Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Stress management'

Stress management refers to a wide spectrum of techniques and psychotherapies aimed at controlling a person's levels of stress, especially chronic stress, usually for the purpose of improving everyday functioning. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/26022

Stress affects us all more or less, but over the last decade people who suffer from severe stress and its symptomshas increased considerably. Women are especially affected, with absence from Swedish workplaces due tostress growing 370% between 2011—2019. As of 2020, stress is treated when we experience symptoms suchas anxiety, panic attacks or insomnia, but it is more sustainable to prevent stress than treating it in terms ofmoney, time, health and effort.Through collaboration with people affected by stress, psychiatrists & researchers specialized on stress, anddesigners from different disciplines, the topic of stress was explored and researched to create a conceptualsolution that could be able to help users manage their stress better.“Pause” is the result of this work. It is a conceptual product ecosystem consisiting of an application andwatch that facilitates monitoring and management of stress in day-to-day scenarios, in order to prevent andreduce stress.

Graduation thesis is focused on subject of stress, stress management and soul hygiene. The main goal of this thesis is to collect relevant literature dealing with questions of stress management and soul hygiene and to process the most important aspects. Subsequent goal is to carry out the empirical research on target group of university students and managers and to find out their approach against stress, stress management techniques and the level of psychohygiene in their lives. Results of the empirical research will be the base for the final recommendations.

This Master´s Thesis focuses on mapping the occurrence of stress in the occupation of pedagogues, its significance, influence and circumstances which affect it. Furthermore, this thesis maps the occurrence of the burn-out syndrome phenomenon, its manifestations and influences which affect it. Also, the thesis deals with stress management and its potential use in the pedagogic field. In this matter, it mostly deals with time management, self-reflection and the influence of positive orientation. In this thesis, the used methods were the use of questionnaires among the educationalists and also dialogues with selected headmasters. The results confirm the existence of connection between the values of the burn-out syndrome and the length of pedagogic career, the age of a person, sex and other studied aspects. Nevertheless, it is important to point out, that the hypotheses based on the studied literature were not confirmed.

A human brain is capable to achieve great things, to endure heavy stress and to calculate complex problems. What happens when it fails to do so? Is there anything that could be done to prevent this from happening? Is it possible to help a pilot in command manage his or her stress during flight by measuring finger temperature, skin conductance, ECG and heart rate variations? This thesis study processes that can help pilots manage high stress with simple tools such as closing their eyes and taking a few deep breaths. To determine when the calming measures are needed and to evaluate potential effects, all the signal data stated above are used combined with scoring of every participant performance. The statistical methods used involves an ANOVA-test and mean value calculations. The results were also analyzed using CBR to get a better understanding of the results and to not only rely on statistical methods. The thesis is limited to a minor study of 10 student pilots participating in two sessions with a heavy workload departure in a simulator. The test did result in a small difference between the two sessions which pointed at the calming measures giving a slight improvement for the pilots. However, when ANOVA was applied it showed that the difference between the two sessions was not a significant one. This could be due to several reasons; the pilots were not used to the calming measures and because of this felt more stressed when trying to use the calming measures as well. There might have been a difference if calming measures were included into pilot training already from the beginning. Another reason might be because this is only a minor study and the difference was not apparent on so few participants. In future research, however, there might be a breakthrough on how to handle stress in a cockpit environment involving similar sensors.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.
Hierdie artikel bied 'n teoretiese oorsig van stres en streshantering in die korporatiewe omgewing. Die artikel begin met 'n kort oorsig van die historiese ontwikkeling van die streskonsep, gevolg deur 'n kort bespreking van die konsep streshantering. Vervolgens word verskeie faktore wat tot stres in die werkplek bydra, in oënskou geneem. Dit word opgevolg deur 'n bespreking van stres wat kenmerkend is van bestuursposisies en 'n kort oorsig van onlangse navorsing oor streshanteringsprogramme. Sommige van die probleme wat met navorsing oor streshanteringsprogramme ondervind word, word kortliks oorweeg. Die artikel word afgesluit met 'n poging om, op grond van gepubliseerde bevindings, te illustreer watter stresverminderende intervensies doeltreffend is en watter nie.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie artikel bied 'n teoretiese oorsig van stres en streshantering in die korporatiewe omgewing. Die artikel begin met 'n kort oorsig van die historiese ontwikkeling van die streskonsep, gevolg deur 'n kort bespreking van die konsep streshantering. Vervolgens word verskeie faktore wat tot stres in die werkplek bydra, in oënskou geneem. Dit word opgevolg deur 'n bespreking van stres wat kenmerkend is van bestuursposisies en 'n kort oorsig van onlangse navorsing oor streshanteringsprogramme. Sommige van die probleme wat met navorsing oor streshanteringsprogramme ondervind word, word kortliks oorweeg. Die artikel word afgesluit met 'n poging om, op grond van gepubliseerde bevindings, te illustreer watter stresverminderende intervensies doeltreffend is en watter nie.

