Chapter 16 Occupational Stress

What is Occupational Stress? Sources of stress at work Involves individual characteristics Related to the employee’s role within the organization See Figure 16.2 “Occupational Stress Model”

Occupational Stress Evaluation Grid (Singer et al., 1977) Recognizes that occupational stress occurs in 7 different contexts Sociocultural Organizational Work setting Interpersonal Psychological Biological Physical/ environmental

Why is Occupational Stress of Concern? Cost to businesses is >$200 billion/year (Swoboda, 1992) Employees “always on call” concept Leads to increased sick days, drug or alcohol abuse, and early death Can promote high turnover rates of employees Liability (i.e., workers’ compensation, disability, or litigation)

Occupational Stress and Disease Physiological effects Elevated serum cholesterol Elevated blood pressure Increased left ventricular mass Increased catecholamines High plasma fibrinogen concentrations

Occupational Stress and Disease, cont’d Disease states Coronary artery disease Obesity Psychosomatic symptoms Diabetes Hypertension Peptic ulcers

Occupational Stress and Disease, cont’d Psychological effects Low self esteem Increased job tension Low job satisfaction

Occupational Stressors Workers feel more stress when work objectives are unclear leading into: Lack of participation Role problems role overload role insufficiency role ambiguity role conflict

Occupational Stressors, cont’d Workers feel more stress when work objectives are unclear leading into: (cont’d) Job dissatisfaction Motivational factors affect job satisfaction See Figure 16.5 Work environment

The Workaholic Immersing oneself excessively in work at the expense of non-work activities Two classifications of workaholics (Naughton, 1987) Career commitment Obsession-compulsion

The Workaholic, cont’d Scott, et al. (1997) classified workaholics as: Compulsive-dependent Perfectionist Spence & Robbins (1992) proposed a workaholic triad: Work involvement, driveness, and work enjoyment

Burnout Adverse stress reaction to work with psychological, psychophysiological, and behavioral components Symptoms include: Diminished sense of humor Increased overtime/no vacation Social withdrawal Self medication Skipping rest and meals Increased physical complaints Changed job performance Internal changes

Progressive 5-Stage Approach of Burnout Stage 1: the honeymoon Stage 2: fuel shortage Stage 3: chronic symptoms Stage 4: crisis Stage 5: hitting the wall

How to Combat Burnout Identify the value and meaning of your job List all activities you like and rank them in order of importance Create a support group Start a physical self care program Start a psychological self care program Do something silly every day

Women and Work Characteristics Women are clearly disadvantaged in the world of work They make less money than their male counterparts Exposure to sexual harassment could exist Minorities earn less than non-minorities Most of primary caretakers of children

Sexual Harassment at Work Unwelcomed sexually related actions that interfere with work performance The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission describes 3 forms of sexual harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or conduct of a sexual nature Submission to, or rejection of, any conduct by an individual using such acts as the basis for employment Conduct that interferes with the individual’s work performance by creating a hostile or offensive work atmosphere

Interventions Life-situation interventions Perception interventions Emotional arousal interventions Physiological arousal interventions

Chapter 16 Occupational Stress