Dynamics of Stress - UGC-Human Resource Development Centre ...

Dynamics of StressDynamics of Stress

Dr. Farooq A ShahDr. Farooq A Shah

Department of Management StudiesDepartment of Management Studies

Central University of KashmirCentral University of Kashmir

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Stress: Stress: The Essence of LifeThe Essence of Life

�� The soldier who sustains wounds in battle, the mother who The soldier who sustains wounds in battle, the mother who worries about her soldier son; the gambler who watches worries about her soldier son; the gambler who watches the races, the horse and the jockey he bet on; they are all the races, the horse and the jockey he bet on; they are all

under stress.under stress.

�� The beggar who suffers from hunger and the glutton who The beggar who suffers from hunger and the glutton who overeats; the little shopkeeper with his constant fears of overeats; the little shopkeeper with his constant fears of

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�� The beggar who suffers from hunger and the glutton who The beggar who suffers from hunger and the glutton who overeats; the little shopkeeper with his constant fears of overeats; the little shopkeeper with his constant fears of

bankruptcy and the rich merchant for yet another; they are bankruptcy and the rich merchant for yet another; they are also under stress.also under stress.

�� The housewife who tries to keep her children out of The housewife who tries to keep her children out of trouble, the child who scalds himself and especially the trouble, the child who scalds himself and especially the

particular cells of the skin over which he spilled the boiling particular cells of the skin over which he spilled the boiling coffee; they too are under stress.coffee; they too are under stress.

�� This is a fundamental question in the life of everyone; it This is a fundamental question in the life of everyone; it touches closely upon the essence of life of everyone.touches closely upon the essence of life of everyone.

(HANS SELYE, 1956)(HANS SELYE, 1956)

Salient Features of StressSalient Features of Stress

�� Stress level is on the gradual riseStress level is on the gradual rise

�� Stress is additive in natureStress is additive in nature

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�� Stress is additive in natureStress is additive in nature

�� Stress has a spillover effectStress has a spillover effect

��Stress Stress per se per se is not badis not bad-- Distress Distress

-- EustressEustress

What is Stress?What is Stress?

�� In Physical SciencesIn Physical Sciences::��StressStress is the force, pressure or tension is the force, pressure or tension

exerted on a material object that disturbs its exerted on a material object that disturbs its

homeostasis and homeostasis and strainstrain is the resultant is the resultant homeostasis and homeostasis and strainstrain is the resultant is the resultant

perversion or distortion.perversion or distortion.

�� In Behavioral Sciences:In Behavioral Sciences:�� “Stress is a state of psychological and/or “Stress is a state of psychological and/or

physiological imbalance resulting from the physiological imbalance resulting from the

disparity between situational demands and disparity between situational demands and

the individual's ability and motivation to meet the individual's ability and motivation to meet

those needs.”those needs.” 4

What is Stress?What is Stress?

��A dynamic condition in which an A dynamic condition in which an individual is confronted with an individual is confronted with an

opportunity, constraint, or opportunity, constraint, or opportunity, constraint, or opportunity, constraint, or demand related to what he or she demand related to what he or she desires and for which the desires and for which the

outcome is perceived to be both outcome is perceived to be both

important important and and uncertainuncertain..5

Stress PerspectivesStress Perspectives

��Stress: A stimulusStress: A stimulus

��Stress: A responseStress: A response

Stress: An interaction Stress: An interaction ��Stress: An interaction Stress: An interaction

((three dimensional perspective)three dimensional perspective)

Interaction between stimulus and responseInteraction between stimulus and response

And moderated by intervening factorsAnd moderated by intervening factors

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General Adaptation Syndrome General Adaptation Syndrome (Hans (Hans SelyeSelye))

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Resistance

Level

Alarm

Stage

Exhaustion

Stage

Resistance

Stage

NORMAL LEVEL

OF RESISTANCE

Duration of Exposure to Stress

Three stages of adaptation (GAS)Three stages of adaptation (GAS)

•• Alarm reaction stageAlarm reaction stage--––Perception Perception of of stressorstressor

–– Initial shock phaseInitial shock phase

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–– Initial shock phaseInitial shock phase

––Distortion of homeostasisDistortion of homeostasis

–– Lowered resistanceLowered resistance

––Changes in bodily functionsChanges in bodily functions--–– heart rate, blood pressure, increased release of heart rate, blood pressure, increased release of hormones…..hormones…..