The purpose of this curriculum is to help adolescent females navigate the stress they experience during this developmental stage in a safe and effective way. The curriculum aims to increase adolescent females' self-esteem, increase their knowledge of effective communication strategies, and increase their ability to identify support systems in life. The curriculum includes eight 1 hour sessions designed to be delivered in a group setting. The curriculum was designed based on a review of the literature and research concerning adolescence, adolescent learning theories, interventions, relational aggression, conflict management, compassion and empathy, healthy relationships, self-esteem, and support systems. Curriculum limitations, implications for social work practice, and recommendations for future curriculums are also discussed.

Master's thesis deals with the stress applied to the employee in a work process in the company ABC, Ltd. It focuses on the factors that cause stress. It examines its manifestations and effects on health and work performance of employees. The theoretical part includes an overview of this issue. The practical part is analytical, processing questionnaires students - future employees and current employees. Visions of students at secondary and university level of stress that occurs in the process, are compared to the fact how stress manifests itself directly to employees in working conditions. The conclusion presents proposals to reduce or eliminate stress and increase resilience against him.

The police profession is viewed as one of the most stressful occupations in the world. Police officers are responsible for handling calls for service, serving and protecting the community, enforcing laws, and preventing and solving crimes. These responsibilities along with many others can become overwhelming and lead to police stress and trauma. Police stress has been linked to adverse effects on the performances and health of police officers. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to describe the internal and external factors of police stress through their lived experiences as police officers, and the stress management techniques used by police departments to treat police stress. The theoretical framework was based on Kingdon's multiple streams approach. The research questions were designed to examine the factors of police stress and the treatments offered by police departments to help officers manage police stress. Data were collected through surveys and interviews with 15 police officers and 2 human resources department employees from 2 police departments in a southern state. Quantitative results from the surveys were analyzed using Intellectus Statistics software. Qualitative results from the face to face interviews were organized and analyzed using Nvivo 12. The findings indicated that death, time away from family, and trust were main stress factors affecting officers and that Employee Assistance Programs were treatments police departments offer to officers to help manage stress. The implications for social change is improving police officer job performance, the overall mental and physical health of police officers as well as strengthening police-citizen relationships.

The complexity and duration of the financial crisis has led many banks and authorities to question the adequacy of stress testing practices prior to the crisis and their efficiency to cope with rapidly changing circumstances. Stress testing is a process to identify and manage situations that could cause extraordinary losses and it is an important risk management tool that is used by banks as part of their internal risk management. Majority of models make assumptions that do not hold in abnormal markets. Therefore, stress tests are vital for a comprehensive picture of risk. In this thesis we will be introducing basics of stress-testing and elaborate on its models and methodologies.

