Causes of stress Flashcards
(21 cards)
JOHANSSON 1978
(Outline how work can be a cause of stress)
Background
Stress is the reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed upon them, arises when they worry they can’t cope. There are three main causes of stress at work: task related features, interpersonal factors and environmental factors.
JOHANSSON 1978
Aim
To investigate whether work stressors such as repetitiveness, machine-regulated pace of work and high levels of responsibility increase stress-related physiological arousal and stress related illness.
JOHANSSON 1978
Method
Quasi experiment
JOHANSSON 1978
Participants
24 Swedish saw mill workers. High risk group of 14 and control low risk group of 10.
JOHANSSON 1978
Procedure
High risk group had complex jobs to finish off the wood at the last stage of processing timber. It was machine-paced, isolated and very repetitive and their productivity determined the wage rates for the whole factory. The low risk group were cleaners or maintenance workers who’s work was more social, self-paced and varied.
Levels of stress related hormones (adrenaline and noradrenaline) in urine measured 5 times a day on work and rest days. Records kept of stress related illness and absenteeism. Self reports of mood, alertness and nicotine and caffeine consumption were recorded.
JOHANSSON 1978
Results
High risk group secreted higher levels of stress related hormones on work days than rest days and higher than control group. Also showed significantly higher levels of stress related illness such a headaches and higher absenteeism than control group.
JOHANSSON 1978
Conclusion
Combination of work stressors, especially repetitiveness, machine-paced work and high responsibility, lead to chronic physiological arousal. Leading to stress related illness and absenteeism.
KANNER 1978
(Outline evidence which suggests that stress can be caused by hassles and life events)
Background
Not all stress experienced comes from major life events, lesser events can also contribute, these are called hassles. Common hassles are concerns about weight, misplacing things and rising prices.
KANNER 1981
Aim
To compare the ‘Hassles Scale’, ‘Uplifts Scale’ and the ‘Berkman Life Events Scale’ as predictors of psychological symptoms of stress.
KANNER 1981
Design
Repeated measures design.
KANNER 1981
Participants
216 initially contacted, 109 agreed, 100 completed. All 100 had previously completed a health survey in 1965. All from California, mostly white with at least 9th grade education.
KANNER 1981
Procedure
All tests sent out month before study begun. Asked to complete
- Hassles rating scale for 9 months
- Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL) and Bradburn Morale scale every month for 9 months, to assess psychological symptoms of stress
- Life events rating after 10 months.
KANNER 1981
Results
Hassles were consistent from month to month, hassle frequency correlated positively and more than lift events did with psychological symptoms on HSCL.
For women the more life events they reported the more hassles and uplifts they reported.
For men life events correlated positively with hassles and negatively with uplifts.
KANNER 1981
Conclusion
Hassles are more powerful predictor of psychological symptoms than life events because hassles contribute to psychological symptoms whatever life events have happened.
GEER AND MAISEL 1972
(Outline evidence for lack of control causing stress)
Background
Stress is the reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed upon them, it arises when they worry they can’t cope. Therefore lacking control in a situation can make someone worry they can’t cope and cause stress.
GEER AND MAISEL 1972
Aim
To see is perceived control or actual control can reduce stress reactions to averse stimuli.
GEER AND MAISEL 1972
Method and design
Lab experiment using physiological measures and independent measures.
GEER AND MAISEL 1972
Participants
60 psychology undergraduates at a NY uni.
GEER AND MAISEL 1972
Procedure
Participants shown photos of dead car crash victims and stress levels meanders by GSR and heart rate through ECG.
Randomly allocated to one of three groups.
1. Given control of how long they looked at images for, press button to terminate and tone would precede new image.
2. Warned photos would be 60 seconds apart, would see each for 35 seconds, 10 second warning tone precede each. Had no control but knew what was happening.
3. Told they would see photos and hear tones from time to time, no control.
Each participant in a sound proofed room wired up to GSR and ECG, calibrated for 5 mins while participant relaxed to get baseline. Instructions read to them specific to each group. GSR was taken on onset of tone, during the second half of tone and in response to photo.
GEER AND MAISEL 1972
Results
Group 2 showed most stress.
Group 1 showed least stress.
ECG recordings discarded as appeared inaccurate.
GEER AND MAISEL 1972
Conclusion
Having control over environment can reduce stress responses.
