Showing papers on "Stressor published in 1984"

Coping, stress, and social resources among adults with unipolar depression

Abstract: We used a stress and coping paradigm to guide the development of indices of coping responses and to explore the roles of stress, social resources, and coping among 424 men and women entering treatment for depression. We also used an expanded concept of multiple domains of life stress to develop several indices of ongoing life strains. Although most prior studies have focused on acute life events, we found that chronic strains were somewhat more strongly and consistently related to the severity of dysfunction. The coping indices generally showed acceptable conceptual and psychometric characteristics and only moderate relationships to respondents' sociodemographic characteristics or to the severity of the stressful event for which coping was sampled. Coping responses directed toward problem solving and affective regulation were associated with less severe dysfunction, whereas emotional-discharge responses, more frequently used by women, were linked to greater dysfunction. Stressors, social resources, and coping were additively predictive of patient's functioning, but coping and social resources did not have stress-attenuation or buffering effects.

Impact of chronic and acute stressors on daily reports of mood.

Abstract: This research compares the relative impact of major life events, chronic Stressors, and minor daily Stressors on daily reports of mood. Analyses are based on daily diary data combined with interview data derived from a longitudinal study of 96 women sampled from the population of persons using the services of a neighborhood health center in Boston. The most important direct determinants of mood were found to be concurrent daily Stressors and physical symptoms, and previous levels of psychological well-being. Life events and chronic Stressors had indirect effects on mood through these other variables. The results serve to confirm and extend previous studies on the determinants of short-term changes in ihood. The advantages and disadvantages of the temporal aggregation of time-series data are discussed. An important issue in stress research is the relative impact of different Stressors on healthrelated outcomes. As Lazarus and his colleagues have pointed out (e.g., Lazarus & Cohen, 1977), Stressors may take several forms (chronic or acute, interpersonal or physical, etc.), and stress responses may be analyzed at different levels of analysis (social, psychological, physiological, etc.). Each of these levels may represent processes that are partially independent. The implicit benefits of combining approaches to stress assessment within a given study have often not been realized because of a reliance on one type of stress measure or another. In recent years, environmental stressors have been primarily conceptualized as acute life changes or crises that occur over a given time period (e.g., divorce, widowhood, job loss), a view that is due in part to the popularity of the assessment technique developed by Holmes and Rahe (1967). Although

The role of predisposing and moderating factors in the stress-illness relationship.

Abstract: Longitudinal data on 267 married couples are used to examine the interrelationships among predisposing factors, stress, moderating factors, and subsequent functioning. A model of the stress process that considers spouse symptoms and coping was estimated separately for three functioning criteria (depressed mood, physical symptoms, and alcohol, consumption) and across gender groups. Predisposing factors such as low social status and poor initialfunctioning were related to higher levels of stress. Women were more responsive to stressors and social resources (family support) than were men. The stress-illness relationship was strengthened by the use of avoidance coping responses, particularly if both partners relied on avoidance coping. There were no stress-buffering effects offamily support. The associations between self-esteem, coping responses, and later functioning depended on the partner's corresponding coping levels. These findings underscore the value of considering a significant other's symptoms and behavior as salient aspects of the stress process.

Coping with job stress and burnout in the human services

Abstract: A mail survey of 141 human service workers investigated the effects of coping on psychological strain and "burnout" produced by job stress. The survey assessed job stressors and coping strategies with open-ended questions and measured strain using closed-ended alienation, satisfaction, and symptom scales. Because previous research suggested that individual coping responses do not alleviate strain produced by job stress, the survey elicited information on group coping (social support) and on coping strategies initiated by agencies. Job stress was associated with high levels of strain, and group coping with low levels, but individual responses had little effect. Although workers identified many strategies that agencies could use to reduce stress and strain, actual use of such strategies was slight. Because men and women worked in the same jobs, no sex differences in individual coping were predicted and none were found; women, however, reported more social support than men. There was no evidence for moderating (interaction) effects of stress and coping on strain.