Stress är en stigande folksjukdom som kan drabba vem som helst, och inte minst accelerera till följd av rådande covid-19-pandemin. Med anledning av att individer spenderar så pass mycket tid på sitt jobb behöver även arbetsgivare hantera detta. I försök att hantera och förebygga stress kan organisationer och chefer använda sig utav stress management. Stress management omfattas av olika tillvägagångssätt, verktyg och modeller, i syfte att hjälpa arbetsgivare att påverka och hantera stress hos deras anställda. Följande studie ämnar således åt att undersöka hur chefer arbetar med (och eventuellt anpassar) stress management på arbetsplatsen efter de omställningar som coronakrisen orsakat. För att besvara studiens syfte genomfördes tio semistrukturerade intervjuer, baserat på ett strategiskt urval av respondenter. Resultatet av undersökningen visar på att chefer har anpassat sin stress management under pandemin, men på olika sätt. Fem nya stressdrivande faktorer och två nya stresshämmande faktorer har även uppmärksammats av respondenterna till följd av omställningarna.

The Master´s Thesis „Stress evaluation, coping and reduction” deals with analyzing stress in students, ordinary workers and top managers. The theoretical part analyzes stress, effects of stress, its impact on human health, his work / study results and overall his life. The practical part is concerned with the influence of stress on students, ordinary workers and top managers, using a questionnaire. On the basis of the analysis is specified what causes stress for the various groups, how most respondents solve the stress. The conclusion of the work includes the proposal of effective coping and stress reduction for each group of respondents.

High prenatal stress and the stress hormone cortisol have been shown to lead to adverse birth outcomes. Yet, few studies have examined the efficacy of prenatal stress management programs on improving prenatal stress and cortisol outcomes, specifically what factors (i.e., participant comprehension and content fidelity) in implementing these programs might influence whether pregnant women obtain improved stress outcomes. This study demonstrated that participant comprehension (i.e., how well a participant understands program material) and content fidelity (i.e., how well instructors adhere to core program components) were not associated with stress and cortisol outcomes among low-income pregnant women enrolled in a stress management program. Future research should investigate whether program characteristics (e.g., cultural norms of the population, skill-learning, or therapeutic-oriented processes) mediate these implementation factors. By understanding multivariate models of implementation factors and program characteristics, health care practitioners can effectively provide the CBSM program to pregnant women across at-risk communities.

Stress has lasting and sometimes fatal effects on the law enforcement community, which can compromise the well-being of police officers. To date, there is little research on factors that influence the level of stress in police officers. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to investigate the relationship of gender, used coping mechanisms, and levels of organizational and operational stress among police officers who have and have not received stress management training. Bandura's social learning theory and Lazarus and Folkman's theory of cognitive appraisal provided the theoretical foundation. Cross-sectional survey data from a convenience sample of 134 male and female police officers were collected using the Brief Cope, the Operational and Organizational Police Stress Questionnaire, and a demographic survey. An independent samples t test and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses. According to study findings, officers who received stress management training demonstrated a higher use of adaptive coping mechanisms compared to those who did not receive training. In addition, gender and use of maladaptive coping predicted level of stress among officers. Evidently, receiving stress management training was useful for these participating police officers, and these findings suggest that the training may have positive demonstrable effects for other police officers. This study promotes positive social change by increasing knowledge and awareness of the value that stress management has in reducing level of stress and use of maladaptive coping in police officers, thus empowering the psychological needs of officers while endorsing public safety at the individual and societal level.

Due to the passage of the Gainful Employment Rule of 2015, for-profit schools must ensure graduate employability, which forces vocational schools to make student success a priority. The concepts of stress mindset from the cognitive activation theory of stress and stress management self-efficacy from social cognitive theory were used in this study to assess the relationship of each to the employability of graduates. This study utilized a nonrandomized convenience sampling method and a multiple logistic regression with categorical dependent/criterion variables (gainful employment versus not) and continuous predictor variables (stress management self-efficacy, stress mindset) to compare the relationships. Stress mindset levels were measured using the stress mindset measure while stress management self-efficacy levels were measured by the stress management self-efficacy measure with 66 participants. The results of this study indicated that while both increased levels of stress management self-efficacy and a positive stress mindset were associated with a significantly increased likelihood of gainful employment, on its own, stress management self-efficacy was a better indicator than was stress mindset, on its own. The implications for positive social change from the results of this study, are a greater understanding of the importance of stress management self-efficacy and a positive stress mindset on the employability of technical school graduates. This knowledge could lead to the creation of improved stress management and stress mindset assistance for technical school students, which could lead to increased employability in these graduates.