–– Followed by heightened resistanceFollowed by heightened resistance

Three stages of adaptation (GAS)Three stages of adaptation (GAS)

•• Resistance stageResistance stage--–– Ability to cope rises above normal level because of activated defense Ability to cope rises above normal level because of activated defense mechanisms mechanisms

–– Long term high level adaptation Long term high level adaptation –– Long term high level adaptation Long term high level adaptation

–– Adaptation aimed at restoration of homeostasisAdaptation aimed at restoration of homeostasis

–– In case situation prolongs, the adaptation reaches to the next stageIn case situation prolongs, the adaptation reaches to the next stage

•• Exhaustion stageExhaustion stage--–– Body must rest and recover from heightened resistance stageBody must rest and recover from heightened resistance stage

–– Long term high level resistance depletes energy reservesLong term high level resistance depletes energy reserves

–– Prolonged resistance leads to systemic breakdownProlonged resistance leads to systemic breakdown

–– If situation persists, there is exhaustion and collapseIf situation persists, there is exhaustion and collapse9

Criticism of GAS modelCriticism of GAS model

�� Based on research conducted on infraBased on research conducted on infra--human human subjects where stressors are mostly physicalsubjects where stressors are mostly physical

�� Essentially stimulus oriented, ignoring the role of Essentially stimulus oriented, ignoring the role of subject’s response and the interaction thereofsubject’s response and the interaction thereofsubject’s response and the interaction thereofsubject’s response and the interaction thereof

�� Adaptation process is not same for all in all situationsAdaptation process is not same for all in all situations

�� Existence of a nonExistence of a non--specific response is not always specific response is not always true especially in case of physical stressorstrue especially in case of physical stressors

�� Reactions from nonReactions from non--human subjects are more human subjects are more perceptible and measureable as compared to human perceptible and measureable as compared to human responsesresponses

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Overstress

(Hyperstress)

Dimensions of Stress

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Positive Stress

(Eustress)

Negative Stress

(Distress)

Understress

(Hypostress)

Stress

Variations

Dimensions of StressDimensions of Stress

Hyperstress/ Hypostress

Distress

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STRESS

Optimal Stress Eustress

StressStress--performance Relationshipperformance Relationship

OPTIMUM STRESSCreativity

Progress

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Progress

Improvement

Satisfaction

LOW STRESSBoredom

Frustration

Dissatisfaction

HIGH STRESSExhaustion

Surrender

Illness

HIGH

PERFORMANCE

ZONE BURNOUT ZONERUSTOUT ZONE

Level of

Performance

Level of Stress

Why Role Stress instead of Job/Work?Why Role Stress instead of Job/Work?Why Role Stress instead of Job/Work?Why Role Stress instead of Job/Work?

JOB/WORKJOB/WORK

�� It is a relationship of It is a relationship of

authority and authority and

ROLEROLE

�� It is a relationship of It is a relationship of

expectations and expectations and

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authority and authority and

responsibility.responsibility.

�� Relationship between Relationship between

a worker and others a worker and others

from the formal group from the formal group

only.only.

expectations and expectations and

obligations.obligations.

�� Relationship between Relationship between

the role occupant and the role occupant and

various rolevarious role--senders, senders,

from both formal & from both formal &

informal domains.informal domains.

DIMENSIONS OF ROLE STRESSDIMENSIONS OF ROLE STRESSDIMENSIONS OF ROLE STRESSDIMENSIONS OF ROLE STRESS

� Inter-role Distance (IRD)

AA situationsituation ofof stressstress thatthat arisesarises duedue totoconflictconflict betweenbetween differentdifferent rolesroles oneone

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conflictconflict betweenbetween differentdifferent rolesroles oneoneoccupiesoccupies simultaneouslysimultaneously.. ConsiderConsider thetheincompatibilityincompatibility betweenbetween youryour rolerole asas aaparentparent andand asas aa membermember ofof thetheorganisationorganisation..


� Role Stagnation (RS)A feeling which arises because the role gets A feeling which arises because the role gets stagnant and does not grow with the growth of stagnant and does not grow with the growth of

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stagnant and does not grow with the growth of stagnant and does not grow with the growth of the individual or the individual gets stagnant the individual or the individual gets stagnant and does not grow proportionately with the and does not grow proportionately with the growth of the role. growth of the role.

Either too much of monotony in role or too much Either too much of monotony in role or too much

of change in role causes role stagnationof change in role causes role stagnation..


� Role Expectation Conflict (REC)

A stress situation that arises due to A stress situation that arises due to

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A stress situation that arises due to A stress situation that arises due to

conflicting and inimical expectations and conflicting and inimical expectations and

demands from various roledemands from various role-- senderssenders

( e.g. conflicting expectations from the ( e.g. conflicting expectations from the

boss and subordinates).boss and subordinates).


