Work Stress and Illness (Sociology)

Question 1

Describe the Demand-Control-Support Model and give +ve and -ve critiques

Answer 1

High stress/job strain is a product of:

• High Job demands
• Low Job control.

Low decision authority = little control over prioritisation of work tasks

Low skill discretion = extent to which ones skillset is used

• Low social support

+VE - Good predictor of health outcomes (CV disease, mental health)

-VE - Assumes job stress is inherently pathogenic, neglects impact of personality, beliefs, perceptions in coping

Focuses of psychological stressors + presumes they can be embodied and measured as physiological changes

Question 2

Impact of work stress

Answer 2

• Poorer health outcomes

-Increased accident and injury

• Absenteeism and absence from work- reduced productivity
• Low staff retention/high staff turnover