Dr. Fred Mugambi Mwirigi JKUAT Stress Management Dr. Fred Mugambi Mwirigi JKUAT
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
Types of stress Episodic Stress- pattern of high stress followed by intervals of relief Chronic Stress- constant confrontation of stressors without relief Effects are: constant additive Distress- stress that has a negative consequence on a person’s well-being
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
General Adaptation Syndrome Stage 1 Alarm Reaction Stage 2 Resistance Stage 3 Exhaustion DANGER ZONE Normal Level of Resistance
Stressors and Stress Outcomes over time Work Stressors Physical environment Role-related Interpersonal Organizational Nonwork Individual Differences Consequences of Stress Physiological Behavioral Psychological
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
Role-Related Stressors Job Burnout Process Interpersonal and Role-Related Stressors Emotional Exhaustion Physiological, psychological, and behavioral consequences Depersonalization Reduced Personal Accomplishment
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
Consequences Attitudinal Behavioral Interpersonal
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.
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
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
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
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
Top 10 Life Stressors (least to most important) Retirement or quitting Marital reconciliation Loss of a job Marriage Personal injury or illness Death of a family member Jail Term Marital Separation Divorce Predisposition to death
Stress and Occupations Accountant Artist Auto Mechanic Hospital manager Physician (GP) Psychologist School principal Police officer A country’s president Waiter/waitress Low-Stress Occupations Medium-Stress Occupations High-Stress Occupations
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
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
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
Coping.... Emotion-focused Relaxation Exercise Psychological meditation napping Exercise Psychological Employee Assistance Programs Recreation Companionship
Family-Friendly and Work/Life Initiatives Flexible work time Job sharing Telecommuting Personal leave Childcare facilities
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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