Stress in Organizations

Volume 12. Industrial and Organizational Psychology
IV. THE WORK ENVIRONMENT
Sabine Sonnentag PhD

Sabine Sonnentag PhD

University of Mannheim, Work and Organizational Psychology, Mannheim, Germany

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Michael Frese PhD

Michael Frese PhD

National University of Singapore Business School, Department of Management and Organization, Singapore

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First published: 26 September 2012
Citations: 1

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of research on job stress. It describes the stress concept and presents major stress theories (e.g., transactional stress model, person-environment fit theory, job demands–job control model). It summarizes empirical findings on the association between job stressors on the one hand and individual well-being, health, job performance, and other aspects of organizational behavior on the other hand. A review of 70 longitudinal studies on the relation between job stressors and strain symptoms shows that more than 50% of the studies reported a significant positive relationship between job stressors and increase in strain symptoms over time. Evidence for reverse causation was weaker. The chapter further addresses possible moderators of the stressor–strain process, with a particular emphasis on job control, social support, and core self-evaluations. The chapter presents an overview of stress interventions and discusses approaches to stressor reduction, increase in resources, stress reduction via stress-management programs, and lifestyle changes. The chapter identifies areas for future research.

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