Abstract
This paper is a research proposal to determine whether a communication skills training class (The Clear Communication: Breaking Down the Barriers Program; CCBDB Program) can be used to decrease employees' levels of work stress. The subjects are 30 males and 30 females who volunteered from a large local organization. The study examines differences due to participants' ages, gender or number of years working for the company. It looks at how the study uses a pretest-posttest, matched groups design and how pretest stress scores will determine assignment to either the experimental or treatment group. It examines how subjects will be post-tested for stress at two weeks and four weeks following the experimental group's exposure to the treatment program.

From the Paper
"Research reports poor communication to be a factor related to occupational or job stress. Poor communication can include a lack of communication or a lack of the right kind of communication at the right time (Timm & Peterson, 1992). Communication between managers and subordinates has been shown to cause job stress. Communication messages are not clear and concise and are therefore misunderstood. Studies recommend that improved communication skills would result in job stress reduction (Flett & Briggs, 1992; Miller, 1991; Beehr, 1990). Empirical research is needed to ascertain if job training to improve communication skills would lower job stress."

Tags:pretest, posttest, work

Abstract
The purpose of this research is to determine whether a communication skills training class (The Clear Communication: Breaking Down the Barriers Program; CCBDB Program) can effectively decrease employees' levels of work stress by improving their communication skills. The study shows that poor communication results in job stress and that this stress has resulted in a steady increase in workers compensation claims. The paper includes copies of the actual study used.

From the Paper
"Stress is a state of arousal provoked by specific stressors. According to Sue, Sue and Sue (1994), these stressors call on the body's physical and mental reserves, triggering physiological, psychological and biochemical changes. For example, they will raise blood pressure and increase secretion of catecholamine (stimulant) hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. Any stressor is any force, change or event that calls upon a persons inner resources."

Tags:company, business, relax, physical, condition, resources, communication, management, health, behavior

Abstract
The proposed research examines whether providing subjects with a program for improving their communication skills lowers their levels of job stress. The research also looks at whether any effects on job stress produced by the program significantly differ in relation to differences in study participants' ages, gender, or number of years working for the company. The study uses a pretest-post-test equivalent groups design in which employees at a large company are assigned in matched pairs to either the experimental or treatment conditions following their being pretested for their stress levels. Several null hypotheses are tested in the study using both descriptive and inferential analysis. These null hypotheses predict that employees participating in the workshop will evidence significantly lower levels of overall stress than employees in the control group.

From the Paper
"Findings of the study showed that physicians felt overloaded and believed that its effect on home life made the greatest contribution to their job stress; they also felt that having good relationships with patients, relatives and staff made the greatest contribution to their job satisfaction. However, compared with the other specialist groups, physicians reported less stress from overload and more satisfaction from having good relationships. They also reported less stress and more satisfaction with the way they are managed and with provided resources. Hospital-based physicians reported more stress and less satisfaction from their management and resources than their colleagues working in hospices. It was further noted that 35 percent of physicians felt insufficiently trained in communication skills, and believed that the lack of proper communication skills contributed to their stress levels. In addition, it was found that burnout was more prevalent among consultants who felt insufficiently trained in communication skills than among those who felt sufficiently trained."

Tags:adrenaline, CCBDB, counselor, workshop