Stressful Experiences Research Articles

The more stress, the more accurate memory? The influence of stress on retrieval-enhanced suggestibility effect

ABSTRACT After the occurrence of criminal events, eyewitnesses are often repeatedly interviewed about the crime, which makes them more vulnerable to memory distortion caused by misleading information. This phenomenon is known as the retrieval-enhanced suggestibility (RES) effect. It has been acknowledged that stressful experiences could affect an individual’s memory processes. Less clear is the exact nature of these stress effects on RES effect. The current study explored the influence of stress, measured by the Trier Social Stress Test, on the RES effect, measured by the RES effect paradigm. Results showed that the incorrect rate of the stress group was lower than that of the no-stress group, indicating that the RES effect was weakened for the participants in the stressful state. The results of the study proved that participants in the stress group were less likely to be misled by misinformation, and provided evidence for the role of stress on memory processes.

Mechanisms of adaptation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in male mice under chronic social defeat stress

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) plays an important role in the mechanisms of adaptation to chronic stress. A model of chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), based on the experience of defeat in daily agonistic interactions, causes the development of a depressive-like state in mice, which is often accompanied by an increase in blood corticosterone levels. In this work, we assessed what changes occur in the central (hypothalamus) and peripheral (adrenal glands) parts of the HPA axis under the influence of chronic social stress, which can affect the regulation of corticosterone synthesis and its level in the blood. The experience of chronic social stress causes an increase in the relative weight of the adrenal glands, an increase in the expression level of Crh gene in the hypothalamus and the expression of the genes for the corticosterone synthesis enzymes Star, Cyp11a1, Cyp11b1 in the adrenal glands. At the same time, in the hypothalamus the expression of Fkbp5 and Nr3c1 decreases and the expression of Crhbp increases, and in the adrenal glands the expression of the Mc2r and Hsd11b1 genes decreases, which is ultimately aimed at reducing the amount of corticosterone secreted by the adrenal glands, and thus limiting the glucocorticoid response. Thus, chronic stress leads to an imbalance of the activating and stabilizing mechanisms of HPA axis regulation and a possible inadequate response to additional stress stimuli.

Burden and satisfaction with social support in families with a history of problematic substance use or dementia – a comparison

BackgroundLiving in a family with a history of problematic substance use or dementia is a major stressful experience for family members and results often in an impaired health condition. Seeking and receiving social support has been emphasized as a major resource while coping with this stress. However, especially family members of people with problematic substance use often refrain from help-seeking. This paper examines whether (1) family members of problematic substance users are more physically and psychologically distressed than caregivers of people with dementia, and (2) whether and to what extent differences are mediated by satisfaction with perceived professional and private social support.MethodsTwo samples of family members of people with a chronic disease (problematic substance use (n = 221), dementia (n = 322)) completed self-administered questionnaires on burden, quality of life and social support. Physical distress was assessed using the Giessen Subjective Complaints List, psychological distress using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and anxiety symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Quality of life was measured using the WHOQOL-BREF, and satisfaction with professional and private social support was assessed using a visual analog scale. Multivariate analyses of variance were performed to compare the two groups on the means of (1) burden ratings and (2) QoL dimensions and followed up by discriminant analyses to explore meaningful variables according to group differences. Parallel mediation analyses were performed to test the mediators private and professional support.ResultsFamily members of problematic substance users score higher on the burden indicators, while they score lower with regard to the quality of life dimensions than caregivers of people with dementia. The difference in burden is mainly explained by the higher scores for exhaustion, stomach discomfort and depression of family members of problematic substance users. Caregivers of people with dementia reported greater satisfaction with perceived social support, either private or professional. Satisfaction with private support was shown to be more important in mediating the impact of stress.ConclusionsFamily members of people with problematic substance use are in great need of tailored support programs and should be explicitly targeted.

