 Inherent characteristic of a human being.

Indicates
pressures people feel in life.
 As a result of pressures, one can develop various
symptoms that might be detrimental to oneself.
Physical as well as mental.
 Work load.
 Time pressure.
 Poor quality of supervision.
 Insecure work environment.
 Role conflict.
 Frustration.
 Physiological Discomfort.
 Emotional Discomfort.
 Strained relationships.

 Sources and causes are Stressors.

 Stages of Stress development :
 Alarm Reaction (Initial shock phase of lowered resistance is followed by
counter shock in which individual’s defence mechanisms are activated).
 Resistance (Stage of maximum adaptation when the individual restores
the equilibrium).
 Exhaustion (Stressor continues when the individual restores the
equilibrium).
 Lot of changes in body like increase in heart beat,
increased respiration, elevated levels of adrenalin,
increase in blood pressure.
 In case stress continues, then Fatigue, Exhaustion,
physical or emotional break down.
 However the link is not conclusive as per the
Medical, Psychological and legal perspectives do not
ratify the same completely.
 Stress is additive.
 Does not necessarily follow from a stressor on
account of difference in psychology of individuals.
 Eustress : Positive stress that accompanies achievement and
elation. Is the stress of meeting challenges such as those found in
a managerial job.
 Distress : Occurs when we feel insecure, inadequate, helpless
or desperate as result of too much or too little pressure or tension.

 Stress and Job performance model applies this conception to job

performance. Optimum stress may be achieved at work and
reflected in job performance when they provide adequate
challenges, but not too little or too much pressure.
 Physiological Symptoms.
 Psychological Symptoms.
 Behavioural Symptoms.
 Parabolic Curve between Stress and Performance
(Sine Graph).
 Low performance at Low as well as High Stress
levels.

 However this depends on:

 Type of job.
 Personality of Individual.
 Type of Job :
 More stress in case of Non Routine jobs.
 More stress when you have less control over work, relentless time
pressure, threatening physical conditions, major responsibilities.
 Personality :
 Tolerance limits of the concerned person.
 Internal Locus of control.
 Self Esteem.
 Type A : Extremely competitive, devoted to work,
sense of urgency. Aggressive, impatient, work
oriented.
 Type B : Opposite of Type A.

 However there is no clear demarcation about the

efficiency of both these types.
 Link between Type of Personality and Stress
Management.
 Factors intrinsic to job.
 Role in organization.
 Relationship at work.
 Career development.
 Organizational Structure and Climate.
 Extra Organizational Sources.
 Physical Consequences.
 Behavioural Consequences.
 Psychological Consequences.

 Traumatic disruption of relations.

 Situation of physical danger.
 Extreme sense of failure, defeat, humiliation.
 Loss of self esteem.
 Anti Social behaviour.