O presente estudo mostra os resultados de uma intervenção baseada na psicologia para a gestão do stresse em enfermeiros. Surge de uma amostra de três enfermeiras que responderam a instrumentos de avaliação quantitativa e qualitativa. A intervenção consistiu na aplicação do programa “Gestão Otimista do Stresse”, administrado em diferentes momentos de acordo com o desenho experimental de linha de base múltipla. Procurou-se dotar os enfermeiros de ferramentas para diminuir os níveis de stresse e consequentemente adquirirem competências. Especificamente pretendeu-se ensinar técnicas para lidar com stresse através de programas de treino e posteriormente verificar a sua eficácia. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a intervenção permite uma diminuição dos níveis de stresse, porém as limitações centraram-se no tamanho da amostra, no horário pós-laboral e na falta de seguimento. As hipóteses foram comprovadas quase na sua totalidade, reforçando a ideia de que deveriam ser implementados programas de gestão do stresse no setor público; ABSTRACT: Optimistic stress management: a pilot study of the application of a program with portuguese nurses The current study shows the results of a psychology based intervention for the stress management in nurses. It arises from a sample of three nurses who answered to quantitative and qualitative evaluation instruments. The intervention consisted on the application of the program “Optimistic Stress Management”, applied at different times according to the multiple baseline experimental design. We sought to provide the nurses with tools to reduce stress levels and, consequently, to acquire skills. Specifically, it was intended to teach techniques to deal with stress through training programs, and later to verify their effectiveness. The results suggest that the intervention allows a reduction of the stress levels, however the limitations were centered on the sample size, on the post-work hours and lack of follow-up. The hypotheses have been proven almost in their totality, reinforcing the idea that stress management programs should be implemented in the public sector.

Thesis (MTech (Human Resources Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2006
Many people work shifts because of socio-economic considerations and for them stopping shift work is not a realistic option. Shift work can have a negative impact on the health and well being of workers. The reason for this is that in every individual's body there are many rhythms/cycles, which are designed for daytime work. When these rhythms are disrupted as in nightime work, they need time to adjust so that they may all function as one. These rhythms do not adjust instantaneously; therefore the impact on the body is negative. This in turn, leads to a reduction in performance attentiveness, as well as an increase in the risk of accidents and injuries. Most shift workers do not know how to adjust their lifestyle to minimise the negative effects of working around the clock as companies do not provide the required programmes for their well being, thus increasing the chance of suffering from stress. If this is so, then, not only will the well being of the individual or employee be disrupted, but so too will productivity, as well as the profits of the business. This therefore means that shift work could in the end diminish the economic gain it was designed to create. "A tailor-made shift system should be a compromise between the employer's goals, the wishes of employees, and ergonomic recommendations for the design of shift systems" (Knauth, 1997:21). According to Ahasan (2002:09): "Currently there is little information available in the literature that supports the effective design of shift schedules, which offer effective productivity levels, while maintaining the health and safety of shift workers", It therefore has to be realised that there is no ideal shift system, which is going to fully meet an organisations needs, as well as the well being, social and family needs of each and every single employee within the organisation. Employers and employees can work together in order to learn how to identify and control shift work hazards. Also, employees need to learn how to cope better with the demands of their work schedule. Due to the many disruptions encountered in their personal life, social life and physical well being, the existence of stressrelated illnesses is increased in shift workers. Employers may pick up signs of stress when the following factors are monitored on a regular basis, as well as investigated if and when variances occur:

Stress is a ubiquitous phenomenon in modern society, as a risk factor for several chronic diseases. This study investigated the feasibility of utilizing a four-week online e-health yoga video series to provide adults with a potential mechanism for stress management. While 128 subjects provided informed consent, 92 provided baseline data, 63 joined the study by following instructions to receive the videos, 27 provided end of week # 1 data; and, 14 of 27 provided a discernable personal code for matching files (51.85% adherence rate to personal code instructions). Thus, the final sample was N=14 (of 63 with video access) for a 22.22% study completion rate/63.5% attrition rate. Study completers (N=14) were 85.7% )n=12) White female (n=12) with mean age of 43.86 years (min=21, max=61, SD=10.52), mean education (M=5.07, min=2, max=6, SD=1.072) closest to a Master’s Degree, and mean household income (M=5.31,min=1, max=7, SD=1.494) closest to $50,000-$99,000.

Post-video, the mean dose of exposure to the yoga videos was closest to watching all of the videos, as a measure of very good adherence; barriers to adherence included not enough time due to other responsibilities. The yoga video series was rated between good and very good, while 64.3% (n=9) reported intention to continue to practice this form of yoga, and recommend the series to others. As the main study variable of interest, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) pre-video Cronbach’s Alpha was .916, suggesting excellent internal consistency. Using paired t-tests, the pre-video PSS-10 mean (Mean= 15.0, min 3 max 31, SD= 8.421) was higher than the post-video mean PSS-10 (Mean= 9.21, min 2 max 16, SD= 4.457), achieving significance (t= 3.377, df=13, p =.0055) at the Bonferroni Significance level (p=.005)—suggesting the intervention was an effective brief intervention for reducing past month stress. Qualitative data showed positive emergent themes supporting feasibility and acceptability of planning to continue the practice due to personal benefits, easily accessible, relaxing, and effective; and, negative themes of yoga sequencing/format issues, general preference for in-person instruction, and general dislike. Overall, the pilot study’s findings support the feasibility of providing online four-week yoga e-health intervention. Implications and recommendations are discussed.

The Master’s thesis "Stress evaluation, coping and reduction" dealing with the currently very topical issue the stress acting on employee working conditions. It analyzes the types of stress, signs, symptoms and effects on health and work performance of employees. The thesis is focused on the factors causing stress, their identification and reduction of the company. The theoretical part is focused on theoretical analysis of the problems. The practical part is devoted to the measurement of stressors in the working environment for catering JHREST s.r.o. employees. The work conclusion includes a proposal of the stress factors reduction in the company.

The objective of this PhD project is to develop novel membranes and desiccants that would help develop a second generation vacuum desiccant cooling (VDC) garment that is efficient, robust, durable and wearer-friendly. It was found that properly chosen support material could improve both mechanical strength and vapor flux for flat sheet polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), due to improved membrane structure and structure integrity that enhanced vapour mass transfer. Super solid desiccants were developed using a super absorbent polymer (SAP), which are sodium polyacrylate granules, as the host matrices to harbour LiCl. Furthermore, a novel desiccant based on loading LiCl in to hydrophobic hollow fibre membranes and therefore called membrane based desiccant fiber (MDF), was developed and demonstrated to be suitable for VDC. Heat and mass transfer for vapor absorption in MDF were analyzed. These membranes and desiccants, although developed for application in VDC, may also found applications in other fields such as water treatment, air conditioning, and natural gas dehumidification. Finally, based on the newly developed membranes and desiccants, three conceptual designs of second generation VDC garments are proposed.

