Module I: STRESS

MEANING: The word ‘stress’ is derived from the Latin word ‘stringer’ which means ‘to draw
tight’. Stress is a general term applied to the pressures feel in life. The presence of stress at work is
almost inevitable in many jobs. However individual differences account for a wide range of
reactions to stress- a task viewed as challenging by one person may produce high levels of anxiety
in another. When pressures begins to build up it can cause adverse strain on a person’s emotions,
thought processes, behaviours & physical condition. When stress becomes excessive, employees
develop various symptoms of stress that can harm their job performance & health and even threaten
their ability to cope with the environment. People who are stressed may become nervous &
chronically worried. They are easily provoked to anger and are unable to relax. They may be
uncooperative or use alcohol or other drugs excessively.

Stress is a negative emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological,

cognitive and behavioural changes that are directed either toward altering the stressful event or
accommodating its effects. (Baum 1990)

DEFINITION:

 R.S. Schuler has defined stress as “A dynamic condition in which an individual is

confronted with an opportunity, a demand, or a resource related to what the individual
desires and for which the outcome is perceived to be both uncertain and important.
 Cox states that “it is useful to think of stress as embedded in an ongoing process
which involves individuals interacting with their environment, making appraisals of
those interactions and attempting to cope with the problem that arises”.
 Edward suggests stress is the result of a “lack of fit between a person (in terms of
personality, aptitudes and abilities) and the environment and a consequent inability to
cope effectively with the various demands that it makes of him/her”.

STRESSORS

No one event, regardless of how traumatic, can be detrimental to health. Stress becomes
problematic when stressors accumulate and/or become recurrent, resulting in distress or
feelings of anxiety and hopelessness. Stressors come in a variety of different forms: tests,

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finances, job interviews, health problems, achieved goals, praise, family conflicts, romantic
relationships, competitions, homework assignments, etc. Types of stressors are as follows:

1. Physical stressors
a) Environmental:
 Heat, cold, wetness
 Vibration, noise, blast
 Hyposia (insufficient oxygen), fumes, poisons, chemicals
 Skin irritants
 Physical work
 Bright light, darkness
b) Physiological:
 Illness/ injury
 Muscular fatigue
 Malnutrition, poor hygiene
2. Mental stressors:
a) Cognitive
 Too much /too little information
 Sensory overload verses deprivation
 Ambiguity, uncertainty, isolation
 Time pressure verses waiting
 Unpredictability
b) Emotional
 Fear And anxiety producing stress
 Grief producing loses
 Interpersonal feelings
 Boredom producing inactivity
 Conflicting motives

Some of the identified stressors are as follows:

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Death of a loved one, Relocation, Divorce of parents, Encounter with the legal system , New
school/job , Marriage, Lost job , Elected to leadership position, New romantic relationship ,
Serious argument with close friend , Increase in course load or difficulty/increased
responsibility at job, Change in health of family member, Failed important course/missed
deadlines, Major personal injury or illness, Managing learning or other disabilities, Change in
living conditions, Argument with instructor, Outstanding achievement, Change in social life,

Change in sleeping habits, Lower grades than expected, Breakup of relationship, Financial
problems, Change in eating habits, Pregnancy, Too many missed classes/ sick days , Working
more than one job, Impending graduation, Argument with family member, Sexual concerns,
Changes in alcohol and/or drug use, Roommate problem, Raising children etc.

TYPES OF STRESS: Stressors can be positive and negative.

1. Eustress: This type of stress makes us feel good & is known as ‘good stress’ or
positive stress. It exerts a healthy effect on an individual. It gives an individual a
feeling of fulfilment or contentment and also makes one excited about life. But it is
this type of stress that occurs only for a short period of time. Eustress is also known as
‘curative stress’ because it gives a person the ability to generate best performance or
maximum output.
2. Distress: This is a negative stress. It is a stress disorder that is caused by adverse
events and often influences a person’s ability to cope.

