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1 – 10 of over 17000Nayanthara De Silva, Rasika Samanmali and Harsha Lal De Silva
Occupational stress among professionals in construction industry is increasing considerably due to faster economic development projects in many developing countries. Reportedly…
Abstract
Purpose
Occupational stress among professionals in construction industry is increasing considerably due to faster economic development projects in many developing countries. Reportedly, construction professionals are the third most affected group after miners and police officers. Hence, the study aims to explore profession-specific occupational stressors, their impact on professional and the prevention strategies in place at an organizational level. The study is further focused to identify specific prevention strategies that can be implemented at the organizational level.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire-based survey was performed among construction professionals such as project managers, engineers and quantity surveyors involved in large construction projects to identify occupational stress causing factors pertinent to construction professionals, their impact and occupational stress prevention strategies. Stress prevention strategies at primary, secondary and tertiary levels were analyzed to establish the stress prevention framework for large organizations.
Findings
Eleven occupational stress causing factors were identified to be significant in creating negative impact at work. Further, 13 resultant impacts of negative stress were recognized. Three primary prevention strategies, three secondary prevention strategies and a tertiary prevention approach were identified using a factor analysis to manage these occupational stresses at the organizational level.
Originality/value
Impact of occupational stress on construction professionals that may cause poor performance of the industry can be controlled by effectively managing and controlling the negative stresses.
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Marie McHugh and Shirley Brennan
Presents evidence on the prevalence of work stress and the apparentreluctance of many to recognize the interdependence of individual andorganizational health. Consequently focuses…
Abstract
Presents evidence on the prevalence of work stress and the apparent reluctance of many to recognize the interdependence of individual and organizational health. Consequently focuses on the urgent need for organizations to engage in stress prevention and stress management activities. Previous approaches to stress prevention and stress management have often appeared to be rather haphazard, so outlines a practical, all encompassing, cost‐saving model which brings the organization towards a philosophy of “total stress management”.
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“Stress” has recently become a very fashionable term, and there is a danger of researchers and practitioners becoming interested in the concept for this reason alone. While the…
Abstract
“Stress” has recently become a very fashionable term, and there is a danger of researchers and practitioners becoming interested in the concept for this reason alone. While the “bandwagon” effect has no doubt contributed to the growing interest in this area, and to the growing number of articles on stress appearing in the popular press, it is worth considering the possibility that this interest masks a cry for help on the part of increasing numbers of individuals and groups. Before exploring the role of the trainer in relation to the management of stress and its prevention, it may be worth considering some of the available research in order to put the problem into perspective.
This chapter explores what managers in the library and information science workplace can do to keep stress and burnout levels low. The literature on stress and burnout in human…
Abstract
This chapter explores what managers in the library and information science workplace can do to keep stress and burnout levels low. The literature on stress and burnout in human services, or the helping professions, is surveyed and the differences between the two phenomena are explained. Research is clear that keeping stress levels low and burnout at bay in the workplace benefits both employees and the organization. Even so, managers are given little training on how to identify and deal with stress and often fail to notice that their employees are chronically stressed. When managers become aware that they do have employees who are seriously stressed or burned out, they are often unsure whether they should address the problem and how to handle it. The author explains the differences between stress and burnout and clarifies how managers can minimize their negative impact by monitoring six areas in which workers are most likely to experience them: (1) the demands of the job which include the quantity of work and the knowledge required to perform; (2) the amount of control employees are permitted to exercise in the workplace; (3) the amount of the social support employee’s feel they have from managers and colleagues; (4) the quality of workplace relationships; (5) the clarity of one’s role on the job; and (6) support and honest communication during times of change. The practical implication of this information aimed at managers is to help them create a better workplace and mentally and physically healthier staff members.
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Marie McHugh and Shirley Brennan
If organization development is to achieve the objective ofimproving organizational effectiveness, it is essential that companiesadopt a proactive and preventive approach to stress…
Abstract
If organization development is to achieve the objective of improving organizational effectiveness, it is essential that companies adopt a proactive and preventive approach to stress management. Such an approach would reduce the costs of stress which result directly from organization development and, additionally, the costs of previously existing stress factors such as high labour turnover, absenteeism and reduced productivity. A practical all‐encompassing model is presented which brings the organization towards a philosophy of “total stress management” (TSM). Organizations which develop this philosophy, through the adoption of the practical action model, will be able to reduce the cost of stress substantially.
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Lisa Marzano and Joanna R. Adler
Research has consistently shown that staff working with people who self‐harm tend to experience a range of anxieties and negative emotions. Very little has been written on the…
Abstract
Research has consistently shown that staff working with people who self‐harm tend to experience a range of anxieties and negative emotions. Very little has been written on the particular issues and needs of staff in prisons, where rates of self‐harm are high. The current study gathered information about existing sources of support for staff dealing with prisoners who self‐harm, and identified positive practice examples. A postal survey was sent out to the Suicide Prevention Team Leaders from every HM Prison Service Establishment in England and Wales (139 in total). Fifty‐four surveys (38.8%) were completed and returned. Findings indicate that staff support services were reportedly in place in virtually all 54 establishments. However, the data suggest that even when present, provisions may not have adequately met the needs of staff working with prisoners who self‐harm, particularly when dealing with ‘repetitive’ self‐harming behaviours. These findings are discussed in relation to organizational health literature. Their practical and theoretical implications are considered, together with directions for further studies in this under‐researched area.
