Testing a stress management course in a factory environment

Abstract

Stress plays an important role in our human existence and is instrumental in our day-to-day interactions with our environment. Stress is necessary in order for us to adapt to the constant changes taking place in our socio-psycho-spiritual and economic environment. It helps us to remain alert in the face of new threats and challenges that we encounter in our daily lives. Due to the industrialized structure of our western society, our lifestyle has become more complex and demanding, which causes us to be constantly on the alert but without having the appropriate means of outlet. The needed physical activity accompanied by stress needs to be expressed in order to be kept in check. Otherwise, overexposure to stress may lead to ill health. The aim of this research is that of investigating if a particular Stress Management Course can be of help in reducing the level of stress caused by work, home and environmental stressors. A population of female married shop-floor factory workers who have children was selected. After having their stress level assessed, the participants were divided into two groups, the experimental group and control group. The experimental group was to undergo a Stress Management Course consisting of a series of six sessions that were oriented to raise awareness of stress and provide skills to cope with daily life stressors. The control group did not undergo this course. At the end of the intervention both groups were re tested and their post-test stress level was compared with the baseline measurements obtained in the pre-test. The findings strongly suggest that the Stress Management Course had a positive effect on the participants who were exposed to the intervention. Statistics, however, were not significant, unsurprisingly, given the small sample. The information and skills obtained from the research can be applied in a generalist and specialist social work setting.