Research involving correctional officer stress has increased over the past several decades due to the overall concern of the consequences of stress within the field. When comparing the body of research for police officers versus correctional officers, it is clear that there is abundance of research for the former than the latter. Further, advanced stress management programs have yet to be evaluated in a correctional setting, specifically the cognitive-behavioral interventions supplied in medical and athletic settings. The present investigation studied the effects of an adaptive cognitive-behavioral stress management for correctional officers during their academy training and its effect on self-reported stress levels pre-field training, 3-month and 6-month field training time. Officers were placed into two groups, one of which received the 1-hour CBSM program (focusing on cognitive restructuring, assertion and problem-solving training) and the other that received the standard protocol in academy training. The officers completed a series of self-reported measures including the Job Stress Survey, Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding and an assessment to determine their knowledge retention of the skills presented in the program. Results indicated that those in the experimental group's self-reported job stress severity increased over six months, compared to the control group. It was suggested that participants tended to present themselves in an overly confident and inaccurate manner, which may have contributed to the subclinical scores on the scales. Additionally, the experimental group demonstrated decreases on several job stress measures, and increases in phobic anxiety and depression.

Humanitarian aid workers live and work in harsh circumstances far from loved ones and support mechanisms. The problem is that international aid must continue to work effectively despite stress levels. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how aid workers perceive their work-related stressors, examine their subsequent experiences of in-house stress management services, and describe the factors that influence aid workers' decisions to access in-house stress management services. The conservation of resources theory was used to understand aid workers experience of stress. A purposive sampling technique was used to identify 12 aid workers with a minimum of 5 years of field experience. Data were collected through semistructured interviews conducted via Skype. After the data were reviewed, unit meanings were assigned and grouped to develop themes. The themes generated were organizational culture, social support, operational environment, the aid worker, adapting and strategizing, stress management services, and services. The greatest stressors participants reported related to the lack of safety and unpredictable working environments, and their experience of accessing stress management services were varied. Assurances of confidentiality and professionalism were the key factors that influenced aid workers engagement with stress management services. Participants received a summary of the findings which included recommendations for aid organizations on improving stress management services for aid workers. The results of this study contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the well-being of aid workers, supporting social change to improve the quality of care for the affected populations they serve.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not self-monitoring of stressors and physiological response to stressors enhances the effectiveness of a stress management technique, specifically relaxation training. The primary hypothesis which stated that the RSMS group would experience a greater reduction in depression (on the Beck Depression Inventory), and enhancement in self-efficacy (on the General Self-efficacy Scale) than all other groups, was not supported.

