Category: Stress

The survey results suggest that the majority of students experience stress when they cannot meet deadlines, and one-third of students feel stress under deadline pressure from time to time. The data is supported by Svedbergs current information that highlights that an individual can lower the level of anxiety when there is a possibility of sound sleep that is usually lacking when tight deadlines exist [1].

Results support the claim of researchers who study the importance of time management. The vast majority of students believe that stating time priorities and managing deadlines is crucial for education and work success. The same opinion is shared by analysts that highlight the necessity to integrate effective time management issues that help students to get higher education and avoid failing on exams due to improper time management [2].

The figure of 69% of students, who view time management as a necessary method to manage deadlines, avoid stress, and stay healthy suggests that researchers conclusions that students, who struggle to sleep and have daytime or nighttime dysfunctions, allocate most of their time to study and trigger the adverse effect of lack of sleep [3].

Data from figures that highlight students inability to have balanced work and personal life at Khalifa University substantiates the discussion by researchers that emphasize the necessity to balance sleep, study, and work to avoid extortionate sleepiness and consume the information during studies faster and more efficiently [3], which is sometimes difficult for students who cannot find the right balance.

To sum up, one can suggest that the online survey results show that stress and lack of time management adversely influence students ability at Khalifa University to study effectively and balance their personal and professional life and impede their academic performance. The view is supported by studies that suggest stressful situations impact students negatively and might cause associated issues, such as depression, an increased state of anxiety [4], and a decrease in productivity [5].

References

P. Svedberg, L. Mather, G. Bergström, P. Lindfors, V. Blom, Time pressure and sleep problems due to thoughts about work as risk factors for future sickness absence, International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, vol. 91, pp. 1051-1059, 2018.

T. Fishman, A. Ludgate, J. Tutak, Success by design, Deloitte Insights, 2017.

Y. C. Chiang, S. Arendt & S. Sapp, Academic Performance, Employment, and Sleep Health: A Comparison between Working and Nonworking Students, International Journal of Higher Education, Vol. 9, No. 3, 2020.

J. Ortuño-Sierra, E. Fonseca-Pedrero, R. Aritio-Solana, E. Chocarro de Luis, Stress assessment during adolescence: Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Student Stress Inventory-Stress Manifestations across gender and age, European Journal of Developmental Psychology, vol.13, no. 5, pp. 529-544, 2016.

S. Damaske, J. M. Smyth, M. J. Zavadski, Has work replaced home as a haven? Re-examining Arlie Hochschilds Time Bind proposition with objective stress data, Social Science and Medicine, vol. 115, pp. 130-138, 2014.

Abstract

The role of stress in high divorce rates and suicides among law enforcers has been demonstrated by research. The most common causes of stress for law enforcement include; work conditions, poor relationships with family and the community, poor conflict resolution mechanisms, shift work, rigid behavior patterns, perfectionism, and trauma from critical situations. This conditions result in heightened stress which leads to high divorce rates and suicide.

This article proposes various means through which the stress levels of law enforcement officers can be significantly reduced. The methods include; implementing of alternative strategies of work redesign and organizational changes, Use of programs that encourage coping behavior, critical incident follow ups and support, and removing stigma that is associated with seeking psychological help. By following the proposed solutions, law enforcement personnel can experience reduced stress leading to their emotional well being. This will result in lower divorce and suicide rates among the officers.

Introduction

Stress which is a response to some external or internal condition is a reality to all human beings and is a part of all occupations. Gulle et al. (1998) reveal that law enforcement entails some of the highest levels of occupational stress. Stress by police officers results in negative emotional outcomes such as high divorce rates and suicidal tendencies. Considering the important role that law enforcers play in society, there has been need for research to be conducted regarding stress in law enforcement.

This can enable preventive measures to be taken to reduce the negative effects of stress that face many officers. Bearing in mind that stress in law enforcement results in a high degree of divorce and suicide, this paper shall set out to identify the factors that result in stress by law enforcers. The paper shall then propose ways in which the stress and by extension the negative effects it brings, can be mitigated.

Causes of Stress

The work conditions that an officer is subjected to have a huge bearing on the amount of stress. In particular, excessive paper-work and insufficiently manpower are stressors of high intensity for law enforcement officers. Research carried out by Gulle et al. (1998) found that the major stressors for law enforces included; poor equipment, fellow officers not doing their jobs and court leniency with criminals. These findings are corroborated by Biggam et al. (1997) who states that while police work inherently introduces likelihoods of traumatic stress, the most salient stressors are within the law enforcement organization itself.

Poor relationships between the police force and the community result in stress to individual officers. The police role identity greatly affects the relationship between the police officer and the society which they serve. Violanti (2007) reveals that police work results in officers perceiving an uneasy relationship between society and themselves; society is everyone not in the force and they are the enemy while the police are the protectors of justice. As a result of this perception, police purposely isolate themselves from society. The officers are therefore isolated from the community social support structure that is available to other members of the society.

Law enforces handle unique stresses that result in increased stress. Dantzker (2005) states that while many occupations share similar stressors such as shift work and poor equipment; there are stressors that are unique to police work. This includes the responsibility to respond to unpredictable situation and sporadic periods of work which range from stints of inactiveness to extremely stressful work periods. In addition to this police officers are forced to make life and death decisions instantaneously and use force in the line of duty.

The structure of typical police organizations results in exertion of extra strain on the officers with negative psychological effects. The police organization restricts officers to specific work roles and impersonal work relationships. Police officers are trained to use a distinctive behavior pattern in problem resolution during their work experiences. Violanti (2007) asserts that this mode of dichotomized decision making where the situation is either right or wrong results in the lack of a middle ground.

This mode of thinking, while effective in the officers profession where objectivity is desirable, may have adverse effects on their personal life. This is because when there are problems in the officers personal life, the model of decision making will result in a rigid approach where there is either a right or wrong. Compromises cannot be reached and effective conflict resolution is therefore inhibited.

Irregular Work Hours have a negative impact on the officer since they result in strained family relations which results in stress. Shift work means that officers are forced to work their shift regardless of holidays or other special occasions. This pressures the family of the officers since they may fail to understand why their spouse is not home. Such questioning may result to feelings that the officer is placing their job ahead of the family.

Stress also results from the change in environment when the officer goes home and has to play other roles such as; father, spouse or friend. The officer feels uneasy and may find it hard adjusting to this low excitement scenarios. It is theorized that people exposed to highly stressful jobs may become addicted to such exposures (Violanti, 2007; Van der Kolk, 1987). The increased physiological arousal that comes about from being exposed to dangerous and exciting events results in the individual finding normal life boring. In addition to this, officers are constantly forced to behave in a manner that is consistent with the police role and these results in rigid behavior patterns that decrease the efficiency of officers in playing other roles.

There is an established relationship between perfectionism and elevated stress levels in an individual. Law enforcement as a system demands perfectionism from its officers. Law enforcement training fosters competition amongst the candidates and this only serves to reinforce perfectionism especially amongst the winners who are idealized as rising stars. Slosar (1999, p.5) reveals that the particular perfectionism components include unrealistic high standards, unrealistic high expectations of self and from others, and fear of making mistakes . Socially prescribed perfectionism which involves high and unrealistic standards being set for the officer by the general public is a common phenomenon in law enforcement work. Also, some officers succumb to stress as a result of their perfectionism nature which makes them predisposed to severe self-criticism.

The very nature of law enforcement results in officers being forced into stressful situations such as gruesome murders or tragic accidents. Most of the officers appear to be able to handle this stress and continue their work without being haunted by the horrid images. Sanford (2003) reveals that many officers however find themselves replaying the memories and this affects them negatively. This results in Psychological Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among the police officers.

PTSD is defined as an anxiety disorder that inflicts someone after they have experienced traumatic events and they cannot or cannot get over the events after a month since the incident happened. Research indicates that victims of PTSD who go without treatment face possible permanent disability, medical and legal expense, increase sick leave, lost productivity and intense psychological distress (Sanford, 2003, p.9).

Mitigating Stress

Research indicates that problems with interpersonal relationships significantly increase the potential for suicide by the police officer. Interpersonal relationships are the social associations by the officers outside the work setting. Research by Jacobson and Portuges revealed that suicide potential significantly increased in persons undergoing marital separation or divorce (Violanti, 2007, p.20). From these revelations, it is obvious that preventing police officers from becoming stressed or reducing their stress levels to manageable levels is the best way to deal with the problem of high divorce rates and suicides.

