Stressors and coping at work : what influences how we feel and what we do?

This paper discusses the variables that influence individuals’ cognitive appraisals of the stress process. Specifically, occupational stress research has highlighted the relationship between cognitive appraisal and the perception of stressors and coping strategies employed. However, existing lit...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chua, Yi Xian, Ong, Natalie SiYing, Tan, Samuel Hon Meng
Other Authors: Kenichi Ito
Format: Final Year Project
Language:English
Published: 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10356/60332
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Institution: Nanyang Technological University
Language: English
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Summary:This paper discusses the variables that influence individuals’ cognitive appraisals of the stress process. Specifically, occupational stress research has highlighted the relationship between cognitive appraisal and the perception of stressors and coping strategies employed. However, existing literature remains unclear as to what influences individuals’ cognitive appraisals. Utilizing the transactional model of stress proposed by Lazarus and Folkman (1984), this paper explores and ascertains that individual differences (socioeconomic status, gender, Type A/B, and self-efficacy) and environmental characteristics (situation-dependent control and social support) influence the cognitive appraisal of stressors and coping strategies. Implications of current findings emphasize the need for more research to investigate possible variables which influence cognitive appraisals. Finally, in line with the existing research, individual-focused and workplace-focused interventions are recommended to help employees modify their cognitive appraisals in relation to job stressors.