Workplace Stress

Question 1

Two factors

Answer 1

Workload
Lack of Control

Question 2

Control Model

Answer 2

. Suggests stressful demands of a job (e.g: work overload) can lead to poor health
. These relationships can be modified by the amount of control the employee has over their work
. Having job control acts as a buffer against negative effects of job demands

Question 3

Research for workload and stress
(Finishers and Cleaners)

Answer 3

. Natural experiment comparing 2 groups of workers in a factory

Finishers
Job is repetitive and cut off from other workers yet job is complex as requires a lot of skill and responsibility

Cleaners
Had much more control, flexibility, more contact with other workers and much less responsibility

Researchers measured levels of employee illness and absences. Also measured level of adrenaline and noradrenaline in workers urine (4x)
- Found high level of stress in finisher group - even before work
- Cleaners stress decreased throughout the day

Question 4

Bosma et al findings

Answer 4

No correlation between workload and illness but low control more likely to have CHD (not affected by ID in personality)

Question 5

Eval - control model is simplistic (W)

Answer 5

. Lack of control and workload are not the only stressors. Also difference in perception of how much control and workload an employee thinks they have

Question 6

Eval - cultural differences (W)

Answer 6

. Cross cultural studies found lack of job control was seen as stressful in individual cultures (UK and USA)
. But in collectivist cultures, control seen as less desirable

COUNTER - ARGUMENT = some found no significant culture differences in terms of workload

Question 7

Eval - methodological issues (W)

Answer 7

. Other potentially vital sources of stress were ignored such as pay, working conditions and job security
. These factors are confounded with employment grade