Organizational factors such as bureaucracy and overworking can be damaging to the well-being of policemen and cause considerable stress. Deschamps et al. (2003) suggest that alternative strategies of work redesign and organizational changes be implemented to overcome stress these stresses. Reduction in the amount of paperwork that officers have to deal with and equipping the officers better can alleviate stress levels greatly. With low stress levels, the officers personal life will not suffer and hence divorce rates will be reduced significantly.

Helping officers to cope with stress is an important step in stress mitigation. Coping behavior which is defined by Meyer (2003) as both overt and covert behaviors that reduce or eliminate psychological distress or stressful conditions is an important aspect of the stress process. Research indicates that effective coping greatly benefits the individual and reduces suicide ideation and divorce. Effective coping can be achieved through counseling and supportive services which can be offered by a qualified counselor.

Introduction of programs that offer education and support necessary to prepare officers for handling stressful events when they occur presents a good means for dealing with stress. These supportive programs enable officers to identify stressors and take appropriate action. Sanford (2003) notes that while many law enforcement agencies have in-house psychologist, chaplains and a myriad of employee assistance programs, the services are only used when the damage has already been done. Proactive measures need to be taken up to ensure the emotional well being of officers and hence lower divorce and suicide rates.

Taking measures to remove the stigma associated with seeking psychological help can assist reduce stress. Marzuk (2002) reveals that while various police union sponsored counseling programs aim at assisting officers dealing with stress and depression, there still exist barriers for officers seeking psychiatric care. Officers worry that seeking counseling may result in job sanctions, reassignments or even missed promotion opportunities. By demonstrating to officers that counseling will not negatively impact their opportunities, more officers will be willing to make use of the services.

Law enforcement officers are exposed to high uncertainty as well as incidents that may lead to PTSD. Sanford (2003) proposes the establishment of comprehensive policies for debriefing after critical situations have occurred. This is a proactive approach that will assist in the earlier identification of stress by officers. In instances of PTSD, research indicates that PTSD follows up for the officer after the traumatic event has occurred significantly reduces the probability of an officer developing PTSD. Pro-active training in stress management and potential stressful events that may be faced results in decreased uncertainty.

Conclusion

This paper set out to identify the causes of stress in law enforcement and how they may be mitigated. To this end, the paper has highlighted work conditions such as staff shortages and irregular work hours as the major causes of stress to the officers.

The high pressure imposed on officers to perform excellent services as well as increased workloads further elevate stress levels. The paper has proceeded to note that the best means of dealing with stress is adjusting the work environment and introducing programs for identifying and managing stress at an early stage. By implementing these measures, the stress levels among law enforcers can be mitigated. This will result in reduction in divorce rates as well as the suicide epidemic that currently afflicts law enforcers.

References

Biggam, F.H., Power, K.G., Macdonald, R.R., Carcary, W.B. & Moodie, E. (1997) Self-perceived occupational stress and distress in a Scottish police force. Work and Stress, 11: 118-33.

Dantzker. M.L. (2005). Understanding todays police, 4th edn. Criminal Justice Press, Monsey, NY.

Deschamps, F., Paganon-Badinier, I., Marchand, A. & Merle, C. (2003). Sources and assessment of occupational stress in the police. J Occup Health; 45: 358-364.

Gulle, G., Tredoux, C. & Foster, D. (1998) Inherent and organizational stress in SAPS: An empirical survey in the Western Cape, South African Journal of Psychology, 28: 129-34.

Marzuk, P.M. (2002). Suicide among New York City Police Officers, 19771996. Am J Psychiatry; 159:20692071.

Meyer, R. et al. (2003). Coping, Stress and Suicide Ideation in the South African Police Service in the Eastern Cape. SAJEMS NS 6, No. 4.

Sanford, L. B. (2003). Critical Incident Stress and the Police Officer A Pro-Active Approach. OPP Human Resources Bureau.

Slosar, J.R. (1999). The Role of Perfectionism in Law Enforcement Suicide. CA: Health & Human Services Group Mission Viejo.

Violanti, J. M. (2007). Police Suicide: Epidemic in Blue. Charles C Thomas Publisher.

Work stress among newly graduated nurses in relation to workplace and clinical group supervision by Blomberg et al. (2016) is an experimental cross-sectional comparative study aimed to investigate occupational stress among newly graduated nurses. The dependent variable measured in the research is the perceived amount of stress experienced by nurses. The independent variables are the conditions of the workplace and nurses participation in clinical group supervision. The study compared the amount of stress experienced by nurses in different working environments and studied how it related to their participation in clinical group supervision.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors affecting the amount of stress experienced by nurses. The research was conducted in 2012 among 113 nurses who had recently graduated from three Swedish universities (Blomberg et al., 2016). Data was collected by means of a numerical scale measuring occupational stress, questions about workplace and clinical group supervision. The results showed that the general level of stress was high but differed significantly between workplaces, with surgical departments generating the most stress (Blomberg et al., 2016). Nurses who received clinical group supervision experienced significantly less stress.

The study concluded that newly graduated nurses generally experience great stress and need support, especially those who are employed in surgical departments. Adaptation strategies need to the developed and special training introduced that would provide nurses with the necessary support and help them develop stress management skills. Clinical group supervision should be considered as an option for reducing stress and increasing job satisfaction. Based on the results of the study, further research can be suggested to investigate the beneficial effects of clinical group supervision for stress reduction in the nursing practice.

Reference

Blomberg, K., Isaksson, A.-K., Allvin, R., Bisholt, B., Ewertsson, M., Engstrom, A., Ohlsson, U., Johansson, A., & Gustafsson, M. (2016). Work stress among newly graduated nurses in relation to workplace and clinical group supervision. Journal of Nursing Management, 24(1), 8087. Web.

Synthesis of salient contents of the article

The impact of stress could be experienced by people in different ways:

• The body experiences quick changes during occurrences of stress. Perhaps the entire body system perks up to confront the challenges caused by stress.
• Persistent and long-drawn stress could cause real health detriments and needs to be sorted out like any other bodily ailments.
• Both external and internal causes could give rise to factors. Outside stress builders could result due to unfavorable environmental conditions or tense emotional atmosphere, for example, low-grade work atmosphere or Discordia relationships).
• Inner tenseness could be seen as both relating to the mind as well as the body. Nonhumans do not experience inner stress

The effect of stress on the body is disturbing and could affect people in many ways. Pronounced stress initiates speedy changes throughout the body. Nearly a large part of the body systems, cardiac and circulatory blood vessels, immunity system, breathing organs, food assimilation systems, the senses and cerebral faculties, gear up to counter the challenges caused by stress.

There are two genres of tension: covert and overt, and short, or persistent varieties. Outside stress situations develop due to inclement physical environment. They include adverse bodily circumstances (discomfort, extreme temperatures, etc.) or traumatic mental states (low conditions of work, or Discordia environment).

Covert strain-producing factors could also be bodily like infections, diseases, and swellings, or even mental like trauma, worries, etc. Non-humans do not experience inner stress.

Intensive or time extensive stress is a reaction against an immediate threat. Furthermore, it is evidenced that in the case of acute or long-term stress, this is a reaction to an urgent threat, usually known as the fight or flight reply, while, in the case of chronic stress, repeatedly; modern life poses ongoing stressful situations that are long-drawn. Normally there are two reactions to stress. Either fight it, or avoid, or flee from it. Fighting or fleeing creates more stress and has to be controlled. Otherwise, short-term stress may become permanent and intractable.

Seeking permanent solutions for control and mitigation of stress is important since these could give rise to bodily and mental issues which could breed various kinds of diseases.

It is evident that many agencies within the current culture, while orally extolling the virtues of stress management, actually places major strain such that tension is increased. Nevertheless, stress could be reduced through a measure of tools and techniques. Besides, therapies for work-related stress have established advantages for both the employee and employer. During the deliberations of one research program, a company that instituted a stress management program managed to set aside virtually $150,000 in workers compensations expenses (program costs were only $6,000) at the end of 2 years. Yet other studies have reported individual advantages to health following on from employment

stress-management aids. In one such study, workers with high blood pressure had lower blood pressure even after a short (16-hour) agenda that helped them deal with strain in a conducted manner.

Stress control could form a significant part of medical treatment even though it may not be able to cure medical problems. Precise stress reduction approaches may help diverse remedial troubles. To take an illustration, in one study, acupuncture assisted in bringing down the detrimental effects of heart muscle actions in people with heart ailments but failed to check hypertension. People with such diseases could be benefited from the use of relaxation techniques. Lowering of stress may progress welfare and enhanced quality of life for many stress-stricken patients, who are undergoing such conditions due to chronic or persisting medical states.