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Michael F. Polgar, Carol S. North and David E. Pollio
This research documents the responsibilities and stresses of people with homeless relatives. Health and housing problems create a variety of challenges and sometimes burdens…
Abstract
Purpose
This research documents the responsibilities and stresses of people with homeless relatives. Health and housing problems create a variety of challenges and sometimes burdens within families which are particularly stressful for family caregivers who are actively involved with helping homeless adults.
Design
Our study and data examine stress proliferation and stress buffering among people with homeless relatives using quantitative data from 118 interviews, mostly with parents and siblings of homeless adults.
Findings
Quantitative data from 118 interviews, largely from parents and siblings of homeless adults, show that people who spend more time or money helping homeless relatives experience higher levels of stress. Stress levels are also higher among those who help a homeless relative with activities of daily living and those who work to prevent harm that involves a homeless relative. Stress derived from efforts to prevent harm is associated with stronger social support to people with homeless relatives.
Value
Social and health service providers can provide helpful social support for both homeless people and for people with homeless relatives, particularly in circumstances where harm reduction is required.
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Sonja Treven and Vojko Potocan
The purpose of this paper is to present: the problem of stress employees might encounter; the individual inclination to stress; the individual methods for reducing stress; and the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present: the problem of stress employees might encounter; the individual inclination to stress; the individual methods for reducing stress; and the authors' model of training for stress prevention.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses both descriptive and analytical approaches to research and dissemination. Within the descriptive approach various methods are applied, including compilation, descriptive and comparative techniques; the analytical approach involves inductive and deductive methods.
Findings
It emerges that individuals vary considerably in their ability to manage stress. Self‐perception, locus of control, type A or B behavioural patterns and flexibility or rigidity, all appear to influence stress management abilities.
Practical implications
Some organisations might choose to assist individuals to manage stress by providing relevant training programmemes.
Originality/value
The paper develops a model of training for stress prevention. This model could be customised to the specific needs of small, medium and large organisations.
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Mina Westman, Stevan E. Hobfoll, Shoshi Chen, Oranit B. Davidson and Shavit Laski
We examined how Conservation of Resources (COR) theory has been applied to work and stress in organizational settings. COR theory has drawn increasing interest in the…
Abstract
We examined how Conservation of Resources (COR) theory has been applied to work and stress in organizational settings. COR theory has drawn increasing interest in the organizational literature. It is both a stress and motivational theory that outlines how individuals and organizations are likely to be impacted by stressful circumstances, what those stressful circumstances are likely to be, and how individuals and organizations act in order to garner and protect their resources. To date, individual studies and meta-analyses have found COR theory to be a major explanatory model for understanding the stress process at work. Applications of COR theory to burnout, respite, and preventive intervention were detailed. Studies have shown that resource loss is a critical component of the stress process in organizations and that limiting resource loss is a key to successful prevention and post-stress intervention. Applications for future work, moving COR theory to the study of the acquisition, maintenance, fostering, and protection of key resources was discussed.
Marieke Born, Janna Küllenberg, Antonia Drews, Ulrike Bossmann, Julika Zwack, Harald Gündel and Jochen Schweitzer
Mid-level executives are confronted with many dilemma situations, in which they are forced to decide between conflicting options, none of them leading to the desired result. If…
Abstract
Purpose
Mid-level executives are confronted with many dilemma situations, in which they are forced to decide between conflicting options, none of them leading to the desired result. If they fail to cope with them constructively, their individual risk for mental strains increases (Gerlmaier and Latniak, 2013). Initial findings focusing on executives in industry (Bossmann, 2020) show that fostering effective dilemma management in executives is a preventive factor against stress-related diseases. Yet, there is little empirical research that evaluates the contribution of dilemma management training on leadership’s mental health prevention in hospitals. This study aims to examine whether such a training program, adapted to current working conditions in German hospitals, promotes mid-level executives’ mental health.
Design/methodology/approach
A 10-month training program was administered to N = 69 senior physicians, senior nurses and senior service and administrative staff in four hospitals. To evaluate training effects on perceived stress reactivity, on cognitive and emotional irritation over time as well as the effects of the training dose on these results, participants’ self-reported measures were collected at four points in time: before (t0), during (t1), immediately after (t2) and three months after the intervention (t3).
Findings
Overall, participants showed less cognitive irritation and perceived stress reactivity over time. However, their emotional irritation did not change significantly. The dose of training participation did not moderate these results.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the prevention of stress-related diseases and the promotion of sensemaking in mid-level executives’ dilemma management routine in the face of increasingly aggravating working conditions due to financial restrictions in the German health-care system. Findings of this study are explained in greater depth using previously reported qualitative data from the same research project.
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