I/O Psychology - Stressors and Strains

Stress and Strains in I/O Psychology

• Stress: Forces that push psychological or physical functions beyond normal limits.
• Strains: Unwanted outcomes resulting from stress, affecting overall well-being.

Sources of Stress

• Intrinsic Work Factors: Characteristics of the job itself that contribute to stress.
• Role Variables: Expectations and responsibilities associated with one's job role.
• Interpersonal Relationships: The impact of relationships with colleagues on stress levels.
• Career Development: Opportunities for growth or stagnation influencing stress.

Types of Strains

• Job Related: Manifested as low job satisfaction and lack of motivation.
• Emotion Related: Symptoms include depression and irritability.
• Physiological: Stress can lead to illness and significant changes in health.

Role and Its Impact

• Role: Refers to expected behaviors based on a person’s position in the workplace.
• Role Ambiguity: Occurs when role expectations are unclear, causing confusion and stress.
• Role Conflict: Arises when there are inconsistent role expectations, leading to increased stress.

Types of Stress

• Episodic Stress: Triggered by specific experiences and situational factors.
• Chronic Stress: Long-term stress stemming from lifelong experiences; can lead to severe consequences such as suicide or violence.

Burnout

• Characterized by emotional exhaustion due to overwhelming stress at work, often leading to decreased performance and disengagement.

Coping Strategies

• Problem Focused Coping: Involves taking actionable steps to resolve stress-related problems.
• Emotion Focused Coping: Utilizes cognitive strategies to manage emotional reactions to stress.

Work-Family Dynamics

• Work Family Conflict: Occurs when the demands of work and family are incompatible, highlighting the need for goal setting, boundaries, and social support.
• Work Family Enrichment: Positive behaviors and attitudes from both work and family roles enhance overall well-being.

Support Policies

• Family Leave Policies: Typically offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for maternity, family, medical, and educational reasons.
• Child Care Benefits: May include on-site care, financial assistance, informational resources, and care for sick children.
• Elder Care Assistance: Comprises counseling, informational aid, geriatric management, and financial support for elder care.

Dual Earner Couples

• Work arrangements that accommodate the needs of dual earners include flextime, part-time options, job sharing, and telecommuting.

Explore essential terms related to stressors and strains in I/O Psychology through this informative flashcard quiz. Gain an understanding of key concepts such as stress, strains, sources of stress, and coping strategies. Perfect for students and professionals looking to enhance their knowledge in psychology.