Paraphrasing Paragraphs

Eating and Stress

Stress can have varying effects on eating problems and weight.

Weight Gain. Often stress is related to weight gain and obesity. Many people develop cravings for salt, fat, and sugar to counteract tension. As a result, they gain weight. Weight gain can occur even with a healthy diet, however, in some people exposed to stress. In addition, the weight gained is often abdominal fat, a predictor of diabetes and heart problems.

The release of cortisol, a major stress hormone, appears to encourage abdominal fat and maybe the primary connection between stress and weight gain. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid. These hormones, along with insulin, appear to be responsible for stress-related food cravings. Evidence suggests that hormonally induced cravings for comfort foods may have a biological benefit for managing stress. Eating comfort foods appears to reduce the negative hormonal and behavioral changes associated with stress, which might lessen the impact of stress on an individual. Carbohydrates in particular may increase levels of tryptophan and large neutral amino acids. This leads to more serotonin, which might improve mood and performance under stress. (Simon, 2009).

Paraphrased version

Stressful situations could impact food habits and the bodyweight of people in a number of ways. It is believed that stress is one of the major contributors to obesity and abnormal weight enhancement among people. This is because it is believed that stressful conditions create stimulants in the mind of such stressed people to crave certain types of foods to offset their feeling of tension and mental strain. For highly stressed individuals, even having normal diets could cause untoward weight gain issues, and the main area that receives the excess fat in the lower part of the stomach, sites for sugar diseases and coronary problems in later life. The outflow of cortisol is believed to be the main culprit for the nexus between stress and weight increases. However, on the positive side, it is seen that certain chemicals that are triggered during stress could even alleviate the level of stress experienced by individuals and could even help them to have a pleasant frame of mind and work output during periods of stress. (Simon, 2009).

The main point of the article

The main point of the article is to create awareness about the negative aspects of stress on both the body and mind of such stressed persons. It would not be wrong to state that people who undergo large bouts of stress situations may be actually nursing diseases in their body and mind, about which they are not aware unless the real symptoms begin to manifest. This could give rise to a plethora of physical, mental, or psychological conditions that merit treatment, sometimes in hospital settings. Therefore, it is important that people understand the level of stress that they could possibly take, in order to avoid adverse effects on their health. They also need to avoid situations that are capable of causing a higher degree of stress levels to them.

The personal meaning that the candidate took is ways and means to identify, segregate, isolate and remedy the adverse effects of stress through pro-active and pre-emptive measures, including certain disciplines that could not only counter the evils of stress but also help to manage it to a controllable degree. Again, stress may mean different things to different people, and one persons level of stress tolerance may be higher or lower than his counterparts levels. Thus, it is important for each of us to know how much our body and mind could bear, and this perhaps may not be gained from any health care professional  it has to be the individual who needs to know his limits and how to overcome and manage stressful situations in his official and personal life.

The take-away message is in terms of the fact that our health and well-being are in our own hands. There are many reasons for stress to be a health hazard, and in extreme cases, a killer disease that, if allowed to go unchecked and unmonitored, could cause a great deal of discomfort and hazards to ones life and well being. It is, therefore, necessary to identify and recognize the type of stress that one is undergoing, or maybe going to undergo in the future. It is necessary to study and understand it completely, how it could impact us adversely, and more importantly, what remedial and corrective actions we could take to overcome and remedy such stressful situations. It should be a fight or flight method, in which a person would stand and fight the symptoms and try to overcome them; another option is to run away from the stress-causing symptoms and issues. It would depend upon circumstances and how the mind and body are conditioned to accept stress or reject it.

Finally, it needs to be said that although stress is a part and parcel of modern living, it need not control our lives. Rather, we should be in a better position to control and overcome stressful situations and live in peace with ourselves, our family, our community, and the world at large. If stress is given an upper hand in our lives, it would be able to command all our words and actions and reduce us to its slave, from which human beings would not be able to free themselves and have peaceful and happy lives in the community.

Reference List

Simon, H. (2009). Stress. About.com: Health Topics A-Z. Web.

According to the two tests I took, I can say that my stress level is slightly high. The Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale shows that my score is 233, which is the average stress level. This suggests that I have a certain probability of acquiring psychological difficulties in the absence of control over the situation. Burnout Self-Test showed a similar result: my score is 35, which indicates the potential for burnout. Therefore, looking at both test results, I can conclude that I should pay attention to the work schedule and reduce stress.

In the modern world, stress is an integral part of human life. People spend whole days at work, performing a wide variety of tasks. After that, they do not have the strength to immerse themselves in their personal life, which can also cause conflicts and problems. As a result, many people acquire psychological illnesses, which are often difficult to cope with. To stay healthy, stress must be avoided at different levels, and only an integrated approach will allow people to become genuinely confident and calm. This approach includes, for example, a balance between work and family or personal life, a support network of friends and coworkers, and a relaxed and positive outlook (Sauter et al., 1999, p. 8). This all helps people keep mental health and live happy life.

First, it is essential to remember that each person is responsible for their psychological state. This means that people must independently identify and take action to address threats of stress, depression, or anxiety. There are many ways to prevent these problems. For example, people need to get enough rest on time. This applies not only to vacations but to weekends and even weekday evenings. People should understand what kind of rest is appropriate and follow this to reset the psyche completely. It is also vital to maintain physical fitness, follow a healthy lifestyle, and be surrounded by the right people. This will help people get through difficult situations without overexerting and being in a calm and confident state.

Second, it is crucial to pay special attention to the psychological atmosphere in the workplace. Undoubtedly, this depends not so much on employees as on employers. They are responsible for organizing the work so that everyone is comfortable and calm. This includes communication with staff, the arrangement of the space, schedule, social benefits, and many other factors. In addition, a competent employer or HR manager will recognize in time the signs of impending employee burnout. This will help them discuss the problem ahead of time and resolve it, such as changing work schedules or taking a vacation.

Undoubtedly, stress is an integral part of life, and it is not possible to avoid it entirely. In certain situations, it can even be helpful, mobilizing all mental resources, and helping to solve complex problems (McGonigal, 2015). However, it is impossible to stay in this state for a long time, so people must recognize and eradicate stress in time. This skill is useful and helps maintain mental health, contributing to a long and fulfilling life. In addition, being able to cope with stress, people will be able to help others in this matter. This will make society more harmonious and stable and will allow people not to be distracted by personal problems, reaching new heights.

References

McGonigal, K. (2015). How to turn stress into an advantage [Video]. YouTube. Web.

Sauter, S., et al. (1999). Stress& at work. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Introduction

The knee is an important joint for daily movement. In cases of trauma or fall, one may have to undergo surgery which might include the replacement of the knee (prosthesis). The prosthesis has been used as a form of clinical treatment for a long time. To date, researchers and clinicians are on the path of improving the prosthesis process to reduce pain and improve the functions of the knee.

One of the problems that pose a great challenge to research in prosthetic work is strain/stress shielding; thus many studies have been conducted to find methods that will help reduce stress shielding. Because the manufacturers of materials used for this procedure are involved, they have continuously improved their products to reduce stress shielding (Mann, et al., 1991, p. 798).

The issue of stress shielding in prostheses has been raised by different researchers. The load transference that occurs with a normal gait and the loading forces would be transferred through the hip and knee joint. Considering that the weight of the implants is higher than that of the normal skeleton, the majority of the pains would be traversing through the implants only (Santhappan, et al., 2008, p. 13).

Thus, due to the latter, the bone is stress-shielded by the stress shielding is one of the reasons for continuous knee surgery. It results in pain to the patient and also has cost implications since the patient has to undergo surgery after every five to ten years (Ridzwan, et al., 2007).

Stems are used to stabilize the prosthesis while allowing reconstruction of the bones. There has been researching done on the different types of stems that used their design length and means of fixing as factors considered to determine the efficiency of the stems in reducing the stress/strain shielding (Shannon, et al., 2003).

In this paper, we review work that has been done about stress shielding and knee prosthesis, compare them and outline the recommendations given in these papers.

Literature Review

Prosthesis

The prosthesis is an artificial joint that is used in knee replacement, made of ceramic, plastic, or metal combinations of materials. Apart from improving knee function, arthroplasty is used to relieve pain, as well. Some of the major conditions that lead to knee replacement include Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis, Trauma (damage to the knee due to an accident or a fall) (Silber, 1999). Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the methods that are used as a form of treatment for patients. It involves the femoral component, the tibial component, and at times the patella surfacing (Santhappan, et al., 2008, p. 14).

