The relationship between stress and wellness has been superficially studied in the past. The aim of this research is therefore to explore the relationship between stress and wellness. To discover this relationship a quantitative, structured questionnaire research method is used. The literature review illustrates the relationship between stress and wellness with specific regard to educators. These constructs are considered individually and then in correlation with each other. Throughout the review a critical approach is adopted to demonstrate various downfalls with the current research in the areas of stress and wellness. The participants were selected using a representative, non-probability sampling strategy from Sivananda Further Education and Training College in KwaZulu-Natal. The participants for the research totalled 71 employees (46 educators and 24 administration staff). A biographical questionnaire, the Occupational Role Questionnaire and the Perceived Wellness Survey were used to collect the data. The data was then analysed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, factor analyses and bivariate correlations in SPSS. The results predominantly suggest that the stress levels for the staff at Sivananda FET College are in the normal range while the wellness levels are generally above average. There is also evidence of there being 19 significant relationships between the dimensions of stress and wellness. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.

The primary objective of the study was to increase understanding of interpersonal dimensions of stress and coping within married couples. Using a diary methodology and a matched-pair hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) analysis strategy, the study examined how stress and coping processes unfold over the course of a given day and across days within couples. The study investigated within-couple variation in daily stress, coping, coping efficacy, mood, and marital tension. Special emphasis was given to the examination of the correlates and consequences of empathic responding, a form of relationship focused coping. The results suggest that when relational outcomes are considered, empathic responding may represent an adaptive way of coping with everyday stress occurring within intimate contexts. Moreover, the study indicates that when greater personal significance is attached to a family stressor, husbands and wives tend to increase their use of empathic responding. The findings suggest that the examination of relationship-focused coping may add to the theoretical and explanatory power of current models of stress and coping. Also considered were the contextual effects of marital adjustment on how family stressors are experienced and managed by couples. The results document a link between marital adjustment and the use of empathic responding for both husbands and wives within couples. Further, the study suggests that marital adjustment plays an important role in determining whether the negative effects of stress will persist across days.

Since September 11, 2001, the focus on health among relief workers has become an important issue. The focus on mental health has caught the attention of researchers and as a fairly new research area, there are still many issues that need to be answered. This study evaluates the preparation of relief workers in two Swedish organizations (Swedish Civil Contingency Agency and Swedish Red Cross) by investigating how these preparations contribute in avoiding stress-related disorders among relief workers. The organizations were evaluated by comparing data of preparations, collected from interviews and documents, with a criteria mostly based on Walsh (2009) and scholars from the Antares Foundation Guidelines (2012). Compared to the criteria the organizations' strengths are found in information of the operation with the score 9 out of 10 (which is the fulfillment of the criteria). SRC's weakness is the education of relief workers with the score 6 out of 10. MSB is relatively strong in that category, but weaker in requirements for employment with 2 out of 4 points. However, these weaknesses must not obscure the overall good results for both MSB and SRC. This study establishes that the preparation of relief workers, in two of the most important relief organizations in Sweden, is good. However, further research is necessary to facilitate the creation of generally recognized guidelines for how to prepare relief workers.

In large numbers, teachers are reporting high levels of work-related stress. Surveys from many countries reveal widespread concern about the effects of stress on teachers’ wellbeing and willingness to stay in the profession. The purpose of this study was to investigate coping strategies that teachers employ when faced with stress in primary schools located in the North Durban Region of Phoenix. Other related aims were to identify the causes of stress and the most significant factors that contribute to teacher stress. Current research reveal that teacher stress has a detrimental effect not only on their physical, mental, social and emotional well being, but also on their efficiency and productivity in the teaching and learning situation. Statistical analyses revealed that some of the main factors that contributed to teacher stress were large classes, the frequent changes to the curriculum, administrative tasks and the lack of motivation by learners to study. Teachers use a wide range of coping strategies to deal with stress but very few find effective ways to counter the negative effects of stress. Teachers reported that the most effective action that schools or the government could take to reduce teacher stress was to decrease teachers’ workload. These findings are in line with those reported in many western countries where the stress caused by a heavy workload and coping with educational reforms have been very much in evidence. It is anticipated that the present study will be of benefit to teachers, administrators, decision makers and other stakeholders in education. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2010.

