No description available.

Home carers working chiefly with older adults were invited to participate in the study. Fifty nine consented and completed the questionnaires. Data was collected on external stressors, mediating factors, and strain indices experienced by home carers in their workplace. Well established measures were used, the General Health Questionnaire, the Occupational Stress Inventory, the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (short-form), the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale, as well as a demographic questionnaire designed for the study. The results indicated that the majority of home carers experienced various aspects of their jobs as stressful, namely role demands but do not necessarily report strain. A range of coping strategies used by this group were assessed. As expected wishful thinking as a coping strategy was positively correlated with the emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation dimensions of burnout, reduced job satisfaction and general emotional mental health. Social support and problem-solving were also used as strategies, the success of social support was highlighted by the negative correlations found with the emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation dimensions of burnout, and positive correlations found with job satisfaction. The differences between the home carers sample and the norm groups on the job satisfaction scale, the burnout scale, and GHQ-12 indicated significant lower levels of burnout, equal levels of job satisfaction, and a significantly lower proportion of clinical caseness. The stressful aspects of the home carer work were discussed. Although care work was viewed as rewarding by many nevertheless some indicators of stress were present. It was conjectured that the deleterious effects of reported stress was being effectively mediated through use of the various constructive strategies, namely social support from family and colleagues. Limitations of the study are discussed both in terms of method used, the nature of the sample and the issues around the measure of stress and relevant moderators.

No description available.

The Occupational Stress Inventory Revised Edition (OSI-R) and an Individual Data Form were used to determine the turnover intentions of rehabilitation counselors based on an interactive model of stress, strain, and coping. Occupational stress, strain, coping resources, and turnover intentions were examined in relationship with various demographic variables collected from a national sample of 982 members of the American Rehabilitation Counselors Association (ARCA). Demographic variables included age, gender, ethnicity, certification status as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), years of experience, practice setting, the number of clients on a counselor's caseload, and the amount of hours worked per week. Data were collected through a mail survey, with a response rate of 67% (N = 657). However, of those respondents only 22% (N=145) had complete data and met the inclusion criteria. Inclusion criterion consisted of considering oneself to be employed full-time as a practicing rehabilitation counselor. Based on the usable data (N=145), respondents were on average 44 years old and Caucasian, with 63% being female. Over half of the respondents were certified as rehabilitation counselors, with an average number of nine years of certification. The average number of years of experience as a rehabilitation counselor was approximately ten and respondents worked an average of 45 hours per week with an average caseload size of 88 clients. Path analysis was used to analyze causal relationships among turnover related variables. The hypothesized model included age, experience, number of clients on a caseload, occupational stress, strain, coping resources, and turnover intention. The tested model explained 37.5% of the variance in turnover intentions. The results suggest that the turnover intentions of rehabilitation counselors is meaningfully accounted for by variables contained in the model. Occupational stress produced the largest significant effect (B=.404) and had the most influence on turnover intentions. This indicates that it is occupational stress inherent in the job functions of rehabilitation counselors, and not individual coping resources or demographic variables that account for turnover in the field of rehabilitation. Therefore rehabilitation agencies should examine the roles that they place rehabilitation counselors in versus the individual characteristics of rehabilitation counselors in order to reduce turnover in the field. / Ph. D.

Occupational stress is considered to be a rising concern in many organisations in South Africa; it is, moreover, a pervasive problem in our communities in general. The consequences of high-stress environments are typically a, reduction in the quality and quantity of job performance, high levels of absenteeism, an increase in turnover, an increased number of grievances and increased frequency of accidents. Correctional Services has been reported to be the most challenging and frustrating component of the criminal justice system. Factors such as having a high level of responsibility, genuine threats to personal safety, rotating shifts, meager salaries and unpleasant surroundings, all add to the stress of Correctional Service Officials. The results of uncontrolled stress are costly to both the individual and the organisation. It is thus important for both the organisation and employees to learn or acquire ways of coping with stress. The empirical objective of this study was to investigate relationships between occupational stress and i l l health among employees of Correctional Services in the Vereeniging Management Area, in order to contribute towards an understanding of the interaction between these variables, and the implication thereof for the management of occupational stress and i l l health in the specific setting. A cross-sectional design was used to collect data and to attain the research objectives. The study population included the entire population consisting of (n= 197) employees of Correctional Services in the Vereeniging Management area. Management and production levels were fully represented. The Correctional Official Stress Inventory, General Health Questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale were used as measuring instruments. The reliability and validity of all questionnaires were found to be acceptable. The findings revealed that increased levels of occupational stress lead to increased levels of exhaustion and this may in turn lead to increased experience of somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression. Higher levels of exhaustion and cynicism were associated with higher levels of somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression. The findings again revealed that an increase in the frequency of stress might lead to an increase in the experience of exhaustion, somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and severe depression. It was also found that stress could have some predictive value with regard to burnout, work engagement and health. It is recommended that more awareness need to be created about the symptoms and effects of occupational stress and burnout on individuals as well as organisations. This study was conducted in a small correctional institution, as a result the study population was too small, which made it difficult to generalise beyond the study population. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