Knee arthroplasty alters the mechanical loading of the knee joint making the surrounding bones adjust their structure and mineral components to meet the mechanical demands of the knee. Stemming is used in revision total knee Arthroplasty to protect the bones surrounding the implants (Murase, et al., 1983, p. 15).

Stress /strain shielding

After an implant, the removal of normal stress from the born reduces bone density; a process known as shielding. According to Walker, et al. (1981, p. 258), the bone changes its external shape and internal architecture in response to stress working on it. Due to the mechanical stress, it experiences bone model and remodels causes the bone to generate a minimal-weight structure in the opposite intensity to the applied stress (Lipperman & Gefen, 2006, p. 42).

According to Walker, et al., (1981, p. 259) reports of stress shielding during hip implants were common, because stress being subjected upon the femur was absorbed by the denser and harder object. However, without enough stress on the surrounding bone tissue, the reabsorption by the bone density results in the deterioration of the bone (ABR-Therapy, 2010).

Due to fluctuations of pressure and tension of the bodys visco-elastic features, loads and stress are transmitted through, hence allowing the passage of the stress/strain. When an individual has conditions that require implants or prostheses, materials used are usually harder or denser. These dense materials absorb the stress/strain transmitted in the prosthesis region. This causes the body areas around the prosthesis to disintegrate and be reabsorbed since its shielded from receiving enough stress/strain (ABR-Therapy, 2010).

According to ABR-Therapy (2010), bones need the pressure to maintain their normal structure. A prosthesis procedure acts as stress shielded causing the pressure around the bone to be non-uniformly distributed and thus disintegrate the bone. For patients with arthritis, shielding results in hardening and calcification of joints due to the reduction in the hydraulic stress transfers and bone marrow density reduction. With this knowledge, there is a constant need for the bones and surrounding tissue of a prosthesis procedure to be continually under strain/stress for healthy movement (Reilly, et al., 1982, p. 759).

The prosthesis used during total knee Arthroplasty may have a long or a short stem. Using the short stem, the prosthesis does not come into contact with the cortex of the bone. On the other hand, the long stems are fit to the tibial tray to offload the tibial subchondral bone. It is intended to increase the surface area relative to the long axis of the bone; thus increasing the stability between the bone and the implant interfaces (Luring & Gefen, 2006, p. 36).

As explained by Marmor (1976, p. 103) and the University of Washington, department of radiology, stress shielding narrates the life course of the prosthesis. The prosthesis would usually take 5-10 years depending on the patient and other external factors before its symptomatic nature resulting from loosening of the prosthesis due to enough stress shielding. Replacing the loose prosthesis with a new one that reaches the normal bone due to its length.

To protect the constrained autogenous bone stock increased use of TKA has been reported in most studies. Studies to analyze the efficacy of the stem arguments in the stability of the tibial components using in-vitro experiments have been done (Laskin, 2001, p. 95; Bourne and Finlay, 1986, p. 97; Jazrawi, et al., 2001, p. 759; Stern, et al., 1997, p. 46).

Research done by Jazrawi et al., (2001, p. 761) suggests that the use of long-stemmed prosthesis in hip and knee Arthroplasty may result in significant stress shielding about the length of the stem, resulting in significant osteopenia, progressive radiolucencies, and eventually loosening. This is in agreement with work by Completo, et al., (2009) which pointed to the minor effect in stress concentrations and shielding of the short stems.

To enhance stability, Lachiewicz and Soileau (2004, p. 527) suggest that implants with extended stems have been used during revision knee surgery. Stems transfer stress from the deficient plateau to the shaft. In a study done by Bourne and Finlay in 1986, reduction in the use of intramedullary stems for the revision of TKA was caused by the increasing stress shielding of the proximal tibia cortex. The use of extended stems without significant stress shielding was predicted by several authors through biomechanical testing, Reilly et al., (1982, p. 766) noted that if 60mm tibia stem was used with incomplete coverage, decreased proximal strain would be noted. Jazrawi et al., (2001, p. 765) noted that there would be no significant decrease in proximity tibial strain with the use of either cemented or uncemented stems.

Research done by Shannon et al., (2003, p. 30), on reducing bone loss due to stress shielding in the tibia through the interlocking screw fixation method, suggests that porous coating the interlocking stem for bony in-growth may be advantageous in preventing stress shielding associated with then distal fixation. This method was found to be a viable alternative to more common fixation techniques such as cement and press-fit with full bony in-growth.

According to Yoshii, et al., (1992, p. 436), tibial fixation requires a stem to prevent the implant from sinking due to compressive failure of the proximal tibial cancellous bone and stress. The tibial stem reduces the force at the prosthesis bone interface and ensures uniform distribution of the load/stress through the upper tibia. In cases of osteoporosis, stemmed components are used fat the points that are severe or in the cases where large bone defects or where bone grafts have been used. The stem used are of two categories; the short and the long stems. Stem lengths greater than 5cm are considered minimally beneficial in terms of stability. The use of very long-length stems is related to some degree of stress shielding of the tibial cortex along the length. The stems also help to support the tibial plateau in cases where fibrous membranes have developed; in this case, the stem prevents fatigue of the cantilever plateau (Silber, 1999).

Conclusion

Many studies have been done to suggest ways in which stress/strain shielding can be reduced.for as long as the materials used in the prosthesis are heavier than that of the normal skeleton, stress/ strain shielding will always be a problem in the tibial prosthesis. Many results from the different studies show that getting materials for a prosthesis that would are lighter or equal weight as the normal skeleton is an impossible task, the manufacturers of the materials used in the prosthesis can try to come up with products that are near the weight of the normal skeleton

The studies here show that the use of short stems has a lower stress/strain shielding factor as compared to that of long stems. However if one has to use a long stem for prosthesis, then it is recommended that they use it with a distal polymeric tip to help reduce the stress. Results also show that the design of the stem is a factor that should be considered in the prosthesis.

Reference List

ABR-Therapy. 2010. Stress Shielding: ABR as the Method for Bypassing Stress Shielding. ABR- Therapy. Web.

Bourne, R.B., & Finlay, J.B., 1986. The influence of tibial component intramedullary stems and implantcortex contact on the strain distribution of the proximal tibia following total knee arthroplasty. An in vitro study. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 208, pp. 9599.

Completo. A., Talaia. P., Fonnseca, F & Simeoes, J. A., 2009. Relationship of design features of stemmed tibial knee prosthesis with stress shielding and end-of-stem pain. Web.

Jazrawi, L.M., Bai, B.. Kummer. F.J., Hiebert, R., & Stuchin. S.A., 2001. The effect of stem modularity and mode of fixation on tibial component stability in revision total knee Arthroplasty. Journal of Arthroplasty, 16, pp. 759-767.

Lachiewicz, P.F., & Soileau, E.S., 2004. The rates of osteolysis and loosening associated with a modular posterior stabilized knee replacement. Results at five to fourteen years. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 86A, pp. 525530.

Laskin, R.S., 2001. The Genesis total knee prosthesis: a 10-year follow-up study. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 388, pp. 95102.

Lipperman, M.B., & Gefen, A., 2006. A method of quantification of stress shielding in the proximal femur using hierarchical computational modeling. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 1476-8259(9):1, pp. 35  44.

Luring, C., Perlick, L., Trepte, C., et al., 2006. Micromotion in cemented rotating platform total knee arthroplasty: cemented tibial stem versus hybrid fixation. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg, 126, pp. 4548.

Mann, K.A., Bartel, D.L., Wright, T.M., & Ingraffe, A.R., 1991. Mechanical characteristics of the stem-cement interface. J Orthop Res, 9, pp. 798808.

Marmor, L., 1976. Stress fracture of the pubic ramus simulating a loose total hip replacement. Clin Orthop Rel Res, 121, pp. 103-104.

Murase, K., Crowninshield, R.D., Pedersen, D.R., et al., 1983. An analysis of tibial component design in total knee arthroplasty. J Biomech, 16, pp. 1322.

Murray, P.B., & Rand, J.A., & Hanssen, A.D., 1994. Cemented longstem revision total knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop, 309, pp. 11623.

Reilly, D., Walker, P.S., Ben-Dov, M., & Ewald, F.C., 1982. Effect of tibial components on load transfer in the upper tibia. Journal of Clinical Orthop, 165, pp. 759-767.

Ridzwan, M.I.Z., Solehuddin, S., Hassan, A.Y., Shokri, A.A., & Mohamad, I.M.N., 2007. Problem of Stress Shielding and Improvement to the Hip Implant Designs: A Review. Web.

