Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Coping; Stress reduction; Relaxation'

This study examined the effects of two 8-week stress-management interventions (aerobic exercise and progressive relaxation) on reductions in trait anxiety, increases in self-efficacy, and enhancement of coping strategies for sedentary working women. It was expected that aerobic exercise, a relatively new treatment, would be as effective or more effective than progressive relaxation, a well researched treatment, as a stress-management intervention. The subjects were 72 females aged 24-59, (M = 39.8) solicited from the Vancouver community via newspaper advertisement asking for stressed volunteers to participate in two stress-management programs. They were interviewed and randomly assigned to an aerobic exercise or progressive relaxation treatment. The treatment sessions were conducted over an 8-week period with subjects meeting in groups for 1 1/2 hours per week. Prior to the first session subjects were administered: STAI-T (Spielberger, Gorsuch, & Lushene, 1970), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (Sherer et al., 1982), Ways of Coping Checklist (Lazarus 6 Folkman, 1984), and a 7-Day Exercise Recall Inventory (Blair, 1984). Subjects were assessed again at post treatment and at 8-week follow-up. Repeated measures, multivariate analysis of variance with preplanned contrasts, indicated that both treatment groups were effective in decreasing trait anxiety and increasing self-efficacy from pre- to post-treatment. These changes were maintained at 8-week follow-up. In addition, a one-way multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measures indicated that the total number of coping strategies, as well as the difference between the number of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies, did not change significantly from pre- to post-treatment. Additionally, there was a negative relationship between low scores in self-efficacy and high scores in emotion-focused coping. In response to ancillary post-treatment and follow-up questionnaires, aerobic exercise was perceived by the participants as a more satisfactory stress-management treatment. Implications of these results and suggestions for future studies are discussed.
Education, Faculty of
Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of
Graduate

This study investigated the effectiveness of psychosocial treatment in reducing stress, improving mood and enhancing immune functioning in gay males diagnosed HIV seropositive. A J & J I-30 Biofeedback System monitored muscle potential, respiration, heart rate, electrodermal response and temperature during sessions where participants received training and/or were subject to a stress profile. Home practice tapes were provided. Results showed a delayed treatment effect in reducing stress and symptom severity and improving mood for two participants. One participant showed improvement in hardiness. Stress Profile results showed decreases in muscle potential during stress for three participants. All participants improved during recovery. During EMG biofeedback sessions, two participants improved. Within sessions, immune functioning improved for three participants. Overall, results suggest that participants learned skills that enabled them to better adapt to stress, and access, perhaps through a change in consciousness, some mechanism through which immune functioning improved in the short term. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.)

A large body of empirical research has accumulated, suggesting that stress plays a direct and indirect role in both somatic and psychological disorder. Impaired job performances have also been attributed to the deleterious effects of stress. Most of the occupational stress management literature, however, has been focused on non-handicapped populations. Negative reactions to anger and stress have been identified as factors contributing to the poor transition from school to work for handicapped youth. The present study was one of the first efforts to evaluate and compare the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy and relaxation coping techniques for the management of stress-related anger in handicapped work adjustment youth using a controlled group design. Forty work adjustment students identified as emotionally handicapped or mentally retarded were randomly assigned to a stress inoculation condition, progressive relaxation condition, or a waiting-list control condition. Subjects ranged in age from 16 to 22. Subjects in the two treatment conditions met with a male therapist for 10 one-hour group sessions. Physiological, psychological, and behavioral measures were administered at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 4-week follow-up intervals to all subjects. Results of a 3x2x3 multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measures indicated no significant main or interaction effects. It was concluded that the interaction of treatment with time, and treatment with time accounting for disability did not significantly affect the work adjustment students' stress and anger scores for the selected dependent measures. Possible explanations for the absence of significant differences on these measures were presented, and the utility of the study as a whole was discussed.
Ph. D.