� Role Erosion (RE)

A condition of stress arising when a role A condition of stress arising when a role

has been reduced in importance or has been reduced in importance or

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has been reduced in importance or has been reduced in importance or

somebody else gets the credit for doing somebody else gets the credit for doing

what is expected to be done in the what is expected to be done in the

incumbent’s own role.incumbent’s own role.


� Role Overload (RO)

A state of stress where the role A state of stress where the role

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occupant feels that she is required to do occupant feels that she is required to do

too much or too difficult a job within the too much or too difficult a job within the

available time and resources.available time and resources.

It includes both quantitative as well as It includes both quantitative as well as

qualitative overloadqualitative overload


� Role Isolation (RI)

A situation where the role occupant feels A situation where the role occupant feels

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that certain roles in the rolethat certain roles in the role--set are, set are,

psychologically and emotionally, at a psychologically and emotionally, at a

distance. distance.

Weak linkages in the organisational roleWeak linkages in the organisational role--

set mean high role isolation and vice versa.set mean high role isolation and vice versa.


� Personal Inadequacy (P-In)

A stress that occurs when the role A stress that occurs when the role

occupant feels that his /her personal occupant feels that his /her personal

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occupant feels that his /her personal occupant feels that his /her personal

competence and skills are inadequate to competence and skills are inadequate to

meet the requirements of his/her role. meet the requirements of his/her role.

Lack of HRD interventions in organizations Lack of HRD interventions in organizations

causes this kind of stress.causes this kind of stress.


� Self-role Distance (SRD)

A state of stress where role occupants A state of stress where role occupants

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A state of stress where role occupants A state of stress where role occupants

find a gap between their values and find a gap between their values and

beliefs and the roles they are to play in beliefs and the roles they are to play in

their work settings.their work settings.


� Role Ambiguity (RA)

A condition of stress where there is lack of A condition of stress where there is lack of

clarity by the role occupants about the clarity by the role occupants about the

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clarity by the role occupants about the clarity by the role occupants about the expectations and the requirements of the job expectations and the requirements of the job assignments. assignments.

Lack of information or understanding in Lack of information or understanding in relation to the activities, responsibilities, relation to the activities, responsibilities, norms or priorities in the job cause this kind norms or priorities in the job cause this kind of stress.of stress.


� Resource Inadequacy (R In)

A condition of stress arising out of a A condition of stress arising out of a

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A condition of stress arising out of a A condition of stress arising out of a feeling that the material, physical, feeling that the material, physical, financial, manpower resources financial, manpower resources available are inadequate to meet the available are inadequate to meet the requirements of one’s role.requirements of one’s role.

STRESS MODELSTRESS MODEL

Potential Sources of Stress

EnvironmentalIndividual Organisational

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Stress Experience

PhysiologicalPsychologicalBehavioural

Individual Differences

Consequences of Stress

Individual Sources/FactorsIndividual Sources/Factors

•• Family and personal/social relationshipsFamily and personal/social relationships

•• Economic /financial problemsEconomic /financial problems•• Economic /financial problemsEconomic /financial problems

•• Personality characteristics and Personality characteristics and individual dispositionsindividual dispositions

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Organizational Sources/FactorsOrganizational Sources/Factors

•• Role related stressesRole related stresses

•• Organizational structureOrganizational structure

•• Organizational culture and climateOrganizational culture and climate

•• Leadership and Managerial styleLeadership and Managerial style

•• Organization’s life stage Organization’s life stage

•• Job and physical conditionsJob and physical conditions27

External/Environmental SourcesExternal/Environmental Sources

•• Economic uncertaintiesEconomic uncertainties

•• Political uncertaintiesPolitical uncertainties

•• Technological uncertaintiesTechnological uncertainties

•• Other external/environmental factorsOther external/environmental factors

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Individual differences/Moderators Individual differences/Moderators of stress experience & copingof stress experience & coping

Individual differences/Moderators Individual differences/Moderators of stress experience & copingof stress experience & coping

��Personality Type: Personality Type: Type A & Type BType A & Type B

��Individual Dispositions:Individual Dispositions:

––PerceptionPerception

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––PerceptionPerception

––Self Efficacy…….Self Efficacy…….