Sathappan, S., Hee-Nee, P., Alikkal, M,T.A., & Satku, K., 2008. Does stress shielding occur with the use of long-stem prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty?, 16, pp. 459-467.

Shannon, B.D., Klassen, J.F., Rand, J.A., Berry, D.J., & Trousdale, R.T., 2003. Revision total knee arthroplasty with cemented components and uncemented intramedullary stems. J Arthroplast, 18(7), pp. 2732.

Silber, I. 1999. A Patients Guide to Knee and Hip Replacement: Everything You Need to Know. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Stern, S.H., Wills, R.D., & Gilbert, J.L., 1997. The effect of tibial stem design on component micromotion in knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 345, pp. 4452.

Walker, P.S., Greene, D., & Reilly, D., et al., 1981. Fixation of tibial components of knee prostheses. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 63A, pp. 258267.

Yoshii, I., Whiteside, L.A., Milliano, M.T., & White, S.E., 1992. The effect of central stem and stem length on micromovement of the tibial tray. J Arthroplast, 7, pp. 4338.

Since the increase in the levels of stress that working students experience due to their busy schedules, alternative options for studying need to be introduced into the current academic system. Greater flexibility in schedules coupled with the creation of online classes will lead to a better work-life balance and allow alleviating the extent of stress in working students (Galbraith & Merrill, 2015). For this reason, IT and ICT technologies to crate online and night classes, as well as the tools for offering students counseling and emotional support, should be used to improve the quality of working students lives and relieve them from the stress that they experience.

The lack of equal opportunities for students that have to work along with studying is glaring due to the work-life imbalance and the necessity to control a massive amount of information when managing both work and studying.

The discrepancies in the academic and working schedules complicate the management of work and studying even further, which means that working students need extra opportunities such as online classes, night classes, and an increase in the class limit (Goodson, Miertschin, & Stewart, 2016). Moreover, the creation of a network within which working students could collaborate and college counselors to build time management skills and maintain a proper work-life balance.

By reconfiguring the academic framework used in most institutions currently and creating online classes, as well as increasing the class limit, will affect learners ability to manage stress and gain knowledge. For this purpose, the use of innovative technology, namely, opportunities for information sharing and online education, has to be integrated into the curriculum for working students. Moreover, creating a community where working students can share their experiences and receive timely assistance and support from counselors and college psychologists should be deemed important in reducing the extent of stress caused by work-life imbalance.

References

Galbraith, C. S., & Merrill, G. B. (2015). Academic performance and burnout: An efficient frontier analysis of resource use efficiency among employed university students. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 39(2), 255-277. Web.

Goodson, C. E., Miertschin, S. L., & Stewart, B. L. (2016). Time management skills and student performance in online courses. The ASEE Computers in Education (CoED) Journal, 7(2), 37-49.

Abstract

Stress is one of the major challenges that students face in universities. Studies have found out that many institutions of higher education do not help students cope with stress thus increasing the prevalence f stress-related problems such as anxiety, eating disorders, and depression. The main reasons why universities do not connect with students in regard to coping with stress include inadequate resources, lack of proper guidelines on how to deal with stress among students, inadequate training, and poor learning environments that are not conducive for healthy lifestyles. In order to mitigate the problem, universities need to develop training programs to teach students about the various techniques they can use to manage stress. In addition, the need to end stigma against mental health issues, create environments that encourage students to talk about their problems to peers and counselors, and create a student-monitoring students to track the progress of students especially those with mental health issues.

Introduction

Numerous research studies have found out that a certain amount of stress is inevitable when students make a transition from high school to university. Students experience stress overload as they juggle their academic work with part-time jobs, financial constraints, high expectations from guardians, and great uncertainty in the labor market (Bataineh, 2013). There are many forms of stress experienced by students in universities. There is a certain amount of inevitable stress that helps students to work harder, stay focused, and persevere in the attainment of their academic goals (Thawabieh, 2012). On the other hand, there is a form of stress that is debilitating and that cripples students thus making them lose focus, become hopeless and helpless, develop depression, and engage in destructive behavior such as alcohol and drug use (Bayram & Bilgel, 2008). Many universities have numerous resources that include wellness centers, counseling centers, and support groups to help students cope with stress (Papadopoulos & Ali, 2013). However, incidences of stress-related complications are on the rise. Universities fail to help students cope with stress because of inadequate resources, lack of proper guidelines to identify students in most need of help, poor learning environments, and inadequate knowledge and training.

Stress among university students

After joining university, many students become stressed because of their inability to develop the skills necessary to balance academic and social responsibilities, deal with the numerous academic demands, and make transition from dependence to independence (Race to Nowhere, 2010). Higher education is very demanding because of its high expectations and standards that subject students to heightened levels of stress that in many cases affect their academic performance negatively (Bataineh, 2013). Symptoms and signs of high stress levels in students include tension, anxiety, frequent headaches, absenteeism, difficulty concentrating, increased agitation, irregular sleeping habits, and increased worrying (Bayram & Bilgel, 2008). Universities create resources such as wellness centers and counseling programs to help students cope with stress. However, they fail to connect with learners who continue to suffer the detrimental effects of stress.

Inadequate resources

Research has revealed that many universities have scarce resources with regard to handling the high numbers of students who need help with regard to coping with stress. Counselors in universities are overwhelmed because of the high number of students that seek help (Coughlan, 2015). In that regard, counselors are usually exhausted and as a result fail to offer quality services. On the other hand, many students who are in most need of help fail to receive attention and continue to suffer silently. The most common outcomes of excessive stress in universities are depression and related disorders such as anxiety that affect the performance of students (Bataineh, 2013). Moreover, many students fail to seek help because of the fear of discrimination and ridicule from fellow students.

In many universities, seeking help for mental health-related issues is seen as a form of weakness and lack of emotional toughness. In that regard, many stressed students shy away from seeking help. Studies have shown that demand for counseling services has been on the rise as university life becomes more complex and demanding (Coughlan, 2015). This rapid increase in demand for professional help has overwhelmed universities and rendered their resources inadequate. This problem has emanated from lack of transparency and honesty by universities regarding the scope of the problem. The problem of stress among students is more severe that many universities would want to admit because of the fear that they will be accused of being negligent and abdicating their responsibilities of improving students welfare and wellbeing (Coughlan, 2015). In the United Kingdom, this problem has been on the rise. For example, a report released by the Higher Education Funding Council of England revealed that certain institutions are experiencing a 50% increased in demand for counseling services every year. Many universities are unable to keep up with this rapid rise in demand.

Lack of proper guidelines

Students become depressed because of many reasons such as relationships, homesickness, competition, environment, social stressors, lifestyle changes, and academic demands (Hamaideh, 2011). There is a certain level of stress that is inevitable in university. Many students are unable to differentiate between necessary and unnecessary stress. Studies have established that students want help with more serious problems such as anxiety, depression, worry, and learning challenges (Howard, 2014). Many universities have not established guidelines to enable counselors identify students who are in most need of help (Hamaideh, 2011). As a result, students who experience serious problems continue to suffer while those with minor problems get all the attention. This phenomenon has led to a rapid increase in the number of individuals in need of help. Higher education has become more expensive while the prospects of getting a job after graduating have decreased significantly (Papadopoulos & Ali, 2013).

Students are not sure whether spending a lot of money for higher education is worth the struggle and as a result deal with such frustrations and confusions on their own. On the other hand, there is a very pervasive myth that university students should have lots of fun and enjoy themselves. Many students waste their time partying and engaging in unnecessary extracurricular activities that eat away time that they could spend studying (Race to Nowhere, 2010). They perform poorly in exams and develop stress that affects their physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing (Hamaideh, 2011). In addition, this myth compels them to turn their social lives into platforms for showoff rather than platforms for relaxation, interaction, and learning. Universities have also failed to offer guidelines to instructors, counselors, and other staff members on the proper avenues of supporting students with mental health problems (Howard, 2014).

Provision of inadequate knowledge and training

Students find it difficult to make a transition from high school life to university life. University life comes with higher academic, financial, emotional and academic expectations that many students cannot cope with (Howard, 2014). On the other hand, universities do not give freshmen adequate training that is necessary for effective transition into the new life. Many students start higher education life with little knowledge and few skills on how to cope with stress and live a healthy lifestyle that supports optimal performance and productivity (Hamaideh, 2011). Studies have shown that activities such as relaxation, physical exercise, meditation, and yoga play an important role in stress alleviation (Landow, 2006).