Social Comparisons Under Pandemic Stress: Income Reference Groups, Comparison Patterns, and the Subjective Well-Being of German Students

People use social comparisons to reduce uncertainty when facing new or stressful situations. This study explores how a stressful experience, the COVID-19 pandemic, changed how people compare their income. It relates these changes to subjective well-being (SWB). We use a repeated cross-sectional dataset of students at two German universities from before and during the pandemic. A novel survey instrument is employed to identify individualized reference groups used for income comparison and to analyze whether the comparison pattern changed. Our results reveal that, while there was little change in the size of the reference groups, there was some difference in the group composition. During the pandemic, survey respondents were more likely to select two types of individuals into their reference groups: relatives and people they only knew from social media. Income comparisons were beginning to have a negative association with SWB, while the relation had been positive before the pandemic. Moreover, upward income comparisons increased.

Psychological Effect of COVID-19 on Health of Medical Personnel in Hospitals in Eldoret Town, Kenya

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) greatly affected medical personnel. Researchers have documented the detrimental effects of COVID-19 on the health of medical personnel, among them being high levels of infection and mortality, significant financial strains, anxiety related to both known and unknown information, and fear of ongoing impact and uncertainty. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on the psychological health of medical personnel. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive research design and was anchored on the Stress and Coping Theory. They targeted all 18 hospitals in Eldoret, comprising 3 public and 15 private hospitals. The population included 34 doctors, 55 laboratory technicians, 71 clinical officers, and 219 nurses, totalling 379 as a population under study. A sample size representing 50% of the total population was selected for the study. In a proportionate way, doctors, laboratory technicians, clinical officers, and nurses were selected at a ratio of 1:2:3:4, respectively. The snowball sampling technique was used to select respondents. The data was gathered through a questionnaire. The study's findings were analysed quantitatively. Multiple linear regressions were applied to examine the effect of COVID-19 on the health of medical personnel. Findings indicated that the psychological effect of COVID-19 had a positive and significant influence on the health of medical personnel (β1 =.646, P< 0.05). Highlighting the profound psychological effects, the majority (77.7%) experienced stress. Therefore, COVID-19 had profound psychological effects on the health of medical personnel in hospitals in Eldoret town. There is a need to implement and expand psychological support programs tailored to the needs of medical personnel. Providing access to counselling services, stress management workshops, and peer support groups could help address the psychological challenges faced by medical personnel in responding to crises such as the pandemic.

Identifying Predictors of Positive and Negative Affect at Mid-Deployment Among Military Medical Personnel.

Positive and negative affect influence an individual's ability to utilize available physical, psychological, and social resources to maximize responses to life events. Little research has examined the factors that influence the development of positive affect or reduction of negative affective responses among deployed military personnel. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between deployment-related stressors and symptoms of behavioral health concerns with affectivity among deployed U.S. service members. Participants were 1148 U.S. Air Force medical personnel deployed to Balad, Iraq, between 2004 and 2011. All participants completed self-report measures of PTSD symptoms, general military and combat exposure, stress, and affectivity. The Institutional Review Board at Wilford Hall Medical Center, the Air Force Personnel Survey Program, and the U.S. Army's Joint Combat Casualty Research Team reviewed and approved the study. Most respondents (89%, 1,018/1,139) reported a positive military experience, but many respondents reported exposure to a potentially traumatic event during deployment. For example, seeing dead or seriously injured Americans (47%, 523/1,123) was the most common exposure reported by participants. A large portion of personnel (21%, 232/1,089) reported clinical levels of PTSD symptoms (score of 33 or higher on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Military version). Risk factors, including PTSD symptoms, combat exposure, and stress, explained 39% of the variance in negative affect, R2 = 0.39, F(1046) = 224.96, P < .001. Conversely, these risk and resilience factors, including PTSD symptoms, combat exposure, stress, and general military experiences, explained 28% of the variance in positive affect, R2 = 0.28, F(1050) = 103.79, P < .001. No significant gender differences were found between models predicting positive and negative affect. Negative mood states may be partly an epiphenomenon of PTSD, which has been shown to be safely and effectively treated in the deployed environment. Social support during deployments is uniquely associated with a positive mood. These findings extend beyond the military and into any high-stress occupation wherein leaders could interpret these findings as a need to build or reinforce efforts to provide opportunities to sustain healthy relationships in personnel. These critical indigenous resources support mission readiness and enable the maintenance of positive psychological health.

