Developing Stress Management Programs
The effectiveness of stress management programs depends on such factors as income and poverty levels in the society, among others. Researchers have undertaken studies on stress that negatively affects the destitute rural regions of South Africa. According to Crouch (2008), incapacity confronts poor people with distressingly constrained options in the region. The researcher states that stressful conditions are often worsened by the lack of opportunities due to poverty.
Stress management programs differ but have common tendencies in their techniques. Certain techniques were explored in Gazankulu, Limpopo, South Africa, based on programs from developed countries. One of the programs used was the physical approach. The program attempted to offset stress through balanced diet, exercise and relaxation. The researchers also used the cognitive approach that addressed stress management by focusing on behavioral perspectives. In addition, they adopted the combination approach. The program gave the participants a comprehensive knowledge of physical, practical, and cognitive stress management methods. Finally, they adopted a practical creative activity based program, which is a new concept in stress management (Crouch, 2008).
Introduction of a New Concept in Stress Management
Some researchers have not supported the use of practical and creative activities as stress management techniques. However, it is possible that creative activities can relieve stress successfully. Crouch (2008) has provided useful links between alleviation of stress and use of practical creative activities. She says that the health status of an individual is determined by what he/she does. Creative activities should enhance psychosocial functioning. The article supports the views of researchers who have defined creativity as the ability to work independently without conscientiousness of self. Individuals undertaking creative activities usually act more freely than those who depend on conventional stress management approaches. Factors that motivate people to use creative activities in stress management include low-cost, ease in use of trouble-free and familiar roles, and the availability materials (Crouch, 2008).
Research Design
To achieve explicit hypotheses, researchers isolated extraneous variables and put them under control, collected data using a standardized procedure, and arrived at the conclusion by following statistical procedures. The research was carried out with four groups of participants. All the participants were exposed to programs that reduce stress.
The Experiment Procedure
Participants’ level of stress was measured through questionnaire 1. Psychosocial and environment stressors were measured using questionnaire 2. The questionnaires resulted from an intense literature research. They were used once with each participant. Nine experts who executed the programs allocated all the four participants the stress management programs randomly. The experts were randomly assigned to the four conditions and took turns in executing the different plans. Six of the nine experts underwent training in the three stress management techniques. The remaining three experts underwent training in Creative Activity Program. The participants were volunteers (Crouch, 2008).
Results and Conclusion
Results of the questionnaires illustrated that all the four experimental teams achieved a considerable reduction in the intensity of stress at the p<0.001 level (Crouch, 2008). Therefore, the techniques of managing stress were effective. Nevertheless, the experiment programs showed varied success levels. It was noted that the program that incorporated exercise, relation, and information on diet and nutrition techniques generated the best results. Notably, participants who showed positive results had job related stress.
Additionally, the program with physical exercise, nutrition and relation, and cognitive behavioral approaches to stress management also provided excellent results. However, the program proved unsustainable after four weeks. Therefore, a combination of the two most effective programs is commendable for creating an effective community- based stress management program (Crouch, 2008).
Stress Reducing Interventions
Research indicates that employees often evaluate changes in organizations negatively. On the other hand, individuals commonly seek ways to best cope with stressors, depending on their assessment of the situation. The Model of Occupational Stress groups work related stressors into six classes. These classes are the intrinsic to the job, home/work interface, and career development groups. Others include role in the organization, organizational structure, and relationships at work. Researchers have indicated that interventions targeted at groups are highly effective (Dalgren and Gard, 2009).
A participatory action approach of research is essential. It involves diagnosis, planning, action taking, assessment, and learning. It can lead to the development of essential skills in problem solving. It incorporates the principle of action research that can reduce negative effects related with values, skills, control, and politics, among other factors. Action research is essential because it is participatory, cooperative, a co-learning process, and achieves balance between research and action. It also involves system development and an effective empowering process.
Participatory job change is a reversal of universal management policies by increasing participation in decision-making and social interaction at work. It implies improved experiences of commitment and satisfaction at work. The leaning opportunities can promote positive health effects of a stress intervention. Researchers reviewed stress-decreasing interventions at organizational levels and on groups to find out the relevance of the interventions (Dalgren and Gard, 2009).
Method of Study
Researchers carried out a literature review and selected 113 articles. However, they reviewed 29 of them. The reviewed articles fulfilled the approved inclusion criteria (Dalgren and Gard, 2009).
Method of Analysis
Intervention studies were ranked from levels one to three. They were also grouped into observational study setups that were ranked depending on four levels. Experts guided learners to use their own authority to assess outcomes, select proper methods, and define the work and conditions presented in the research.
Results
Ten intervention studies were successful and ranked on level four, as they presented the most impressive results. Seven of them were ranked on level three. They presented impressive results too. The effectiveness of the outcomes rose as the participation level rose from level one through to four (Dalgren and Gard, 2009).
The most effective results were achieved by the use of different study designs such as randomized trials, natural experiments, or cross- sectional designs. Action research and participatory action research produced the best results. They were used in 14 studies. The strategies that focused on participation between workers reflected on how to reduce stress at work and developed new methods that helped improve effectiveness. Integration between research and implementation is another significant reason for effective intervention studies at organizational level. This was indicated by the success in setting processes in action and permitting workers to determine the type of changes that occurred (Dalgren and Gard, 2009).
Conclusion
Action research and participatory research design are the best designs for accomplishing stress reduction. Organizations with supportive supervisors and managers and stress reduction processes are highly productive. Studies with the best results came from organizations that embrace effective leadership principles. The organizations had employed groups that identified work constraints and implemented action plans by using problem based learning methods. At least six teams performed excellently because they met the highest participation level. They engaged in official problem solving activities. At the same time, four were highly creative and achieved the highest criteria of learning. Therefore, organizations can create stress-reducing models and enhance productivity.
References
Crouch, R. B. (2008). A Community Based Stress Management Programme for an Impoverished Population in South Africa. Occupational Therapy International, 15(2), 71-86.
Dalgren, A. S., & Gard, G. E. (2009). Soft Values With Hard Impact- A Review of Stress Reducing Interventions on Group and Organizational Level. Physical Therapy Reviews, 14(6), 369-379.