3. Physical stress: trauma (injury, infection, surgery), intense physical labor/over-

exertion, environmental pollution (pesticides, herbicides, toxins, heavy metals,
inadequate light, radiation, noise, electromagnetic fields), illness (viral, bacterial, or
fungal agents), fatigue, inadequate oxygen supply, hypoglycemia I(low blood sugar),
hormonal and/or biochemical imbalances, dietary stress (nutritional deficiencies, food
allergies and sensitivities, unhealthy eating habits), dehydration, substance abuse,
dental challenges, and musculoskeletal misalignments/imbalances.
4. Psychological stress: emotional stress (resentments, fears, frustration, sadness, anger,
grief/bereavement), cognitive stress (information overload, accelerated sense of time,
worry, guilt, shame, jealousy, resistance, attachments, self-criticism, self-loathing,
unworkable perfectionism, anxiety, panic attacks, not feeling like yourself, not feeling

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 like things are real, and a sense of being out of control/not being in control), and
perceptual stress (beliefs, roles, stories, attitudes, world view).
5. Psychosocial stress: relationship/marriage difficulties (partner, siblings, children,
family, employer, co-workers, employer), lack of social support, lack of resources for
adequate survival, loss of employment/investments/savings, loss of loved ones,
bankruptcy, home foreclosure, and isolation.
6. Psycho-spiritual stress: A crisis of values, meaning, and purpose; joyless striving
(instead of productive, satisfying, meaningful and fulfilling work; and a misalignment
within one’s core spiritual beliefs.

7. Acute Stress: Acute stress is the most common form of stress. It comes from
demands and pressures of the recent past and anticipated demands and pressures of
the near future. Because it is short term, acute stress doesn't have enough time to do
the extensive damage associated with long-term stress.
8. Chronic stress: This is the grinding stress that wears people away day after day, year
after year. Chronic stress destroys bodies, minds and lives. It wreaks havoc through
long-term attrition. Some chronic stresses stem from traumatic, early childhood
experiences that become internalized and remain forever painful and present. 

CHARECTERISTICS:

1. Stress is a Neutral Word:

Stress is not bad in itself. But when stress is created by undesirable outcomes, it becomes
Distress. On the other hand, if it is created by desirable and successful effects it is called
Eustress.

2. Stress is Associated with Constraints and Demand:

Constraints prevent an individual from doing what he or she desires. If a person wants to buy
something, but he does not have the necessary cash, it is a constraint. Demands refer to the
loss of something desired. If a person wants to go and watch a movie, but he is unable to do
so because of pressing official work, it amounts to a demand. Both Constraints and Demands
can lead to potential stress.

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3. Two Conditions are Necessary for Potential Stress to Become Actual Stress:
There must be:
(i) Uncertainty over the outcome, and (ii) Outcome must be important.

Stress is usually very high when there is uncertainty over the outcome and the outcome is
very significant. Both these conditions are necessary. If there is no uncertainty but the
outcome is significant, there will be less amount of stress. On the other hand, if there is
uncertainty, but the outcome is not significant, there will again be less stress.

4. Stress is not Simply Anxiety:

Stress may be accompanied by anxiety, but the two are not synonymous. Anxiety is
psychological and emotional response whereas stress operates in the physiological sphere
also along with psychological sphere.

5. Stress should also be Differentiated from Nervous Tension:

Nervous tension may be a result of stress. Stress is a subconscious action. Even unconscious
people have exhibited stress, whereas nervous tension is a conscious action. People may
“bottle up” their emotions and not reveal them through nervous tension.

6. The Term “Burnout” is also Closely Associated with Stress:

Some researchers contend that burnout is a type of stress, but others treat it differently.
Burnout is closely associated with helping professions like nursing, education and social
work, it is characterised by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and diminished personal
accomplishments. Even though technically, burnout is different from stress, these are
generally used interchangeably.