Chapter 7 Learning Outcomes Stress and Well Being at Work 1 Define stress distress and strain 2 Compare four different approaches to stress 3 Explain the psychophysiology of the stress response 4 Identify work and nonwork causes of stress 5 Describe the consequences of stress 6 Discuss individual factors that influence a person s response to stress and strain 7 Identify the stages and elements of preventive stress management for individuals and organizations 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved 1 Learning Outcome Define stress distress and strain 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved What Is Stress Stress the unconscious preparation to fight or flee that a person experiences when faced with any demand Stressor the person or event that triggers the stress response Distress or strain the adverse psychological physical behavioral and organizational consequences that may arise as a result of stressful events 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved 2 Learning Outcome Compare four different approaches to stress 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved 4 APPROACHES TO STRESS Homeostatic Medical Stress occurs when an external demand upsets an individual s natural steady state balance 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved COGNITIVE APPRAISAL Individuals differ in their appraisal of events and people What is stressful for one person is not for another Perception and cognitive appraisal determines what is stressful 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved COGNITIVE APPRAISAL Problem focused coping emphasizes managing the stressor Emotion focused coping emphasizes managing your response 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved PERSON ENVIRONMENT FIT Confusing and conflicting expectations in a social role create stress Good person environment fit occurs when one s skills and abilities match a clearly defined set of role expectations Stress occurs when expectations are confusing or when they conflict with one s skills 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved PSYCHOANALYTIC STRESS Discrepancy between the idealized self and the real self image 2011Cengage Learning All rights reserved 3 Learning Outcome Explain the psychophysiology of the stress response 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved The Stress Response Release of chemical messengers Activation of sympathetic nervous and endocrine systems 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Beyond the Book Stress Check How often do the following happen to you Always 3 often 2 sometimes 1 or never 0 Rate each statement on a scale from 0 to 3 as honestly as you can and without spending too much time on any one statement Am I Overstressed 1 I have to make important snap judgments and decisions 2 I am not consulted about what happens on my job or in my classes 3 I feel I am underpaid 4 I feel that no matter how hard I work the system will mess it up 5 I do not get along with some of my coworkers or fellow students 6 I do not trust my superiors at work or my professors at school 7 The paperwork burden on my job or at school is getting to me 8 I feel people outside the job or the university do not respect what I do Record your score as the sum of your responses 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Beyond the Book Stress Check How often do the following happen to you Always 3 often 2 sometimes 1 or never 0 Rate each statement on a scale from 0 to 3 as honestly as you can and without spending too much time on any one statement Am I Angry 1 I feel that people around me make too many irritating mistakes 2 I feel annoyed because I do good work or perform well in school but no one appreciates it 3 When people make me angry I tell them off 4 When I am angry I say things I know will hurt people 5 I lose my temper easily 6 I feel like striking out at someone who angers me 7 When a coworker or fellow student makes a mistake I tell him or her about it 8 I cannot stand being criticized in public Record your score as the sum of your responses and add it to your score from the previous section 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Beyond the Book Stress Check To find your level of anger and potential for aggressive behavior add your scores from both quiz parts 40 48 The red flag is waving and you had better pay attention You are in the danger zone You need guidance from a counselor or mental health professional and you should be getting it now 30 39 The yellow flag is up Your stress and anger levels are too high and you are feeling increasingly hostile You are still in control but it would not take much to trigger a violent flare of temper 10 29 Relax you are in the broad normal range Like most people you get angry occasionally but usually with some justification Sometimes you take overt action but you are not likely to be unreasonably or excessively aggressive 0 9 Congratulations You are in great shape Your stress and anger are well under control giving you a laid back personality not prone to violence 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved 4 Learning Outcome Identify work and nonwork causes of stress 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Sources of Stress Work Demands 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Stress Source Nonwork Demands 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved 5 Learning Outcome Describe the consequences of stress 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Positive Stress Stress response itself is neutral Some stressful activities aerobic exercise etc can enhance a person s ability to manage stressful demands or situations Stress can provide a needed energy boost 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Yerkes Dodson Law 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Individual Distress ess n l l i l a Medic se strokes ea s i s e d h t c r a a e h a ck b s e ch a d a e h Beh avio sub ral pro viole stance a blems nce b acci use dent s Work related psychological disorders depression burnout psychosomatic disorders 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Organizational Distress Participative Problems absenteeism tardiness strikes and turnover Performance Decrement poor quality or low quantity of production grievances and unscheduled machine downtime and repair Compensation Award court awards for job distress 2011 Cengage Learning All rights reserved Beyond the Book Stressed out in Europe Recent European studies on worker stress show disturbing trends Companies in the United Kingdom lose 13 7 million working days per year due to stress causing 28 3 billion 47 4 billion in productivity losses More than 25 of