Aerobic Fitness Affects Cardiovascular and Catecholamine Responses to Stressors

Abstract: Subjects of varying degrees of aerobic fitness were subjected to four laboratory stressors in a test of the hypothesis that aerobic fitness is associated with decreased responsiveness to stressors other than exercise. Blood pressure, heart rate, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and psychological responses to a film of industrial accidents (passive psychological stressor), the Stroop word color task (active psychological stressor), the cold pressor test (passive physical stressor), and running to exhaustion on a treadmill (active physical stressor) were measured. Baseline systolic blood pressure and relative diastolic responses to the film, Stroop task, and exercise were smaller in fit subjects over 40 than in less fit subjects of the same age group. Heart rates were lower in fit subjects at most times, except during and after maximal exercise. Norepinephrine was lower after 9 min of exercise in fit subjects, but was much higher at exhaustion, after these subjects had accomplished more work. Norepinephrine levels fell rapidly and were not different among groups 3 and 10 min after exercise. There was no preferential generalization of the “fitness effect” to the active psychological task.

Maternal and paternal stress reactions when a child is hospitalized in a pediatric intensive care unit.

Abstract: A major situational stressor experienced by parents is the serious illness of a family member, and perhaps no event is more stressful than the admission of a child to an intensive care unit (ICU). This study was designed to identify ICU environmental stressors experienced by parents when a child is admitted to a pediatric ICU and to examine possible differences in the perceived stress stimuli and the overall stress impact between mothers and fathers. Thirty-seven father-mother dyads whose children had recently been discharged from a pediatric ICU in one of four midwestern hospitals were subjects for the study. Data were collected using the Parental Stressor Scale: Pediatric ICU (PSS:PICU) and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Findings suggest that mothers and fathers found the total ICU experience equally stressful. Mean State Anxiety scores were not significantly different for the two groups. In a comparison of mean scores on the seven dimensions of the PSS:PICU, mothers and fathers differed f...

Stress and coping: constructs for nursing

Abstract: ‘Stress’ is considered to be an important construct for consideration by nurses, as it helps in the understanding of the patients' responses to illness. In this paper there is an exploration of conditions under which stress may occur. ‘Coping’ is also discussed. Coping potentially reduces stress either by dealing with demands and stressors, or with their effects on the individual.

A model of teacher stress and its implications for management

Abstract: Recent surveys have shown that between 20 per cent to 40 per cent of teachers experience considerable stress when working in schools. Following a summary of research into the sources and correlates of reported teacher stress, this paper proposes a definition and a model of work‐related stress in school that incorporates current concepts and research findings. Examples of tactics and strategies for coping with and reducing the build‐up of environmental stressors are developed from the model. These aim to provide pointers for the multi‐level management of stress throughout schools.

Prospective Markers for Alcoholism

Abstract: The importance of genetic factors in the development of alcoholism has been supported over the years by family, genetic marker, animal, twin, and adoption studies [15,38]. Numerous adoption-type investigations have shown that sons and daughters of alcoholics adopted out close to birth have four times or higher elevated risk for alcoholism themselves when compared to comparable offspring of nonalcoholic parents [5,16]. Controlling for the influence of the alcoholic biologic parent, being raised by an alcoholic parent figure, or going through a broken home or comparable childhood stressor appears to add little if anything to the final risk for the disorder itself.

Physical activity as a moderator of life events and somatic complaints: a longitudinal study.

Abstract: During the past 15 years a very large number of studies have shown that life events are a significant stressor with attendant physiological and psychological outcomes. Much of this research was summarized by Dohrenwend and Dohrenwend (1974). There is also considerable literature suggesting that physical activity may be an effective coping mechanism which can buffer the relationship between an environmental stressor and such psychological and physiological outcomes. This paper reports on the relationship of life change events and somatic complaints and the moderating effects of physical activity. The study was longitudinal involving 278 managers from 12 different corporations. All participants were men. Data have been collected at entry, two years later, and four years later. This provides two test periods in which the data are analysed. Analyses are by way of multiple regression and in both time periods the change data support the hypothesis that somatic complaints are significantly related to both life events and physical activity. The results also show that physical activity has a significant buffering effect on the relationship between life events and somatic complaints. These findings lend strong support to the hypothesis that physical activity can be a significant moderator of the effects of environmental stress.

Commentary: Syndrome Evidence in Establishing a Stressor

Abstract: Controversy surrounds the admissibility of \"syndrome\" or \"profile\" evidence in criminal or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cases which is used to establish either that a particular traumatic event or stressor actually occurred or to explain the behavior of the victim. Since credibility of witnesses is always at issue, attorneys or prosecutors may seek to introduce syndrome or profile evidence in order to establish a cause or to explain behavior that is allegedly unique to certain types of victims. For example, a prosecutor may wish to establish the occurrence of a rape or to explain the post-act behavior of the victim by offering evidence of the trauma generally experienced by victims of rape. The credibility of a victim claiming rape is supported by evidence matching her trauma with the trauma pattern of other rape victims.

