Suchergebnisse

The purpose of this research is to examine occupational stress among correctional supervisors. Although a number of studies have focused on correctional officers, the systematic study of correctional supervisor stress has been neglected. This article draws on a sample of 329 correctional supervisors in one state to provide a quantitative and qualitative examination of correctional supervisor stress. Results indicate that overall stress levels are low. Furthermore, reported levels of stress do not vary along gender, race, educational level, and institution. However, three variables are significant predictors of low levels of stress: high levels of job satisfaction, high levels of social support, and an internal locus of control. Recommendations and avenues for future inquiry are presented.

This article presents an overview of the topic of occupational stress. Although its framework is somewhat conceptual, the article is intended to alert researchers to the practical considerations relevant to this topic. The authors attempt to arrive at a workable definition of stress, and then proceed to review the literature in this area, focusing on the measurement, sources, and management of stress, as well as the relationship between stress and coronary heart disease. Concepts related to stress (mental load, fatigue, and arousal) are defined and differentiated. Throughout, the effects of individual attributes are emphasized, as are the implications of investigating stress in the laboratory as opposed to the work environment.

ABSTRACT
Researchers often employ methodologies and instruments without regard to the assumptions that were originally made in the development of that methodology and instrument. This lack of reflexivity may lead to the protection of data whose usefulness is problematic. An instance of such blinkered research is the area of stress. This paper discusses a number of problems with past methodological approaches and conceptualisations of stress in an effort to cause future research to rethink the approach to this phenomenon. It is also the intention that this discussion may serve as a case study to alert researchers more generally to some taken for granted assumptions in research design.

A study of perceived sources of stress in the Devon Ambulance
Service was carried out using interview and questionnaire surveys.
Semi‐structured and non‐directive interview surveys were used to
identify broad areas which were regarded as being stressful, while the
questionnaire survey attempted to establish more precisely the levels of
stress associated with different situations faced by Ambulance Service
personnel. Factor analysis of the questionnaire results yielded four
main elements: organisational and managerial aspects; new, unfamiliar
and difficult duties/uncertainty; work overload; and interpersonal
relations. The questionnaire results indicated that the most significant
sources of stress were extrinsic, mainly involving the way Ambulance
Service personnel were treated by other people. Based on the interview
survey results, however, it is argued that the format of the
questionnaire survey may have led to an underestimation of the role of
intrinsic factors as a source of stress, particularly those involved
with dealing with patients.

AbstractA theoretical model of occupational stress built upon the concepts of systems theory is presented. Systems theory is concerned with the problems of relationships, structure and interdependence among the components of the system. Occupational stress is conceptualised within a systems framework in terms of person‐environment fit and incorporating occupational stress into the broader social issues of quality of life and quality of working life. The advantages of using a systemic approach to conceptualise and investigate occupational stress are demonstrated in a study of 38 respondents. Results strongly support hypothesised relationships between stress, strain and personality factors. The hypothesised relationships between strain, adaptive responses and quality of life and quality of working life receive qualified support.