Running head: STRESS REDUCTION METHODS 1

Effectiveness of Stress Reduction Methods in the Workplace

Jeffery Seth Blankenship

Keiser University

The Psychology of Decision Making

Dr. Jennifer Peluso

October,2017
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Effectiveness of Stress Reduction Methods in the Workplace

This literature review focuses on the effectiveness of stress reduction methods and

practices in the workplace. Although there are many strategies for measuring and managing

stress, many of the studies conflict due to setting, lack of control groups, and the type of research

design.

Literature Review

The importance of stress reduction and a company's overall effectiveness will continue to

grow in importance for both employees and employers. Although many companies think that

spending money on stress reduction programs in the workplace is a waste of money, the

connection between stress and absenteeism results in billions of dollars lost annually (Kiev,

1987).

Frequently, people encounter stress both inside and outside the workplace, but how

stress is defined, measured, and managed various by methodologies. Although many examples

of techniques are presented for managing stress, the effectiveness of each technique varies

depending on the context. But, what is stress and why does it manifest differently in various

people?

Perspectives on Stress

For many years, stress has been a topic of interest not only from the psychological

perspective but from the physiological and sociological perspective. Although there are hundreds

of articles and studies on the various concepts within multiple disciplines, Sue Cartwright

segments them into primary, secondary and tertiary methods (Cartwright, 1995). The basis for

understanding organizational stress resulted from the works of Hans Seyle. In his work, the

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) explains the physiological symptoms and reactions of
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organisms in stressful situations (Hans, 1953). Since then, the psychological perspective has

been developed and expounded on by multiple divisions within psychology. The psychoanalytic

approach of personality by Harry Levinson explains occupational stress based on an individuals

role and their self-image (Levinson, 2009). However, the origin and explanation of stress is

emphasized more than providing actual solution for handling stress. However, P.L. Perrewes

research explained stress within the organizational context by combing Hans Seyle physiological

studies on stress (1953) with his study on 250 factory workers. Perrewes coined the term

quantitative overload, which explains stress as a result of work that exceeds the workers

capability (Perrewe, 1989).

Many of the methods have been individual based, but Nielsen provides a methodology

for developing program within organizations. (Nielson, 287). and

Conclusion

In spite of large amounts of research on stress in organizationsBy synthesizing the types

of stressors, methods of stress reduction and techniques to preemptively deal with stress,

effective stress management programs can be tailored to an individual or organization. Although

there were plenty of articles on stress reduction in the workplace, there seemed to be limited

amounts of information on building less stressful work environments. This literature review can

be improved on by further clarifying the definition of stress and measuring the effects of stress

and methods of stress reduction in multiple work environments.

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References

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Cherniss, C., & Dantzig, S. A. (1986). Preventing and managing job related stress. In R. R.

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Kiev, A. (1987). Managing stress to achieve success. Executive Health, 24, 1-4.

Levinson, H. (2009). A psychoanalytic view of occupational stress. In A. M. Freedman, K. H.

Bradt, A. M. Freedman, K. H. Bradt (Eds.) , Consulting psychology: Selected articles by

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Nielson, K, Work & Stress, 2013 Vol. 27, No. 3, 278297,

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Perrewe, P. L., & Ganster, D. C. (1989). The impact ofjob demands and behavioral control on

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Quick, J. C., Wright, T. A., Adkins, J. A., Nelson, D. L., & Quick, J. D. (2013). Preventive stress

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Selye, H. (1953). The General-Adaptation-Syndrome in its Relationships to Neurology,

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