Primary sources of hospital administrator stress

Abstract: Health care professionals were among the first to sound the warning about the physiological and psychological dangers emanating from job stress. Ironically, they themselves have been the subject of little empirical research in this area. Hospital chief executive officers obviously have no immunity from job-related stress, nor would they appear to be functioning in positions that are free of stressful elements. In fact, quite the opposite appears to be true. Considering the diverse nature of the publics they serve, the myriad of manpower and technology employed, the complex interpersonal relations to be maintained, and the critical importance of the services offered, health care delivery systems and their key personnel appear fertile grounds for stress research. The current body of knowledge in the stress area is far from being complete and in consensus, although it is large and rapidly growing. The dynamics of stress are often such that the generalization of findings across occupations is difficult to make (French and Caplan, 1972). There is a need, therefore, for occupation-specific stress research that might serve as a standard to facilitate study within and across occupations as well as to provide a basis for the formulation of more specific adaptive responses. The objective of this study was to perform such an exploratory and diagnostic function relative to the hospital administrator. Specifically, the goals were to (1) identify stressors perceived by the administrators within their work environments; (2) examine the relationship between these stressors and selected demographics; (3) examine relationships between stressors at work and extra-organizational stressors, and (4) examine associations between the perception of work stressors and the experience of physical and mental symptoms of stress related ill health.

Cultural Aspects of Stress

Abstract: This chapter discusses the cultural aspects of stress. Organism responds to a stressor, as the general adaptation syndrome (GAS). This usually has three stages: (1) the alarm reaction, wherein the organism becomes aware of a specific noxious stimulus, (2) the stage of resistance or adaptation, in which the organism recovers to a functional level superior to that before it was stressed, (3) and the stage of exhaustion, where the recovery processes, under the continuing assault of stressors, are no longer able to cope and to restore homeostasis. In this final stage, the physiological changes that have taken place in the organism now become pathological to it, and disease or death results. A stressor is an environmental influence or agent that produces a stress response in the organism. The range of possible stressors is extremely wide and includes severe illness or trauma, natural disasters, bereavements, divorce, marital conflicts, unemployment, retirement, interpersonal tensions at work, financial difficulties, changes in occupation, migration, wartime combat, and excessive exposure to heat, cold, damp, or noise. The relationship between particular stressors and the response they elicit is marked by nonspecificity. That is, it cannot be predicted what specific stress-related disease—such as peptic ulceration, psychiatric disorders, hypertension, or coronary thrombosis—will result from a specific stressor—such as marital conflict, frustration at work, combat fatigue or burns.

A Comparative Analysis of Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome among Individuals Exposed to Different Stressor Events

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to compare post-traumatic stress syndrome among persons involved in nine different stressor events: combat in the Vietnam War; rape; serious life-threatening events; divorce; the death of a significant other; critical, near fatal illness of a significant other; family trauma; multiple traumatic events; and no stressful event. To assess the severity of the symptoms which define post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the Impact of Event Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Stress Assessment Scale for PTSD from the Vietnam Era Stress Inventory (Wilson & Krauss, 1980) and the Sensation Seeking Scale were administered to the participants (N=409). A person by situation conceptual model of PTSD was presented from which two major hypotheses were tested. As predicted from the model, the degree of loss of a significant other and life-threat were predictive of syndromespecific symptoms of PTSD. The results of the study strongly support the heuristic value of an interactionist model of PTSD.

Rating and behavioral measures of pain threshold and tolerance: Stressor, sex, andindividual differences

Abstract: ASSOCIATED WITH INTPJMUSCULAR INJECTION. N. L. Powers, Department of Physiological Nursing,University of California, SanFrancisco, CA, 94143 U.S.A. Aim of Investigation: The intramuscular injection (IM) is -a sequence of events which includes "needle in", "a five second time-lag", "fluid in over ten seconds" and "needle out" . Two layers of tissue, i.e. dermis and muscle, are affected by tear and pressure while one, i.e. muscle, is affected by pressure and at times by chemical changes. This study examines the temporal and spatial descriptors subjects use to define the parameters of the injection event. Methods: Sixty-eight volunteers were asked to assign verbal descriptors to sensations felt as they received an IM injection in each arm. The rate of injection and volume of injected normal saline solution were controlled. At the end of each injection subjects were asked to draw the area circumscribed by each sensation on lateral and anterior diagrams of the arm. The subjects' verbal responses were recorded on tape duration of sensation and injection events were timed. Results: A significant increase in both the spatial and temporal components of the described first and second sensations was observed as the events of the injection sequence progressed. Verbal descriptors for the phase "needle in" were easier to provide than "fluid in" and "needle out" . Conclusion: That boundaries to the sensations related to the InJection events are distinquishable suggests that first and second sensations are perceived by subjects receiving IMs.

