Abstract This paper examines certain workplace issues of satisfaction, including job security, fair wage and salary levels, equitable distribution of benefits, training and career enhancement opportunities that integrate to create an environment that fosters both motivation and high performance and attempts through that to maximize productivity. The purpose of this research is to review the psychology behind the factors that contribute to employee stress as a result of organizational change, environmental and economic factors. The author attempts to analyze these concepts and examine how they contribute to worker's stress levels, thereby revealing the type of training and coping skills that organization's can attempt to provide. This paper addresses this problem specifically in the investment banking industry, with reference to the firm of Goldman Sachs. The author looks at the the financial services industry that has been characterized by ongoing and ever-increasing merger and acquisition activity and expansion with focus on change in technology, organizational settings, workforce and management. The author investigates how these changes may effect employee anxiety and stress levels with focus on the causes of stress and their possible psychological and physiological effects. The author provides recommendations as to how to achieve economies of scale and efficiencies through innovation and welcoming of change that is planned and appropriately dealt with and how to deal with the possible stress that may emerge through training, leadership, support, work teams, increased employee decision making and involvement, communication, change in reward systems and enforcement of a culture of change, innovation and challenge.
From the Paper "While the profitability of corporations is typically measured in dollars, overall success can be measured in terms of profitability plus the attainment of organizational goals. This success derives from a synergy of inputs, including the work of employees who are dedicated, skilled and knowledgeable, and a management team that understands how to inspire competent and motivated performance through sensitive and responsive management of a continually changing workplace. The cost of socially-responsible management is an investment: the workplace environment directly impacts the motivation and productivity of the workforce. Simply put: happy, secure workers are productive workers. Companies are responsible for creating and maintaining a positive and supportive workplace environment through ethically responsible policies, fair compensation and proactive management. While not quantifiable as a line item, an attitude of responsibility to workers and to the workplace environment has a noticeable effect on the corporate bottom line. According to Alan Reder in his book In Pursuit of Principle and Profit (1994), responsible policies ensure that every quality of a company will emerge over time and greatly increase a company's chances of long-term success. Workplace issues of employee satisfaction include job security, fair wage and salary levels, equitable distribution of benefits, training and career enhancement opportunities that integrate to create an environment that fosters motivation, high performance and maximized productivity."
Abstract This paper examines the assessment of people suffering from bereavement and stress and the reality of persons who cannot 'cope'. After a review of the literature surrounding this subject, the author describes a research project to be carried out with informal written testimony from a random sample of 40 volunteer informants.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Review of Literature
Proposed Research Project
Interpreting Results
Last Remarks
From the Paper "Bereavement Stress and Coping are familiar terms in English-speaking
countries as need modification to reveal the severity of symptoms and
the reality of persons who cannot 'cope'. Stage theories distort, as can
the under-estimation of anxiety, depression or more alarming symptoms
bereaved persons experience well beyond the acute or first year aftermath of loss. One needs awareness of postmodern societies a long average lifespan but also youth, midlife and serial bereavement as common phenomena. Inductive research, as in this paper's proposed project, should harvest the testimony of persons to survive bereavement, as other research must help human services professionals to become oriented to what bereavement stress can really entail, the nature of loss in the early 21st century.
Abstract This paper discusses physiological and psychological aspects of stress, and reviews its socio-economic effects. This paper also examines women and stress susceptibility, alcohol usage, depression and cognitive coping strategies. This paper includes extracts from select published reports, which seek to further explore and correlate physiological and psychological aspects of stress.
Table of Contents:
Stress - Stress - Studies and Physiological Attributes
- Stress- Psychological Attributes and Studies
- Emotional Processing and Psychological Stress - Women and Stress Susceptibility
Select Stress - Related Studies
- Eating Disorders
- Stress and Alcohol Usage
- Depression and Psychosomatic Illness
Stress Management and Coping - Optimism
- Hardiness
- Coping Strategies
- Social Support
- Positive and Negative Emotions
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to Frederickson (2000) the form and function of positive and negative emotions are distinct and complementary. 'Negative emotions (e.g., fear, anger, and sadness) narrow an individual's momentary thought-action repertoire toward specific actions' that served the ancestral function of promoting survival. By contrast, positive emotions (e.g., joy, interest, and contentment) broaden an individual's momentary thought-action repertoire, which in turn can build that individual's enduring personal resources, resources that also served the ancestral function of promoting survival. One implication of the broaden-and-build model (Frederickson, 2000) is that positive emotions have an undoing effect on negative emotions. By broadening the momentary thought-action repertoire, positive emotions loosen the hold that negative emotions gain on an individual's mind and body by undoing the narrowed psychological and physiological preparation for specific action. Indeed, empirical studies have shown that contentment and joy speed recovery from the cardiovascular aftereffects of negative emotions (Fredrickson & Levenson, 1998 as cited by Frederickson, 2000)."
