A dissertation submitted to the Faoulty of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Industrial Psyohology). / stress management training is costly, yet widely used in industry with high expectations of the immediate and long-term benefits to both individual employees and the organisation (Monat & Lazarus( 1991). It has become apparent that, in spite of the banality of such stress management training, there is a significant lag in evaluative research to support these techniques (Cullen & Sandberg, 1987). The aim of the study was thus to appraise the effectiveness of a stress management programme in terms of individual psychological benefits (reduced stress; increased coping capacity; perceived control) and work attitudes (job satisfaction; propensity to leave the organisation). A second aim of the study was to determine whether, over the course of the intervention, there would be any significant differences in the outcome of the programme, for those demonstrating negative or positive affective predispositions. Data was collected using a self-report strategy in a field setting, using a short-term longitudinal research design. The sample consisted of 27 employees participating in a stress management programme. Matched-pair t-tests were generated to evaluate the extent of the impact of participation in the stress management progamme on subjects, from pretest to posttest. The main findings of the study were that the stress management programme intervention yielded only small changes in stress, coping, perceived control, job satisfaction and propensity to leave. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed and future directions for research considered. / AC 2018

The present study examined the effects of use of mindfulness meditation CDs on college students' stress levels. It was predicted the use of meditation can positively affect student's sense of well-being and decrease student's stress levels. A convenience sample of 44 undergraduate students (n = 44) was divided and randomly assigned to either mindfulness meditation group (MT group) or delayed treatment control group (CTL group). All subjects completed three stress symptom surveys (SC1-90R, PSS-14, & CHIPS) to establish baseline measures. After a 6-week intervention, the MT group showed significantly greater improvements in reduction of stress related symptoms, specifically in Somatization and Depression, than the CTL group, as determined by the results of the post-intervention surveys.

Medical error is the third leading cause of death in the United States, with surgery being a critical area for improvement. Of particular interest for this dissertation is understanding and mitigating the impact of acute stress experienced by surgeons. Previous research demonstrates the detrimental effects mismanaged acute stress can have on cognitive performance integral in optimal surgical practice. Biofeedback consists of objectively monitoring signs of stress, presenting physicians with their own physiological output in real time. Introducing appropriate, targeted coping mechanisms when they are most needed may facilitate behavioral adjustments in the face of acute stress. The goal of this dissertation research was to evaluate the potential benefit of biofeedback and coping instructions, measured by reduced perceived and physiological stress, and improved task performance. In the first study, college students participated in a first-person shooter videogame while receiving visual coping instructions. Instructions that were presented at moments of elevated stress improved downstream physiology compared to randomly administered instruction, and the presence of coping instructions was more beneficial than their absence at highly stressful times. In the second study, I adapted and validated a computer-based task to focus on components of workload experienced by physicians. This study yielded one high-stress and one-low stress version of a more demographic-appropriate task. In the final study, medical students and residents completed this task. The independent variables tested included a visual biofeedback interface, intermittent auditory coping instructions, and/or brief training on stress management and emotional intelligence. Results from this study showed that despite high cognitive workload experienced by participants receiving both biofeedback and coping instructions, performance across stress levels was indistinguishable, and physiological indicators of stress immediately following discrete coping instructions was reflective of decreased stress. Taken together, the results of these studies validate the generation of a new lab-based task to induce stress among healthcare providers, and the physiological and performance benefits associated with physiologically-based coping instructions. Future work should investigate how these concepts can be tailored towards surgical workflow with feedback modality in mind, extended to teams, and/or scaled up to higher levels of fidelity to better capture the work environment. / Ph. D. / Medical error is the third leading causing of death in the United States, with surgery being a critical area for improvement. Many medical errors are preventable, and previous research has shown that inappropriately managed acute stress is responsible for many errors. Biofeedback is one way to externalize stress states, enabling individuals to monitor their own stress, even as it is changing. With rapid advancement in technological functionality, sensors hold promise not only for personal body data, but also active interventions such as biofeedback. Biofeedback is the process of actively monitoring physiology on an external device, and updating behaviors based on that physiology. Its role as a stress management tool is growing. Commercially available sensor devices are widespread, and are generating and archiving thousands of data points every day. Rather than simply archiving this data, we can use sensor technology to inform us of our current physiological and cognitive states in real time, and use that information to alter our response to stressful stimuli to achieve more favorable outcomes. This concept can be applied specifically to address how to cope when experiencing high levels of stress. For individuals working in high-stakes environments on a daily basis, such as surgeons, using physiological data to manage stress could have the added benefit of improving performance that might otherwise suffer due to mismanaged stress. The goal of this dissertation research is to explore the potential benefit of using biofeedback and specific coping strategies to reduce stress and improve performance among healthcare providers. This research consisted of different studies, all using experimental psychology approaches and all geared towards evaluating different conditions of either visual coping instructions, training on emotional intelligence concepts as they relate to coping under stress, visual biofeedback, and/or auditory coping instructions. The results of these studies validate the generation of a new lab-based task to induce stress among healthcare providers, support the benefit of introducing coping instructions in response to elevated physiological signs of stress, and support the need for future assessments.