Atualmente, o nível de exigências do mercado de trabalho tem aumentado, a qualificação profissional se tornou indispensável, a concorrência está cada vez maior e por isso, o estresse ocupacional tem destaque no processo de saúde-doença do individuo em seu ambiente de trabalho. O mecanismo interno de liberação de estresse pode causar, entre outros, um aumento na tonicidade da musculatura da cabeça e do pescoço, como também dos níveis de atividade muscular parafuncional, como o bruxismo e o apertamento dentário. Assim, o cirurgião-dentista tem o papel de diagnosticar, tratar e proservar os pacientes com disfunção temporomandibular. Uma das profissões mais históricas no Brasil, ser militar, especificamente da força armada terrestre, o Exército Brasileiro tem, além de suas características de honestidade, vigor físico, responsabilidade e pontualidade, fatores associados que podem gerar o estresse ocupacional, como o risco à vida, sujeição a preceitos rígidos de hierarquia e disciplina, disponibilidade permanente, mobilidade geográfica, formação específica e aperfeiçoamento constante, além das consequências para a família. Nesse contexto, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar a presença de estresse ocupacional em uma população de militares no município de Ribeirão Preto, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil e analisar sua relação com os achados clínicos de DTM e o exame eletromiográfico dos músculos mastigatórios. A amostra foi composta por 30 sujeitos da pesquisa, militares da 5ª CSM. A presença de DTM foi investigada por meio de questionário anamnésico (ProDTMMulti) e de exame clínico odontológico (RDC/TMD; Helkimo). O estresse ocupacional foi investigado por meio de questionário específico, Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Os exames eletromiográficos e de força de mordida foram realizados no gabinete odontológico da 5ª CSM por cirurgiã-dentista experiente, a qual participa ativamente do serviço como profissional militar contratada pela instituição. Os resultados mostraram que no exame clínico, 90% dos militares não foi classificável pelo RDC e apenas 20% foram classificados com disfunção severa (grupo 3) do Índice de HELKIMO. Pelo Protocolo ProDTMMulti: 46,66% dos militares se enquadraram no grau zero (ausência de DTM), 40% no grau 1 (DTM leve) e apenas 13,33% dos militares relataram sintomas um pouco mais acentuados, ficando no grau 2 (DTM moderada). Com relação ao estresse, a única correlação existente foi com a patente: quanto maior a patente, menor o estresse. Pela análise eletromiográfica nos testes estáticos e dinâmicos da mandíbula, observou-se simetria entre os lados direito e esquerdo, e um padrão mastigatório equilibrado entre os lados. No teste de força máxima de mordida, a força também se apresentou equilibrada entre os lados. Concluiu-se que o estresse ocupacional está presente nesta amostra, porém não se correlacionou com os achados clínicos de DTM e com o exame eletromiográfico dos músculos mastigatórios dos militares da 5ª CSM do município de Ribeirão Preto/SP. / As the labor market requirements have increased, professional qualification has been taken as essential and the work competition keeps heightening, occupational stress has become prominent in the health-disease process of the working person. Among other things, the internal mechanism of stress release can cause an increased tonicity of head and neck muscles and increased levels of muscular parafunctional activity such as teeth grinding (bruxism) and teeth clenching. The dentist has the role in diagnosing, treating and following-up patients with temporomandibular dysfunction. One of the most historic occupations in Brazil, the military career at the Brazilian Army, besides characteristics of honesty, physical force, responsibility and punctuality, has associated factors that can lead to occupational stress, as the risk of death, to be under precepts of strict discipline and hierarchy, permanent availability, geographic mobility, specific training and continuous improvement, and the resulting consequences for the family. The objective of this research was to study the relation between occupational stress and degree of TMD in soldiers of Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The study sample had 30 military volunteers from the 5th CSM. The presence of TMD was investigated by use of an anamnestic questionnaire (ProDTMMulti) and dental clinical examination (RDC/TMD; Helkimo). Occupational stress was investigated by means of a specific questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Electromyographic and bite force tests were held in the dental office of the 5ª CSM by a qualified dentist who participates actively in the service as a military professional hired by the institution. Results of clinical examination showed that 90% of the studied subjects were not classifiable by the RDC and only 20% were classifiable as having severe dysfunction (Group 3) by HELKIMO Index. By the ProDTMMulti Protocol, 46,66% of the individuals were classified in Grade 0 (absence of TMD), 40% in Grade I (light TMD) and only 13,33% reported symptoms a little more pronounced being in Grade II (moderate TMD). Regarding stress, the only identified correlation was with the military rank: higher the rank, lower the stress. By electromyography analysis in mandible static and dynamic tests, it was observed symmetry between right and left sides, and a balanced masticatory pattern between sides. In the maximal bite force test, the force between the sides also stayed balanced. It was concluded that occupational stress is present in this sample, but it does not correlate with the clinical findings of TMD and the electromyography examination of masticatory muscles in military personnel from the 5th CSM of the city of Ribeirão Preto/Brazil.

