The relationship between coaching and workplace stress: A correlational study

Abstract

There is a limited amount of research investigating the relationship between coaching and stress. This paper will present the findings from Part II of a study investigating whether workplace coaching can reduce stress. A correlational design was used and 103 participants from a UK and a Scandinavian organisation participated. Multiple regression analyses were used to investigate whether participation in coaching was a significant predictor of levels of depression, anxiety and stress as measured by the DASS-21 (Lovibond & Lovibond 1995). Demographic factors and the workplace stressors included in the Health and Safety Executive's Stress Management Standards were also included in the analyses (Cousins et al 2004). It was found that workplace coaching was not a significant predictor of levels of depression, anxiety and stress. However, the participants reported high levels of coaching effectiveness. Lack of control and high role ambiguity were found to be significant predictors of depression, and high demands and role ambiguity were found to be significant predictors of stress.