Social Media Escapism in Poland: Adaptation of a Measure and its Relationship With Thought Suppression and Mental Health.

Research indicates that social media use can lead to addiction, fear of missing out, higher stress levels, anxiety, and experiencing symptoms typical of depression. The purpose of the present study was to conduct a Polish adaptation of the Social Media Escapism Scale and to assess its associations with fear of missing out, Facebook addiction, thought suppression, and the experience of stress, anxiety, and symptoms typical of depression. Two studies were conducted, the first adaptive and the second testing associations. The first study included 383 participants aged 18 to 63 (M = 23.51; SD = 5.7). To adapt the scale, the following were used: the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale, the fear of missing out Scale, and the demographic questionnaire. The second study included 417 participants aged 18 to 60 (M = 26.33; SD = 9.7). The study tested relationships using the same three scales used in the first study, and also Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale, and the White Bear Suppression Scale. The Polish version of the Social Media Escapism Scale revealed a univariate structure with strong internal consistency (α = .91). The adapted scale was associated with fear of missing out and Facebook addiction. In study 2, the structural equation modeling analyses revealed that fear of missing out, Facebook addiction and escapism were positively related to thought suppression and the experience of anxiety, stress, and depression symptoms. In addition, thought suppression partially mediated the relationship between harmful media use and anxiety, stress, and depression. Furthermore, the findings reveal a positive correlation between escapism and several psychological constructs, including fear of missing out, Facebook addiction, as well as aspects of depression and suppression, thereby lending support to the convergent validity of the adapted measure under investigation. The results can be used in psychological intervention and developing support and treatment programs for social network addiction.

How Do Intimate Partner Violence, Outness, and Community Connection Relate to Minority Stressors for Men Who Have Sex with Men?

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive issue among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, IPV has long been conceptualized as abuse between a male perpetrator and a female victim, leaving gaps in the literature on the unique impacts IPV victimization has for both male victims and victims in same-sex relationships. This study examines relationships between IPV and negative minority stress experiences specific to LGBTQ individuals: overt experiences of homophobia, sexual orientation microaggressions, and internalized homophobia. Participants (N = 168) were recruited through three popular MSM networking applications (i.e., Grindr, Jack'd, and Scruff. Most were recruited from one state in the southeastern United States. Ordinary Least Squares regressions were used to examine IPV as a predictive factor in three separate models, all of which controlled for age, race, outness, and gay community connection (GCC). IPV victimization is associated with increased levels of experiences of overt homophobia, homophobic microaggressions, and internalized homophobia for MSM. Outness, or being open with the people in one's life about one's MSM identity, is associated with lower levels of both sexual orientation microaggressions and internalized homophobia. GCC is also associated with lower levels of internalized homophobia. Results from this study show that IPV victimization is related to minority stressors for MSM. These findings support the existence of unique elements of IPV for LGBTQ victims, specifically MSM. Implications for IPV researchers and service providers are discussed, including the importance of the protective role of outness and GCC against some minority stressors.

