LECTURE 11: Stress & Well-Being

Question 1

What are two facets of mental health?

Answer 1

Well-being & ill-being

• Mental health is not a continuum
• Can be high in one & low in the other at the same time

Question 2

What is well-being?

Answer 2

experience of positive emotions

development of ones potential

autonomy/control over life

sense of purpose

experience of positive relationships

Question 3

List some elements of well-being

Answer 3

1. optimism
2. resilience
3. competence
4. engagement
5. self-esteem

Question 4

What is work engagement?

Answer 4

deep, positive connection between an employee & their work, resulting in a sense of enthusiasm, commitment, & immersion

Question 5

What are 3 elements of work engagement?

Answer 5

1. Vigor - high levels of physical & mental energy that individuals bring to their work
2. Dedication - strong sense of commitment/identification with ones job
3. Absorption - being deeply engrossed & fully concentrated in ones work tasks

Question 6

What is the simple stress response? Give examples of job stressors.

Answer 6

Encounter a potential stressor (internal or external that could lead to feelings of stress

Examples:
1. Interpersonal conflict/workplace drama

2. job insecurity
3. role ambiguity - what am I supposed to do?
4. work overload
5. poor working conditions
6. boring work

Question 7

what causes distress in the simple stress response?

Answer 7

Stressor -> distress

Question whether the potential stressor is threatening to well-being & if so, is it beyond my ability to cope?

Yes - distress; overwhelmed, anxious, fearful

No -eustress; excited, challenged

Question 8

What is stress?

Answer 8

psychological & physiological reaction to potential internal & external stressors:

Physiological - fight or flight activation of HPA axis, release of cortisol, increase HR

Psychological - perception of threat, emotional response (e.g., anxiety)

Question 9

Describe the importance of meaning making.

Answer 9

How you read your physiological reactions effects your thoughts & feelings

Feelings -> thoughts -> physiological reactions

Question 10

What are the negative consequences of job distress?

Answer 10

lower job satisfaction
greater long-term disability
lower org behaviours
poor decision-making/unethical behaviour
greater withdrawal/turnover
higher business costs

Question 11

How do stressors lead to strain?

Answer 11

stressor -> (dis)stress -> strain

chronic stress leads to strain - impaired functioning:
1. psychological - mood disturbance, cognitive impairments
2. behavioural - avoidance, procrastination, social withdrawal, impulsivity
3. physical - immune sx, sleep disturbance, inflammation

Question 12

Ultimately, the stress response model is mediated by…

Answer 12

resources - do they have resources to cope?
coping

Question 13

What are the two coping responses?

Answer 13

• Less adaptive – drinking, smoking, avoidance, venting
• More adaptive – exercise, meditation, journaling, therapy/counseling, acceptance & goal planning

Question 14

What is the job demands resources model?

Answer 14

the work environment can be described in terms of demands & job resources

balance of demands & resources determines if people experience ill-being or well-being

Question 15

What are job demands?

Answer 15

the physical, psychological, social, & organizational aspects of the job that require sustained physical or mental effort

E.g., high work load, fast work pace, deadlines/time pressure, role ambiguity, role conflict, dealing w/ the public

Question 16

What are job resources?

Answer 16

features of a job that help achieve work goals, reduce job demands, & stimulate personal growth, learning, & development

e.g., coworker & supervisor support, development opportunities, task variety, control, autonomy, feedback

Question 17

According to the job demands resource model, what is the correlation between demands & ill-being and demands & well being?

Answer 17

Job demands > job resources = ill being

Job demands < job resources = well being

Question 18

What are the two pathways within the JDR Model?

Answer 18

Health Impairment:
Job demands > distress > strain > burnout

Motivation:
Job resources > motivation > engagement > performance

Question 19

What is burnout?

Answer 19

state of physical, emotional, & mental exhaustion resulting from prolonged & intense exposure to chronic work stressors

elements”
1. emotional exhaustion - emotionally drained, overwhelmed, depleted

2. Depersonalization - negative & detached attitude
3. Reduced personal accomplishment - decreased sense of efficacy & value in the workplace

Question 20

What are the buffering effects of resources in counteracting distress?

Answer 20

Low demands & low resources; low demands & high resources - moderate/low levels of distress

High demands & low resources - high levels of distress

High demands & high resources - low levels of distress

Question 21

What are organizational levels of intervention to increase well-being?

Answer 21

1. redesign jobs to reduce hinderance demands
   - hinderance not necessary to job but require effort (e.g., paperwork)
2. Redesign job to provide resources - autonomy, task variety, etc.
3. help employees build resources via training - task-related, time management
   -lessens job demands
   - develop confidence & efficacy

• orgs may not implement changes - cost, time, norms

Question 22

What are collective levels of intervention to increase well-being?

Answer 22

1. build positive relations w/ co-workers
   -stronger performance, social support, value
2. create community
   - inclusion, networking
3. share knowledge
   - learn from others, share

Question 23

What are individual levels of intervention to increase well-being?

Answer 23

1. take care of basic - sleep, exercise, diet
2. Yoga
3. CBT training - reframe threats as challenges
4. mindfulness
5. gratitude
6. develop adaptive coping skills - talking it out, ask for help, social support