Abstract This paper examines the causes and types of stress an employee may experience in the workplace. The author differentiates between harmful stress and stress resulting from manageable challenges and other positive factors. The role of managers in delegating appropriately to maintain environments with normal stress levels is also explored. Several well known CEOs are given as examples of how to cope with stress and appoint good managers to handle work-flow. The paper also includes a discussion of how those outside of the US handle stress in the workplace. The paper concludes with symptoms of stress and how to recognize if one needs intervention. Suggestions for wellness are also given.
Outline:
Define Workplace Stress Successful CEOs
Workplace Stress and How Employees in Other Countries Cope What Happens When Stress Gets the Best of You?
Methods of Dealing With Stress Five Most Stressful Jobs
Wellness Strategies
Works Cited
From the Paper "In the area of one's career, one may be under- or over-promoted. Too much responsibility creates as much stress as not enough. Job security, from fear of redundancy either from the state of the economy, or a lack of tasks or work to do, lack of career development opportunities and overall job satisfaction, may be factors that create stress about one's career."
Tags:stress, workplace, fear, role, ambiguity, career
Abstract This paper examines how the family assessment model is used to help a specific family cope during a crisis. It explains that a family assessment model is effective because later nursing interventions correspond to and are based in a comprehensive family assessment. The paper looks at how in the family assessment model, the patient's needs are addressed by nursing interventions that follow directly from the assessment. The paper also notes that as this model reveals, while families experience problems and stressors, they also have coping mechanisms.
Outline:
Introduction
Developmental Stage
Family Function and Structure
Family Stress, Coping and Adaptation
Family Health Care Function
Identification of Priority Family Health Education Needs
Conclusion
From the Paper "Communication patterns for the family are open and effective. This family forms a cohesive group and has developed strong links beyond the immediate nuclear family, and demonstrates deep respect towards the elderly. Sylvia and Daniel are physically affectionate and warm towards their parents. Both children also exhibit respect and obedience toward the parents. The family furthermore is able to communicate effectively with the physicians and nurses who are involved in their care."
Abstract A paper on stress, what it does to one's health and how to cope with the situation. The paper also discusses pointers on what to do when faced with stress.
Abstract This paper examines how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD ) arises in relation to events that are unusual or abnormal in a person's daily life and how most victims of PTSD experience it in different intensities or for different lengths of time. In particular, it explores how there are five specific post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reactions that are indigenous to women. It examines how it is virtually impossible from simply looking at a person to tell what is hidden away and repressed in the subconscious mind and how, in the case of PTSD, especially for women, feelings and emotions may be totally suppressed.
Outline
Definition
PTSD Symptoms
Examples of PTSD Reactions
Birth and Bonding
Self-Mutilation
Conclusion
From the Paper "An emotional loss, such as the death of a loved one, can cause the experience known as grief. How a person learns to cope with this feeling varies greatly, but generally they can rise to the surface from the depths of the mind which may trigger a coping mechanism where the person ignores or pretends the event never happened. This area of emotional loss raises the problem of social and family conditioning, especially with women trapped in a male-dominated organization, where a woman might have been raised to deny or bury her feelings and emotions in order to protect her male counterparts. Of course, emotional loss is also connected with physical loss, for they go hand in hand during many traumatic events."
Abstract This paper explains that, sometimes, occupational ailments are exacerbated by poor coping skills, which might lead a person to destructive behavior, such as alcohol or drug use, that further the detrimental effects of stress. The author points out that occupational stress not only hurts the individual, but also can severely damage the entire organization through lower productivity, increased absenteeism, and the eventual loss of the investment the organization has made into the occupational development of an individual or group. The paper states that a manager must be aware of the offerings available to workers in the way of compensation when a worker is forced to leave the job due to occupational stress cause injuries or illness.
From the Paper "Mangers must make every attempt to help employees through transitional periods that may lead to uncertainty and stress. They must make certain that work conditions are as good as possible for all employees. They must be aware of task levels and productivity, when someone is underutilized or over burdened by the work they are given to do. They must intervene effectively when conflict occurs and take action to advocate for employees. They must be aware of the level of responsibility each employee shoulders and his or her comfort level with it."