Thesis advisor: Joyce Pulcini
This randomized intervention study examined the efficacy and feasibility of a stress reduction program using mindful movement to decrease levels of perceived stress, facilitate coping, enhance self-esteem, and self-regulation in school-age girls. School-age children experience stressors with serious sequelae and need to respond with multiple coping strategies. Girls use maladaptive coping strategies and report lower self-esteem. Evidence-based interventions for stress management in children are scant, contributing to missed opportunities for preventing illness and promoting health. Mindfulness-based stress reduction is a training program of awareness-based practices, including yoga, which was adapted to the development of school-age girls. The questions included: (1) To what extent do school-age girls who participate in an eight week mindful movement intervention report significantly different levels of perceived stress, effectiveness and number of coping strategies, levels of self-esteem, and self-regulation than girls in a wait-list control group? (2) To what extent is the dose of mindful movement inversely correlated with perceived stress and positively correlated with effectiveness and number of coping strategies, self-esteem, and self-regulation? A sample of fourth and fifth grade girls was recruited from two public schools randomized as intervention and wait-list control. The intervention group met one hour a week for eight weeks and completed ten minutes of daily homework. Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance with an intention to treat analysis (n=155) was used. No differences between groups were found. Both groups reported increased self-esteem and self-regulation over time. Compared to the control group, the intervention group was more likely to increase their frequency of coping (p< .05). The amount of home yoga practice predicted an increase in stress scores. Supplemental analyses found the intervention group was more likely to report increasing stress appraisals (p<.01). Coping frequency and stress appraisal scores were not correlated at Time 1 in the intervention group, but were positively correlated at Time 2. The intervention group may have become more aware of feelings associated with stress and generated coping, or may have experienced increasing stress as part of mindfulness training. School-based mindfulness interventions are feasible and may be coordinated by school nurses, but require more investigation. Limitations, implications, and suggestions for future research are discussed
Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2010
Submitted to: Boston College. Connell School of Nursing
Discipline: Nursing

Providing care for a frail older adult who is suffering from dementia has been described as a stressful experience that may erode psychological well-being and physical health of caregivers. The present study investigated the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), among older family caregivers of persons with neurocognitive disorders, compared with an intervention based on progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). Participants were randomly assigned to either MBSR or PMR (n = 28). The MBSR group showed significantly greater reductions in self-reported levels of depression and isolation from pre- to post-intervention, and those changes remained significant at 8 weeks post-intervention. Both groups showed similar decreases in levels of perceived stress, cortisol awakening response, daily average cortisol, and in resting systolic blood pressure from pre- to post-intervention. Results suggest that MBSR and relaxation-based interventions may both be effective for caregivers, however, further research, employing waitlist control participants will be necessary for unambiguous interpretation of the present results.

Objetivo: Investigar os efeitos de um programa de relaxação terapêutica na gestão do stress de um grupo de enfermeiros. Método: A amostra integrou 30 participantes (40,7 ± 7,3 anos), na sua maioria do sexo feminino. Quinze enfermeiros participaram num programa de relaxação terapêutica (grupo experimental), com frequência bissemanal durante 8 semanas. Durante o mesmo período, os restantes 15 participantes mantiveram a sua rotina habitual (grupo de controlo). Foram avaliados os fatores de stres, a síndrome de burnout, os estados de humor, as estratégias de coping e os níveis de cortisol salivar. Resultados: A comparação entre grupos revelou melhorias significativas resultantes da realização do programa de relaxação terapêutica ao nível da diminuição da exaustão emocional (p=.032), da melhoria dos estados de humor (Depressão/Melancolia, p<.01) e da diminuição dos valores de cortisol salivar (p=.049). A análise intragrupo do GE demonstrou efeitos significativos ao nível da melhoria dos estados de humor (Hostilidade/Ira, p=.05; Fadiga/Inércia, p=.05; e Depressão/Melancolia, p=.01), bem como na diminuição do recurso à estratégia “Confronto e resolução ativa dos problemas” (p=.039) e na realização pessoal (p=.01). Conclusões: O programa de relaxação terapêutica conseguiu melhorar alguns dos indicadores de stress de enfermeiros, pelo que pode ser uma boa estratégia de gestão do stress; Effects of a therapeutic relaxation program in the stress management of nurses. ABSTRACT: Objective: Investigate the effects of a therapeutic relaxation program on nurses’ stress management ability. Methods: The sample was comprised by 30 participants (40,7 ± 7,3 years), mostly female. Fifteen nurses participated in a therapeutic relaxation program (experimental group), two times a week during 8 weeks. In the same period, the remaining 15 participants maintained their usual routine (control group). Stress factors, burnout syndrome, mood states, coping strategies and salivary cortisol levels were tested. Results: The comparison between groups showed significant improvements from the implementation of the therapeutic relaxation program in terms of decreasing of emotional exhaustion (p=.032), improving mood states (Depression/Melancholy, p<.01) and decreasing the salivary cortisol levels (p=.049). The intragroup analysis of EG showed statistically significant effects on improving mood states (Hostility/Anger, p=.05; Fatigue/Passivity, p=.05; Depression/Melancholy, p=.01), as well as a decrease in the use of “Confrontation and active resolution of problems” coping strategy (p=.039) and personal fulfilment (p=.01). Conclusions: The proposed therapeutic relaxation program could improve some of the nurses’ stress management indicators, demonstrating that it can be a good stress management strategy.

