occupational health -stress Flashcards
define stress
Mcshane:
an adaptive response to a situation that is perceived as challenging or threatening to a persons wellbeing
Robbins & judge:
a dynamic condition in which an individual is confronted with an opportunity, constraint or demand related to what they desire
or which outcome is perceived to be both uncertain and important
what responses are included in stress
cognitive, emotional and pphysiological
what is the link between stress and performance
bell curve shape»_space; optimal performance seen in between increased attention and strong anxiety
bordem/depression/complete mental breakdown = low performance
increased attention/interest/strong anxiety = medium performacne
what is a stressor
an environmental condition that places physical or emotional demands on a person
what are the types of stressors
challenge stressor
- stressful aspects of task that have potential gains
- e.g. high workload, responsibility, time pressure, difficult task
hindrance stressor
- aspects that interfere with goal acheivement
- workplace politics, faulty equipment, “red tape”
what are the positive and negative effects of challenge stressors
+ve
- overcoming/achieving can lead to organisational commitment and job satisfaction
- ve
- inability to overcome can lead to turnover and withdrawal (absenteeism)
what is the effect in the presence and absence of hindreance stressers
presence
- can lead to turnover and withdrawal (absenteeism )
absence
- can lead to organisational commitment and job satisfaction
what is the general adaption syndrome theory of stress
Alarm
- initial physiological recognition
Resistance
- utilise physical and psychological defences against stressor
Exhaustion
- collapse of physical and psychological defences
what is the demand-control model
weighs up the job demands and job control to identify the stress/strain level of a job
Job demands = extent of workload and time pressure
job control = extent of autonomy and discretion
what are the quadrants of the Demand-control model
high strain (high demand, low control)
active (high demand, high control)
passive (low demand, low control)
low strain (low demand, high control
what is the work stress model
sources of stress at work (environmental, organisational, personal) in addition to individual differences contribute to the stress experience
the consequences of stress include behavioural, psychological and physiological
what are the tree sources of stress in the work stress model
environmental
- technology change
- physical condition
organisational
- harrassment
- task control
- work overload
personal
- family problems
- economic problems
what are teh consequences of stress in the work stress model
behavioural
- productivity, absenteeism, turnover
psychological
- depression, anxiety, burnout
psychological
- cardiovascular, gastrointestinal biochemistry
what are some common workplace stressors
harrassment (psychological and sexual )
work overload
low task control
define harrassment
repeated, hostile, unwanted conduct or comments
attacks a persons dignity psychology or body
what contributes to work overload
technology
- increased expectations for being contactable and respondent
aspirationsand comsumerism
- more work = more money, more money more stuff
‘ideal worker’ norm
long hours in office = “commited worker”
what contribites to low task control
low control over:
how work is done
pace of work
time of work
how to individual differences effect stress
moderators of stress
- internal/extenal locus of control
- big five personality factors (OCEAN)
define internal and externl locus of control
internal - personal outcomes are a result of own effort
external -personal outcomes are beyond ones control
those with internal LOC perceive lower stress
how does personality effect stress
neuroticisim redicts higher self-reported stress and more intense reactions to stress
what can organisaitons do to manage stress
improve personnel selected and job placement
training
use of realistic goal setting
job redesign
offering employee sabbaticles
establishing corporate wellness programs
what can individuals do to manage stress
be realistic - set practical goals
establish limits or time and effort you want to exert
say no without feeling guilty
delegate
time management techniques