Stress management interventions (SMIs) are increasingly used by organisations across both private and public settings. Such interventions are employed with the expectation that they will be effective in reducing levels of stress in participants and in turn, will provide a return to the organisation by way of increased productivity through performance improvements of those employees whose stress has been reduced. Despite the increasing popularity of SMIs, there exists a lack of evidence on whether they have any effect on the performance of users, and on the relative effectiveness of the components that often make up SMIs. Although the literature addressing SMIs and their effects is increasing, relatively few studies directly compare different techniques, and even fewer employ randomised controlled designs or follow-up measures. The assumed relationship between the reduction of stress and improvement of managerial performance does not appear to have been tested with a randomised controlled trial. The term “stress” as used in this study specifically denotes the concept of “distress” as defined by Selye (1956; 1987). To support this use of the term, the evolution of current terminology in the field of occupational stress is briefly discussed with specific reference to the development and influence in the wider literature of the Yerkes Dodson Law (Yerkes, 1909). The aims of this thesis were to (1) compare the relative effectiveness of two component techniques often used in SMIs (somatic and cognitive techniques) in the reduction of stress, and (2) to examine the effect of the use of these techniques on the performance of managers in their workplace. Study One was a randomised controlled trial assessing the effect of the use of somatic and cognitive stress management interventions on stress and performance in managers. Participants were 112 corporate managers who were randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups (somatic or cognitive technique training) or to a wait list control group. The intervention groups were trained in their respective techniques over a 4 week period in brief (20-30 minute) face-to-face workshop sessions. Participants were provided with recordings of the techniques to assist practice between training sessions. At baseline, stress was assessed using the Occupational Stress Inventory – Revised Edition (OSI-R, Osipow, 1998), and managerial performance was assessed with the Personal Qualities Competency from the Inventory of Management Competencies (IMC, Saville Holdsworth Ltd., 1993). In the case of the IMC, self, colleague, and subordinate assessments were used. On completion of the 4 week intervention, the OSI-R was readministered, and then at week 12 and week 24, follow-up assessments of stress and managerial performance took place. At the week 12 follow-up, MANOVA for the OSI-R showed no significant difference between the somatic and cognitive interventions in their effect on stress, although both interventions did reduce stress relative to the wait list control group, as measured by the OSI-R. A significant intervention effect was also shown (ηp2 = 0.089, p = 0.002) for the combined intervention groups (cognitive and somatic). MANOVA for the Personal Qualities Competency showed a significant intervention effect for the self (ηp2 = 0.077, p = 0.008) and colleague (ηp2 = 0.064, p = 0.013) assessments, and a no significant effect (ηp2 = 0.032, p = 0.063) for the subordinate assessment at the week 12 follow-up point. Unfortunately, withdrawal and attrition reduced the sample size below that required for analysis at the week 24 follow-up point. Study Two was designed as a follow-up qualitative study that aimed to gather information on participants’ perceptions of the effects of the interventions on their stress and performance, and of their reasons for completion or no completion of the SMI. In this study, 14 participants from Study One took part in semi-structured interviews after the final follow-up assessment (week 24) for that study. The interviews were structured to elicit responses concerning participants’ perceptions of the demands of their workplace and their stress, their experience of using the stress management techniques (including perceived benefits or behavioural changes from that use), their reasons for completion or no completion of the intervention, and their own definitions of stress. Several important findings emerged from this study. First, participants described their workplace as characterised by high pressure and demand with rapid change and a perceived lack of personal control. Second, participants who continued to use the techniques they had learned after the formal intervention was completed did so because they perceived personal benefits in terms of their ability to relax and in terms of their perceptions of workload and demand. For those who did not complete the intervention, the predominant reasons reported for no completion were workplace task demands, lack of top management commitment to an intervention of this nature, and lack of personal gain once the techniques had been learned. In relation to defining stress, participants did not have agreement, but rather reported definitions reflecting a multifaceted complex amalgam of physiological, psychological, and emotional aspects. Research such as this is important in terms of its contribution to the general field of occupational stress and its alleviation. It addresses a long-standing need to assess the relative effectiveness of some of the subcomponents commonly employed as part of more complex multifaceted approaches to SMIs, and the effect of the techniques on both stress and performance. This thesis makes several contributions to existing knowledge. First, this thesis