Abstract The paper discusses a study which examines the coping techniques of teachers in a small sampling and determines which factors of resiliency are most effective in enabling the teacher to cope with the stress related to the teaching profession. The paper continues and examines the factors of wellness among teachers as related to stress and burnout, and sets forth a case study research examining the health related issues.
Outline:
Introduction
Purpose of Study
Significance of Study
Organization of Remaining Chapters
Literature Review
Methodology
Limitations
From the Paper "The case study will be conducted through focus group discussions. Prior to the focus group studies a survey will be administered to participants in the case study which will serve to inform the focus group discussions. The survey will query participants as to their personal health practices including mental and emotional health and will ask teachers questions concerning their methods of coping with the stress associated with teaching. The focus group discussion/interviews will be audio-taped and qualitatively and interpretively analyzed by the researcher in this study to determine what factors of stress are most predominant among teachers interviewed and what factors of resiliency are utilized by these teachers in combating work-related stress."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that domestic violence has become an epidemic in the United States of America. The writer points out that nearly all of domestic violence complaints are between intimate partners with the majority of violence targeting women. The writer focuses on the long-lasting effects that domestic violence has on the women in the United States. The writer discusses the effects that domestic violence has on women as well as the coping strategies that women use to deal with the psychological stress. The writer maintains that more programs and resources need to be made available to women suffering from domestic violence. Tougher penalties need to be placed on the batterers of these women in order to try and deter the violence. The writer concludes that until there is a change, every year thousands of women will die by the hands of their partners.
Outline:
Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "Attribution for the abuse is the victim's perception of what caused her abuse. These factors include internal and external blame. Self-blame is when the victim feels she is responsible for the abuse and will not be as likely to abuse her child. On the other hand externalized blame is when the woman puts the blame on the batterer and is then more likely to abuse her own child. In addition another cognitive variable is the victim's attachment style. The attachment style of the victim is how she tends to bond with others. Attachment styles can be broken up into two categories secure and insecure. There are two types of insecure attachment styles which are preoccupied and fearful. Preoccupied style is when a person has a negative view towards themselves and a positive view of other people in which they rely on for support. Fearful attachment style is when a person has a negative view of both themselves and others. These people tend to avoid close relationships because they have a fear of rejection. These insecure attachment styles have been linked to child abuse potential."
Abstract This paper states that PTSD is an anxiety disorder, which has its origins in the psychological reactions to a traumatic event, perceived by the individual as being traumatic. The paper says that, while PTSD can occur at any age, younger people are especially susceptible because they have developed fewer strategies for coping with severe stress and that the future psychological development of adolescent PTSD victims is jeopardized by the condition. The author concludes that a multi-faceted treatment program, administered as soon as the trauma is identified, is the best response to prevent and repair the harm to the individual.
From the Paper "Diagnosis is complex; a range of criteria must be present in order to diagnose PTSD accurately. Early intervention can help to mediate the impact of trauma, as can factors in the individual's life, including personal resilience and social support. Trauma can also be aggravated by the presence of other stressors and the context in which the trauma occurs, and effective treatment must address all of the factors surrounding the trauma."
Abstract This paper explains the use of three nursing models, developed specifically by Dorothy Johnson, Imogene King, and Betty Neuman, to address the client's need to learn how to cope effectively with stress. The author examines the nursing plans that would develop from each of these models. The paper concludes that nurses seem to think with more awareness and to function on a more professional level when their actions are based on theoretical models.
From the Paper "Betty Neuman (1996) assumes that clients are dynamic and in constant energy exchange with environments. Following are the other basic assumptions that define, describe and comprise the concepts of the Neuman Systems Model. Neuman believes that interrelationships of variables, that is, physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental and spiritual variables of the person, affect the degree the person is protected by the flexible line of defense against reaction to single or multiple stressors; in fact, the stressor(s) break through the normal line of defense when the flexible line of defense does not protect the person. In turn, Neuman sees the person as a dynamic composite of interrelationship of variables, and wellness is on a continuum of available energy to support the system in optimal state of system stability. Furthermore, Neuman assumes that the lines of resistance are the person's internal resistance factors, which are to stabilize and return the person to usual wellness state or to higher level of stability after a reaction to an environmental stressor."
