STRESS

What is Stress?
An adaptive response to an action,
situation, or event that places
special/extraordinary demands on a
person

What is Stress?
For an action, situation or event to
result in stress it must be a source of:
Threat
Challenge
Harm

What is Stress?
Key factors that determine whether or
not an experience is likely to result to
stress:
Importance
Uncertainty
Duration

Stress Model
The General Adaptation System
(GAS)
Conceptualized by Hans Selye
Represents a three-stage reaction
Describes the bodys short term and
long term reaction/response to stress

Stress Model

Types of Stress
Eustress
Pleasurable stress
Accompanying positive events
Distress
Unpleasant stress
Accompanying negative events

Types of Stress
Acute stress
Short-term stress reaction to an
immediate threat, challenge or harm
Lasts for a few seconds, few hours or
few days
Chronic stress
Long-term stress reaction resulting
from on-going situations
Lasts for months or years

Stressor
A stressor causes stress to an
organism
Chemical or biological agent
Environmental condition
External stimulus
Event

Stressor
Work stressors
Individual level

Role conflict
Role overload
Role ambiguity
Occupation
Pace of change

Stressor
Work stressors
Group and organizational level

Organizational politics
Organizational culture
Participation
Lack of performance feedback
Inadequate career development
opportunities

Stressor
Non-work stressors

Quality of life
Economy
Lack of mobility
Elder and child care

Warning signs of stress in

employees
1. A normally punctual employee
develops a pattern of tardiness or
absences
2. A normally gregarious employee
becomes withdrawn
3. An employee whose work is
normally neat and demonstrates
attention to details submits
incomplete or sloppy work

Warning signs of stress in

employees
4. A good decision maker suddenly
starts making bad decisions
5. An easy-going employee who gets
along well with others becomes
irritable
6. A normally groomed employee
neglects his/her appearance

Two Models of Workplace Stress

Demand Control Model
Suggests that stress is a function of
both job demands and job control
Effort Reward Imbalance Model
Suggests that stress is a function of
both required effort and rewards
obtained

Two Models of Workplace Stress

Job Control

Demand Control Model

High

Low Strain

Active
(EUSTRESS)

Low

Passive

High Strain
(DISTRESS)

Low

High
Job Demands

Two Models of Workplace Stress

Effort Reward Imbalance Model
Overcommitment
Overcommitment

High
HighEffort
Effort

Low
LowReward
Reward

Demands
Demands
Obligations
Obligations

Pay
Pay
Esteem
Esteem

Individual Influences on
Experiencing Stress

Type A versus Type B Personality

Self-esteem
Hardiness
Gender