School psychologists have unique advisory, consultative, interventional, and therapeutic leadership functions within schools. Consequently, they are confronted with increased levels of occupational stress, which test their cognitive appraisal, coping mechanisms, and feelings of self-efficacy. Although studies have included school psychologists, none have examined the moderating effect of psychological hardiness on the relationship between occupational stress and self-efficacy. A cross-sectional, nonexperimental, and quantitative design used convenience, single-stage, and self-administered web-based surveys with 112 Georgia school psychologists. Using a framework structured by the theory of psychological hardiness, self-efficacy theory, and transactional model of stress and coping, sequential multiple linear regression revealed that occupational stress was not related to self-efficacy, psychological hardiness was related to self-efficacy, and psychological hardiness moderated the relationship between occupational stress and self-efficacy. Noting levels of increasing stress for American educators, these findings underscore the importance that school psychologists incorporate self-care techniques into their practice to maintain efficacious service. Future research might investigate other psychological constructs, which affect school psychologists' perceptions of occupational stress, psychological hardiness, and self-efficacy. Given school psychologists' important functions and responsibilities within communities and schools, the study endorsed positive social change with explication of the multidimensional influence of psychological health as a means to ensure the well-being of children, families, and schoolhouse personnel.

Occupational stress among teachers is a painful, prevalent and costly phenomenon, one which impacts on individuals, families, schools and wider society. A growing body of evidence suggests that individuals' susceptibility to occupational stress is not determined exclusively by environmental or personality factors, but by the cognitive and behavioural transactions between the individual and potentially stressful events. Two major factors which contribute to individual stress are a person's appraisal of events as threatening or demanding, and the strategies they use in coping with those events. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between experience, stress levels and coping patterns in a group of primary school teachers. Two groups of teachers were surveyed, 'Starters' who were in their first year of teaching and 'Stayers' who had at least 10 years of teaching experience. Stayers were divided, on the basis of their responses, into Low-stress, Moderate-stress and High-stress groups. The aspects of coping which were explored are: 1. The range of coping strategies used by teachers in each group, 2. The frequency of use of those coping strategies for each group, and 3. The coping styles preferred by teachers in each group. The results of this study show no direct connexion between stress level and any of the demographic variables (sex, age, religion, piety, teaching experience, full-time teaching, part-time teaching and time away from teaching). Nor are significant differences found between the coping patterns of more or less experienced and more or less stress teachers. A pattern is suggested by correlational analysis, wherein inexperienced teachers (Starters) and highly-stressed experienced teachers (High-stress Stayers) show the same preference for coping styles. It is hypothesized that this similarity of preference relates to role of control in reducing stress, and that these groups are examples of different stages of adaptation to teaching. Implications for the use of these preferences in detecting teacher stress, and for the inclusion of coping strategies in teacher training are discussed.

Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

Kommunala förskolan förutsättningarna har förändrats i och med införandet av nya styrformer som brukar sammanfattas under namnet New Public Management. Kraven på de anställda har ökat liksom stress och arbetsrelaterad psykisk ohälsa. Arbetspsykologiska stressmodeller förklarar stress utifrån olika antaganden om obalanser mellan t.ex. krav och resurser eller krav och kontroll. Den här studien syftade till att undersöka konkreta upplevelser av arbetsstress hos förskollärare i den kommunala förskolan. Deltagare var 8 kvinnliga förskollärare från en kommun som utifrån en Critical Incident Technique inspirerad intervjuguide djupintervjuades. Databearbetning genom kvalitativ innehållsanalys identifierade tre teman: förändrade förutsättningar i förskolan, underbemanning och arbete med människor. Resultaten visar att förskollärarnas stress är förknippad med upplevelsen av obalans mellan arbetskrav och otillräckliga resurser. Denna balans mellan krav och resurser beskrivs med hjälp av The JDR Model som innebär att stress uppstår när kraven är för höga i relation till de resurser som finns att tillgå.