No / No / There are an increasing number of studies that have monitored the impact of Stress Management Interventions (SMls) and the results of these studies can play a vital role in informing the development of more effective, evidenced-based SMIs. In this paper, the authors have undertaken a review of United Kingdom (UK)-based research that has tested the impact of SMIs. Sixteen studies were examined and the results revealed that the vast majority of interventions were targeted at the individual employee, although there was a tendency for more recent research to focus on organisational level interventions. While all intervention levels were found to have some human and/or organisational benefits, strategies aimed at the individual level were less likely to result in longer-term benefits. An examination of the research methods used in the 16 studies indicated that UK-based researchers are beginning to adopt more rigorous research methods. However, there was a tendency for researchers to evaluate interventions over a relatively short time-frame. The implications of these findings for future research are discussed.

The crucial role of mentors.

Li Ping. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 55-63). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Introduction --- p.1 / Subjective Well-Being (SWB) --- p.1 / Life Satisfaction --- p.2 / Self-Esteem --- p.2 / Psychological Distress --- p.3 / Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) Stress and Coping Model --- p.3 / Migration as a Source of Stress --- p.4 / Primary Appraisals in Adjustment to Migration --- p.6 / Acceptance of New Living Environment --- p.6 / Perceived Discrimination --- p.6 / Language Competence --- p.7 / Secondary Appraisals in Adjustment to Migration --- p.8 / Family Support --- p.8 / Mutual Trust and Understanding with Peers --- p.10 / Sense of Mastery --- p.10 / Role of Secondary Appraisal on the Relationship between Primary Appraisal and SWB --- p.11 / Mainland Immigrants in Hong Kong --- p.13 / Adaptation Difficulties of Mainland Immigrants in Hong Kong --- p.14 / Acceptance of New Living Environment --- p.14 / Language Barrier --- p.15 / Differences in Cultural Values --- p.16 / Discrimination --- p.16 / Interacting with Unfamiliar Family Members --- p.17 / Purpose of the Present Study --- p.17 / Hypotheses --- p.18 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Method --- p.21 / Participants --- p.21 / Instruments --- p.23 / Demographic Information --- p.23 / Life Satisfaction --- p.23 / Self-Esteem --- p.23 / Psychological Distress --- p.24 / Acceptance of New Living Environment --- p.24 / Perceived Discrimination --- p.25 / Language Competence --- p.25 / Family Support --- p.25 / Mutual Trust and Understanding with Peers --- p.26 / Sense of Mastery --- p.26 / Procedure --- p.27 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Results --- p.28 / Effect of Gender on the Psychosocial Variables --- p.28 / Relationship between Demographic Variables and Psychosocial Variables --- p.30 / Correlation between Psychosocial Variables --- p.33 / Model Testing --- p.35 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Discussion --- p.41 / Influence of Primary Appraisal on Mainland Immigrant Students' SWB --- p.43 / Influence of Secondary Appraisal on Mainland Immigrant Students' SWB --- p.45 / Relationships among Factors in the Same Appraisal Process --- p.48 / The Uniqueness of the Present Model in Understanding the SWB of Immigrants --- p.49 / Limitations and Future Studies --- p.50 / Implications of the Study --- p.51 / Conclusion --- p.54

M.A. / The purpose of this research study is to explore and identify a knowledge contents base needed for the development of a competency-based stress-coping program for traumatized adolescents. The aim of a competency-based stress-coping program is to address the inadequacy of the traumatized adolescent to cope with stress, and the need to channel their inability to cope with stress, thus enabling them to channel stress adequately. To accomplish this aim, an in-depth study is made into the competency-based approach, as well as the exploration of stress and traumatized adolescents. The research process of Mouton and Marais (1991) is followed and four data collection methods are utilized in the study. The research process is initiated by a literature study and is supplemented by (a) semi-structured interviews with experts in the field of Competency Based Training; (b) the use of a focusgroup with social workers in practice with traumatized adolescents and (c) group-administered questionnaires completed by traumatized adolescents receiving social work services. The study is not conducted and tested on a large scale due to the qualitative research undertaken. Data collected is analyzed by inductive reasoning and the processing of data through the utilization of the SPPC computer program which is used for the questionnaires completed in this study. Results show that a prerequisite for the utilization of the Competency-Based Approach entails the preliminary training of presenters of programs based upon this approach. Furthermore adolescents need to have certain intellectual and emotional abilities at their disposal which enables them to participate in a program based upon the Competency Based approach. Results show that traumatized adolescents who participated in this study have been exposed to a number of stress factors, mainly related to the relationships they are involved in, and indicate a need to participate in a stress-coping program. In a competency based stress coping program for adolescents it is necessary to identify between the cognitive outcomes and the behaviour or social outcomes that are intended.

