Johansson (1984) : combined physiological and self report measures of stress Flashcards
whats the aim?
To measure psychological and physiological responses of stress.
whats the method?
Quasi experiment where workers were defined as being high risk of stress or in a control group
What were the pps?
same as in other johansson
What was the procedure?
The researchers identified a high risk group of 14 finishers in a swedish saw mill . their job was to finish off the wood at the last stage of processing timber. The work was machine paced isolated very repetitive yet highly skilled and the finishers productivity determined the wage rates for the entire factory. The 14 finishers were compared with a low risk group of 10 cleaners whose work was more varied largely self paced and allowed more socialising with other workers.
how was data collected?
levels of stress related hormones (adrenaline and nonadrenaline) in the urine were measured on work days and rest days
records kept of stress related illnesses and absenteeism
self reports used about their mood and alertness
caffeine and nicotine consumption recorded
what were the results?
the high risk group of 14 finishers secreted more stress hormones on work days
higher levels of hormones than the control group
high risk group of finishers showed significantly higher levels of stres related illness such as headaches, higher levels f absenteeism
what conclusions were drawn?
a combination of work stressors espesh repetitiveness machine pacing and high levels of responsibility - lead to chronic long term physiological arousal. this in turn leads to stress related illness and absenteeism