However, many universities do not dedicate time and resources to teach students some techniques that can help them to cope with stress effectively. Joining university is a critical moment in life because it is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. The stresses associated with the transition can overwhelm many students who lack the necessary knowledge and skills to deal with them. Another contributing factor is the role played by parents. Many parents are over protective and do not give their children an opportunity to handle stress (Richards-Gustafson, 2015). Shielding adolescents from stress and failure denies them the opportunity to learn and gain skills that are needed I adult life (Landow, 2006). S

tudents join university terrified and anxious because of the lack of skills on how to cope with stress. This situation is worsened by lack of adequate training from the administration teams of universities. Another cause of high stress levels among university students is competition for high grades (Howard, 2014). Many students leave high school to join university with high grades. However, competition among students who got high grades in high schools is stiff and a major cause of stress. Majority of new students expect to get high grades in order to feel confident and significant. However, they fail to realize that university education is very different from high school education because it requires a lot of time, patience, hard work, perseverance, and determination. These critical aspects of academic success require students to have certain qualities and skills that can be learned. The most important strategy for dealing with stress is learning how to manage it. Inability to manage stress compels students to try alternative lifestyles that are aimed at eliminating it altogether such as alcohol and drug use (Landow, 2006).

These techniques fail because instead of eliminating stress, they increase it. Another main cause of stress among university students is financial pressure. Over the last decade, the cost of education has increased and students find it difficult to handle the pressure of dealing with high student loans to finance their education (Richards-Gustafson, 2015). It is important for universities to teach students basics of finance management in order to instill in them personal finance skills that could aid in managing stress that emanates from financial pressure (Landow, 2006). Students need to realize that focusing on things that are out of their control is a source of unnecessary stress that can be easily managed by focusing only on things that are within their circles of influence.

Poor learning environments

The learning environments found in many universities are not conducive for learning and healthy lifestyles. In addition, they do not encourage students with difficulties to share them or seek help. Many universities find it difficult to offer assistance because troubled students are reluctant to disclose their problems and therefore suffer in silence (Landow, 2006). Students are expected to tackle numerous responsibilities daily without the knowledge of how to go about it. The learning environments in many institutions do not support a growth mindset that is important for academic prosperity. This growth mindset can be developed by creating programs and initiatives that teach students how to handle failure by learning from their mistakes and doing better the next time (Palmer & Puri, 2006).

On the other hand, many institutions do not have well developed support groups and networks to help students cope (Palmer & Puri, 2006). Another factor that characterizes university environments is stigmatization. There is a lot of stigma surrounding mental health issues in universities and administrations have not done enough to create learning environments that eradicate it (Thawabieh, 2012). Discourses regarding conditions such as anxiety disorders and depression are very few. Many students do not feel comfortable seeking professional help for fear of ridicule from their peers (Palmer & Puri, 2006). As a result, universities are unable to help students who are in need. The rapid increase in incidences of problems such as depression, eating disorders, and anxiety is proof enough that universities are not doing enough to help students to cope with stress. Many institutions of higher education have not yet fully taken responsibility for the wellbeing of their students who are left to struggle and suffer on their own with little or no help.

Coping strategies

There are several measures that universities can take or implement to help students cope with stress and anxiety. First, they should create training programs and workshops that teach students how to cope with stress, anxiety, and related problems. A coping program could teach students aspects of stress management such as meditation, social support, relaxation, physical exercise, and the importance of sleep and good nutrition (Palmer & Puri, 2006). Many students enrolled into universities lack the knowledge and skills that are necessary for effective stress management. Second, they can create environments that encourage students to talk about their problems and seek professional help. This can be achieved by conducting workshops and implementing awareness programs that teach about the importance of ending stigma against mental health problems as well as the importance of student wellbeing on academic performance (Palmer & Puri, 2006).

Students can only be healthy mentally, emotionally, and physically only if they know how to address their various needs. Third, universities can create more wellness and counseling centers to help students deal with anxiety issues. Students can visit these centers for professional guidance on how to deal with anxiety and other related conditions. Some students undergo pain and suffering because they do not know who to contact or where to seek help from. Fourth, universities should develop policies and anti-mental health stigma campaigns to encourage students to openly share their problems with their peers and counselors (Palmer & Puri, 2006). On the other hand, they should regularly monitor students especially those who are admitted with mental health issues. The complexities of university life require the development of certain qualities and skills that many students lack during admission.

Conclusion

One of the many challenges of joining university is the stress associated with making the transition from high school to an institution of higher learning. The demands of academic work, relationships, assimilation, and new lifestyles subject students to stress that in many cases leads to conditions such as anxiety and depression if not managed properly. Universities have failed to connect with students in regard to proper management of stress because of inadequate resources, lack of adequate knowledge and training, unclear guidelines regarding stress management, and poor learning environments. In addition, stigma against mental health discourages many students from talking about their challenges and seeking help. Studies have shown that in the past decade, stress-related problems have been on the rise in universities. Causes of stress include exams, high expectations from parents, uncertain job opportunities, social pressures, and financial constraints. The learning environments in universities are not conducive for healthy living hence the rising numbers of stress-related problems among students.

On the other hand, many universities are overwhelmed by the high numbers of students who seek help from the wellness and counseling centers. Due to scarce resources, available counselors and health professionals are unable to attend to the students. Poor stress management skills and knowledge due to lack of adequate training is another reason why universities have failed to help students cope with stress. Many students join universities without the necessary skills and knowledge need for effective stress management. The training they receive after admission is inadequate to help them cope and lead productive lives. In order to help mitigate this problem and deal with anxiety, universities should create wellness programs and awareness workshops to teach students how to manage stress. They should also implement policies that eradicate stigma against mental health issues.

References

Abeles, V. (Executive Producer). (2010). Race to Nowhere. (DVD).

Bataineh, M. Z. (2013). Academic Stress among Undergraduate Students: The Case of Education Faculty at King Saud University. International Interdisciplinary Journal of Education 2(1), 1-7.

Bayram, N., & Bilgel, N. (2008). The prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlations of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among a Group of University Students. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatry Epidemiology 43(8), 667-672.

Coughlan, S. (2015). Rising Numbers of Stressed Students Seek Help. Web.

Hamaideh, S. (2011). Stressors and Reaction to Stressors among University Students. International Journal of Social Psychiatry 57(1), 69-80

Howard, B. (2014). Schools Take on Stress. Web.

Landow, M. V. (2006). Stress and Mental Health of College Students. New York, NY: Nova Publishers.

Palmer, S., & Puri, A. (2006). Coping with Stress at University: A Survival Guide. New York, NY: Pine Forge Press.

Papadopoulos, C., & Ali, N. (2013). Stress Levels and their Risk/protective Factors among MSC Public Health Students. Journal of Pedagogic Development 3(2), 5-12.

Richards-Gustafson, F. (2015). Common Causes of Stress among Students. Web.

Thawabieh, A. M. (2012). Assessing Stress among University Students. American International Journal of Contemporary research 2(2), 110-116.

Introduction

This research study aims to identify the familiar sources of stress in a hectic work environment, whether commercial or public. The research will uncover management-applicable strategies for assisting workers who may experience tension in or outside the workplace. The report will examine the sources of work-related stress and its detrimental effects on employees physical and mental health. Furthermore, it will focus on personnel and serve as a roadmap for further research on the matter.

Literature Review

Background Information

An individuals response to stress affects both them and their surroundings. People may experience stress due to the social milieu they are exposed to, particularly if they feel disrespected at work. Beery and Kaufer (2015) define stress as the bodys response to foreign or domestic environmental stimuli that disrupt the bodys natural condition. Depending on ones viewpoint on the human condition, the term stress may have several connotations and meanings. However, according to the definition of stress, it is a highly complex phenomenon that affects the whole person, not only the physical body but also a variety of other elements, some of which may not even be recognized by academics and researchers (Beery & Kaufer, 2015). Stress is a reaction to danger, to which an individual may respond positively or adversely.

Importance or Implications of Biological Psychology

Having identified that workplace stress is a threat to both the person and the institutions performance, it is essential to recognize that it also poses substantial health workplace hazards. Stress is the leading cause of medical ailments, alcohol and drug misuse, and relationship issues, which affect millions of people in the workforce (Beery & Kaufer,2015). Poor working circumstances cause poor productivity; hence, these types of stressful settings may harm the employee (Beery & Kaufer, 2015). Work is necessary for someone to feel like a contributing member of society. It is crucial to recognize that tension will likely result when an employees creativity, decision-making, and intellect are not used at work.