A Prospective Study of the Relationship of COVID-19 Vaccination to Menstrual Cycle Characteristics in Adolescent Girls

PurposeThe current study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 booster vaccine on menstrual cycle characteristics in adolescent girls (aged 13–20) compared to those who did not receive a booster vaccine. MethodsThis prospective study measured menstrual cycle length for three cycles prior to and four cycles after vaccination (booster group), seven cycles without vaccination (control group). Menstrual flow, menstrual pain, and menstrual symptoms were assessed at baseline and monthly for 3 months. Stress was assessed at baseline using the PROMIS Pediatric Psychological Stress Experiences scale. Generalized linear mixed effects models were used to examine the changes in menstrual characteristics. Results65 adolescent girls (47 booster; 18 control) were recruited via social media and from ongoing studies in the United States. Girls in the booster group experienced shorter postbooster cycles by an average 5.35 days (p = .03) compared to prebooster cycle lengths, specifically in the second postbooster cycle, while the control group did not show any changes in cycle length pre-to postbooster. Participants who received the booster in the follicular phase had shorter mean postbooster cycle length (p = .0157) compared to their prebooster cycle length. Higher stress was associated with shorter cycles (p = .03) and increased menstrual symptoms (p = <.001), regardless of group. There were no differences in menstrual flow, menstrual pain, or menstrual symptoms in either group. DiscussionThe COVID-19 booster vaccine was associated with shorter cycles in adolescent girls. These data demonstrate the need for further investigation regarding potential mechanisms of these observed changes.

"I feel like a fish out of water": interpreting the occupational stress and well-being experiences of professional classical musicians.

Professional classical musicians operate within a highly demanding environment, which includes organizational, social, and emotional demands. When not effectively coped with, these demands may cause stress and negatively impact well-being. This qualitative study explored the perceived stress and well-being experiences of professional classical musicians through a transactional theory of stress. The study employed a double hermeneutic interpretation of the lived experiences of the perceived demands faced, stress appraisals made, resources used, and the influence on well-being. Six professional classical musicians were purposefully selected for participation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and participants reflected on two events: one they perceived as a positive experience and one that was negative. Transcripts were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Group Experiential Themes emerged. Three Group Experiential Themes were identified: (a) Performance Demands; (b) Organizational Demands; and, (c) Relationship Demands. Participants predominantly appraised demands as a threat. A small number of demands were appraised as a challenge or benefit, and the fewest demands were appraised as causing harm or loss. Participants' appraisals were informed by underlying properties of stress appraisal such as self and other comparison, and preparation. Participants often relied on personal resources as opposed to available workplace resources. They perceived well-being to relate to stress appraisals with participants experiencing acute and long-term outcomes. This study offers insight into the lived experience of the occupational stress process within professional classical musicians. The findings demonstrate that organizational interventions targeted at continuing professional development and social support are appropriate to help musicians cope more effectively with demands.

Intraoperative teamwork and occupational stress during robot-assisted surgery: An observational study

Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) differs from traditional OR set-ups in several ways such as operation of technology and obstructed team communication that potentially affect surgical staff's stress experiences. The current study investigates the effects of key intraoperative job demands and resources on mental workload and perceived stress in RAS. We focused on the role of intraoperative teamwork as a resource that potentially reduces occupational stress. Combining standardized expert observations in the OR with healthcare providers' self-reports, the study involved two types of robot-assisted, urological interventions. The sample consisted of 73 observed surgeries and included 242 post-operative surveys on perceived stress and mental workload from surgeons and surgical nurses. Multilevel regression analyses reveal differential effects for stress and workload. Importantly, whereas better surgical teamwork was associated with lower stress, it was unrelated to workload. Our findings provide a nuanced picture of occupational stress in RAS, particularly regarding the role of intraoperative teamwork.

AI-enhanced analysis of naturalistic social interactions characterizes interaffective impairments in schizophrenia