Stress hos sjuksköterskor är vanligt förekommande vilket kan påverka arbetsförmågan och leda till en försämring i omvårdandskvalitén. Arbetsklimatet gör att sjuksköterskor oavsett arbetslängd funderar över att lämna yrket alternativt valt att lämna. Samtidigt är det brist på sjuksköterskor i Sverige och majoriteten av arbetsgivare är i behov av att anställa sjuksköterskor på grund- och specialistnivå. Syftet med studien var att beskriva stresshanteringsmetoder för att minska arbetsrelaterad stress hos sjuksköterskor. Studien var en systematisk litteraturöversikt som inkluderat 24 studier som publicerats på engelska mellan 2010–2018 med hög och medel vetenskaplig kvalité. Resultatet identifierade tio stresshanteringsmetoder som kunde minska arbetsrelaterad stress och tre tillvägagångssätt påvisades. Reducera stressorer på arbetsplatsen; Organisationförändringar och utbildning i vård av äldre. Hitta metoder för att anpassa sig till stressfulla miljöer; Coping strategier. Interventioner med stresshanteringsmetoder; Avslappningsövningar, BREATHE, Mindfulness, PAR, Resilience training program, Self-help through mobile phone och Stressmanagement program. Sjuksköterskor kan möjligtvis stärka sitt empowerment med välvalda coping strategier där sjuksköterskan tar kontroll över sina handlingar och känslor. Förstärkning av begriplighet och hanterbarhet enligt Antonovskys teori om KASAM kan eventuellt stärkas med sex av stresshanteringsmetoder från resultatet. I syfte att stärka sjuksköterskors meningsfullhet bör gemensamma värderingar stärkas bland sjuksköterskor i olika arbetsgrupper. Meningsfullhet bidrar till motivation och engagemang samt gör att stress tolkas som utmaningar värda att investera energi i.

The Master's Thesis "Stress evaluation, coping and reduction" deals with studying and analyzing stress in sample of employees from Slovenské elektrárne, a.s. The theoretical part analyzes psychological overloading and pressure, stress itself, theories of stress, pathological effects of stress in society, coping with stress and reduction of stress. The practical part deals with stresors, which have an influence on respondents, their (dis)satisfaction with work and dependence between them. Conclusion contains suggestions how to deal with stress and its economic analysis.

