Employee behaviors before and after stress management

Abstract

AbstractA quasi‐experiment was used to compare employee behaviors before and after stress management training. Organizational records on employee absenteeism, performance ratings, equipment accidents, and work injuries were obtained for highway maintenance workers who received biofeedback (BIO=21) or muscle relaxation (MR=16) training. Similar data were gathered for a comparison group of employees who did not volunteer for training (n = 80). The pre‐training period (time 1) consisted of 2 1/2 years. The post‐training period was divided into the year immediately after training (time 2) and the following 1/2 year (time 3). Multiple regression analyses indicated that the MR (but not BIO) group variable explained unique variance in time 2 absenteeism (p < 0.05) but not in performance ratings, equipment accidents, nor work injuries (p > 0.05). Neither group entered predictive models for any measure at time 3 (p > 0.05). The results provide limited support for relaxation training offered as a prevention activity in work settings.