Social deficits in schizophrenia have been attributed to an impaired attunement to mutual interaction, or “interaffectivity”. While impairments in emotion recognition and facial expressivity in schizophrenia have been consistently reported, findings on mimicry and social synchrony are inconsistent, and previous studies have often lacked ecological validity. To investigate interaffective behavior in dyadic interactions in a real-world-like setting, 20 individuals with schizophrenia and 20 without mental disorder played a cooperative board game with a previously unacquainted healthy control participant. Facial expression analysis was conducted using Affectiva Emotion AI in iMotions 9.3. The contingency and state space distribution of emotional facial expressions was assessed using Mangold INTERACT. Psychotic symptoms, subjective stress, affectivity and game experience were evaluated through questionnaires. Due to a considerable between-group age difference, age-adjusted ANCOVA was performed. Overall, despite an unchanged subjective experience of the social interaction, individuals with schizophrenia exhibited reduced responsiveness to positive affective stimuli. Subjective game experience did not differ between groups. Descriptively, facial expressions in schizophrenia were generally more negative, with increased sadness and decreased joy. Facial mimicry was impaired specifically regarding joyful expressions in schizophrenia, which correlated with blunted affect as measured by the SANS. Dyadic interactions involving persons with schizophrenia were less attracted toward mutual joyful affective states. Only unadjusted for age, in the absence of emotional stimuli from their interaction partner, individuals with schizophrenia showed more angry and sad expressions. These impairments in interaffective processes may contribute to social dysfunction in schizophrenia and provide new avenues for future research.

Perceived Weight Discrimination and General Coping Strategies.

Perceived weight discrimination is associated consistently with worse health outcomes. Coping strategies may be one mechanism of this association. The present research examined the association between perceived weight discrimination and strategies used to cope with general stress (not weight-specific) and whether these strategies accounted for part of the association with markers of health. Participants (N = 1882) completed a cross-sectional survey with a comprehensive measure of coping strategies and reported on their perceived experience of weight discrimination and markers of physical, mental, and social health. Perceived weight discrimination was associated with greater use of disengaged coping strategies (β = .19, p < .01) and was unrelated to active and support coping strategies. Disengaged coping mediated the association between weight discrimination and worse physical, mental, and social health (proportion of mediation ranged from 14 to 47%). This pathway was independent of body mass index (BMI). Individuals in the obesity weight category (BMI ≥ 30kg/m2) were less likely to use active (β = - .11, p < .01) and support (β = - .09, p < .01) coping strategies, which did not consistently mediate the association with health. Perceived experiences of weight discrimination are associated with disengaged coping strategies to manage stressful experiences, and these strategies are one mechanism that may contribute to the worse health associated with unfair treatment due to weight.

Using RECAST theory to examine racial stress appraisal across high schools: Differences in racial threat and support

Data from 318 diverse high school students from three different types of high schools in the United States were collected. School types varied by location (e.g., suburban, urban), size, and student demographics (e.g., race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted to examine the factor structure of the STRESS-Y. Mean comparisons were performed to assess variations in Racial Stress Appraisal across different school types. The EFA of the STRESS-Y confirmed its factor structure, supporting its validity as a measure of RSA in youth and we were able to extract two robust factors—Racial Threat Appraisal and Racial Support Appraisal. Mean comparisons revealed that Racial Threat Appraisal and Racial Support Appraisal varied across different school types, highlighting the influence of school context on students' experiences of racial stress. This study provides evidence for the validity of the STRESS-Y as a measure of Racial Stress Appraisal in youth. The findings demonstrate the importance of considering school type as a factor influencing students' experiences of racial stress as well as how support, racial coping, and stress management skills may help mitigate ongoing interpersonal harm that youth are experiencing. The validated measure and the understanding of the factors contributing to Racial Stress Appraisal can inform interventions aimed at supporting students in managing and coping with racial stressors in their respective school environments.

