Stress and Tension Coursework Recognizing and Alleviating Problematic Situations.
1. A current course in Stress would not be complete without making a distinction between stress and trauma and the impact of the threat of terrorism in our society. Discuss how an event becomes traumatic rather than stressful. What are the primary differences between stress and trauma
Stress and trauma are primarily differentiated by the effect of the problematic situation upon the person experiencing it. Stress occurs when there is any kind of conflict in a persons life, and trauma occurs when a person is not able to appropriately manage the stress (Dusek, Everly, Girdano, 2008). Any kind of problematic situation has the capacity to invoke a stress reaction, and any person is able to become traumatized when the stressful situation is too difficult to manage. While some stressful situations are able to be rationally and emotionally handled, there are some problems and some people where stress turns excessive, leading to trauma.
2. Discuss whether a large, though remote, event, such as 911 or Hurricane Katrina affects ones stress level more or less than a smaller, but more personal event such as a car accident or assault.
Large stressful events which occur on a large scale level at a remote distance from the person experiencing have about the same potential stress reaction as a smaller, more personal event such as a car accident or assault. Broadly speaking, all problematic situations are able to invoke stress, yet individuals react in various ways to stressful situations (Dusek, Everly, Girdano, 2008). Some people are able to keep level headed and calm even in highly difficult situations, while other people have extreme reactions to what other people would consider to be small problems. Every person reacts differently in different situations, so there is no way of saying exactly what will be more or less stressful or traumatic for a person.
3. Chapter 11 offers information that will come as no surprise to anyone in the working world, when is asserts that work relationships are listed as the number one stressor in just about every survey on stress that is given. Discuss the reasons for this, and use examples where possible. To what extent does the most tension result from a persons personal expectations versus the expectations of others in the work environment
Personal expectations within the work environment are often at odds with the desires and whims of other people. Although a worker may have an eye fixed on a particular project, goal, or position, it is not always the case that the worker is rewarded as one would like. Stress may come from difficult managers, stressful peers, or frustrating employees. Relationships at work are often at odds, because people see through different eyes and have varying priorities and perspectives (Dusek, Everly, Girdano, 2008). It is important to recognize that personal expectations may not always jive with the expectations of others in the work environment. As a way to ensure a lower stress level, it is important for workers to set realistic goals, to accept that fact their desires may go unsatisfied, and to explore whether or not it makes sense to remain in present positions.
4. Role ambiguity and role conflict are contributors to frustration on the job. Discuss both but indicate which of the two is dominant as they would pertain to the following individuals. Short of changing jobs, what strategies, could be employ to change the job environment from mostly a stressor to mostly an opportunity.
a) Married female with two teenage children (Both teens have extracurricular activities)
This woman may find that she is facing role conflict as a worker. Role conflict pertains to the fact that she may feel as if her role as a mother is at odds with her role as a worker. Resolving role conflict may first need to stem from cutting out any unnecessary after school activities, so that she is able to spend more time with her children.
b) Military Spouse (Deployed Spouse)
This man may find that he is facing role conflict as a soldier. Role conflict pertains to the fact that he may feel as if his role as a soldier is at odds with his role as a husband. Resolving role conflict may first need to stem from discussing the situation with his wife, so that he is able to know exactly how his absence affects their relationship.
c) College Student
This woman may find that she is facing role ambiguity as a student. Role ambiguity means that she is unsure about whether or not it is important for her to be in college. Perhaps it would be good for her to make a list of the pros and cons of studying to obtain a degree.
d) Employed in a career that is highly technical in nature, long hours to include overtime, deadlines and increasing responsibilities.
This man may find that he is facing role ambiguity as a worker. Role ambiguity means that he is unsure about whether or not it is important for him to be working in this position. Perhaps it would be good for him to figure out ways to reduce his hours and responsibilities at work.
Stress and trauma are primarily differentiated by the effect of the problematic situation upon the person experiencing it. Stress occurs when there is any kind of conflict in a persons life, and trauma occurs when a person is not able to appropriately manage the stress (Dusek, Everly, Girdano, 2008). Any kind of problematic situation has the capacity to invoke a stress reaction, and any person is able to become traumatized when the stressful situation is too difficult to manage. While some stressful situations are able to be rationally and emotionally handled, there are some problems and some people where stress turns excessive, leading to trauma.
2. Discuss whether a large, though remote, event, such as 911 or Hurricane Katrina affects ones stress level more or less than a smaller, but more personal event such as a car accident or assault.
Large stressful events which occur on a large scale level at a remote distance from the person experiencing have about the same potential stress reaction as a smaller, more personal event such as a car accident or assault. Broadly speaking, all problematic situations are able to invoke stress, yet individuals react in various ways to stressful situations (Dusek, Everly, Girdano, 2008). Some people are able to keep level headed and calm even in highly difficult situations, while other people have extreme reactions to what other people would consider to be small problems. Every person reacts differently in different situations, so there is no way of saying exactly what will be more or less stressful or traumatic for a person.
3. Chapter 11 offers information that will come as no surprise to anyone in the working world, when is asserts that work relationships are listed as the number one stressor in just about every survey on stress that is given. Discuss the reasons for this, and use examples where possible. To what extent does the most tension result from a persons personal expectations versus the expectations of others in the work environment
Personal expectations within the work environment are often at odds with the desires and whims of other people. Although a worker may have an eye fixed on a particular project, goal, or position, it is not always the case that the worker is rewarded as one would like. Stress may come from difficult managers, stressful peers, or frustrating employees. Relationships at work are often at odds, because people see through different eyes and have varying priorities and perspectives (Dusek, Everly, Girdano, 2008). It is important to recognize that personal expectations may not always jive with the expectations of others in the work environment. As a way to ensure a lower stress level, it is important for workers to set realistic goals, to accept that fact their desires may go unsatisfied, and to explore whether or not it makes sense to remain in present positions.
4. Role ambiguity and role conflict are contributors to frustration on the job. Discuss both but indicate which of the two is dominant as they would pertain to the following individuals. Short of changing jobs, what strategies, could be employ to change the job environment from mostly a stressor to mostly an opportunity.
a) Married female with two teenage children (Both teens have extracurricular activities)
This woman may find that she is facing role conflict as a worker. Role conflict pertains to the fact that she may feel as if her role as a mother is at odds with her role as a worker. Resolving role conflict may first need to stem from cutting out any unnecessary after school activities, so that she is able to spend more time with her children.
b) Military Spouse (Deployed Spouse)
This man may find that he is facing role conflict as a soldier. Role conflict pertains to the fact that he may feel as if his role as a soldier is at odds with his role as a husband. Resolving role conflict may first need to stem from discussing the situation with his wife, so that he is able to know exactly how his absence affects their relationship.
c) College Student
This woman may find that she is facing role ambiguity as a student. Role ambiguity means that she is unsure about whether or not it is important for her to be in college. Perhaps it would be good for her to make a list of the pros and cons of studying to obtain a degree.
d) Employed in a career that is highly technical in nature, long hours to include overtime, deadlines and increasing responsibilities.
This man may find that he is facing role ambiguity as a worker. Role ambiguity means that he is unsure about whether or not it is important for him to be working in this position. Perhaps it would be good for him to figure out ways to reduce his hours and responsibilities at work.
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