��Locus of Control: Locus of Control:

––Internality Internality vsvs ExternalityExternality

��Social, Emotional & Material SupportSocial, Emotional & Material Support

��ExperienceExperience

Consequences of StressConsequences of Stress

��Physiological ConsequencesPhysiological Consequences

��Psychological ConsequencesPsychological Consequences��Psychological ConsequencesPsychological Consequences

��BehaviouralBehavioural ConsequencesConsequences

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Physiological ConsequencesPhysiological Consequences

��Cardiovascular diseasesCardiovascular diseases

•• HypertensionHypertension

•• CHD/ cardiac failuresCHD/ cardiac failures•• CHD/ cardiac failuresCHD/ cardiac failures

��Debilitated Immune systemDebilitated Immune system

•• Susceptibility to infectionsSusceptibility to infections

��Stomach disordersStomach disorders

•• Gastric and Peptic UlcersGastric and Peptic Ulcers

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Physiological ConsequencesPhysiological Consequences…contd…contd..

��Sexual disordersSexual disorders

•• Loss of sexual appetiteLoss of sexual appetite

•• AmenorrhoeaAmenorrhoea…………•• AmenorrhoeaAmenorrhoea…………

��Malignancy and cancersMalignancy and cancers

��Bronchial asthmaBronchial asthma

��TumorsTumors

��DiabetesDiabetes

��Headaches, backaches & limb achesHeadaches, backaches & limb aches 32

Psychological ConsequencesPsychological Consequences

�� Job dissatisfaction Job dissatisfaction

��Reduced job involvement/commitmentReduced job involvement/commitment

��Anxiety and tensionAnxiety and tension��Anxiety and tensionAnxiety and tension

��DepressionDepression

��Anger and IrritabilityAnger and Irritability

��BoredomBoredom

�� Job burnout and emotional fatigueJob burnout and emotional fatigue33

BehaviouralBehavioural ConsequencesConsequences

��Consequences for Organizations:Consequences for Organizations:•• Low job performance/low productivityLow job performance/low productivity

•• AbsenteeismAbsenteeism•• AbsenteeismAbsenteeism

•• Employee turnover Employee turnover

•• Workplace hostility & aggression Workplace hostility & aggression

•• Workplace accidentsWorkplace accidents

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��Consequences for Consequences for individuals/workersindividuals/workers::

•• UnderUnder--eating/overeating/over--eatingeating

•• Sleep disordersSleep disorders

BehaviouralBehavioural ConsequencesConsequences

•• Sleep disordersSleep disorders

•• AlcoholicsAlcoholics

•• Increased smokingIncreased smoking

•• Drug abuseDrug abuse

•• Aggression/interpersonal problemsAggression/interpersonal problems

•• AccidentsAccidents 35

Health and Financial Impact of StressHealth and Financial Impact of Stress

�� In its Annual Wellness Report (2014), world’s largest In its Annual Wellness Report (2014), world’s largest provider of Employee Assistance Program provider of Employee Assistance Program ComPsychComPsych found found that 38% of employees persistently keep thinking about job that 38% of employees persistently keep thinking about job stress related problems.stress related problems.stress related problems.stress related problems.

�� In the U S, on an average, due to work stress, a worker In the U S, on an average, due to work stress, a worker remains absent from work for 13 days in a year.remains absent from work for 13 days in a year.

�� The The World Health Organization World Health Organization estimates that stress costs estimates that stress costs American businesses $300 billion a year.American businesses $300 billion a year.

�� Stress has been the most common cause of longStress has been the most common cause of long--term term sicknesssickness absence for both manual and nonabsence for both manual and non--manual manual employees in employees in CIPD’s 2014CIPD’s 2014--Absence Management Survey.Absence Management Survey.

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RegusRegus Plc Survey ReportPlc Survey Report

�� Survey conducted by Survey conducted by RegusRegus Plc Plc (an MNC in the (an MNC in the business of providing innovative workplace business of providing innovative workplace solutions) on 11,000 respondents in 13 countries. solutions) on 11,000 respondents in 13 countries.

The survey said 44.9% of Indian workers are The survey said 44.9% of Indian workers are �� The survey said 44.9% of Indian workers are The survey said 44.9% of Indian workers are particularly stressed by the increased focus on particularly stressed by the increased focus on profitability, more than the workers of any other profitability, more than the workers of any other country surveyed.country surveyed.

�� Fear of unemployment /business failure: 22.1%Fear of unemployment /business failure: 22.1%

�� Pressure to maintain excellent customer service: Pressure to maintain excellent customer service: 33%33% 37

��About 79% of Indian executives’ visits About 79% of Indian executives’ visits to doctors are because of work stress.to doctors are because of work stress.

A recent report says that productivity A recent report says that productivity ��A recent report says that productivity A recent report says that productivity loss and ailments due to work related loss and ailments due to work related stress is likely to cost India’s stress is likely to cost India’s exchequer around Rs. 72000 exchequer around Rs. 72000 crorescroresbetween 2009 and 2015. between 2009 and 2015.

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Thanks !Thanks !

and and and and

Queries ?Queries ?

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