workplace stress

• JOHANSSON et al - investigated whether work stressors increase stress and cause physiological arousal and stress related illness
• found there was 4 elements to a stressful work life

  1. physical environment
  2. work overload
  3. lack of control
  4. role ambiguity
• physical environment and workload:

  • space - temperature - lighting can all affect if a person is feeling stressed at work
  • long hours and noise can lead to stress and aggression which impacts how a person feels about their workload
• lack of control:

  • other people determine workload and work patterns - out of control
  • studies show that a perceived lack of control increases the stress response and adds to illnesses
• role ambiguity:

  • when the requirements for a job role are unclear - can lead to stress
  • no clear guidelines about a job can impact stress levels
  • instructions which contradict each other can lead to higher stress levels
• johannson et al study - had 2 groups - experimental - sawmill workers - control group - cleaners
• he found that the sawmill workers are more stressed as their job is isolated and repetitive but the control group had lower levels of stress as their job is sociable and self paced
• found that sawmill workers had higher stress levels - had higher levels of calling in sick - also had high levels of stress related illnesses
• concluded that work stressors can lead to chronic physiological arousal. - to reduce illness employers need to reduce workplace stressors.
• evaluation -

  • individual differences - some people who are more vulnerable to stress might be more attracted to high flying jobs like these
  • the study doesn't identify which are the most stressful stressors