Technological Dependency, Role Stress, and Strain.

This study grew out of interest in how occupational role stress, moderated by personality, affects health--particularly in the area of coronary heart disease. People in organizations are now asking how occupational role demands and technological developments affect employee health. This study examined the effects of an impending shutdown of the computer center at a major university on the user's anxiety and pulse rate levels. The effects of stress on strain were hypothesized to be accentuated for the hard-driving, Type A, "coronary" personality. Examination of the mean levels of strain during the impending shutdown showed that the levels of anxiety-tension and pulse rate were significantly higher during the shutdown period. The differences in stress and strain supported the contention that the period of the impending shutdown was a trying one, and that it did have an effect on the well-being of the computer systems' users. The report summarizes analyses of the actual relationships between the changes in perceived stresses and changes in affective and physiological state. (Author/PC)