Johansson (1984) Causes - Workplace / measures - combined approach

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To investigate whether work stressors such as repetitiveness increase stress related physiological arousal and stress related illness.

Question 2

method

Answer 2

Quasi experiment - workers are defined as being high risk of stress or in a control group.

Question 3

Participants

Answer 3

24 swedish sawmill workers

14 high risk ‘finishers’ highly complex and skilled work
10 in a control group - cleaners/maintenance workers

Question 4

Data collection

Answer 4

levels of stress related hormones (adrenaline and noradrenaline) in urine samples on work and rest days

records of stress related illness and absenteeism

self report about mood, alertness, caffeine and nicotine intake.

Question 5

Results

Answer 5

high risk group secreted more high stress hormones on workdays than rest days, and higher levels than the control group.

high risk group had significantly higher levels of stress related illnesses such as headaches along with more absenteeism than the control group.

Question 6

conclusions

Answer 6

a combination of work stressors - especially repetitiveness and high levels of responsibility - lead to chronic physiological arousal.

this leads to stress related illness.