25

1) main effect: demand
2) main effect: control
3) interaction

demands ——> strain
(control as moderator, mediator?)

Question 26

Summarise: Job demands resources model (Demerouti)

Answer 26

HEALTH IMPAIRMENT PROCESS: job demands –> burnout –> strain
MOTIVATIONAL PROCESS: job resources –> engagement –> well-being

Question 27

Summarise: The Cognitive Appraisal Model

Answer 27

Focus: personal appraisal of the situation
–> any event could be experienced as stressful (e.g. dentist)

Factors: situation, personal resources, coping strategies

Question 28

Coping strategies can be either ______________ or ____________________.

Answer 28

problem-focused

emotion-focused

Question 29

Describe problem-focused coping strategies…

Answer 29

• to modify cause of stress

e. g. taking control, info-seeking, evaluating

Question 30

describe emotion-focused coping strategies…

Answer 30

• to reduce negative emotional response

DESS

Distancing (denial, making light)
Escape-avoidance
Self-controlling (bottling up)
Seeking social support

Question 31

Summarise: Conservation of resources model (Hobfoll)

Answer 31

basic motivation = obtain, keep resources

e.g. characteristics (optimism), objects (house), conditions (job security)

net loss, threat of net loss, lack of gain after investment –> STRESS

Question 32

Summarise: Effort-Reward-Imbalance model (Siegrist)

Answer 32

stress = imbalance between effort and reward

Question 33

Sumarise Vitamin-Model (warr, 1994)

Answer 33

9 vitamins (job characteristics)

curvilinear effect:

• Opportunity for control
• Opportunity for interpersonal contact
• Opportunity for skills use
• Variety
• Externally generated goals
• Environmental activity

linear effect:

• Valued social position
• availability of money
• physical security

Question 34

What does SMI stand for?

Answer 34

Stress Management Intervention

Question 35

What is an SMI?

Answer 35

activity initiated by organization

• • reduces work-related stressors
• • minimizes neg response to stress exposure