Woods (2010) points out that research in emotional intelligence has been carried out at school level, but little research has been undertaken with academics in higher education. Research around emotions within the organisational context also appears to be limited in higher education (Briner, 1999, 2005; Kumar and Rooprai, 2009). There, therefore, appears to be an area in which research can be carried out. The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the concept of emotional intelligence (trait EI) in the higher educational context (University) and to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence, coping and well-being. The research explored: how university academics cope emotionally with interpersonal relationships; if there was a significant correlation between emotional intelligence and well-being; if emotional intelligence can help academics cope; the emotionally challenging experiences academics have and how they cope with them. Mixed methodology was used in this research using a sequential, explanatory approach. Triangulation brings together the findings from the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative aspect of the research included a sample size of 100% (N =533); 45.8% (N = 244) male, with a mean age of 48.78 (SD = 10.9); and 54.2% (N = 289) female, with a mean age of 47.29 (SD = 9.78). All participants worked for universities in different countries around the world. Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient was used to analyse the quantitative data associated with: coping (Carver, Scheier and Weintraub, 1989), managing emotions (Petrides, 2009a); perceived stress scale (PSS) (Cohen, Kamarck and Mermelstein, 1983); emotional demands (COPSOQ) (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, 2003); and home/work recovery (Querstret and Cropley, 2012). The analysis showed that there was an inverse correlation between PSS and managing emotions (r = -0.52) suggesting a relationship between managing emotions and perceived stress. There appeared to be less significant relationships between the other instruments. Curvature analysis was undertaken on the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI squared) and Perceived stress (PSS). The findings identified a small R squared change of 0.007, while the sig F change is 0.036 which suggests significance as it is less than 0.05. However, it is very small. The nonlinear effect (the addition) of the EI squared variable which is associated with the 0.007 change was 4.41 (F change) which again, appeared very small when compared with the linear F change of 168.32. Moderation was undertaken using Hayes’ (2016) “Process” model. The findings showed that when there was a low level of coping there was a significant negative relationship between PSS and EI (b = -0.16, 95% CI [-0.21, -0.11], t = -6.36, p =00). At the mean value of coping, there was a negative relationship between PSS and EI (b = -0.19, 95% CI [- 0.22, -0.15], t = -10.92, p =00). When there was a high level of coping there was a significant negative relationship between PSS and EI (b = - 0.21, 95% CI [-0.25, -0.17], t = -9.33, p =00). The findings suggest that notwithstanding how well academics cope there was a negative relationship between PSS and EI. The conditional effect of x on y values of the moderators showed that at low levels of coping there was a (negative) significant effect (p less than 0.05) of PSS on EI (-12.01, p < 0.05). At average levels of coping there was negative significant effect of PSS on EI (0, p < 0.05). At high levels of coping there was a positive significant effect. Mediation analysis was also undertaken to find out the effect PSS has on EI influenced by coping. The findings suggest that there was a small significant indirect effect of PSS on EI, through coping where b = 0.02, 95% CI [-0.05, 0.08]. The qualitative aspect of the research included interviews with 11 academics aged 29 to 58. Thematic analysis (TA) was undertaken identifying examples of emotional challenges and experience that are integrated into the study to contextualise the findings. The findings suggest that each person has his/ her own coping strategies which may overlap. This does not come out from findings of the questionnaire/ survey, exemplifying the advantages of undertaking interviews. The findings from the interviews were used to provide greater depth and explanation, than if quantitative data was used alone. Limitations identified include individual differences and challenges in generalising beyond the sample size. A further limitation was that different sample types, models and instruments may have been used in earlier research. Fuzzy generalisations are, therefore, made that replace the certainty of scientific generalisations that help contribute to theory and future research. Overall, it was apparent from the findings from the interviews that, whereas academics experience stressful/ challenging experiences, they use emotional intelligence to help them cope in a constructive manner using ways of coping such as: humour, emotional/ instrumental support. The findings from the quantitative data showed that as perceived stress goes down, emotional intelligence goes up. Each of the methods undertaken in this study support the view that academics do use emotional intelligence to help them cope with stressful and challenging experiences, dependent upon context and circumstances that he/ she experience. Recommendations are made that include training academics to understand their own emotions and to identify emotions in others and then to manage the emotions. This could help increase awareness of emotional intelligence. It is recommended that training be voluntary and be extended to all stakeholders. To embed the training into the organisational procedures and to help communication of emotional intelligence, policies should be developed to help academics and other stakeholders to cope with stressful and challenging experiences to help improve student experience.