Presented in the form of a proposal to the company's board of directors, this paper suggests a stress management program for employees of ABC Corporation.
Abstract This report summarizes the results of the Stress Management Plan conducted for the ABC Company, Limited. Employees at ABC consider themselves to be under extreme stress, related directly to their work environment. A large number of employees experience stress related physical symptoms and a large number engage in substance abuse to cope with this stress. The Stress management assessment identified several areas, which require drastic and immediate measures to correct. Recommendations to correct these measures are prioritized according to need. Some of these measures are expected to have an immediate effect and others will take longer.
Introduction
Methods
Discussion of Results
Conclusions
Recommendations
List of Appendices
The Survey
Raw Data
Percentages
Team Qualifications
Budget
From the Paper "This report is being prepared for the ABC Company President and Board of Directors. In response to a request to determine the needs of the company in the area of Stress Management Reduction. It will be presented to the Board of Directors at the March 29,2002 meeting of the Board and Executive committee. Management will use this report to implement the proposed Stress Reduction being presented in this report. At that time they will approve the plan and appoint a committee to oversee the implementation of the plan.
As indicated in the proposal, stress is a major concern for many businesses and stress can severely limit a person's ability to perform their job to the best of their abilities. Stress causes a wide range of illnesses and symptoms, ranging from minor to deadly. Stress Management should be a part of every strategic business plan, as it literally costs the company major portions of their margins due to absences and poor work performance. It is to every company's benefit to examine the levels and sources of stress in their work environment and to attempt to eliminate or reduce these stressing factors. To do so, not only shows the humanitarian side of the company, but can prove to be profitable as well."
A discussion on the way in which stress is a psychological and physical response to the demands of daily life that exceed a person's ability to cope successfully.
Abstract The following paper examines how a mild level of stress and tension can from time to time be beneficial. The writer discusses how different levels of stress can be beneficial such as feeling mildly stressed when carrying out a project or assignment which often induces us to do a good job and to work energetically. This paper examines how stress is often characterized by fatigue, sleep disorders, irritability, continuous worrying and depression. The way in which accumulated effects of stress may lead to more serious medical problems is also examined. Finally, the way in which stress may be work-related or may stem from personal problems, such as divorce, family conflicts or financial concerns or from a combination of these factors id discussed.
From the Paper "Too much stress is not good and constant stress often causes adverse effects. Most individuals are familiar with the adrenaline rush response to an emergency. The heart pulsates, the muscles contract, and the lungs expand; and while this is happening, we are able to use greater than normal strength and speed. This response is the body's way of rescuing itself when confronted with an emergency. We do not have to think about it to make it happen. Whether we are stuck in traffic, about to give a speech in front of a group, or sitting in the waiting room at a doctor's office, the human stress response happens automatically. The difference between the two is that the adrenaline response in an emergency starts and resolves itself quickly. The response to being stuck in traffic may not. The adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, secrete the emergency passes. Then the body returns to its normal function. However, the stress response is more complex and can last longer. "
Abstract The paper defines the problem of stress and looks at how it is affected in the workplace. The paper then relates that, in spite of the difficulty researchers encounter in measuring stress and tracking the healthcare costs of stress, its negative impact on the work environment has long been recognized in business. The paper also relates that, despite the limitations of research about stress, the research has provided some insight as to what employment conditions create the most negative stress, and what types of stress employers should strive to reduce to optimize productivity.
From the Paper "However, measuring stress can itself be a source of stress for researchers. A problem with measuring stress is "that it cannot always be seen," especially during its early stages when "most employees will suffer in silence. [Although] this does not mean that employers can or should do nothing," it may mean that a lack of response on the part of employers is not necessarily due to callousness fashion ("Stress in the workplace," 2007, Clarion, Ltd). It can be difficult for researchers to calculate the amount of stress workers experience at any one point in time, or over the course of a typical work day or year. Because the potential costs of work-related stress to an employer as well as the employee are so great, including the cost of absences, disturbances in production, creativity and competitiveness, reduced effectiveness of employees suffering from work-related stress, punitive legal fines if workers injure themselves on the job, and awards of damages from the courts arising from personal injury claims, employers often wish to reduce workplace stress and address its causes, but are not always able to do so nor measure its impact in a clear fashion ("Stress In The Workplace," 2007, Clarion, Ltd). "The price tag for indirect and direct costs associated with both undiagnosed and treated depression in North America is $60 billion, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto."
