Dr. Fred Mugambi MwirigiJKUAT

What is Stress? An adaptive response to a situation that is perceived as challenging or threatening to the person’s well-being Stressors- an environmental condition or stimuli that places physical or emotional demand on a person Examples

Physical Emotional

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Types of stress

1. Episodic Stress- pattern of high stress followed by intervals of relief

2. Chronic Stress- constant confrontation of stressors without relief

Effects are:1. constant2. additive

3. Distress- stress that has a negative consequence on a person’s well-being

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General Adaptation Syndrome Automatic defense system to help cope

with with environmental demands Three stages of adaptation

Alarm reaction- perception of stressor Resistance- ability to cope rises above normal

because of activated defense mechanisms such as adrenaline

Exhaustion- body must rest and recover from heightened resistance stage

Prolonged resistance leads to system breakdown

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Stage 1Stage 1Alarm ReactionAlarm Reaction

Stage 2Stage 2ResistanceResistance

Stage 3Stage 3ExhaustionExhaustion

NormalNormalLevel ofLevel of

ResistanceResistance

General Adaptation Syndrome

DANGER ZONE

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Stressors and Stress Outcomes

Stressover time

WorkWorkStressorsStressors

PhysicalPhysicalenvironmentenvironment

Role-relatedRole-related

InterpersonalInterpersonal

OrganizationalOrganizational

NonworkNonworkStressorsStressors

IndividualDifferences

ConsequencesConsequencesof Stressof Stress

PhysiologicalPhysiological

BehavioralBehavioral

PsychologicalPsychological

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Role-Related Stressors Role conflict

Inter-role conflict Intra-role conflict person-role conflict

Role ambiguity uncertain duties, authority

Role overload/underload Task characteristics

decisions, monitoring, traffic problems

Stress Research Extreme Stress can lead to serious

conditions such as cardiovascular problems

Job Control, Job Complexity, Self-Efficacy interact to influence blood pressure

Burnout can also result from stress Emotional Exhaustion - lack of energy

and a feeling that one’s emotional resources are used up

Coping Strategy for emotional buffer Sense of inadequacy

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Job Burnout Process

DepersonalizationDepersonalization

Reduced PersonalReduced PersonalAccomplishmentAccomplishment

Physiological,Physiological,

psychological,psychological,

and behavioraland behavioral

consequencesconsequences

EmotionalEmotionalExhaustionExhaustion

Interpersonal andRole-Related Stressors

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Factors Leading to Stress Job Characteristics - client

interactions, overload, ambiguity, conflict

Organizational Characteristics - reward and punishment systems, job context (shift, psych environment, etc.)

Personal Characteristics - Age, Social Support, Marriage, Expectations, Career progress

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Consequences

Attitudinal Behavioral Interpersonal

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Social Support

Social Support- interpersonal transactions with others that provide either emotional or informational support reduces effects of stress

feel valued feel capable of handling a situation buffers effects, someone to talk to, etc.

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Cognitive Dissonance Theory Leon Festinger 1967 Three aspects of attitudes must follow

each other cognitive aspect- knowledge about an object affective aspect- liking of the object behavioral aspect- behavior toward the object

If dissonance is present there is stress and a need to change an aspect of the attitude to produce agreement among the elements

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Changing Aspects of Attitudes Affected by level of control

“can I control the aspects of my attitude?” “Do I have a choice regarding performance

of the behavior?” Behaviors are set by habit and view of

others Ignore current knowledge Seek knew knowledge Alter beliefs Hypocrisy effects level of dissonance

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Emotional Labor

Experiencing dissonance as a part of an individual’s role

Presenting a friendly attitude while holding a negative attitude

Mainly in service positions where employees must always be “happy” flight attendants secretaries

Backstage areas out of sight of customer

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Work-Family Stressors

Time-based conflict due to work schedule, commuting, travel for women -- still do most household

chores Strain-based conflict

work stress affects home, and vice versa

Role behavior conflict incompatible work and family roles

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Top 10 Life Stressors (least to most important)1. Retirement or quitting

2. Marital reconciliation

3. Loss of a job

4. Marriage

5. Personal injury or illness

6. Death of a family member

7. Jail Term

8. Marital Separation

9. Divorce

10.Predisposition to death

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AccountantAccountant

ArtistArtist

Auto MechanicAuto Mechanic

Low-StressLow-StressOccupationsOccupations

High-StressHigh-StressOccupationsOccupations

Hospital managerHospital manager

Physician (GP)Physician (GP)

PsychologistPsychologist

School principalSchool principal

Police officerPolice officer

A country’sA country’s

presidentpresident

Waiter/waitressWaiter/waitress

Stress and Occupations

Medium-StressMedium-StressOccupationsOccupations

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Individual Differences in Stress Management

Perceive the situation differently

Different threshold levels of resistance to stressor

Use of different stress coping strategies Personality Type

Personality Types Type A- impatient, restless, competitive,

aggressive, under intense perceived time pressure, always attempting to accomplish several things at once need job and career control have more health problems and shorter careers

Type B- does not feel pressure, works slowly and enjoyably on a variety of tasks

Important to match personality type with position to avoid stress

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Consequences of Stress Physiological consequences

50%-75% of all illnesses Lower for women cardiovascular diseases ulcers, sexual dysfunction, headaches

Behavioral consequences work performance, accidents, decisions absenteeism -- due to sickness and flight workplace aggression

Psychological Consequences moodiness, depression, emotional fatigue

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Coping with Stress

Individual Coping Strategies Problem focused- solve the problem,

don’t procrastinate Time management- self-management

scheduling, rewards, punishments Seeking Help

mentoring- process of senior performer coaching a junior one

Change jobs

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Coping....

Emotion-focused Relaxation

meditation napping

Exercise Psychological

Employee Assistance Programs Recreation Companionship

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Family-Friendly and Work/Life Initiatives

Flexible work time Job sharing Telecommuting Personal leave Childcare facilities

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Other Stress Management Practices Withdrawing from the stressor

person-job matching work breaks, stabilization zones,

sabbaticals Changing stress perceptions

self-efficacy, self-leadership Controlling stress consequences

relaxation and meditation fitness and lifestyle programs

Social support emotional and informational

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End

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