2. Definition STRESS a persons adaptive response to stimulus
that places excessive psychological and physical demands on him or
her. Stress is induced by a stimulus known as stressor Stressors
may be physical or psychological in nature and place an excessive
demand on an individual. JOB STRESS dynamic condition in which an
individual is confronted with an opportunity, constraint, or demand
related to what he or she desires and for which the outcome is
perceived to be both uncertain and important. 3. Eustress &
Distress Proposed by Dr. Hans Selye are the concepts of Eustress ,
Distress and the phenomenon of General Adaptation Syndrome.
EUSTRESS Positive stress. Positive stress is a pleasant form of
stress caused by desirable stimuli. Positive stresses enhances a
persons performance. For example : Excelling in examination or Job
promotion DISTRESS Negative stress which causes mental agitation.
Prolonged exposure to negative stress can have many harmful effects
on individuals. For example financial troubles or heavy work load
4. General Adaptation Syndrome.(GAS) Refers o the defensive system
designed to help aperson to cope with any environmental demand
perceived as threatening. GAS outlines three stages of coping with
stress.THE ALARM STAGE 2. THE RESISTANCE STAGE. 3. THE EXHAUSTION
STAGE. 1. 5. General Adaptation Syndrome.(GAS) THE ALARM STAGE The
external stressors causes biochemical and psychological changes in
the body , such as an increase in blood pressure and rate of
respiration.THE RESISTANCE STAGE On prolonged exposure to a
stressor the GAS moves to second stage. Here the person tries to
cope with the stressor by devising a plan to complete the task
assigned or flee the stressor by delegating the task to some one
else. 6. General Adaptation Syndrome.(GAS) THE EXHAUSTION STAGE If
the person is exposed to the stressor for a longer period where he
feels drained and reaches the final stage. In this stage , the
individual is depleted of all energy and may be on the verge of
breakdown. When a person does not want to perform a particular
activity or is unable to do it well, he may feel exhausted and
frustrated and prolonged exposure to such situation may result in
either depression, nervous breakdown or burnout. 7. General
Adaptation Syndrome.(GAS) 8. The Causes of stress. Extra
organizational Stressors Organizational Stressors Group stressors
Individual stressors. 9. Extra Organizational Stressors Social
& Technological Changes Family problems Relocation Economic
& Financial Conditions Race & Class Residential &
Community Conditions. 10. Organizational Stressors Macro Level
organizational stressors Fred Luthans. ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND
STRATEGIES o Downsizing o Competitive Pressures. o Merit pay plans
o Rotating work shifts o Bureaucratic rules o Advanced technology
11. Organizational Stressors ( Macro level) ORGANISATIONAL
STRUCTURES AND o o oo o oDESIGN Centralization and formalization
Line staff conflicts Specialization Role ambiguity and conflict No
opportunity for promotion Restrictive , Untrusting Culture. 12.
Organizational Stressors ( Macro level) ORGANISATIONAL PROCESS o o
o oo oTight controls Only downward communication Little performance
feedback Centralized decision making Lack of participation in
decisions Punitive appraisal system 13. Organizational Stressors (
Macro level) WORKING CONDITIONS. o Crowded work area o Noise, heat
or cold o Polluted air o Strong odouro Unsafe, dangerous conditions
o Physical or mental strain o Toxic chemicals or radiations 14.
Organizational Stressors (Others) Proposed by Curtis. W. Cook,
Philip .L. Hunsaker and Robert. E. Coffey. High Stress Jobs Job
role Poor working conditions Organizational politics Poor work
relationship. 15. Group Stressors Absence of group Cohesiveness
Absence of support from other members Conflict related to groups.
16. Individual Stressors ROLE CONFLICT AND AMBIGUITY o Role
conflict is a Conflicts among the rolescorresponding to two or more
Statuses o Role ambiguity occurs when people are unclear or
uncertain about their expectations within a certain role, typically
their role in the job or workplace. Role ambiguity arises when the
definition of the person's job is vague or ill defined. TYPE A
CHARACTERISTICS Are prone to high levels of stress because they
tend to have work loads, put in long hours of work and are under
constant pressure to met deadlines. They strive 17. Individual
Stressors LOCUS OF CONTROL The degree of control that an individual
exercises over his work environment is known as locus of control.
People with internal locus of control are less vulnerable to stress
than those with external locus of control. LEARNED HELPLESSNESS
Behavior of certain individuals who become helpless in a stressful
situation and do not attempt to change things. They learn to accept
certain stressors as apart of their work life, and believe that
nothing they do can change or alter their stressors' he reason
could be lack of control based on their personal characteristics,
were stable and lasting and were universal in nature. 18.
Individual Stressors SELF EFFICACY Is defined as the self
perception of how well a person can cope with situations as they
arise. People with high self efficacy tend to preserve and do a
good job without being stressed out . they remain calm even in
difficult situations. PSYCHOLOGICAL HARDINESS Refers to a persons
ability to cope with stress. A person with high level psychological
hardiness have the ability to cope with tremendous amount of stress
they high an internal locus of control they believe that they are
the master of their own fate. They are strongly committed to goals
and receptive to change. On the other hand people with low
psychological hardiness are nervous prone to stress related
illness. 19. The Effects Of Occupational Stress. PHYSICAL PROBLEMS
Early symptoms are head ache, increase in BP, sweating, hot
flushes, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal disorders and fatigue.
Prolonged exposure leads, high BP, ulcers, high level of
cholesterol and heart diseases. PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEM Makes a
person feel angry , anxious, bored, depressed, dissatisfied, tense,
irritated. Prolonged exposure makes them aggressive, hostile,
resentment lower self esteem resulting in poor performance and
dissatisfaction 20. The Effects Of Occupational Stress. BEHAVIORAL
PROBLEM. Symptoms are sleep disorders, overeating, loss of
appetite, increased smoking, alcohol consumption, use of addictives
like drugs, rude behavior. And nervousness in social interaction
such as rapid speech fidgeting. In extreme cases becomes violent
and even attacks other people. 21. Stress And Performance 22.
STRATEGIES TO COPE STRESS . 23. Strategies To Cope Stress. Various
methods can be used to combat stress atboth individual level as
well as organizational level. At either these level stress
management focuses on three basic steps. 1. Understanding that
stress can have a negative effect on both a persons behavior and
his performance at work. The management as well as employee should
understand that poor performance, irritability, aggression,
absenteeism etc are all symptoms of stress. 2. The second step is
identifying those stressors which affects individuals behavior and
performance at work. 3. The final step involves taking constructive
measures to help them cope with stress. 24. Methods To Mange Stress
Effectively. PROBLEM FOCUSED STRATEGY Identify the stressors
responsible for negative symptoms either eliminate or modify the
stressor.EMOTION FOCUSSED STRATEGY Teaching people how to control
their emotions so that they are not negatively affected by stress.
25. Individual Strategies To Cope With Stress. PROBLEM FOCUSED
STRATEGIES o Time managemento Requesting others to help. o Shifting
to another job. EMOTION FOCUSED STRATEGIES o o o ooRelaxation
Exercise Psychological strategies Recreation Companionship 26.
Organizational Strategies To Cope With Stress. PROBLEM FOCUSED
STRATEGIES o Redesigning the job o Proper selection and placement o
Training o Team buildingo Providing various day care facilities 27.
Organizational Strategies to cope with stress. EMOTION FOCUSED
STRATEGIES o Providing open communication within theorganization o
Employee assistance program o Mentoring o Wellness programs and
personal time off.
