Occupational Stress 4

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OCCUPATIONAL STRESSOCCUPATIONAL STRESS

Prepared ByPrepared By

Dr. Adel Abdel WahhabDr. Adel Abdel Wahhab

Consultant of OccupationalConsultant of Occupational

Health & SafetyHealth & Safety

Consultant of Naval &Consultant of Naval &Hyperbaric MedicineHyperbaric Medicine


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Occupational StressOccupational StressDefinition:

The National Institute for Occupational Safetyand Health (NIOSH) defines occupationalstress as "the harmful physical and emotionalresponses that occur when the requirementsof the job do not match the capabilities,

resources, or needs of the worker.

.


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Work-Related StressWork-Related Stress

Probably the best

definition for stressis a combination ofa stressor and

stress reactivity


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Why We Study OccupationalWhy We Study Occupational

StressStressThe study of occupational stress is extremelyimportant in consideration of the billions of dollarslost in stress-related disability claims. Decreasedproductivity, absenteeism and staff replacementcost, particularly when stress claims were

awarded by Worker's Compensation Boards . Theannual report from Statistics Canada showed thatworkplace stress costs Canadian businesses morethan $13 billion annually and 70% of all employeeswill, at some time, experience problems thatreduce performance due to stress. It is estimatedthat occupational stress costs Americanbusinesses over $15 billion per year. There is nodoubt that the study of occupational stress willcontinue to receive the same importance in thefuture.


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StressorStressor

a stressor is definedas a stimulus with thepotential of triggeringthe fight-or-flightresponse. It is simply

the factor thatproduces stress. Thestressor may leadeither to distress or toeustress but many

researchers refer tostressor as only thenegative stressor.


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Types of StressorsTypes of Stressors

Emotion

al Environmental

Injury

Physical

Illness

CareerPressures


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DISTRESSDISTRESS

Distress or negative stress occurs whenyour level of stress is either too high or too

low and your body and/or mind begin torespond negatively to the stressors.


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EUSTRESSEUSTRESS

Eustress or positive stress occurs whenyour level of stress is high enough to

motivate you to move into action to getthings accomplished.


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Constructive stressDestructive stress

High

Individual Performance

Low High

Stress Intensity

Is Stress GOOD or BAD?


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Stress ReactivityStress Reactivity

Hans Selye Father of Stress (1956) termed the fight-or-flight response that includes increased muscletension, increased heart rate, stroke volume, andcardiac output, elevated blood pressure, elevatedneural excitability, reduction of saliva secretion in the

mouth, increased sodium retention, moreperspiration, change in respiratory rate, higher serumglucose, more release of hydrochloric acid in thestomach, changes in brain waves, and increasedurine output. The longer the duration and degree of

the stressor(s), the more likely ill effects will resultfrom the stress reactivity. Stress reactivity has threephases: alarm reaction; resistance and, finally,exhaustion.


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ALARM STAGEALARM STAGE

As you begin toexperience a stressfulevent or perceivesomething to bestressful psychological

changes occur in yourbody.

This experience orperception disrupts yourbodys normal balance

and immediately yourbody begins to respondto the stressor(s) aseffectively as possible.


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RESISTANCE STAGERESISTANCE STAGE

During this stage your bodytries to cope or adapt to thestressors by beginning aprocess of repairing anydamage the stressor hascaused. Your friends, family orco-workers may noticechanges in you before you do

so it is important to examinetheir feedback to make sureyou do not reach overload.


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EXHAUSTION STAGEEXHAUSTION STAGE

During this stage the

stressor is not beingmanaged effectively andthe body and mind are not

able to repair the damage.


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BurnoutBurnout

A syndrome of complete physical and emotionalexhaustion with psychological, psychophysiological,and behavioral components. It is characterized bypessimism, paranoia, rigidity, diminished sense of

humour, increased physical complaints, self-medication, and social withdrawal. Burnout is achronic condition that occurs in the helpingprofessions such as doctors, nurses, teachers,lawyers, social workers and police officers .There is

an overlap between the use of the term stress andburnout in literature and the nomenclature requiresfurther clarification and standardization amongresearchers.


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Stress vsStress vs.. ChallengeChallenge

The concept of job stress is often confused withchallenge, but these ideas are not the same.According to Sauter et al., a challenge energizes usphysically and psychologically. Challenge brings

about motivation to learn a new skill or to master ajob. When a challenge is met, we feel a sense ofsatisfaction and relaxation. However if a challengehas been transposed to become job demands thatcannot be met, relaxation has been turned to

exhaustion. And the task at hand now becomesstressful. In short the stage is set for illness, injury,and job failures


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FightFight--oror--flight responseflight response

The fight or flight response, also called the "acute stress response",was first described by Walter Cannon in the1920s as a theory thatanimals react to threats with a general discharge of thesympathetic nervous system. The response was later recognized asthe first stage of a general adaptation syndrome that regulates stressresponses among vertebrates and other organisms.

The onset of a stress response is associated with specificphysiological actions in the sympathetic nervous system, primarilycaused by release ofepinephrine and norepinephrine from themedulla of the adrenal glands. These catecholamine hormonesfacilitate immediate physical reactions by triggering increases in heartrate and breathing, constricting blood vessels and tightening muscles.An abundance of catecholamines facilitates reliance on spontaneousor intuitive behaviors often related to combat or escape.

