Stress and Health 

About: Stress and Health is an academic journal published by Wiley-Blackwell. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Coping (psychology). It has an ISSN identifier of 1532-3005. Over the lifetime, 1294 publications have been published receiving 38322 citations.

Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR)

Abstract: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programmes have demonstrated beneficial outcomes in a variety of populations. Self-compassion and empathy have theoretical connections to mindfulness, the key element of the MBSR programme; however, previous studies examining the programme's impact on self-compassion or empathy have demonstrated mixed results. This study examined the impact of MBSR on self-compassion and empathy, as well as on mindfulness, symptoms of stress, mood disturbance and spirituality in a community sample. Significant reductions in symptoms of stress and mood disturbance, as well as increases in mindfulness, spirituality and self-compassion were observed after programme participation. With regards to empathy, a significant increase was seen in perspective taking and a significant decrease in personal distress; no significant change was observed for empathic concern. Changes in self-compassion were predicted by changes in mindfulness. Self-compassion and aspects of empathy revealed strong associations with psychological functioning. Implications of MBSR as an intervention for enhancing self-compassion and empathy are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Health performance and emotional intelligence : an exploratory study of retail managers

Abstract: Contemporary theories place emotions and self-regulation at the centre of a dynamic process of stress. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to perceive, understand and reflectively manage one's own emotions and those of others. This study, which was situated within the management population (n = 224) of a large retail organization, investigates the relationship between a measure of EQ, subjective stress, distress, general health, morale, quality of working life and management performance. Significant correlations in the expected direction were found, indicating that managers who scored higher in EQ suffered less subjective stress, experienced better health and well-being, and demonstrated better management performance. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Emotional intelligence training and its implications for stress, health and performance

Abstract: This study builds on earlier work (Slaski & Cartwright, 2002), examining the role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) as a moderator in the stress process. A sample of UK managers (n = 60) were given training in emotional intelligence. Pre and post measures were taken relating to EI, stress and health and management performance. The study also incorporated a matched control group. It was found that training resulted in increased EI and improved health and well being. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The effects of the physical environment on job performance : Towards a theoretical model of workspace stress

Abstract: Studies of stress in the work environment pay little attention to features of the physical environment in which work is performed. Yet evidence is accumulating that the physical environment of work affects both job performance and job satisfaction. Contemporary research on stress in the work environment typically focuses on psychosocial factors that affect job performance, strain and employee health, and does not address the growing body of work on the environmental psychology of workspace. This paper reviews theory and research bearing on stress in the workplace and explores how current theory might be applied to the relationship between worker behaviour and physical features of the work environment. The paper proposes a theoretical model of the worker–workspace relationship in which stress and comfort play a critical part, and suggests a methodological approach on which to base future empirical studies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Validation of a single‐item measure of burnout against the Maslach Burnout Inventory among physicians

Abstract: The measurement of burnout among physicians is important because physician well-being has the potential to affect workforce stability and quality of care. In this study, a single-item measure of burnout was validated against the sub-scales of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment). Survey items included the 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory, a single-item measure of burnout, and other questions regarding demographics, practice characteristics, and occupational satisfaction. The surveys were mailed to Texas Tech University School of Medicine Alumni classes of 1980–1989. The response rate was 43 per cent (n = 307). Pearson correlation coefficients and ANOVA were used to determine the association between the Maslach Burnout Inventory scores and the single-item burnout question. The single-item was correlated at r = 0.64 (p < 0.0001) with emotional exhaustion and the ANOVA yielded an R2 of 0.5 (p < 0.0001). Hence, in surveys of physicians where emotional exhaustion is the primary sub-scale of interest, a single-item measure of burnout may be used as an alternative to the Maslach Burnout Inventory in order to abbreviate survey material and potentially increase response rates among physicians. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.