Biological - Workplace Stress

There are 4 types of workplace stress:

1. Role ambiguity
2. Control
3. Environment
4. Workload

Marmot et al (1997)

Procedure:

- 7000 civil service employees working in London participated in a survey.
- Data gathered on how senior they were and how much control and support they perceived they had at work.
- 5 years later, the medical histories of the employees were reviewed.

Findings:

- The participants who were less senior and felt they had less control and support were more likely to have cardiovascular disorders.
- Control, support and seniority may be factors in whether people suffer long-term illnesses.

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Johansson et al (1978)

Procedure:

- In a Swedish timber mill, a group of 14 workers was studied. 

- Their work was highly repetitive and demand a lot of attention and they had no control over the pace that their work was carried out. 

- Compared to a group of ten workers whose working conditions were more flexible. 

- Levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline in their urine were measured at work and then in their free time. 

- Workers provided ratings of their mood and levels of psychosomatic illness and absenteeism in the two groups was also monitored. 

Findings:

- At work, the people in the first group showed higher levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline. 

- Ratings of mood were more negative, had more psychosomatic illness and more absent from work.

- Monotony, vigilance and lack of control are associated with stress.