NCJ Number
60578
Date Published
1977
Length
239 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOK EXAMINES SOURCES OF STRESS ACTING ON MALE MANAGERS OF ORGANIZATIONS AND SUGGESTS MEANS OF DEALING WITH THEM.
Abstract
STRESS, LONG CONSIDERED A CONTRIBUTOR TO PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ILL HEALTH, IS DEFINED AS THE FORCE GENERATED WITHIN A PERSON BY EXTERNAL FORCES. ANY RESULTING PHYSICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTION IS CONSIDERED A STRAIN. VARIOUS WAYS OF UNDERSTANDING STRESS ARE EXAMINED AND LITERATURE ABOUT STRESS IS REVIEWED. THE MANAGER'S MAJOR STRESS SOURCES INCLUDE HIS RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE ORGANIZATION, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, THE MAKEUP OF HIS ORGANIZATION, CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE JOB AND FAMILY OR PRIVATE INTERESTS, HIS CHARACTER, AND WORK CONDITIONS SUCH AS WORKLOAD OR PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS. A PERSON ENVIRONMENTAL-FIT MODEL OR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL AND HIS NEEDS, TRAITS, AND HIS ENVIRONMENT, IS APPLIED TO THE MANAGER IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS. A POOR FIT INDICATES STRESS, AND STRESS PROFILES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MANAGEMENT JOBS ARE DISCUSSED. POSSIBLE PROBLEMS AND CONFLICTS BETWEEN WORK AND HOME LIFE ALSO ARE CONSIDERED. THE BOOK FINDS THAT THE MANAGER'S JOB TENDS TO DOMINATE HIS HOME LIFE AND DICTATE HOW HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN WILL STRUCTURE THEIR LIVES. IN ADDITION TO DIVERTING TIME AND ENERGY FROM HIS FAMILY TO HIS JOB, THE MANAGER REQUIRES GREAT SUPPORT FROM HIS FAMILY; THERE IS USUALLY A TACIT AGREEMENT BETWEEN HIM AND HIS WIFE THAT SHE WILL SUPPORT AND PROTECT HIM WHILE HE PROVIDES MONEY AND STATUS. VARIOUS WAYS THE MANAGER'S WIFE MAY STRUCTURE HER LIFE AND HER CONFLICTS AND STRESSES ALSO ARE DISCUSSED. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE EFFECTS OF RELOCATION ON MANAGERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, HOW TO MANAGE STRESS, AND SOME PROBLEMS IN STRESS RESEARCH. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND CHARTS ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)