Risk For Stress-related Problems Research Articles

Stress Assessment Questionnaires

Stress risk assessment questionnaires are tools used to evaluate an individual’s risk of experiencing stress in a particular environment or situation. These questionnaires can be used in a variety of settings, such as the workplace, school or healthcare setting. They typically include a series of questions that assess an individual’s physical and psychological symptoms, as well as their coping strategies and support systems. The results of the questionnaire can be used to identify individuals who may be at risk for stress-related problems and to develop interventions to reduce their risk. Some examples of stress risk assessment questionnaires are the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Stress Symptoms Inventory (SSI). The best stress questionnaire to use in the workplace will depend on the specific goals and needs of the organization. However, there are some commonly used and validated questionnaires that have been specifically developed for use in the workplace. The Job Stress Survey (JSS) is a self-report questionnaire that assesses the level of stress experienced by an individual in their workplace. It was developed by Paul E. Spector in 1985. The JSS consists of 57 items that assess six factors related to job stress: role ambiguity, role conflict, lack of social support, lack of control, demand-control and overcommitment. The items are rated on a five-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating a greater level of stress. The JSS has been found to be a reliable and valid measure of job stress and has been used in a wide range of populations, including employees in various industries and job types. The results of the JSS can be used to identify specific sources of stress within an organization and to develop interventions to reduce stress for employees. The JSS is considered a comprehensive tool; it covers different aspects of work stress and can be used in different settings and industries.

Online positive psychology intervention for nursing home staff: A cluster-randomized controlled feasibility trial of effectiveness and acceptability

BackgroundNursing staff in nursing homes is at risk for stress-related problems. Positive psychology interventions have been shown to effectively improve well-being and decrease depressive symptoms, and may be beneficial for nursing staff. However, controlled studies with nursing staff are missing. Objectives and designThis is the first study to test the effectiveness and acceptability of an online multi-component positive psychology intervention in nursing home staff. This study used a cluster-randomized controlled design, with an intervention group and a control group, and measurements at baseline (T0) and following the training period (T1). We hypothesized that the intervention would improve general well-being, job satisfaction and work engagement, especially for people with low initial well-being, satisfaction or engagement. Furthermore, we explored the acceptability of such an intervention for nursing home staff. Settings and ParticipantsAll nursing staff of the units for physically frail older adults of four Dutch nursing homes belonging to one care organization were invited to participate in this study. A sample of 128 nursing staff completed T0, and 107 nursing staff completed T1, mostly licensed practical nurses with a mean age of 42 years. MethodsThe 8-week online intervention concerned information and evidence-based exercises of six topics of Positive Psychology, which were completed individually at home. General well-being, job satisfaction and work engagement were measured, and participants evaluated the intervention. ResultsNo time by group interaction effect was found on general well-being nor on work engagement, but there was a small effect on job satisfaction. No moderation effects of baseline outcome measures were found. The evaluation of the intervention varied: a majority positively valued the intervention, in particular the topics “positive emotions” and “strengths”, but most agreed that there was too much text and too many exercises. ConclusionsThe online multi-component positive psychology intervention had only very limited effectiveness, as the decrease in job satisfaction in the control group may reflect a regression to the mean. The high baseline levels of well-being and engagement, intervention content, obligatory character of the intervention, and individuality are discussed as possible reasons for these results. Opportunities lie in creating a concise, work focused positive psychology intervention for nursing staff, including some form of autonomy support.

WELL-BEING OF NURSING HOME PROFESSIONAL CAREGIVERS: TESTING A POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION

With major job demands such as workload, professional caregivers in nursing homes are at increased risk for stress related problems like burnout. As such job demands will most likely not decrease in the near future, attention should be shifted towards resilience of all professional caregivers by focusing on increasing personal resources. The purpose of this study was to test a generic online positive psychology intervention in increasing both general wellbeing and work related wellbeing for professional caregivers of somatic units of four nursing homes. This study had a group-randomized controlled design (intervention group n = 74, control group n = 47). The intervention consisted of reading information and doing exercises of 8 themes of positive psychology (e.g. strengths, positive relations) in 12 weeks. Questionnaires on work related wellbeing (Utrecht Work Engagement Scale), general wellbeing (Mental Health Continuum) and burnout (Utrecht BurnOut Scale) were filled out online at baseline and 3 months later (T1). Mixed ANOVAs showed no significant increase in work related wellbeing (p = .61) or general wellbeing (p = .37) of the intervention group compared to the control group. Burnout and engagement at baseline were not significant moderators (p’s > .40). Providing professional caregivers of nursing homes with an online generic positive psychological intervention did not increase work related wellbeing or general wellbeing, even for caregivers most at risk for stress related problems. Possible alternative explanations such as ceiling effects, lack of intrinsic motivation and high workload as well as practical implications are discussed.

Maladaptive Coping as a Mediator of Family Stress

Family members of women substance users might be at risk for stress-related problems. Family coping responses can affect outcomes for both families and women in treatment. Eighty-two women in treatment for substance use disorders (56 with comorbid psychiatric conditions) and 82 family members were interviewed. Stressors related to women's disorders were significantly related to increased family member burden. Women's behavioral problems predicted greater family member worry, displeasure, and impact. Extent of women's drug or alcohol use predicted greater family member stigma and impact. Family member maladaptive coping partially mediated relationships between family member stressors and family member displeasure and impact. Family member maladaptive coping also functioned as a moderator between the stressors and impact.

Mothers in postdivorce families caring for a child with cystic fibrosis

This study explored the experiences of mothers of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) in postdivorce family structures. In-depth interviews of mothers were conducted by registered nurses with expertise in CF. Interviews focused on responsibility for care of the CF child within the context of postdivorce families (e.g., extent of nonresidential fathers’ involvement in children’s care, communication between households). Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The constant comparison method was used for analyzing interview data. Marital transitions contributed to the closeness between mothers and children with CF, but they also added to the mothers’ sense of being overwhelmed with responsibilities. It is likely that children and mothers are more at risk for stress-related problems when mothers are overburdened by the demands of caregiving, earning a living, and other responsibilities.