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.

There is a long history of visual preferences for natural environments over urban environments, as well as beliefs in the restorative value of time spent in natural environments. Diverse theoretical perspectives, such as information overload, learning and evolutionary theories, can be used to help explain these preferences and beliefs, and early empirical research has found tentative support for them. The present study capitalizes on a recovery-from-stress experimental paradigm developed by Ulrich. Subjects are presented with a brief videotaped stressor followed by a brief videotaped outdoor environment while psychological and physiological indicators of arousal and emotion are monitored. In this study, two stressors and four environments were manipulated between subjects. The environments differed along two dimensions that were derived from visual preference research and theoretical predictions: whether they were natural or urban in character, and the presence or absence of a river. Physiological indicators of arousal included heart rate, skin conductance, respiration rate and salivary cortisol levels. Facial electromyographic (EMG) placements were used to assess the emotional valence of subjects' responding. The Zuckerman Inventory of Personal Responses (ZIPERS) was used to assess psychological responding. Analyses yielded a limited and occasionally inconsistent pattern of results. Many of the inconsistent responses to the environments were found across stressors, suggesting that either arousal level or the particular nature of the arousal generated by the two stressors may have interacted with the recovery environments. Despite these inconsistencies, the tentative conclusions that could be reached were generally consistent with past research and theoretical predictions. Evidence from the arousal variables suggested that the Nature and Water environments elicited less arousal during the recovery phase than did the Urban and Non-Water environments; and, there was corraboration or partial corraboration for each of these findings from the self-report data. Similarly, data from the EMG placements favored the Nature environments over the Urban environments, and in particular suggested that the Non-Water Natural (meadow) environment was less likely to produce negative emotions than the other environments. Again, this finding received some support from the self-report data. Possible explanations for the limited and occasionally inconsistent nature of the findings are offered in the discussion section, with the most likely candidate being the relatively attractive Urban environments used in this study compared to those used in past research.

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; P<O.OI) and those who experienced more JS had decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) OS correlated negatively to LDL, r= -0.53). Physiological measures of CVD were also higher in subjects with antropometrically evaluated risk profiles. Section 2 Baseline variability of various parameters ranged form moderate to high (CV 4.4% to 73%). The intervention had no significant measured effect. 45% of subjects increased state-related stress. These subjects had had significant lower scores for Commitment (P<0.05). Conclusion: Section 1 Certain personality types are associated with decreased perception of stress, decreased stress symptomology and improved endocrine markers of allostatic load. Certain personality dispositions are associated with improved job satisfaction and decreased risk of CVD. These characteristics include e.g. high commitment, low anxiety and a sense of control i.e. all inherent predispositions. To improve sensitivity to intervention, 3 baseline samples should be considered in future studies. Section2 Contrary to what was hypothesized, massage had no effect. This is possibly due to the large daily variations in these variables and outside influences, which are necessarily a part of real-life as opposed to laboratory studies. Possibly I week of intensive relaxation therapy is insufficient and longer-term, lifestyle changing intervention is recommended for future studies. / AFRIKAANSE 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<O.Ol). Die persone wat hoer werksbevrediging ervaar het, het 'n laer risiko om kardiovaskulêre siektes (eVD) op te doen (JS het negatief gekorreleer met LDL, r= -0.53). Fisiologiese mates van CVD was ook hoër in proefpersone met antropometries geëvalueerde risiko profiele. Afdeling 2 Die mate van variasie in die basislyn fisiologiese bepalings het gewissel van gemiddeld tot hoog (KV 4.4 % tot 73 %). Die ingreep het geen meetbare effek getoon nie. 45 % van proefpersone het verhoogde status-verwante stres gerapporteer. Hierdie proefpersone het betekenisvollaer waardes vir Toewyding gehad (P< 0.05). Gevolgtrekking: Afdeling 1 Sekere persoonlikheidstipes word geassosieer met verlaagde ervaring van stres, verlaagde voorkoms van simptome van stres en verbeterde endokriene merkers van allostatiese lading. Sekere persoonlikheidstrekke word geassosieer met verhoogde werksbevrediging en verlaagde risiko vir CVD. Hierdie karaktertrekke sluit hoë toegewydheid, lae angstigheid en die vermoë om beheer uit te oefen in, d.i. alle inherente karaktertrekke. Drie basislyn metings behoort in die toekoms oorweeg te word, om die sensitiwiteit vir die ingreep te verbeter. Afdeling 2 Teenoorgesteld aan die hipotese, het massering geen effek getoon nie. Dit kan moontlik as gevolg van die groot daaglike variasie in hierdie veranderlikes wees, asook buite-invloede, wat noodwendig 'n deel van regte-lewe studies is, in teenstelling met laboratoriumstudies. Een week van intensiewe ontspanningsterapie kon ook moontlik onvoldoende gewees het. Daarom word langer-termyn, leefstyl-veranderende ingrepe aanbeveel.