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Recent Research on Stress at Work

Recent Research on Stress at Work. Andy Smith. Early issues. Heavy industry – the physical working environment e.g. Noise Working hours e.g. shift-work; long working hours. Psychosocial stressors. Karasek model: Job demands Control (and later social support).

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Recent Research on Stress at Work

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  1. Recent Research on Stress at Work Andy Smith

  2. Early issues • Heavy industry – the physical working environment • e.g. Noise • Working hours • e.g. shift-work; long working hours

  3. Psychosocial stressors • Karasek model: • Job demands • Control (and later social support)

  4. A sceptic’s view of stress at work • ‘There’s no such thing as stress’ • ‘Stress is the ‘buzz word’ of the day’ • ‘If we highlight it – people will catch it’ • ‘Stress is a good thing’ • ‘It’s just an excuse not to come to work’

  5. A letter to the Times • Stress is a normal component of responsibility. • If someone complains of unbearable stress at work the remedy is to demote him or her immediately by at least two levels with a corresponding reduction in pay, since the complaint clearly demonstrates that the complainant has been promoted to his/her level of incompetence.

  6. Research supported by HSE

  7. The Bristol Stress and Health at Work Study • Provide information on the scale of perceived stress at work • Identify risk factors • Identify possible health outcomes • Is stress at work due to stress outside of work? • Based on a sample of > 4,000 workers

  8. How much stress? • Described their job as very or extremely stressful: Males Females FULL-TIME 18.6% 23.9% PART-TIME 6.8% 9.2% 5 Million highly stressed in UK

  9. Work characteristics associated with stress included: • Having to work fast • Having to combine different things • Taking the initiative • Responsibility • Lack of support • Overtime; long working hours • Noise • Being treated unfairly

  10. Stress and chronic health problems:

  11. Stress and health problems in last 12 months • High stress associated with more:- • Arthritis/rheumatism • Sciatica/lumbago/backache • Hay fever • Stomach trouble/indigestion • Being constipated / Piles • Foot trouble • Depression/anxiety • Gums/mouth

  12. Stress and health problems in last 14 days: • High stress associated with greater reporting of: Cough; Catarrh; Phlegm; Diarrhoea; Heartburn; Wind; Indigestion; Shortness of Breath; Dizziness; Earache; Swollen Ankles; Nervy; Tense or Depressed; Sore Throat; Difficulty Sleeping; Pains in the Chest; Backache; Nausea; Feeling Tired for No Apparent Reason; Rashes; Itches; Skin Trouble; Headache; Trouble With Gums, Wheeziness.

  13. A definition of stress • Stress is apparent when demands exceed the ability to cope. • Stress is the reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demands placed on them.

  14. Combined effects of risk factors The Combined Effects Approach • Factors usually studied in isolation • Not representative of real-life situation

  15. Combined effects of demographic and general occupational risk factors • Divorced/separated/widowed • 40-50 years old • Full-time • Educated to degree level • Socio-economic Group II

  16. Number of risk factors and reports of stress

  17. Job characteristics: combined risk factors and stress

  18. Ethnicity, discrimination and stress

  19. Discrimination Those reporting racial discrimination at work have the highest stress levels. Looking at the combination of ethnicity, discrimination and gender – Female, discriminated against, African-Caribbeans report the highest stress

  20. Last 2 or 3 years – next series of talks • Combined effects = culture? • Stress in particular sectors • Health-related behaviours and stress • Stress in those starting work • Stress and job retention • Stress and return to work: the role of therapy

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