Workplace stress

• What is a weakness of research on workplace stress?

  Individual differences in reactions to stressors
• What does Lazarus’ transactional approach emphasize regarding workplace stressors?

  The perception of stress depends on a person's coping ability
• In the study by Schaubroeck et al., what method was used to assess immune system functioning?

  Measuring saliva
• What did Schaubroeck et al. find about immune responses in low-control situations?

  Some people had better immune responses
• Why is the job-strain model considered an oversimplification according to the research findings?

  Low control isn’t always a stressor
• What does the research lack in terms of population validity?

  It cannot be generalized to the wider population
• What is a weakness of research on workplace stress, particularly the job-strain model?

  The relationship between workload stress and illness may be oversimplified
• How many adult employees did Shultz et al. (2010) gather data from?

  16,000 adult employees
• How many European countries were involved in Shultz et al. (2010) study?

  15 European countries
• What did Shultz et al. (2010) find regarding employees reporting work overload?

  They had the highest levels of stress-related illness
• What was reported by employees who experienced work underload?

  They reported low job satisfaction and significant levels of absence due to stress-related illness
• Why is the job-strain model considered oversimplified?

  It suggests only those with high workload will become stressed and ill
• What does work underload lead to according to the study?

  Significant levels of stress-related illnesses due to lack of stimulation
• What is a counter-argument regarding employees who experience work underload?

  They may not be truthful about their absence due to stress-related illnesses
• What might be a reason for employees with work underload to be absent from work?

  They have very little work to complete, making it pointless to go in
• Why might studies using questionnaires not be accurate?

  Because employees may not be truthful about their stress-related illnesses
• What does the job-strain model suggest about the relationship between workload and stress-related illness?

  It suggests that only high workload leads to stress-related illness
• How do tasks lacking creativity or stimulation affect employees with work underload?

  They may lead to significant levels of stress-related illnesses
• What is a common weakness of research on workplace stress?

  Most studies use questionnaires to collect data
• What did Keenan and Newton (1989) find regarding the use of interviews in their study?

  Interviews revealed stressors not usually covered by traditional methods
• What specific stressors did Keenan and Newton identify that were not usually covered by questionnaires?

  Time-wasting job demands and interpersonal conflicts
• How were role conflict and ambiguity mentioned in relation to questionnaires?

  They were seldom mentioned as significant stressors
• Why is the issue of social desirability bias significant in questionnaire research?

  It may distort the importance of some items
• How do interviews compare to questionnaires in assessing workplace stressors?

  Interviews may offer a more valid way of assessing the impact of workplace stressors
• What effect do questionnaires have on internal validity in research on workplace stress?

  Using questionnaires will reduce internal validity
• Why might researchers not accurately measure stressful factors in the workplace when using questionnaires?

  Because questionnaires may not capture all relevant stressors
• What is a significant issue with research into workplace stress?

  It cannot keep up with the changing nature of the work environment
• What factors contribute to the rapid obsolescence of knowledge about workplace stressors?

  The advent of new technology, virtual offices, and blurred home/work environments
• Why is it important for research on workplace stress to remain current?

  To help people manage the stresses of their working day
• How does psychological research on workplace stress potentially lag behind?

  It may not reflect actual work practices
• What should researchers investigating workplace stressors strive to do?

  Keep ahead of the game to avoid outdated conclusions
• What are the implications of outdated research on workplace stressors?

  • Ineffective stress management strategies
  • Misalignment with current work practices
  • Potential harm to employee well-being