Providing care for a frail older adult who is suffering from dementia has been described as a stressful experience that may erode psychological well-being and physical health of caregivers. The burden and stress is increased when the caregivers are themselves elderly. The present study investigated an 8-week stress-reduction program, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and compared it to a similarly structured, alternative behavioral intervention, Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR), to determine if MBSR was as effective or more effective than PMR at reducing subjective burden, symptoms of depression, perceived loneliness or perceived stress among middle-aged and older family caregivers of persons with dementia and other neurocognitive disorders. Twenty-eight participants were randomly assigned to either MBSR or PMR. Self-report and biological measures were collected on five occasions: At the beginning and end of intervention training, and at 8 weeks, 6 months and 1 year following the end of intervention training. In addition to a packet of self-report questionnaires and home-collected salivary cortisol, a laboratory controlled emotional stress test was designed to elicit an emotionally stressful response relevant to caregivers’ experience of caregiving, and facilitate the measurement of stress-related changes in systolic blood pressure and cortisol reactivity. At 1 year post-intervention, the PMR group showed a significantly greater reduction in perceived stress and disruptive patient behaviors. A reduction in emotional reactivity to patient problem behaviors approached significance (p = .08) at 1 year post-intervention for the PMR group. The MBSR group showed significantly greater reductions in self-reported symptoms of depression and perceived isolation from pre- to post-intervention, and those changes remained significant at 8 weeks post-intervention. However, by 1 year post-intervention, interaction effects were non-significant as both groups showed similar decreases in symptoms of depression and perceived isolation. Both groups showed similar decreases in diurnal cortisol, cortisol awakening response, and daily average cortisol (but not laboratory cortisol) from pre- to post-intervention and further decreases at 8 weeks post-intervention, and showed similar reductions in magnitude of change by 1 year post-intervention. This pattern was similar for both groups with systolic blood pressure, showing decreases from pre- to post-intervention, additional decreases at 8 weeks post-intervention, and returning towards baseline by 1 year post-intervention. Both groups also reported similar increases in levels of dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion and similar improvement in overall sleep quality that was sustained at 1 year post-intervention. No changes were seen for perceived burden or loneliness. Significant correlations with amount of daily practice of the instructed stress-reduction approaches were observed for several of the dependent measures from pre- to post-intervention and 8 weeks post-intervention. From pre-intervention to 1 year post-intervention, an overall pattern emerged, where both groups showed similar improvements from pre- to post-intervention, and additional improvements at 8 weeks post-intervention, but displayed a curvilinear reduction in improvements—with some exceptions—and a return towards baseline at 6 months and 1 year post-intervention. In general, reductions in the magnitude of changes observed by 1 year post-intervention remained below baseline levels. Results suggest that both MBSR and relaxation-based interventions may be differentially effective in reducing psychological and physiological indices of chronic stress among older caregivers of relatives with neurocognitive disorders. However, further research, employing wait-list control participants, will be necessary for unambiguous interpretation of the present results.

Providing care for a frail older adult who is suffering from dementia has been described as a stressful experience that may erode psychological well-being and physical health of caregivers. The burden and stress is increased when the caregivers are themselves elderly. The present study investigated an 8-week stress-reduction program, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and compared it to a similarly structured, alternative behavioral intervention, Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR), to determine if MBSR was as effective or more effective than PMR at reducing subjective burden, symptoms of depression, perceived loneliness or perceived stress among middle-aged and older family caregivers of persons with dementia and other neurocognitive disorders. Twenty-eight participants were randomly assigned to either MBSR or PMR. Self-report and biological measures were collected on five occasions: At the beginning and end of intervention training, and at 8 weeks, 6 months and 1 year following the end of intervention training. In addition to a packet of self-report questionnaires and home-collected salivary cortisol, a laboratory controlled emotional stress test was designed to elicit an emotionally stressful response relevant to caregivers’ experience of caregiving, and facilitate the measurement of stress-related changes in systolic blood pressure and cortisol reactivity. At 1 year post-intervention, the PMR group showed a significantly greater reduction in perceived stress and disruptive patient behaviors. A reduction in emotional reactivity to patient problem behaviors approached significance (p = .08) at 1 year post-intervention for the PMR group. The MBSR group showed significantly greater reductions in self-reported symptoms of depression and perceived isolation from pre- to post-intervention, and those changes remained significant at 8 weeks post-intervention. However, by 1 year post-intervention, interaction effects were non-significant as both groups showed similar decreases in symptoms of depression and perceived isolation. Both groups showed similar decreases in diurnal cortisol, cortisol awakening response, and daily average cortisol (but not laboratory cortisol) from pre- to post-intervention and further decreases at 8 weeks post-intervention, and showed similar reductions in magnitude of change by 1 year post-intervention. This pattern was similar for both groups with systolic blood pressure, showing decreases from pre- to post-intervention, additional decreases at 8 weeks post-intervention, and returning towards baseline by 1 year post-intervention. Both groups also reported similar increases in levels of dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion and similar improvement in overall sleep quality that was sustained at 1 year post-intervention. No changes were seen for perceived burden or loneliness. Significant correlations with amount of daily practice of the instructed stress-reduction approaches were observed for several of the dependent measures from pre- to post-intervention and 8 weeks post-intervention. From pre-intervention to 1 year post-intervention, an overall pattern emerged, where both groups showed similar improvements from pre- to post-intervention, and additional improvements at 8 weeks post-intervention, but displayed a curvilinear reduction in improvements—with some exceptions—and a return towards baseline at 6 months and 1 year post-intervention. In general, reductions in the magnitude of changes observed by 1 year post-intervention remained below baseline levels. Results suggest that both MBSR and relaxation-based interventions may be differentially effective in reducing psychological and physiological indices of chronic stress among older caregivers of relatives with neurocognitive disorders. However, further research, employing wait-list control participants, will be necessary for unambiguous interpretation of the present results.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between eliciting the relaxation response in first year law students and academic performance.;First year law students at Southern Illinois University ware chosen for this study. Law students were chosen because their course of study was rigorous and stress producing and every student had the same courses during the first year.;There were two treatment groups and a non-treatment control group. One treatment group was taught Benson's Relaxation Procedure and the other was taught a classical eye fixation, self-hypnosis technique. Stress assessments were conducted every other week for an entire semester.;It was hypothesized that (1) the students would be able to lower their anxiety levels from the beginning of the term to the end of the term, (2) that the treatment groups would have lower stress levels than the non-treatment group and (3) that the self-hypnosis group with its motivational statements would show the greatest improvement in academic performance over the other two groups.;It was concluded that there were no significant differences between any of the groups. The treatment groups did not practice enough to be able to assess whether either of the techniques was helpful in reducing stress or in improving academic performance.;Further study is needed to determine if these techniques when used conscientiously will reduce stress and improve academic performance. In addition, comparisons between self-hypnosis and Benson's relaxation procedure still need to be made to determine the role of relaxation in hypnosis.

