stress definition
the body’s reaction to a change that requires physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response
4 models of stress
- General Adaptation Syndrome
- Transactional Model of Stress & Coping
- Conservation of Resources
- Job Demands-Resources
general adaptation syndrome & steps
- predicts that when confronted with a threat, an individual’s body responds instinctively via the fight or flight response
1. alarm stage
2. resistance stage
3. exhaustion stage
transactional model of stress and coping
- says that stress does not come from the event itself
- says that stress comes from one’s appraisal of what the event means and whether it’s threatening - along with one’s evaluation of what resources are available to react to the event
- views stress as a process
primary appraisal
based on the significant influence on our well being (irrelevant, benign/ positive or stressful)
secondary appraisal
concerned with the evaluation of whether the person has the resources to successfully face the demands of the situation
conservation of resources theory
- says that individuals seek to acquire and maintain resources in order to accommodate, withstand or overcome potential threats
eg. home, clothing, self esteem
job demand control model theory
- focuses stress and stress factors in the work environment (labor intensity) and health promotion in the workplace
- says that strains arise from mismatches between job demands and job resources available to an employee
challenge stressors
job demands that are developmental and positively related to work engagement
eg. role demands, time urgency, workload
hindrance stressors
job demands that are negatively linked to work engagement
eg. job constraints, organizational politics
antecedents of stress
- role demands - employees have a variety of roles they are expected to fulfill on the job
- information overload -
- work life trade off
- interpersonal challenges - conflicts with others eg. workplace bullying
- evaluation apprehension
consequences of stress
- physiological
- psychological
- behavioral
physiological consequences of stress
increased heart rate, skin problems, physical aches & pains
psychological consequences of stress
depression, anxiety, rumation, burnout
behavioral consequences of stress
stress and burnout can lead to:
- deceased performance
- increased withdrawal
- alcohol and drug abuse
individual approaches to stress management
- diet
- exercise
- sleep
- time management
- social support
organizational approaches to stress management
- create healthy work environments
- flexible work arrangements
- recovery opportunities
- employee resource programs
workplace safety
objective:
- number of accidents
- workers compensation claims
subjective
- self or other reports of safety behavior and practices
safety behavior
safety compliance: performing core safety behaviors such as following rules and using safety equipment
safety participation: supporting coworkers and safety norms within the organization
