CHAPTER 13: Stress Flashcards
Stress
Psychological reaction to excessive demands
Stressors
Environmental events or conditions that induce stress.
Challenge Stressors
Associated with workload, pressure to complete tasks, time urgency.
Hindrance Stressors (more harmful)
Stressors that keep you from reaching your goals (red tape, office politics, confusion over responsibilities, etc.)
Model
Strain and 3 responses
a negative response to stress
* Physiological responses: high blood pressure, susceptibility to disease, gastrointestinal problems, etc.
* Psychological responses: anxiety, depression, exhaustion, etc.
* Behavioral responses: poor performance, aggression, substance abuse, absenteeism, turnover, etc.
Burnout
A syndrome typified by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and low self-efficacy
Conservation of Resources Theory
Stress is a reaction to:
* Perceived threat of loss of resources
* Actual loss of resources
* Failure to gain resources following investment
* e.g., when we count on getting resources and it does not happen
Personalities that are more likely to be stressed
Type A
Workaholics
Negative affectivity
External locus of control
Executive and Managerial Stressors
- Role overload: Too many tasks, long work hours, and high pressure.
- Heavy responsibility: Decision-making with major organizational consequences.
Operative-Level Stressors
- Poor physical working conditions: Noise, heat, or workplace hazards.
- Poor job design: Monotonous tasks leading to frustration.
Boundary roles
positions in which organizational members are required to interact with members of other organizations or with the public
Work engagement
Vigor - high energy and resilience
Dedication - strong involvement
Absorption - deep concentration and engagement
Job Demands-Resources Model
Job demands: Physical, psychological, social, or organizational features that require effort and result in stress (e.g., workload, time pressure, role ambiguity, and role conflict).
Job resources: Features that help achieve work goals, reduce job demands, and promote growth (e.g., pay, job security, supervisor support, role clarity, autonomy, and feedback).
Some General Stressors
- Counterproductive Work Behaviour
- Bullying: Repeated negative behavior directed toward individuals of lower power or status, creating a hostile work environment.
- Mobbing: Multiple coworkers “gang up” on an employee, restricting their social support.
- Abusive Supervision (When managers bully subordinates)
- Cyberbullying (Bullying via email, texting, social networks, or blogs)
- Workplace Ostracism (Persistent failure to interact with a coworker when it would be normal to do so)
- Sexual Harassment
- Work-Family Conflict (Occurs when work duties interfere with family life or vice versa)
- Job Insecurity and Change
- Role Ambiguity
Techno-stress
Stress from mastering workplace technologies
Withdrawal
Absenteeism and turnover due to stress.
Presenteeism
Working while ill, leading to reduced productivity.
Common causes:
High job demands.
Fear of falling behind.
Lack of job security.
Bullying and harassment.
Depression (often goes unreported).
Individual Strategies for Dealing with Stress
- Better Time Management
- Physical Activity
- Finding Time for Relaxation
- Building Social Support
Organizational Strategies for Dealing with Stress
- Job redesign
- Work-life balance, fitness, and wellness programs
- Family-Friendly Human Resource Policies (daycare centres, flexible work)
- Stress Management Programs (proactive and therapeutic programs to manage stress)
Mindfulness
a state of heightened awareness and focus on the present moment