Subsurface volume loss takes place in many geotechnical situations, and it is inherently accompanied by complex stress and displacement fields that may influence the performance of engineered geosystems. This research is a deformation-centered analysis, it depends on soil compressibility and it is implemented using finite elements. Soil stiffness plays a central role in predicting ground deformation. First, an enhanced Terzaghi’s soil compressibility model is proposed to satisfy asymptotic conditions at low and high stress levels with a small number of physically meaningful parameters. Then, the difference between small and large strain stiffness is explored using published small and large-strain stress-strain data. Typically, emphasis is placed on the laboratory-measured stiffness or compressibility; however, there are pronounced differences between laboratory measurements and field values, in part due to seating effects that prevail in small-thickness oedometer specimens. Many geosystems are subjected to repetitive loads; volumetric strains induced by drained repetitive ko-loads are experimentally investigated to identify shakedown and associated terminal density. The finite element numerical simulation environment is used to explore the effect of localized subsurface mass loss on free-surface deformation and shallow foundations settlement and bearing capacity. A stress relaxation module is developed to reproduce the change in stress associated to dissolution features and soft zone formation. The comprehensive parametric study is summarized in terms of dimensionless ratios that can be readily used for engineering applications. Field settlement data gathered at the Savannah River Site SRS are back-analyzed to compare measured values with predictions based on in situ shear wave velocity and strain-dependent stiffness reduction. The calibrated model is used to estimate additional settlements due to the pre-existing cavities, new cavities, and potential seismic events during the design life of the facility.

The Master´s thesis “Stress evaluation, coping and reduction” is dealing with a topic of work-related stress, which is very common at working places of many companies nowadays. The theoretical part is focused on definition of basic concepts of stress and common techniques of coping and reduction of stress. The practical part provides a measurement of certain level of work-related stress in Henkel Slovensko, spol. s r.o. company based on questionnaire survey. The conclusion of the thesis contains the recommendations focused on reduction of certain stress factors´ impact and precaution of formation of work-related stress.

碩士
南台科技大學
休閒事業管理系
101
Gifted students perform well academically, however, they often suffer pressure from the unsuitable expectations from their parents, teachers, peers, and themselves. Therefore, enjoying leisure activities is beneficial for them to lessen pressure, get mental and physical health, and build good characters as well. The study was aim to discuss the relationship among life stress, leisure coping strategies and the stress reduction for gifted students.The gifted students of fifth to sixth graders were sampled from six schools in Tainan. Research method is a self-developed structured questionnaire. A total of 241 questionnaires were issued, and 235 effectiv ones were obtained. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis , one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, and multiple regression analysis. The results of this study are as follows: 1. The highest level of life pressure is from school life and the lowest is from family. 2. Leisure companionship was the most frequently used leisure coping strategy, and the less one is leisure palliative coping. 3. In the dimensions of leisure coping strategy, pressure reducing is the highest one, and the lowest one is coping satisfaction. 4. The leisure coping strategies play an intermediate role between life pressure and the stress reduction.