Patients’ experiences of mechanical ventilation in intensive care units in low- and lower-middle-income countries: protocol of a systematic review

BackgroundMechanical ventilation (MV) in intensive care units (ICUs) is a stressful experience for patients. However, these experiences have not been systematically explored in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs). This systematic review (SR) aims to explore the patients’ experiences of MV in ICUs in LLMICs and the factors influencing their experiences.MethodsThe PICO framework will be used to operationalize the review question into key concepts: population (mechanically ventilated adult patients in ICUs), phenomenon of interest (experiences) and context (LLMICs). PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science will be systematically searched since database inception. Citation, reference list and PubMed-related article searching of included studies will be done to ensure literature saturation. Empirical peer-reviewed literature exploring adult patients’ (aged ≥ 18 years) experiences of MV in ICUs in LLMIC will be included. All study designs (quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods) will be included. Two independent reviewers will perform screening, data extraction and critical appraisal. The mixed-methods appraisal tool (MMAT) and Popay’s narrative synthesis will be used for critical appraisal and data synthesis, respectively.DiscussionThis SR aims to bridge a gap in knowledge as previous evidence synthesis has described this phenomenon in developed countries. The review design, with the inclusion of quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies, intends to provide a rich and in-depth exploration of the issue. The findings will be presented as themes, subthemes and their explanatory narratives. The gaps in available literature will be identified, and implications of SR findings on policy, practice and future research will be presented. The strength of this SR lies in its systematic, comprehensive, transparent, robust and explicit methodology of identifying, collating, assessing and synthesizing available evidence. By prior registration and reporting of this SR protocol, we aim to ensure transparency and accountability and minimize bias.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42024507187

Greater perceived stress and lower cortisol concentration increase the odds of depressive symptoms among adolescents

BackgroundAdolescent depression is a major public health concern. Although stress has been linked to more severe depression, its association with mild depression among adolescents is not understood. This study assesses the relationship between perceived stress and cortisol (a physiologic measure of stress) and examines the relationships between these stress measures and depressive symptoms among adolescents 13–19 years of age. MethodsStress was measured with the Perceived Stress Scale-10 and through salivary sampling for cortisol four times throughout the day. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to measure depressive symptoms (range 0–27), where ≥5 indicated the threshold for experiencing at least mild depressive symptoms. Spearman coefficients and multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the relationships between our variables of interest. ResultsThe mean age of the 73 participants in our study was 15.82 years. 49 % of the participants reported depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score ≥ 5). Both higher perceived stress (odds ratio [OR] = 1.11, p = 0.022) and lower cortisol (area-under-the curve; AUCG) (OR = 0.99, p = 0.009) were associated with increased odds of having depressive symptoms. LimitationsFew participants had moderate to severe PHQ-9 depression, therefore our study reported findings on mild depression or greater. ConclusionsPerceived stress and cortisol appear to reflect distinct, independent components of the stress experience. However, both greater perceived stress and less circulating cortisol may indicate difficulties in regulating stress as potential factors underlying depressive symptoms. Future research should focus on the different types of adolescent stressors and the importance of routine screening of stress and depression, including mild depression.

Multiple mediation analysis of a task-shared psychosocial intervention for perinatal anxiety: Exploratory findings from a randomized controlled trial in Pakistan

BackgroundThe “Healthy Mother Healthy Baby” (HMHB) study is a phase three, single-blind randomized clinical trial conducted at Holy Family Hospital (HFH) in association with Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU). We aimed to examine the mediators of a specialized psychosocial approach based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy principles, targeting pregnant women experiencing anxiety. The HMHB intervention was effective in treating perinatal anxiety symptoms and preventing future depressive episodes. MethodsThe trial randomized participants into two arms: the HMHB intervention or Enhanced Usual Care (EUC), following World Health Organization guidelines. The HMHB intervention comprised strategies to strengthen social support networks, improving mother-baby bonding and strategies to deal with interpersonal conflicts, economic challenges, and societal gender preferences using cognitive and behavioural techniques and culturally resonant illustrations. Participants underwent rigorous data collection at three pivotal timepoints: baseline, third trimester, and 6-weeks postnatal. The primary outcome was anxiety symptom severity scores using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at 6-weeks post-childbirth. Four potential mediators – social support, behavioural activation, perceived stress, and pregnancy experience – were assessed in the third trimester of pregnancy. ResultsA total of 1200 participants were randomized to the HMHB and EUC arms. In the six-week follow-up time point, 379 participants remained in the EUC group, and 387 continued in the HMHB group. Post-intervention, HMHB participants displayed significant improvements in postnatal anxiety and depression scores. Mediation analyses revealed social support and pregnancy hassles as significant mediators of the intervention's effect on postnatal anxiety outcomes, while only social support emerged as a significant mediator for depression outcomes. ConclusionThe HMHB intervention showed promising results in improving anxiety and depression scores among pregnant women. Significant mediation effects suggest the importance of targeting social support and managing pregnancy-related hassles for optimal intervention effectiveness.