Emotional Stress and Heart Disease: Clinical Recognition and Assessment

Abstract: The authors review recognition of the stressed individual, the stressors and, to the extent possible, the individual with cardiovascular responses to stress which raise the risks of acute CHD endpoints.

A questionnaire technique for assessing the stress at work.

Abstract: Subjective perception of the stress at work is a phenomenon reflecting the experience-mediated relationship between the sum of objective conditions of work and the sum of individual's traits available to cope with demands of the work environment. This relationship is mirrored in the function of the whole organism and can be described using the formula S = f (E, D), where S = the state of the organism, E = exposure (i.e. the sum of all stressors the organism is exposed to), and D = disposition (i.e. the sum of traits the organism has available to cope with these stressors). Based on these theoretical considerations, a questionnaire has been developed as a tool for assessing the work stress in different groups of occupations. This "Work Stress Assessment" (WSA) questionnaire was used in a group of 4800 female employees from various branches of the printing industry. Of a total of 160 questionnaire items, 98 items were selected and used to assess the workload in these employees, using a 5-point rating scale of evaluation. The responses were processed statistically, separately for 3531 blue-collar and 1269 white-collar respondents. The use of the factor analysis method revealed that the two groups of jobs had 16 factors in common, 3 factors were specific for blue-collar and 2 factors for white-collar jobs. Judged by factor components, the responses of subjects were well structured and the perceived stress at work turned out to well reflect the reality of conditions of work, which confirms the construct validity of this methodical approach based on the subjective perception of occupational stress. High coefficients of consistency (0.959 for blue-collar and 0.946 for white-collar occupations) point to the reliability of this questionnaire technique. Thus, the WSA questionnaire appears to suitably complement the other methodical approaches aimed at assessing the stress at work in different groups of occupations.

Questionnaire for Organisational Stress (VOS)

Abstract: The following regards information on a Dutch questionnaire for measuring organisational stress, based on a stress model originally developed at the University of Michigan (French and Caplan, 1972). It measures a number of work-related stressors, personal characteristics and strains. The questionnaire, thoroughly tested before being used in research, possesses satisfactory psychometric qualities. It has, by now, been used on a variety of populations in a number of studies, both cross-sectional and longitudinal. The results may be used both in programmes intended to improve employees’ health (by using the questionnaire as screening device) and in changing and developing organisational structures appearing to have detrimental effects.

Methods and Limits for the Detection of the Response of Coronary Circulation to Acute Stress

Abstract: In order to design a clinical protocol to assess the possible role of stress in the genesis of acute myocardial ischemia, it is probably useful to define, in addition to the appropriate stressor tests, the applicability, significance and limits of the available techniques for the detection of ischemia. In fact the kind of stressor tests and protocol to be adopted will largely depend on the technique employed and viceversa.

Type A Behavior as a Moderator of Job Stress and Outcome Relationship

Abstract: The symptoms of job stress are widespread among managers (Moss 1981) and among blue-collar workers (Shostak 1980) as are the adverse effects of high stress on their well-being, health and effectiveness (Jamal 1983). Two observations can be made about the existing empirical studies in the area of job stress. First, with the exception of a few studies (Caplan, Cobb, French, Harrison and Pinneau 1975; Ivancevich, Matheson and Preston 1982) most of the empirical studies were restricted to only a single occupational group. Thus, they lacked the flavor of a comparative perspective which may be an important consideration in job stress research because of the well-known occupational differences in job stress. Second, as noted by Beehr and Newman (1978), studies conducted by researchers with a medical science background too often related job stress to individuals’ physical and mental health at the expense of organizational consequences, whereas studies conducted by researchers with a behavioral science background related job stress to job dissatisfaction and other organizational consequences at the expense of individuals’ personal and health-related problems. It was suggested by Beehr and Newman (1978) that “both human and organizational consequences need to be studied in relationship to the same job stressors in the same study”. The present study was designed in such a way as to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings in stress research.