Stress in the Workplace

Johansson - AO1

Aim - Investigate if work stressors increase chance of stress-related illness

Procedure:

Group of 14 highly stressed 'finishers' and 10 low stressed cleaners at a Sweedish saw mill
Finishers had high stress as had high responsibility (production determined all wages) repetitive work and machine-paced (less control)
Levels of stress hormones were measured in urine
Records of absences and stress-related illnesses kept

Findings:

Conclusion: Combination of work stressors increases chance of getting a stress-related illnesses

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P - Study does not identify main workplace stressor
E - Included repetitveness, responsibility and lack of control but were not individually assessed
C - This doesn't help solve workplace stressors accurately

P - The findings are objective and scientific
E - Measuring stress by hormone levels instead of a questionnaire is much more valid
C - However some people with high hormone levels will not feel stress so may not be a valid measure of stress

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Aim: Investigate relationship between control in workplace and heart disease

Procedure:

7372 british civil servents aged 35-55 studied over a 6 year period
Questionnaire at beginning to measure job control and screened for heart disease by doctor
After 5 years, we re-assessed

Findings:

Pps who intially reported low levels of control were more likely to have developed heart disease
This was not linked to employment grade or risk factors

Conclusion: Lack of control is a significant workplace stressor

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P - Results influenced by social desirability
E - Using self-report questionnaires as a measure of control allows Pps to lie or exaggerate
C - Makes study less valid

P - Study uses correlational evidence
E - Link between control in workplace and heart disease is not causal. There are other factors, especially lifestyle choices which are involved
C - This reduces the validity of study

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