Lesson Six: Workplace stressors

Use the phrases below to complete the diagram, so that it shows the role of the hypothalamus in the body’s response to stress.Gets body ready for .fight or flight.• Stimulates the adrenal medulla• Stimulates the adrenal cortex• Releases adrenalin• Releases corticosteroids• Stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH

6 marks

By the end of this lesson, you should: Describe how work can make people

stressed. Explain Marmot’s research. Evaluate research in to workplace stress

Around 500,000 UK workers believe work stress is making them ill.

5,000,000 UK workers feel ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ stressed by their job.

Approximately 12,800,000 working days were lost in the UK last year due to stress, anxiety and depression.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/workplace-stress.aspx

What can be done to support people to help them cope with stress?

You are going to work in 2s/3s to make notes on what workplace stress involves and the research conducted. This is in preparation for a quiz for a prize!

Work through pages 162-164, including any studies and evaluation points you come across.

1. Which organisation did Marmot study?2. How many participants were there?3. How many years later did he assess the participants?4. Marmot et al found no link between high workload and

what?5. They concluded that high workload was not a factor in

workplace stress but what was?6. Johansson et al (1978) disagreed – where did they study

workers?7. As well as higher illness rates, these workers showed what

other physiological differences?8. Why is research in in this area prone to low historical

validity?9. The validity of questionnaires in workplace stress has been

criticised, why?

1. Which organisation did Marmot study? Whitehall civil service2. How many participants were there? 30003. How many years later did he assess the participants? 34. Marmot et al found no link between high workload and what? Stress-

related illness5. They concluded that high workload was not a factor in workplace stress

but what was? Job control6. Johansson et al (1978) disagreed – where did they study workers?

Swedish saw-mill7. As well as higher illness rates, these workers showed what other

physiological differences? Adrenaline/stress hormones8. Why is research in in this area prone to low historical validity? Workplace

technology changing so fast & change in home/office working9. The validity of questionnaires in workplace stress has been criticised,

why? The importance of some items are distorted & some factors are ignored. Keenan & Newton (1989) in a study of engineers found that when interviewed they mentioned different stressors to those typically used in questionnaires.

Marmot (1997) looked at the job-strain model. This says that workplace stress is due to high workload and low job control. He looked at 7372 civil servants working in London. They were given a questionnaire on workload, control and then they were checked for signs for CHD. Five years later they were re-assessed. The study found no link between high workload and illness.

However, Johansson (1978) disagreed. He looked at Sawyers in a Swedish sawmill. This is a stressful job, involving a relentless pace and a sense of responsibility for the company. If they slow down the whole company slows down. The high-risk group were found to have higher illness rates and also high levels of adrenaline when compared with groups with low workload. Therefore, they concluded that high workload causes workplace stress.

Despite this Marmot argued that job control was more important. He found that high grades of the civil service had fewer cardio problems and those lower than them. Those higher up the chain expressed a high sense of job control and good levels of social support, whereas those lower down the hierarchy said they had low job control.Methodological evaluation: largely based on self-report questionnaires which may have led to biased responses, for example, underestimating impact of factors such as smoking. There may be other factors that are a characteristic of lower graded workers than make them vulnerable to heart disease (e.g. lower income, poorer diet).

However, despite research into both work load and control, some argue that workplace stress is due to role conflict. Role conflict occurs when work problems interfere with family life and visa-versa. Pomaki (2007) studied 226 hospital doctors and found that role conflict was directly associated with emotional exhaustion, depressive symptoms and bodily complaints. Workplace stress can lead to CHD problems. Russek (1962) studied the incidence of CHD in medical professionals. Heart disease was greatest among GPs (high stress) and lowest in dermatologists (low stress)

Workplaces are changing so rapidly due to new technology and it maybe that a lot of the research is becoming out of date quickly due to the rapidly change in working environments.

There are concerns over the validity of questionnaires typically used to measure workplace stress. Keenan & Newton (1989) in a study of engineers found that when interviewed they mentioned different stressors to those typically used in questionnaires.

Lazarus (1995) argues research in this area ignores individual differences in terms of people’s perception of stress based on their beliefs in their ability to cope with the stressor

‘It is the duty of UK businesses to cut

stress in the workplace.’

Mr Harris is about to move his business into a brand new building. He is very keen to create a healthy working environment and reduce workplace stress. In this way, he hopes to improve productivity and reduce absenteeism.

What advice would you give Mr Harris? Use your knowledge of psychological research in this area. (6 marks)

For top marks, there needs to be sustained focus on advice and guidance which is underpinned by psychological knowledge. Candidates can consider factors such as noise and temperature.

Research has shown that certain types of noise affect memory and can lead to frustration. Other research has shown that as temperature increases, so does aggression, and this can lead to stress. Other factors such as workload, lack of control, relationships with colleagues are also relevant. For example, several studies have shown that lack of control at work can lead to stress. Any relevant factor can be given credit.

Advice could relate to how much control his employees feel they have. Research by Marmot for example; suggest that those with high control over their workload, were less stressed. So Mr Harris should try to allow his employees high decision latitude.

6 marks Effective analysis and application Effective advice to Mr Harris, using knowledge of psychological research of stress in the workplace, to improve productivity and reduce absenteeism. 5 – 4 marks Reasonable analysis and application Reasonable advice, using knowledge of psychological research of stress in the workplace 3 – 2 marks Basic analysis and application Basic advice using knowledge of some psychological research, of stress in the workplace. 1 mark Rudimentary analysis and application Rudimentary, muddled consideration of stress in the workplace, demonstrating very limited knowledge. 0 marks

No creditworthy material.

Describe one or more studies of workplace stress. (5 marks)

AO1 = 5 marks Knowledge of research into workplace stress

There are many studies that candidates could use, such as, Marmot et al (civil servants) and Johansson et al (Swedish sawmill) although any other relevant study of stress in the workplace would be creditworthy. There will be a depth/breadth trade off here, one study in depth or more studies but in less depth.

Knowledge and understanding 5 marks Accurate and reasonably detailed Accurate and reasonably detailed answer that demonstrates sound knowledge and understanding of study(s) into

workplace stress. There is appropriate selection of material to address the question. One or more identifiable studies of workplace stress have been given.

4-3 marks Less detailed but generally accurate Less detailed but generally accurate answer that demonstrates relevant knowledge and understanding. There is some

evidence of selection of material to address the question. 2 marks Basic Basic answer that demonstrates some relevant knowledge and understanding but lacks detail and may be muddled. There

is little evidence of selection of material to address the question. 1 mark Very brief/flawed or inappropriate Very brief or flawed answer demonstrating very little knowledge. Selection and presentation of information is largely or

wholly inappropriate. 0 marks No creditworthy material

(a) Identify one source of stress in the workplace. (1 mark)

(b) Outline what research has shown about how this source of stress can affect an individual. (4 marks)

By the end of this lesson, you should: Describe how work can make people

stressed. Explain Marmot’s research. Evaluate research in to workplace stress