Stress Management

Stress Management
Author: Wolfgang Linden
Publisher: SAGE
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2004-10-05
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1452238669

Praise for Stress Management "The author is correct in saying that the stress management field is a ′soft′ one, lacking a strong theoretical foundation, and therefore lacking good studies of efficacy and long term outcome. Certainly any publication that would improve on this situation is to be welcomed. . . . Strengths are the systematic approach to the topic. The attempt to ground scientifically the issue of stress management will appeal greatly to the more discerning student of clinical psychology and applied health psychology. It will provide a sufficiently academic approach to the topic that it will find acceptance in courses on the topic." -William R. Lovallo, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center & Director, Behavioral Sciences Laboratory, VA Medical Centers, Oklahoma City Most of the literature on stress management describes and evaluates individual stress responses but lacks a critical view of the scientific foundation of stress. In order to truly comprehend stress management, there needs to be clear understanding on the phenomenon that is "to be managed." Stress Management: From Basic Science to Better Practice examines documented pathways between stress and health and develops the scientific foundations for sound interventions. The book begins with a broad review of the term ′stress′ and its importance for health. The text then provides a critical examination of the elements of the stress process, extracts supporting research for a rationale of stress management and describes various stress management techniques and their effectiveness. In Stress Management, author and renowned stress researcher Wolfgang Linden reviews the literature on intervention outcomes, noting weaknesses that include an overemphasis on individual rather than societal responsibility for stress and coping and disregard of the emerging field of positive psychology. The author concludes the text with a proposed distinction between psychotherapy and stress management, and he proposes the need for three distinguishable subtypes of stress management programs-a systematic-preventative approach; a broad-based stress vaccination and prevention type of protocol; and a reactive, problem-solving type of stress reduction intervention. Key Features Begins with a firm groundwork in defining stress and examining conceptual models of stress to set the stage for rational, science-based thinking on how to manage it Introduces a unique three-step process model for stress management Considers physiological and sociocultural influences on stress and health Offers an objective analysis of existing literature and includes extensive personal, clinical experiences of the author to make the science of stress come alive for the reader Includes coverage of positive psychology and how the creation of social support and positive emotional states can ease experiences with stress Stress Management is an excellent textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses, such as Stress Management, Stress & Coping, Stress & Health, and Stress & Wellness, in the fields of Psychology and Health. The book is also a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians within the behavioral sciences interested in understanding and alleviating stress.

Behind the Badge

Behind the Badge
Author: Sharon M. Freeman Clevenger
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 288
Release: 2014-11-13
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 131759357X

This volume is the logical follow-up to the military treatment handbook: Living and Surviving in Harm’s Way. Sharon Freeman Clevenger, Laurence Miller, Bret Moore, and Arthur Freeman return with this dynamic handbook ideal for law enforcement agencies interested in the psychological health of their officers. Contributors include law enforcement officers with diverse experiences, making this handbook accessible to readers from law enforcement backgrounds. This authoritative, comprehensive, and critical volume on the psychological aspects of police work is a must for anyone affiliated with law enforcement.

Preventing Stress, Improving Productivity

Preventing Stress, Improving Productivity
Author: Cary Cooper
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 365
Release: 2012-11-12
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1134708297

In a representative study made of European workers, twenty-eight per cent of employees reported that stress affects their health and their performance at work. Occupational stress is a serious problem for the performance of individuals, organisations and as a consequence, for national economies. Preventing Stress, Improving Productivity investigates the ways in which companies can combat stress by changing the working environment rather than only treating individual employees with stress symptoms. Costs and benefits of stress prevention are discussed, with an emphasis on appraoches that involve both the work situation and the individual worker. The heart of the book consists of eleven European country chapters, each overviewing the current status with respect to occupational stress and its prevention in that country and then presenting one detailed case study an example of good preventive practice. Preventing Stress, Improving Productivity identifies five factors that are critical for a stress reduction programme to work, both in terms of employee health and well-being and from a financial point of view. Successful strategies combine participation from workers and support from top management. Useful as a reference for psychologists, human resource managers, occupational physicians, ergonomists and consultants, this book will also be an invaluable aid to managers in the day-to-day running of organisations.

An Evaluation of a Community-based Stress Management Pilot Program

An Evaluation of a Community-based Stress Management Pilot Program
Author: Molly Vetter-Smith
Publisher:
Total Pages: 174
Release: 2011
Genre: Electronic Dissertations
ISBN:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a University of Missouri Extension pilot program, Taking Care of You: Body-Mind-Spirit, in improving perceived stress and lifestyle behaviors compared to a strength training program. The pilot program included positive psychology research-based strategies with a strong focus on mindfulness. Participants of both programs completed surveys at baseline (time 0) (n = 477), immediately following (time 1) (n = 390) and three months following the programs (time 2) (n = 299). Surveys assessed participants' perceived stress levels and lifestyle behaviors. Too few tobacco users were identified for this outcome measure to be included in the analyses. Participants of both program groups showed significant improvements in stress levels and health promoting lifestyle behaviors from time 0 to time 1. However, improvements in health promoting lifestyle behaviors, with the exception of physical activity and social health behaviors, from time 0 to time 1 were significantly greater for the participants of the pilot program. The pilot program showed significantly greater improvements across all three timepoints and from time 0 to time 2 for all outcome measures with the exception of physical activity and social health behaviors. Participants of both programs significantly maintained improvements made as a result their program participation. This study adds to the limited amount research evaluating the effectiveness of stress management programs in improving health behaviors.