Science 295Dr. Katie Cahill

What is stress?◦ Hans Selye introduced the term in the 1930s

Eustress – reaction to good situations Distress – reaction to bad situations

◦ Engineers consider stress as an impulse that causes stress on the receiving structure Ex. A heavy load creates stress for your vertebral

column

Physiological reactions to stress◦ Both positive and negative stress create the same

reactions within the body◦ The adrenal gland is stimulated to secrete

epinephrine and norepinephrine Stress causes emotions

◦ The basic experience of stress is emotional◦ Emotions can cause changes in the body

functions◦ Can cause physical disease◦ Increases muscle tension creating bodily pains

Stress at work and leisure◦ Mind-body interaction: psychological problems

can create physical ailments and physical problems can lead to psychological issues

◦ Stress at work depends on: Interactions of the individual with the work

environment Problems outside of work

◦ Individual reactions to the same stressors will be different

Coping with stress◦ Distress, anger, depression and anxiety can result

from a stressful situation◦ Stress is subjective so the management approach

must be specific to the individual: Management techniques can be aimed directly at the

work demands Time management Work style adaptation Communication styles Setting limits

Stress management techniques may also focus on individual emotions: Re-evaluation of the situation Use of humor Relaxation exercises Hobbies outside of work

Lifestyle changes may have to occur Physical fitness Nutrition Smoking and drinking Quitting stressful job if another is available

Eliminating stress at work◦ Common stressors in the workplace

1. Job content2. Demand intensity3. Workload complexity4. Repetitive monotonous work5. Excessive responsibility6. Unreasonable supervisor7. Environment (noise, temperature, crowded space)8. Lack of recognition for work done9. Lack of control over one’s job10. Lack of job security11. Lack of social support12. Bullying boss or coworkers

Effects of stress◦ Changes in feelings and behavior

Irritability, dissatisfaction, decreased attention, anxiety, depression, damaged relationships

◦ Health issues Disturbed sleep, CVD, GI problems, musculoskeletal

problems, decreased immune response◦ Maladaptive behaviors

Smoking, alcohol, drug abuse◦ Negative effects on the organization

Increase employee absence, poor work attitude, reduced productivity

Is stress always harmful?◦ Life without stressors would be boring◦ The amount of stress determines if it is harmful◦ The line between healthy and pathological stress

varies◦ Challenging tasks can be captivating and

satisfying Measurement of stress

◦ Variety of psychological techniques: Well-being surveys, stress arousal checklists, mood

assessments, emotional intelligence questionnaires, assessments of coping capabilities

Computer adaptation syndrome◦ Introduction of computers into the workplace

created high levels of stress for employees Worried they didn’t have enough technical

knowledge to operate computers Concerned about radiation from the monitor

◦ Ended quickly due to improved software and training

◦ Older workers adapted to the increased ease of tasks and young personnel grew up with computers, so CAS disappeared rapidly

Blue and white collared work◦ Common distinction used to exist between

physical laborers (blue collared) and mental laborers (white collared)

◦ The division no longer exists because there is such a cross over Ex increased use of electronics in automobile repair

◦ Some jobs still do rely mainly on mental capabilities Teachers, doctors, pilots

◦ Need to be able to evaluate both types of jobs

Overload vs. Underload◦ Overload

Performance is incomplete Operator may suffer physically and psychologically Measuring the quality of performance determines

degree of overload◦ Underload

Operator can perform better and produce more Measuring the residual determines the degree of

underload

Task performance◦ Depends on task demands (intensity, complexity,

time) and workload (depends on individual capabilities, motivation, fatigue)

Heavy work requires high energy usage and demands on the heart

Energy and CV ability set limits on the amount of physical work performed

Machines have decreased the need for heavy work in many jobs

Physical labor is still seen in farming, mining, agriculture

Still a major ergonomic issue in developing countries

Too little, too much◦ Some jobs demand too much effort and some

require too little◦ Employees can be underloaded and become

bored or overloaded and stressed◦ A balance needs to exist between load and

demand◦ Task performance suffers under both underload

and overload conditions

Workload depends on:1. The intensity of the task2. The capabilities of a person to perform the job◦ Demand and ability also depends on willingness

and perceived stress Complex jobs, complex assessments

◦ Table 12.1 Typical Methods of workload assessment

Listen to the worker◦ Psychophysical measurements combine biomechanics,

physiology and psychology in their assessment◦ An experienced worker can integrate the different

elements of the job and summarize its good points and stressors

Borg Scales◦ Psychometric scale used to measure the ratings of

perceived exertion (RPE) and CR 10 scale◦ High reliability because they can be repeated with the

same results ◦ High validity because they correlate with HR

measurements◦ Advantages: inexpensive, don’t interfere with work,

provide a good summary of work stressors

Work related stress is an individual’s emotional reaction to work demands, environment and organization

People react differently to stress Stress results from a mismatch between

demands and abilities Makes more sense to change demands than

to change the person