Workplace stress: the main causes and preventive measures (literature review)

Abstract

Today stress is one of the most common pathological conditions. Associated with the stress, it’s level, anxiety, depression, and burnout syndrome are still increasing and lead to the spread of psychological maladaptation and borderline states. Working population is under continuous exposure not only to social, but also occupational stress, which creates a financial burden for institutions and whole society. This review outlines the main directions of studying the impact of work-related stress on the workers’ body and examines the main occupations affected by stress and prevention as well. Literature search was carried out among databases including Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, CyberLeninka, RSCI. The workers of dangerous occupations (transport drivers, locomotive crews, law enforcement, firefighters, rescuers), managers, working migrants, and healthcare workers are most susceptible to occupational stress. The number of people suffering from bad habits increases due to work-related stress as well. Workers use nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, sleeping pills and narcotic drugs as a negative way to overcome stress and its consequences. A special focus has been put on the influence of occupational stress on diseases development due to hazardous working conditions and features of work process management such as shift work and “emotional labour”. Furthermore, there are presented main directions of preventive measures to reduce the level of industrial stress.