Sources of Stress In The Workplace

Employee work relationships

This is the connection between coworkers in the workplace. The firm should focus on teamwork if it wants to give its workers a positive working environment. As a result of the opportunity to connect with workers, such activities have contributed to developing positive relationships among employees and management.

Role in the Organization

Uncertainty over who is responsible for what inside the organization may result in a conflict of roles (Haque & Omo, 2019). This creates a scenario in which the job description and duties are ambiguous. This conflict results from the managements disregard for labor and duties (Starc, 2018). This ambiguity may stress the employee who does not seem to have a say in the firms day-to-day operations. It may also arise when an individual conflates job requirements with personal regulations.

Individual Career Development

This is the most stressful issue because while discussing a profession, several variables come into play, such as work stability, advancement chances, and excellent compensation (Pestoff, 2018). This is because it relies on the worker and how he then she will interpret the information concerning job instability.

Organizational Culture

Organizational changes may result in unfamiliar procedures for the employee. In addition, the constant technological innovation in the organizational structure may make it difficult for an employee to pass on knowledge, which may cause stress if the new method needs the employee to return to school to master it.

Balance of Work and Home Responsibilities

Home and work separation is a concern in our everyday lives. Consequently, this may be more difficult for persons working in stressful circumstances. It should also be noted that a person may bring work-related stress home with them and vice versa (Deshpande & Gupta, 2019). This mindset has the potential to destroy secure relationships if not appropriately addressed.

Stress Triggers in the WorkPlace Include

Work overload

This occurs when an organization expects more from a person than is necessary. This, coupled with inadequate compensation for the additional work, will undoubtedly annoy the employee. An overworked employee who lacks sufficient rest may get stressed and do subpar work (Von et al., 2018). This also applies to micromanagement; the employer should leave the employee room to complete the assignment.

Insecurity and Conflicts

This is a vital aspect of a safe working environment that provides employees with a feeling of serenity and security so they may do their job without fear of harm. It applies to internal and external threats (Von et al., 2018). The organization should have an appropriate framework for handling internal conflicts. These institutions should be able to provide impartial judgments when resolving organizational issues.

Special responsibility

These are additional responsibilities assigned by an employer. If they are not sufficiently compensated for their efforts, they will feel mistreated and overworked, producing a tense environment.

Organizational changes And Career threats

Existing positions may be promoted due to the formation of a new position. For a company to have a delighted staff, it must have regular job vacancies and guarantee that current competent workers are given a chance to apply; it will also, in turn, provide positions for new younger staff (Von et al., 2018). This also maintains organizational continuity. In light of the above, it is essential to concur that the human resources department is the most vital component of an organizations structure. They are interested in hiring and interviewing candidates for the positions mentioned above.

It is thus reasonable to conclude that the human resources department is the most valuable asset in every firm. Human resource management presents several difficulties for the majority of firms. Work stress and job-related obligations harm employee morale, diminishing their coping abilities (Von et al., 2018). They face several obstacles, including absenteeism, worker turnover, and missed deadlines. This might result in reduced workplace excitement and thus decreased productivity.

Working Environment

If the company fails to provide a favorable working environment, then the performance of the workforce will decline. For an employer, many things may go wrong, such as workplaces with insufficient lighting, inadequate desk space, no air conditioning, and air and noise pollution. A few ecological stressors are listed above (Johnson et al., 2018). Initially, these stresses may appear negligible, and one may believe that he or she will become accustomed to them. However, they may accumulate over time and lead to poor employee performance. If a company wants to improve its performance, it should: Provide workers with breaks, organize better shifts, reduce working hours, and other enhancements, the company can (Johnson et al., 2018). However, this never occurs since employers never regard their workers and would instead raise prices and quantity than explore how to improve employee circumstances to enhance the quality of their services and goods.

Time pressure and task with deadlines are other examples of stress. Modern technology has enhanced the delivery of services and the processing of data. One will get a large quantity of data and be responsible for processing and providing it in the quickest period possible (Deshpande & Gupta, 2019). Even though they are an integral element of an organizations day-to-day operations, jobs with time limits or deadlines will create stress and tension in the workplace. Work completed in a hurry may be poorly executed but may also make the one doing the job stressed, which may have a detrimental effect on the work (Deshpande & Gupta, 2019). Employees who are high achievers may be influenced by this, mainly if they have produced subpar work.

The adverse effects of time-related stress may have a disproportionately harmful effect on creative workers. It will affect emotional strain, disputes, and restlessness. The result will be confusion and haphazard work. In addition to anxiety and panic attacks, time-related stress makes it more difficult for employees to complete their duties. The quantity of work assigned to an employer might also be problematic (Deshpande & Gupta, 2019). There is no assurance that the employee will be left in a favorable and stress-free condition if they have a heavy task and a seemingly impossible deadline. High-risk occupations and working under such circumstances are hazardous for both the individual and the client. These occupations may include, among others, healthcare, executive management, transportation, and biohazard.

Response to Stress at Workplace

An employees response to workplace stress may be impacted in any of the following ways:

Emotional Response

This will affect ones mental state; these are the many emotions and dispositions the individual will experience if they are underpaid and overworked. These characteristics include:

Anxiety: As a result of this stress response, increased anxiety and other anxiety-related symptoms, including chest pains, headaches, neck strains, nausea, anxious stomach, and dizziness, might occur.

Depression: This is a significant mental health issue with physical and mental effects. It will influence how one feels and how one goes about everyday life. There are several varieties of depression, and their manifestations vary from person to person. To mention a few, these include psychotic melancholy, affective disorders, and bipolar depression (Beery & Kaufer, 2015). These may be the most prevalent forms of depression.

Aggression: This is the emotion of rage. It is an adverse health consequence, as it will not only impact the employee but may also lead to strained relationships with coworkers. Persistent working difficulties mainly cause it.

Low self-esteem: This is the sensation of inferiority, and those who experience it risk criticizing themselves and failing to realize their full potential (Azim & Baig, 2019). This is a mental state since the workers are only thinking about themselves.

Inability to concentrate: This is to help retain concentration and concentrate on the work at hand. This might become hazardous if the person is handling harmful equipment or chemicals.

Physiologically Response

The physiological response is how stress will affect a workers physical health and well-being. They might include Hypertension, Respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal diseases, among others. An individuals mental state causes the majority of these disorders.

Behavioral disorders

Behavioral disorders include the risks and alterations to which the worker will have been exposed. Injuries, poor performance, poor communication skills, and drug abuse and addiction will be among them (Von et al., 2018). These factors are essential to the employees development because they impact their stress response. The following things will impact the employees experience: Employee knowledge, comprehension of the circumstance, lack of social assistance, and individual variation in stress response.

Case Study

Uber is a firm located in the United States formed in 2009. It is a taxi firm that links riders and drivers through a smartphone-accessible software application. Drivers are their superiors and share their automobiles with more than one million active drivers worldwide (Sandi & Haller, 2015). Uber has extended its food delivery services to 24 countries. Since Uber drivers are freelance, the corporation is not liable for their actions. People are not insured for health, retirement, disability, unemployment, or workers compensation, but the corporation is. They provide several services, including Uber X, Uber XL, and Uber SUVs (Sandi & Haller, 2015). Uber dispatches teams to create market knowledge and recruit drivers before entering new territory.

In order to compete with other cab companies, they adjust their pricing on the kind of service one chooses, the time of day, and the distance traveled. Uber is aggressive when entering a new market and often begins operations without authorization (Saszik & Smith, 2018). Due to Ubers reliance on software and that they only contact drivers when a customer requests a ride, this connection is not particularly well-established (Irshad et al., 2020). Many things might go awry for the driver, particularly in nations that have not entirely embraced Uber drivers. These dangers, notable insecurity, have been the fundamental reason not all nations have embraced this enterprise (Jaharuddin & Zainol, 2019). Since ones employer is an app on a smartphone, it is up to them and the driver to decide whether or not to work, and they face a great deal of ambiguity.

This company does not provide a consistent working environment for drivers; consequently, it may be stressful if this is ones only source of income. If the automobile is someones only mode of transportation, he exposes himself to several hazards, and if it is stolen, the firm is not accountable (Saszik & Smith, 2018). If a nation has many current Uber drivers, particularly in major cities, competition for passengers will be fierce, and if one is unfortunate, he or she may not get any (Sandi & Haller, 2015). There is also animosity among cab drivers and Uber drivers, which may be a source of stress in an unfavorable atmosphere.