If a stimulus is perceived as a threat, a more intense and prolongedactivation of the sympathetic nervoussystem occurs and leads to therelease of norepinephrine from nerve endings acting on the heart,blood vessels, respiratory centers, and other sites. Thesephysiological changes constitute a major part of the acute stressresponse.
http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Walter_Cannonhttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/1920shttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Sympathetic_nervous_systemhttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/General_adaptation_syndromehttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Epinephrinehttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Norepinephrinehttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Adrenal_medullahttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Adrenal_glandhttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Catecholaminehttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Sympathetic_nervous_systemhttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Sympathetic_nervous_systemhttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Catecholaminehttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Adrenal_glandhttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Adrenal_medullahttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Norepinephrinehttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Epinephrinehttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/General_adaptation_syndromehttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Sympathetic_nervous_systemhttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/1920shttp://www.wordiq.com/definition/Walter_Cannon


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What causes occupationalWhat causes occupational

stressstress??The following workplace factors (job stressors) can

result in stress:

Job or task demands (work overload, lack of taskcontrol, role ambiguity.)

Organizational factors (poor interpersonal relations,unfair management practices.)

Financial and economic factors. Conflict between work and family roles and

responsibilities. Training and career development issues (lack ofopportunity for growth or promotion.)

Poor organizational climate (lack of managementcommitment to core values, conflicting

communication styles, etc.)


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Common StressorsCommon StressorsMostMost

Inadequate staffing levels .

Long work hours (Excessive workload). Shift work .

Role ambiguity.

Exposure to hazardous workplace.


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What are the potentialWhat are the potential

adverse health effects ofadverse health effects of

occupational stressoccupational stress??Stress may be associated with the following

types of reactions: Psychological (irritability, job dissatisfaction,

depression)

Behavioral (sleep problems, absenteeism)

Physical (headache, upset stomach, changesin blood pressure)


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Individual FactorsIndividual Factors

An acute traumatic event could cause posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Not everytraumatized person develops full-blown or

even minor PTSD. Although individual factors (such as coping

strategies) and social resources can modifythe reaction to occupational stressors to

some degree, working conditions can play amajor role in placing workers at risk fordeveloping health problems.


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As a general rule, actions to reduce job stressshould give top priority to organizationalchanges that improve working conditions.But even the most important efforts toimprove working conditions are unlikely toeliminate stress completely for all workers.

For this reason, a combination oforganizational change and stressmanagement is often the most successfulapproach for reducing stress at work.

How can stress be controlledHow can stress be controlled

in the workplacein the workplace??


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Organizational ChangeOrganizational Change

InterventionInterventionThe most effective way of reducing occupational stress

is to eliminate the stressors by redesigning jobs ormaking organizational changes. Organizations shouldtake the following measures:

Ensure that the workload is in line with workerscapabilities and resources

Clearly define workers roles and responsibilities Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions

and actions affecting their jobs Improve communication Reduce uncertainty about career development and

future employment prospects Provide opportunities for social interaction among

workers


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Team processTeam process

Team process or worker participatory methodsgive workers opportunities to participate indecisions and actions affecting their jobs.

Workers receive clear information about theirtasks and role. Team-based approaches toredesign work systems, have been

successful in improving job satisfaction andreducing turnover, absenteeism, and jobstress.


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Successful organizationalSuccessful organizational

stress interventionsstress interventions

Successful organizational stress interventions haveseveral things in common:

Involving workers at all stages of the intervention Providing workers with the authority to develop,

implement, and evaluate the intervention

Significant commitment from top management

An organizational culture that supports stressinterventions

Periodic evaluations of the stress intervention

I th thi I d t h l


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Is there anything I can do to helpIs there anything I can do to help

myself deal with the stress I ammyself deal with the stress I am

experiencingexperiencing?? In many cases, the origin of the stress is something thatcannot be changed immediately. Therefore, finding ways tohelp maintain good mental health is essential. There are manyways to be proactive in dealing with stress. In the workplace,you might try some of the following as suggested by the

Canadian Mental Health Association: Laughing is one of the easiest and best ways to reduce stress.

Share a joke with a co-worker, watch a funny movie at homewith some friends, read the comics, and try to see the humourin the situation.

Learn to relax, take several deep breaths throughout the day,

or have regular stretch breaks. Stretching is simple enough todo anywhere and only takes a few seconds

Take charge of your situation by taking 10 minutes at thebeginning of each day to priorize and organize your day.

Be honest with your colleagues, but be constructive and makepractical suggestions.

Be realistic about what you can change.


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Muscle RelaxationMuscle Relaxation


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Individual Techniques forIndividual Techniques for

Stress ReductionStress Reduction


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What else can I do to improve myWhat else can I do to improve my

overall mental healthoverall mental health??1)build confidence :

identify your abilities and weaknesses together, accept thembuild on them and do the best with what you have

2) eat right, keep fit :a balanced diet, exercise and rest can help you to reduce

stress and enjoy life.3)make time for family and friends :

these relationships need to be nurtured; if taken for grantedthey will not be there to share life's joys and sorrows.

4) give and accept support :friends and family relationships thrive when they are "put tothe test"

5)create a meaningful budget :financial problems cause stress. Over-spending on our"wants" instead of our "needs" is often the culprit.


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What else can I do to improve myWhat else can I do to improve my

overall mental healthoverall mental health6) volunteer :

being involved in community gives a sense of purpose andsatisfaction that paid work cannot.

7) manage stress :we all have stressors in our lives but learning how to deal with

them when they threaten to overwhelm us will maintain ourmental health.8) find strength in numbers :

sharing a problem with others have had similar experiencesmay help you find a solution and will make you feel lessisolated.

9) identify and deal with moods :we all need to find safe and constructive ways to express ourfeelings of anger, sadness, joy and fear.

10) learn to be at peace with yourself :get to know who you are, what makes you really happy, andlearn to balance what you can and cannot change about

yourself.


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http://www.orble.com/images/stress51.jpg


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QuestionsQuestions??

Occupational Stress 4

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