Unveiling social relationships: exploring the importance of relationships as a moderator of the link between effort-reward imbalance and leader-member exchange among healthcare professionals

ObjectiveHealthcare professionals are at increased risk of experiencing occupational stress and its detrimental stress-sequalae. Relevant theories that contribute to the subjective experience of occupational stress have been identified, such as the model of effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and the concept of leader-member exchange (LMX). The aim of this study was to examine how the perceived importance of social relationships at work moderates the relationship between LMX and imbalance ERI.MethodsA survey was conducted among N = 1,137 healthcare professionals from diverse occupational categories in a tertiary hospital in Germany. ERI was gauged using the German version of the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (ERI-S 10). The quality of leader-employee dyadic relationships was assessed using the German version of the Leader-Member Exchange (LMX-7). The importance of social relationships was assessed on the basis of a previously validated polarity profile.ResultsMore than 75% of healthcare professionals reported high levels of ERI, with those involved in direct patient care particularly affected. On average, leaders rated relationship quality higher than their respective followers. Subjectively higher LMX was associated with lower ERI. This association was moderated by the perceived importance of social relationships at work. Higher subjective ratings of their importance led to a stronger association.ConclusionThe study highlights the particular challenges faced in the healthcare sector. The results emphasize that the perceived importance of social relationships at work can play a key role in healthcare professionals’ job stress and underline the need for stress prevention programs that engage both leaders and followers.

The experience of stress, coping and support for prison officer negotiators in His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service

Purpose Negotiation is an established strategy used by the police and His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service to manage serious incidents. Whilst the literature acknowledges the role of the negotiator to be stressful, little is known about the experience of stress and the coping strategies used by negotiators when undertaking this role. This is particuarly true for negotiators who work in prisons. As such, the purpose of this study was to explore the experience of negotiators working in a prison setting. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a qualitative methodology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 prison officer negotiators based in public sector prisons in the North West of England. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Four overarching themes were identified relating to stressors; the experience of stress; use of coping strategies; and use of support. An underlying theme was identified relating to negotiating within the structure of a prison regime. Practical implications People involved in the management of serious incidents should be familiar with the negotiator role. Debriefing negotiators after a lone deployment and offering support to negotiators in the days following an incident is critical for staff well-being. Further, record keeping from the perspective of the negotiator should become formalised. Originality/value This paper contributes new insights into the management of serious incidents and the negotiator experience in prisons in England and Wales.

Relation of Family Economic Pressure and Racial Stress with Sleep Disturbance among African American College Students: Moderating Effects of Kin Social Support

The investigation examined whether kin social support moderated the association of family economic pressure and race-related stress with sleep disturbance among African American college students. The study is grounded in two theoretical models including the Integrative Model for the Study of Developmental Competence in Minority Children (IM) and the Family Stress Model (FSM), which predict that economic and race-related stress are linked to well-being in families and that the effects of stressful experiences may be moderated by kin social support. Hypotheses were assessed with online questionnaires administered to 152 African American college students (83% female, Mage = 21.7, SDage = 4.6). Economic pressure and race-related stress were significantly associated with sleep disturbance. Interference effects of kin support were evident and revealed that the positive relations of family economic pressure and race-related stress with sleep disturbance were less apparent with increases in kin support. Findings suggest that kinship ties are complex relations with costs and benefits that African American students must manage as they cope with stressful experiences in college.