STRESS

Concept :
It is a state of tension experienced by individuals facing extraordinary demands, constraints or opportunities.
Stress is associated with: Constraints or Demands, Uncertainty over the outcome which is regarded as important.

Types of Stress:
Constructive Stress (Eustress)

Eu means good in Greek. Eustress acts in a positive manner for the individual and the organization. E.g. an employee is offered a job promotion at another location, working hard before exams, complete projects and assignments on time. Low to moderate amount of stress can increase effort, stimulate creativity and encourage diligence in ones work.
Destructive Stress (Distress) Distress is not healthy for the individual or organization. May indicate effects that are out of balance or outside the tolerance limits. Excessive stress may lead to overload and breakdown at a persons physical and mental systems. Performance can suffer as people react to high stress through absenteeism, turnover, errors, accidents, dissatisfaction and reduced performance.

High

Perf orm anc e

Low

Low

Optimum Stress Level

High

Levels of Stress and Performance

At the optimum level of stress (Eustress), the performance is maximum. It is lower in case of very low-level stress and still lower in very high-level stress. Optimum level of stress may be different for different individuals. High level of stress (distress) causes physical, physiological, and behavioral problems. Potential Sources of Stress
Conditions that tend to cause stress are called stressors. Various stressors can be grouped into four categories (1) individual (2) group (3) Organizational and extra organizational

Factors Causing Stress

Individual Stressors Life and Career Changes Personality Type Role Characteristics Organizational Stressors Organizational Polices Organizational Structure Organizational Processes Physical Conditions Extra organizational Stress Social Changes Technological Changes Community conditions Economic Condition

Individual Stress

Group Stressors Group Cohesiveness Social Support Conflict

1) Individual Stressors
Life and career Changes Every transition or change produces stress. Young adults (especially urban population) are more prone to stress. Lifes changes may also stress Personality Type People with personality a profile experience considerable experience. They are ones who: Work long hours under constant deadline pressure Often work at home at night or weekends and are unable to relax. Constantly compete with themselves setting higher standards of productivity. Gets irritated with the work efforts of others.

Role Characteristics There may be role stress because of role conflict or role ambiguity.

Role Conflict Arises because of incompatibility of two or more roles. The various roles have conflicting demands and people experience stress as they are not able to fulfill the conflicting role requirements.
Role Ambiguity When people are not clear about the actual expectations from a role. This may happen because of inadequate knowledge or information to do a job.

2) Group Stressors:

Lack of group cohesiveness:

When individuals start getting negative reaction from their group members, they feel stressed.

Lack of Social Support:

When the social support does not come from members of the group, individuals become stressed. Conflict: Any conflict arising out of group interaction may become stressing for the individuals, be it inter-personal conflict among the group members of inter-group conflict.

3) Organizational Stressors Organizational policies: Unfavorable and ambiguous policies may affect the functioning of the individuals adversely and they may experience stress. Organization structure: This provides formal relationships among individuals in an organization. Any defect in organization structure like lack of opportunity of participation in decision making, lack of opportunity for advancement, high degree of specialization, line & staff conflict etc. works as stressors.

Organizational Processes: Faulty organizational processes like poor communication, poor & inadequate feedback of work performance , etc. cause stress for people in the organization.
Physical conditions: Poor Physical conditions like crowding and lack of privacy, excessive noise, air pollution, safety hazards, poor lighting etc. produce stress on people. 4) Extra organizational stressors:

Social and technical changes economic & financial conditions, social class conflicts, community conditions etc. work as stressors.

Consequences of Stress
Stress has neutral connotation, it is only the degree of stress which produces positive or negative consequences. Stress is of two types: Eustress Distress Physical Problems: Stress causes physical reactions, including autonomic, excitability of nerves, increased heart rate, and a decrease in body temperature. A high-level stress is accompanied by high BP and high level of cholesterol and can result in heart disease, ulcer and arthritis. These aliments have a drastic effect on the individuals, their families and organizations. Psychological Problems: High level of stress may be accompanied by psychological reactions such as anger, anxiety, depression, nervousness, irritability, tension & boredom depending on the nature of stress and bearing capacity of individual. Mood swings, lowered self-esteem, concentration distortion, job dissatisfaction etc. affects productivity. Behavioral Problems: People show dysfunctional behaviour in the form of alcoholism, drug addiction, increased smoking, sleeplessness, under/overeating etc., suicide in extreme cases. At the workplace, people may show behaviour like tardiness, absenteeism & turnover etc.

Coping Strategies for Stress

Stress can be coped at two levels: Individual level Organizational level

Individual Coping Strategies

Coping Strategies may be adopted by individuals without reference to the organization. Individual coping strategies tend to be more reactive in nature. Physical Exercise: Walking, jogging, swimming. Playing, yoga, etc. are good methods of overcoming stress. It relaxes, enhances self-esteem etc. Relaxation: Meditation enhances relaxation. Work-home Transition: In this, a person may attend to less pressure inducing type or routine work during the last 30 or 60 minutes of work time. Cognitive Therapy: Lectures and interactive discussion sessions are arranged to help participants; Recognize events at work and what cognitions they elicit. Become aware of the effects of such cognitions on their physiological & emotional responses. Replace self-defeating cognitions that unnecessary arouse strain. Networking: Is the formation of close associations with trusted co-workers & colleagues who are god listeners & confidence builders.

Organizational coping strategies

Are more of proactive nature, i.e., they attempt at removing existing or potential stressors. They are: Supportive organizational climate: Focus is on participation & involvement of employees in decision making process. Such a climate develops belongingness among people which helps them reduce their stress. Job enrichment: Adding content factors such as responsibility, recognition, opportunity for advancement removes the monotony job making it less stressful. Organizational role clarity: Role ambiguity and role conflict is reduced.

Career planning & counseling: This helps the employees to obtain professional advice regarding career paths that would help them to achieve personal goals.
Stress control workshops and employee assistance programmes: Workshops for control and reduction of stress should be organized periodically. The organization can make arrangements for assisting individuals in overcoming their personal and family problems.