Ch 19 Learn to Deal Behaviorally with Stress Mariajosé Bowden Caldwell College Spring 2010

Outline Definition Causes of Stress Symptoms Effects on Behavior Traditional Solutions Organizational Change Behavioral Approach to Handle Stress

Stress is the harmful physical and emotional response that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Heath Administration (1999)

Just a Few Causes of Stress Difficult clients Public eye, criticism from those who do not know our methodology Poorly trained staff Commute from one client to another Parents unrealistic expectations Supervisors

Common Symptoms A little stress is not a bad thing, it can sharpen your focus and give you an adrenaline boost. Prolonged stress, however can cause –Headaches –Chest pain, –Stomach aches –Tiredness –Sleep problems This in turn can cause –Anxiety –Irritability –Mood swings –Resentment –Burnout

Effects on Behavior The effects on behavior can include –Not eating –Overeating –Having angry outbursts –Crying –Decreased productivity

Traditional solutions –Exercising –Relaxing –Getting lots of sleep –In some cases counseling and psychotherapy These standard stress-management solutions do not deal with the cause of stress A contrasting approach is to promote organizational change, analyzing the stressful factors in a work environment and making changes in the environment to reduce the stress.

The Big Three Factors If properly balanced can mitigate stress –Proper diet –Adequate sleep –Sufficient exercise

Organizational Change to Handle Stress Taking a Pilates class or listening to a “Nature’s Sounds” CD is not going to improve the situation and reduce the stress Best approach to handle stress –Are you having problems saying “No”? –Are you managing your time right? –Do you need help with a difficult case and don’t know who to ask? Chapter 17 Time Management Tips

What to do About Stress: A Behavioral Approach Behavior Analysts reject traditional literature and advice on how to “find the signs of stress” We look at it as any other human behavior Pinpoint the stressful behavior – functional analysis? Many sources of stress –Work –Family life –Friends –Neighbors

Step 1: Pinpoint the Stressful Emotions, Feelings, and Behaviors Pinpoint the cause or result that is causing the problem –Is it physical? Chest pains anxiety –What behaviors have you adopted in response? Overeating Crying spells Decreased productivity Chart your symptoms –Frequency –Antecedents

Behavior Analysis of Stress Setting Events ● Not enough sleep ● Argued with boyfriend in the morning ● Migraine Antecedent ● Traffic congestion ● Public Speaking ● Unhappy Parents Behavior ● Racing to get to meeting on time ● Called on to describe a case ● Deal with difficult parents ● Anxiety ● Food cravings Consequence ● Late for meeting, embarrassed by supervisor ● Not enough detail on the case, tough questions ● Parents want to talk to your supervisor ● More anxiety ● Bought a ½ gallon of Haggen-Danz chocolate chip cookie dough

Step 2: Perform a Functional Analysis Tricky because you are experimenting on yourself Record problematic behavior and troublesome emotional states Looking at you schedule objectively might help you isolate the factors that are causing your stress

Scatter Plot of Times of Day that Occasion Emotional Reactions 7am 9am 11am 1pm 3pm 5pm 7pm MTWThFMTW FMTW FMTW F

“You owe it to yourself to apply what you know to solve your own personal problems” (Bailey & Burch, 2010)

Step 3: Develop a Short-Term Intervention Work out a short-term solution that will provide some relieve while you work on a long-term solution –More sleep –Less TV, caffeine –No new cases –Talk to your supervisor about difficult client

Step 4: Develop and Adopt a long- Term Plan Could involve some major changes in your life Long-term – 6 to nine months –Changing jobs –Getting rid of argumentative boyfriend or girlfriend –Moving to a less hectic city –Opening own practice Could produce some short-term hardship and stress

Summary Behavior Analysts posses a thorough and deep understanding of human behavior and the skills necessary to change the lives of others in a positive manner We should be aware of the effect of the environment on our own behavior We should know when something is not right with or health and our stress levels

Summary We should be able to analyze our behavior and provide our own interventions, making sure our physical and emotional health are in order with proper diet, sufficient sleep, and vigorous exercise Conducting a functional analysis of our own behavior(s) should allow us to develop short-term and long-term goals Plenty of practice with our clients, it should not be difficult to improve and enhance our own lives

References Bailey, J. S., & Burch, M. R. (2010). Twenty –five essential skills & strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York: Routledge Publishing.

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