clarifies the origin of the Yerkes Dodson Law and its relevance to current stress management thinking. In management texts distress has come to be regarded as too much stress or pressure. This is coupled with the idea that some stress has a positive impact on performance due to an earlier and erroneous interpretation of the Yerkes Dodson Law. Second, Study One provides evidence of the relative effectiveness of two different SMI components in the reduction of individuals’ occupational stress, as well as evidence for the effectiveness of individual focussed SMIs in the reduction of stress in corporate managers. Third, Study One provides evidence for a positive effect on managers’ performance consequent to their use of stress management techniques. This thesis also sheds light on managers’ definitions of stress, and their reasons for completion or no completion of SMIs. In summary, individual focussed (or secondary) SMIs have the potential to reduce stress and to improve performance in corporate managers as perceived by both the individual and others in the workplace.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: This is a multidisciplinary investigation of stress in working males. The physiological aspect of the stress response is focused primarily on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; the health outcomes focus on cardiovascular risk and the psychological aspect focuses on both personality and state. Aims: To assess psychological and physiological measures of stress and determine if they are associated. To assess the effect of massage as a relaxation intervention on these measures. Abstract: Section 1 This study consisted of 16 working, stressed males. Certain measures of allostatic load were determined, on 2 occasions 1 week apart with appropriate control (serum cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEAs), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein) as well as perceived stress levels (State Anxiety, Profile of Mood (POMS), Job Satisfaction (JS), Symptoms of Stress (SYMP». Measurements of personality (Trait Anxiety and Hardiness, with subs cores Commitment, Control and Challenge) and anthropometric measurements were obtained. Repeatability was assessed and then data was averaged. Correlation analysis was done between baseline physiological and psychological parameters. (All r values reported in this abstract have P<0.05, unless otherwise stated). Section 2 11 of the 16 subjects then had 1 week of intensive massage (5 x Ihr each), after which a 3rd measurement was taken. Findings: Section 1 Certain personalities had differing perceptions of stress (Commitment correlated positively with Vigour, r= 0.59; and negatively with Fatigue and POMS, r= -0.51 and r= -0.54 respectively). Certain personalities influenced JS (Commitment correlated positively to JS, r= 0.55; Trait Anxiety correlated negatively to JS, r= -0.54). Certain personalities manifested stress physiologically (Control correlated negatively with CortisollDHEAs, r= -0.53). Increased perception of stress also resulted in an increased likelihood of experiencing physiological symptoms of stress (e.g. State Anxiety correlated with SYMP, r= 0.50). In contrast, lower perceived stress was associated with increased job satisfaction (POMS correlated with JS, r= -0.64; PAFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Inleiding: Hierdie studie is 'n multi-dissiplinêre ondersoek na stres in werkende mans. Die fisiologiese aspek van die stresrespons fokus primêr op die hipotalamo-pituitêre-adrenale as, terwyl die gesondsheidsuitkomste op die kardiovaskulêre risiko, en die psigologiese aspek op beide persoonlikheid en status fokus. Doel: Om psigiese en fisiologiese parameters van stress te bepaal, en om vas te stelof hulle met mekaar korrelleer. Om die effek van massering, as ontspanningsterapie, op hierdie parameters te bepaal. Afdeling 1 Sestien gespanne, werkende mans het aan hierdie studie deelgeneem. Sekere parameters van allostatiese lading (serum kortisol, dehidroepiandrosteroon-sulfaat (DHEAs), totale cholesterol, lae digtheid- (LDL) en hoë digtheid lipoproteïene (HDL) is twee maal bepaal, met 'n tussenpose van een week, met gepaste kontrole. Terselfdertyd is subjektiewe ervaring van stres (Toestand Angs, Profiel van Gemoedstemming (POMS), Werksbevrediging (JS), Simptome van Stres (SYMP», metings van persoonlikheid (Trekangs en Hardiness, i.e. Gebondenheid, Beheer en Uitdaging) en antropometriese metings ook verkry. Herhaalbaarheid is getoets en daarna is die gemiddelde van hierdie twee basislyn bepalings gebruik. Korrelasie analises is gedoen tussen basislyn fisiologiese en psigiese parameters. (Alle r-waardes gerapporteer in hierdie samevatting het P< 0.05, behalwe waar anders aangedui.) Afdeling 2 Elf van die sestien proefpersone het 1 week van intensiewe masseerterapie (5 x 1 uur elk) ondergaan, waarna 'n derde meting geneem is. Resultate: Afdeling 1 Sekere persoonlikhede het verskillende ervarings van stres getoon (Toegewydheid het positief gekorreleer met lewenslus, r= 0.59; en negatief met uitputting en POMS, r= -0.51 en r= -0.54 onderskeidelik). Sekere persoonlikhede het werksbevrediging (JS) beïnvloed (Toegewydheid het positief gekorreleer met JS, r = 0.55; Trait anxiety het negatief gekorreleer met JS, r= -0.54). Sekere persoonlikhede het ook fisiologiese geneigdheid tot stres getoon (Beheer het negatief gekorreleer met CIDHEAs, r= -0.53). Verhoogde ervaring van stres het 'n verhoogde waarskynlikheid vir ervaring van fisiologiese simptome van stres tot gevolg gehad (bv. Toestand Angs het positief gekorreleer met SYMP, r= 0.50). In teenstelling, is laer ervaring van stres geassosieer met verhoogde werksbevrediging (POMS het positief gekorreleer met JS, r= -0.64; P