Positive and Negative Affective Outcomes of Occupational Stress.

Occupational stress is a significant problem throughout the industrialised world. The prevalence of occupational stress is increasing and the negative consequences of stress for individual health and wellbeing are increasing. This attention to the negative aspects of stress is, however, one sided. Stress, if negotiated appropriately, can produce positive responses and outcomes (Nelson & Simmons, 2003). The present research returned to the original stress conceptualisation as proposed by Selye (1976) and addressed the positive affective response to the stress process, 'eustress'. One hundred and forty four employees from three New Zealand organizations completed a survey that assessed cognitive appraisals and coping processes used to deal with a stressful work-related event. Using structural equation modelling, a model was posited that proposed that appraisal and coping processes would be the precursors of work-related distress and eustress. The precursors of eustress were the appraisal of a demand as a challenge and the use of task-focused coping strategies. Distress was related to threat appraisals and emotion-focused coping strategies. Results suggested that the model fit was reasonable and the hypothesised paths were all statistically significant and in the correct direction. The implications for the management of work-related stress are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]