Hypothesis Verification

The research aims to identify the sources of workplace stress and offer the most effective methods for preventing it, lowering the cost of sickness, absence, and depression. It must provide the most effective methods for managing and coping with workplace stress (Saszik & Smith, 2018). Its fundamental objective should be to offer different strategies for employees to control and manage stress and for employers to create a stress-free atmosphere where employees may perform at their best (Saszik & Smith, 2018). Having determined that stress is the leading cause of low employee productivity, the business must alter its day-to-day operations to create better working conditions for its workers.

Method

Utilizing a questionnaire is the most suitable research strategy for this topic. A questionnaire with short-answer questions will aid the company in identifying the key sources of stress and the primary stresses to offer a healthy workplace (Andrews et al., 2020). Queries may vary, but we will stick to stress-related questions for this article. Using this technology has benefits and drawbacks (Saszik & Smith, 2018). To mention a few benefits: It is practical, It is simple to quantify, anyone can do it, it is possible to employ a sample of the whole population, it is less expensive, and it may be used to evaluate current hypotheses (Saszik & Smith, 2018). The disadvantages include not conveying the recipients feelings and moods, is partially invalid; and there is no way to determine if the answer was honest.

Therefore, the aforementioned broad purpose is divided into the three particular questions listed below:

• What is stress?
• How does stress affect us?
• How can we best cope with stress in the workplace?

Validity

Companies need healthy and stable staff to be competitive, more reproductive, and fiscally viable. The organizations should consider establishing a counseling division. This should create a work environment that avoids stress and promotes timely and effective treatment (Holman, 2018). Firms should allocate suitable tasks to workers based on their field of study to increase productivity and quality. The company must offer a safe working environment since the inherent dangers may sometimes be deadly (Holman, 2018). This will increase their job capacities and decrease their disease and mental instability. There are more strategies to manage stress, with the organization playing a crucial role. They will be responsible for enhancing staff connections and developing programs for stress management (Holman, 2018). This research is crucial for any firm since it will assess the stress levels inside the organization and provide stress management techniques.

Ethical Criteria

The research objective was to determine the effects or repercussions of stress on employees work performance. The researcher anticipated that the study would be essential and would go a long way toward informing all firms, particularly those in the service industry, about the need to provide sufficient stress management for their personnel. The research would also contribute to the current body of knowledge (Johnson et al., 2018). Thus, the results would contribute to previously conducted research, allowing others in various nation regions to comprehend the issue (Breaugh & Alfes, 2018). It would include recommendations for mitigating the consequences of stress on productivity. Again, it was anticipated that it would be a source for more research relevant to stakeholders. Consequently, the management will base its judgments mainly on the information gathered from the surveys (Johnson et al., 2018). Despite being a short-term solution, it will play a crucial role in helping workers feel at ease inside the firm.

Summary and Conclusion

This article provides in-depth information about workplace stress and coping strategies. Stress is the most significant cause of mental tiredness and has been linked to suicides among young people. A healthy, productive employee should be the priority for every company, not a secondary one. The paper also illustrates the significant connection between stress in the job and its physical and emotional consequences (Azim & Baig, 2019). Sometimes, employees with demanding professions may not be able to leave their work at the office and may even carry it home. They are mentally exhausted and may not distinguish between work and home commitments. This will result in unfavorable relationships at home and work, and the repercussions might be severe (Azim & Baig, 2019). As a result of lowering the employees immune system, chronic weariness will result in sickness.

The most common reaction to stress in the working population is fatigue. Increasing performance may be accomplished through lowering employee tiredness, which can be accomplished by fostering long-lasting relationships in the workplace and praising an employee for excellent work (Jilke et al., 2018). Additionally, the firm may implement people-focused programs and clinics to improve working connections (Azim & Baig, 2019). Resolving stress-related difficulties is time-consuming, but if a business has a well-functioning staff, this should not be a concern. Regardless of how long it would take, the firm should hire or even absorb the most extraordinary counselors on the market to aid their personnel, particularly those in demanding vocations such as security, transport, and health.

Employers have a legal duty to provide a stress-free work environment for their workers. They should be at the forefront of ensuring that they have offered their staff safe and stress-free working conditions (Azim & Baig, 2019). On the other hand, workers should continue to communicate with their employers, with the organizational structure ensuring that information flows in both directions and choices are made appropriately (Azim & Baig, 2019). We should highlight that we only discuss work-related stress, although there are other types of stress. They will also affect the employees performance at work if they are not adequately addressed (Giao et al., 2020). Since the primary limitation of questionnaires is that they are intended to be concise and to the point, it may be necessary to do further research through other methods.

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Many people go through stress once in their lifetime. Many people have never experienced the strong effects that stress has on the human body. Well, stress is the body’s reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. In other words, stress is when the mind has to take more than it can handle. Stress can overburden your mind with incessant worries. Frequent stress decreases your immune system. Having stress can have a negative effect on how the body functions. It can affect how we act, our health, our thoughts, and our feelings. In modern times, most teenagers have more stress than in the past decade. Most people don’t quite know what stress is, how it affects our health, who can have stress, and ways that we can reduce stress.

Hans Selye was the person that discovered the stress condition known as General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS). He was known as “the father of stress”. Hans Hugo Bruno Selye was born in Vienna, Austria in 1907. Selye was the son of Dr. Hugo Selye, a Hungarian military physician. His mother was Austrian. Style attends school at a Benedictine Monastery and private tutoring. Then, he entered the German Medical School in Prague at the age of 17. Later he earned a doctorate in organic chemistry. In 1934, at the age of 28, he was an assistant at McGill University’s Biochemistry Department in Montreal. Seyle was trying to discover a new hormone with a rat experiment. Instead of discovering a new hormone, he notices that the rats had similar symptoms to his patients last year. According to Style, “felt and looked ill, had a coated tongue, complained of more or less diffuse aches and pains in the joints, and of intestinal disturbances with loss of appetite.” (brainconnection.brainhq.com). Seyle described what he saw last year when he was in the medical field. He was looking through the data of the various patients, comparing the rats and human symptoms. There was one significant symptom that stood out Seyle. As time goes on Seyle published his theory about stress. Hans Seyle discovery has helped people understand why stress affects our bodies. With his discovery, other scientists can dig a little deep about stress and possibly make new medicine in the future. As technology developed scientists can now examine the human body.

When under stress the human body may function differently. Our human body is supposed to protect us and our work property. The muscular system will tense up when under stress, the digestive system will produce extra blood sugar and our cardiovascular will pump faster. This all comes from our central nervous system(CNS), our CNS is in charge of the “fight or flight” response. CNS is connected to the brain and spinal cord. With this it allows us to move our hands, legs, and etc. According to article support from Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD, “In your brain, the hypothalamus gets the ball rolling, telling your adrenal glands to release the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol.” (healthline.com). These hormones go to our cardiovascular and it allows blood to rush to a specific area for us to react. Knowing how our body handles stress can give us better knowledge. This also allows scientists to make medicine that lowers stress. Generation to generation stress is becoming popular. The word “stress” makes people think of a negative outcome.

There are two main stresses: chronic and acute. Acute stress is usually brief. When a person thinks of an upcoming work deadline or is stuck in a traffic jam. Chronic stress is long-term stress that can be harmful to our bodies. This is when a person files a divorce, unemployment, financial problem, etc. Knowing the type of stress can help you find a solution. Having a little bit of stress is a good thing. Stress is also a warning system, it helps us out of danger when things are unexpected. “Some amounts of stress are good to push you just to the level of optimal alertness, behavioral and cognitive performance.”, said Daniela Kaufer, associate professor of integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley. Having a little amount of stress can push us to accomplish our goals. People needed to know the difference between acute, chronic, and good stress. Knowing the type of stress you had can help you identify your solution.

Every problem usually has a solution, every solution usually lowers our stress. There are many activities that can lower our stress. These activities can be sports, talking to friends, playing games, and etc. Emma Stone is one of the most famous actresses, she acts, La La Land, The Amazing Spider-man, and etc. She had an anxiety problem when she was younger. Emma started going to see therapy, which helped her overcome her anxiety. (theladder.com). Seeking help can make your life easier in the future. When trying to handle stress by yourself can be difficult. Ask a friend, mentor, family, or a person that you can trust about your stress. This can lower your stress.

Teenage stress levels have risen up in the past decade. Stress is when our body’s reaction to a challenge. Our function works differently when under stress. Anybody could have stress once in their lifetime, it does matter who you are.