Stress is placed upon anything that is given special emphasis or significance, especially where this leads to, or involves, psychological, emotional and physical strain or tension. A part of it is therefore subjective, in that different reactions are produced in different individuals by the same set of circumstances. Stress is caused by a combined physical and psychological response to stimuli (stressors) that occur or are encountered during the course of living. The study will look at causes of stress and workplace stress and its impact on female employees' performance. Stressors from a general perspective will be identified. Further, workplace stress will be dealt with in detail using the integrated stress framework. The study will also look at effects on employees of negative feedback on self, as for example when a hierarchical superior in the course of an appraisal interview states that performance is unsatisfactory. The study will orientate towards a few questions such as: to what extent are individual well-being and performance similarly affected by stressors of various kinds, and to what extent to their effects appear to be distinct? What are the social and organizational conditions which give rise to the immediate stressors, and what qualities of personality and interpersonal relations mitigate the effects of stress? Creating workplaces that work for women and why the 'bottom-line' benefits workplaces that attract women are important components of this study. Further, organisations that target female consumers or clients is increasingly important as more women are entering the workforce and their spending power and disposable income continues to grow. To ensure a successful market focus on women, employers will want women employees to be a critical component of their organization. However, the mere presence of women in the workplace will not guarantee positive outcomes. What is required is a variety of best practice changes to ensure a work culture in which diversity is valued and effectively leveraged for better performance. A self-administered questionnaire will then be sent out to respondents to get their views on the effects of stress that they have felt in the past 12 months and how they rate their workplaces. Their views will also be sought on performance management issues and how to improve their performance management systems. A holistic approach which incorporates stress management into company health and i safety policies is viewed as the optimal strategy of this study. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

This study was conducted within the Retail Credit Evaluation and Assessment (RCEA) units at one of the big four banks within South Africa. The aim of this study was to assess stress amongst employees that were employed within the credit evaluation and assessment unit of a financial institution and then evaluate the factors that contributed to these employees stress levels with an option of implementing stress management programmes and employee assistance programmes within the organisation. The objectives of this study was to determine the overall stress levels of employees working within this environment based on demographics, length of service and qualification levels. The questionnaire was designed around obtaining data on the objectives of the study and respondents were requested to give information on the stress levels, their qualification levels, and length of service, race and gender. Respondents were also requested to rate the items that they believed contributed to their stress levels using a five point Likert-scale measurement tool. The medical information of respondents was assessed and respondents were to identify the medical conditions that they suffered from and if it was stress related. Employees were also asked about whether they would be willing to participate in stress management programmes and interventions to assist in managing their stress levels. The RCEA environment is a relatively small business unit within the chosen bank and is based across the major cities of South Africa. The decision was taken to obtain information from as many staff as possible through a web based survey using the on-line software programme QuestionPro, in order for the survey to be accessible to all respondents. The results of the survey found that 47.3% of respondents identified their current stress levels as very high to high and a further 44.7% of respondents experienced moderate stress levels as opposed to 7.9% of respondents who rated their stress levels as low and very low. A salient feature of this study is that the majority of respondents were prepared to accept assistance in managing their stress levels in that 65.5% of respondents revealed that they would participate in a healthy lifestyle programme and that 67.6% of respondents would attend monthly physical checks by medical practioners if provided by the employer. The study can benefit the organization in identifying the factors that cause employees to experience stress and then develop and implement strategies to manage stress levels of employees. A healthy workforce is a more productive workforce. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of an imagery session on intercollegiate female swimmers' precompetitive state anxiety levels and on perceptions of anxiety. A switched replication design was utilized in which twenty-two female intercollegiate swimmers were administered the the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory2, CSAI-2 (Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump, & Smith, 1990) and the Competitive Anxiety Perception Scale, CAPS, (Murray, 1989) weekly over the course of five weeks. Subjects were then randomly exposed to an imagery session during this period. Although descriptive data showed decreases in subjects' levels of A-state, a 2x2 ANOVA revealed no significant differences between subjects' PRE and POST scores. The observed decreases in A-state, although nonsignificant at the .05 level, warrants future research with a larger sample size. Additionally, the nonsignificant change in CAPS suggested that one's perceptions of anxiety may be learned at an early age and, therefore, not easily modified. It is suggested that future researchers attempt to identify those factors which mediate perceptions of anxiety. / School of Physical Education

There is no abstract available for this thesis. / Fisher Institute for Wellness

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc. Psychology)--University of Waikato, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-68) Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Psy.D.)--Adler School of Professional Psychology, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-94).