Stress and well­being in health­care staff: the role of negative affectivity, and perceptions of job demand and discretion

Abstract

A questionnaire survey was administered to volunteer staff from the Surgical and Mental Health Directorates of an English hospital district. The aim was to investigate the relationships between job stressors, coping strategies, job satisfaction and well‐being, in light of Karasek's demand–discretion model. The effects of controlling for age, gender and negative affectivity were also of interest. After controlling for these factors, there was found to be no interaction between job demand and discretion for either job satisfaction or psychological distress, so Karasek's model was not supported. Both job dissatisfaction and psychological distress were found to be influenced by lack of resources, while perception of demand was strongly influenced by workload; these were also the stressors that differentiated the two hospital directorates, with the surgical staff suffering higher levels of both. Controlling for negative affectivity had a stronger influence on the measure of distress than on job satisfaction and the two outcome measures were not interchangeable. Recommendations centred on improving structural conditions, especially for surgical staff, and on reducing levels of anxiety and hostility by promoting stress management. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Relative effects of demand and control on task-related cardiovascular reactivity, task perceptions, performance accuracy, and mood

“…Understanding the postulated moderating effects of control on stress caused by high-demand is less than straightforward, due largely to the multiplicity of demand-control interaction formulations that have been employed (for reviews see de Lange et al, 2003;Ganster and Schaubroeck, 1991;Terry and Jimmieson, 1999;Maes, 1998, 1999). In an attempt to synthesize previous research, Maes (1998, 1999) noted that the two most commonly used interpretations of the central demand-control interaction are the "strain" hypothesis and the "buffer" hypothesis.…”

“…In an attempt to synthesize previous research, Maes (1998, 1999) noted that the two most commonly used interpretations of the central demand-control interaction are the "strain" hypothesis and the "buffer" hypothesis. The former posits that the psychologically and physiologically most negative work-related outcomes are associated with high strain conditions, irrespective of whether these outcomes are the result of additive or interactive effects Maes, 1998, 1999). The strain hypothesis has been tested by examining additive effects of demand and control or by examining product ratios of demand and control as predictors without taking main effects into account Maes, 1998, 1999).…”

“…The former posits that the psychologically and physiologically most negative work-related outcomes are associated with high strain conditions, irrespective of whether these outcomes are the result of additive or interactive effects Maes, 1998, 1999). The strain hypothesis has been tested by examining additive effects of demand and control or by examining product ratios of demand and control as predictors without taking main effects into account Maes, 1998, 1999). (For a critique of product terms in general, see Edwards, 1994Edwards, , 2001.…”

The Challenges in Providing Services to Clients with Mental Illness: Managed Care, Burnout and Somatic Symptoms Among Social Workers

“…Participating in managed care is complicated, and those that are not apprised about the managed care world are likely to suffer of stress and anxiety concerning their ability to perform well and continue providing effective services to their clients (Hall and Keefe 2000;Spevack 2009). Perceptions that job activities are inappropriate and incongruent with workers' training and expertise can result in feelings such as disliking the job, burnout, and turnover (Acker 1999;Arches 1997;Lu et al 2002;Mechanic 2007;Feldman 2001;Shera 1996;Stone 1995;Tyler and Cushway 1998).…”

The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Mental Health of Pakistani Nurses: The Mediator Role of Organizational Commitment

“…Studies have revealed that health professionals such as doctors and nurses were in high risk due to many adverse effects of nerve-wracking workplace (Kirkcaldy & Martin, 2000;Tyler & Cushway, 1998). Work stressors have a significant bearing on nurses' behaviors that culminate in some serious mental problems such as depression, insomnia, anxiety and feelings of inadequacy (Wong, Leung, So, & Lam, 2001).…”