Stress

Research Project Instructions

The learning theories upon which this course is based are actualized in the Research Project. You will begin the paper by selecting one key term to research. You may select any key term from Chapters 2-13. The key terms are found at the end of each chapter. You will be required to write a paper of at least 1,000 words, but not to exceed 1,250 words, to fully explore the topic. Your project must demonstrate course-related knowledge with supporting documentation from two peer-reviewed articles, the textbook, and the Bible.

The use of proper, current APA format is required. A title page and reference page(s) must be included. The word count does not include the title or reference page(s). Submit the project as a Microsoft Word document.

Grading

Consult the accompanying rubric for how your instructor will grade this assignment. Also, any form of plagiarism, including cutting and pasting, will result in zero points for the entire assignment. All quoted materials must be properly cited in current APA format.

The Research Project is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module/Week 7.

ANSWER

STRESS

Introduction.

Stress is a condition in which a person is encountered by a situation or an opportunity which does not favour their desires leading to them being overwhelmed hence they are not able to cope with mental or emotional pressure. Most people that are stressed are likely to show some symptoms like migraine, headache, and ulcers and have poor mental health. Stress is caused by different environmental factors called stressors, whose effects are different and difficult to isolate. The factors include; the objective environment factor, these are factors that affect an individual in the work place either noises from the co-workers and the working conditions. Second we have the physiological factor and this is how an individual perceives or even experiences the objective factor. Moreover, the way a person will experience the objective environment factor, it will be different from another person’s perspective and interpretation. This process is called cognitive appraisal which is a strategy based on how an individual evaluates how they perceive stress.

Causes and sources of stress.

We have different potential causes of stress; Personal factors which include family problems, relationships and economic factors. Economic factors like political uncertainty and technology change. Organizational factors like task demands and interpersonal demands.Individivual differences which include job experience and hostility. Stress leads to behavioural consequences and physiological consequences. Behavioural consequences include; low productivity at the work place or even absenteeism, excessive alcohol consumption. Physiological consequences affects your health and one end up experiencing headaches, depression, anxiety and even high blood pressure. They may be long term or short term.

Sources of stress.

Stress occurs from the interactions between a person and the environment. There are different sources of stress.

1. The work factors .Work related stress affects the health and the wellbeing of the employees and even the productivity of the organisation. Work factors include; long hours of working with little pay, heavy workload, conflict with the co-workers. Some jobs have poor working environment which expose the workers to toxic substances, role conflicts and role pressure. These factors lead to employees dropping out of work, poor work performance and even depression to the workers.
2. Non –work factors .Includes the stress that comes when one losses his job, the changes or the stress that comes with one changing careers. Can be dealt with one looking for social support from his friends or even co-workers.

Perceived Environmental Control.

This is an individual’s belief that they can influence their environment by what they do and what they achieve. This helps in reducing stress levels and there is also active coping of stress responses. For example;

• Self-esteem; People with high self-esteem will do better in their job performances because they believe in themselves and chances of them getting stressed are rare.
• Type A Type B behaviour; these are the type people that are highly competitive are impatient with others. They get easily annoyed when struck with an obstacle that may lower their chances of achieving their goals.
• Flexibility and rigidity; Flexible people adapt to changes easily hence it is hard for them to get stressed over a situation compared to rigid people who need more time to adapt to a new change or environment.

Ability; if a situation encounters a person that does not have the ability or the skill to solve it the chances of getting stressed are high compared to those that have the skill

Coping strategies of stress /Stress management

Coping is the way one handles the stressor or themselves and this process is called secondary cognitive appraisail.Here an individual evaluates their ability to deal with the consequences of the interaction with environment. The main purpose of secondary cognitive appraisal is to solve the problem by finding a solution to the stressor and also to learn how to manage the emotional and physiological reactions to stress. .We have personal approach and physiological approach of managing stress. Some of the coping strategies or stress management approaches include;

• Restraining action where by one does not take any action, especially in situations whereby if one takes an action it will lead to more stress.
• Information seeking, here one finds what is stressing them and what could be the cause of the stress
• Direct action, here one finds a solution of what is stressing them by either taking medication, finding another job or even moving to a new environment.
• Counselling and psychotherapy where trained personnel work with the individual to see the cause of the stress and see how it can be managed and find different solutions to it.

When coping with stress, people will use different strategies that will favour tem more.

ORGANIZATION APPROACHES TO STRESS MANAGEMENT.

Organizations have come up with some solutions and programmes to help employees cope with stress and improve their well-being. They have introduces employees well-being programmes which help in counselling the employees when he is under stress or even experiencing personal problems. Introductions of seminars and lectures, where employees are trained more on stress and how to cope with certain situations. Second, we have management practice to modify the wok environment .Here the management should provide a healthy working environment, have good communication skills with the employees, have rewards and also increase participation of decision making in their work environment.

CONCLUSION.

Stress can be either positive or negative. It affects the health and well-being of a person hence situations that lead to stress should be avoided. If a person is experiencing stress they should seek assistance or find solutions immediately.

References

Sampson, W. G., & Akyeampong, O. (2014). Work-related stress in hotels: An analysis of the causes and effects among frontline hotel employees in the Kumasi Metropolis. Ghana. J Tourism Hospit, 3(2).

Stevens, R. E., Loudon, D. L., Yow, D. A., Bowden, W. W., & Humphrey, J. H. (2013). Stress in college athletics: Causes, consequences, coping. Routledge.

Graham, J. R., & Shier, M. L. (2014). Profession and workplace expectations of social workers: Implications for social worker subjective well-being. Journal of Social Work Practice, 28(1), 95-110.

Weinert, C., Laumer, S., Maier, C., & Weitzel, T. (2013). The effect of coping mechanisms on technology induced stress: Towards a conceptual model.