This research explores the application of the transactional model of stress to a
work setting and considers the results within the context of new directions for
stress management programs. Two issues are important. The first is that a
transactional approach offers a very different perspective on work stress from
traditional approaches. The second is that debate about the transactional
model is more to do with how best it should be applied to a work setting than
about the model itself. Measures of the individual processes (primary and
secondary appraisal) at the core of the transactional model are discussed and
the results of using such instruments are considered in terms of their explan
atory potential. The implications of such findings raise a number of issues for
stress management programs. These include the need to pay particular atten
tion to the meaning individuals give to events, to provide adequate coping
resources and to take into account issues such as power and control.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Briner, R.B. (1996) Making occupational stress management interventions work: The role of assessment. Paper presented at the Annual British Psychological Society, Occupational Psychology Conference .
2.
Brief, A.P. and George, J.M. (1991) Psychological stress and the workplace: A brief comment on Lazarus' outlook. In P.L. Perrewé (ed.), Handbook on job stress [Special Issue]
3.
, Journal of Social Behaviour and Personality, 6: 15-20.
4.
Dewe, P.J. (1997) The transactional model of stress: Some empirical findings and implications for stress management programmes. Department of Human Resource Management, Working Paper Series. Palmerston North, NZ: Massey University.
5.
Dewe, P.J. (1994) EAPs and stress management: From theory to practice to comprehensiveness. Personnel Review, 23: 21-32.
6.
Dewe, P.J. (1993) Measuring primary appraisal: Scale construction and directions for future research. Journal of Social Behaviour and Personality, 8: 673-86.
7.
Dewe, P.J. (1992a) The appraisal process: Exploring the role of meaning, importance, control and coping in work stress. Anxiety, Stress and Coping, 5: 95-109.
8.
Dewe, P.J. (1992b) Applying the concept of appraisal to work stressors: Some exploratory analysis: Human Relations, 45: 143-64.
9.
Dewe, P.J. (1991) Primary appraisal, secondary appraisal and coping: Their role in stressful work encounters. Journal of Occupational Psychology, 64: 331-51.
10.
Dewe, P.J. (1989) Developing stress management programmes. What can we learn from recent research? Journal of Occupational Health and Safety-Australia and New Zealand, 5: 493-99.
11.
Dewe, P.J. and Guest, D.E. (1990) Methods of coping with stress at work: A conceptual analysis and empirical study of measurement issues. Journal of Organisational Behaviour, 11: 135-50.
12.
Eulberg, J.R., Weekley, J.A. and Bhagat, R.S. (1988) Models of stress in organisational research: A meta-theoretical perspective. Human Relations, 41: 331-50.
13.
Folkman, S. (1982) An approach to the measurement of coping. Journal of Occupational Behaviour, 3: 95-107.
14.
Folkman, S. (1984) Personal control and stress and coping processes: A theoretical analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46: 839-52.
15.
Folkman, S., Lazarus, R.S., Cruen, R.T. and DeLongis, A. (1986) Appraisal, coping, health status and psychological symptoms. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50: 571-9.
16.
Handy, J.A. (1986) Considering organisations in organisational stress research. Bulletin of the British Psychological Society, 41: 351-69.
17.
Harris, J.R. (1991) The utility of the transactional approach for occupational stress research. In P.L. Perrewé (ed.), Handbook on job stress [Special Issue]
18.
, Journal of Social Behaviour and Personality, 6: 21-9.
19.
Holroyd, K.A. and Lazarus, R.A. (1982) Stress, coping and somatic adaptation. In L. Goldberger and S. Breznitz (eds), Handbook of stress: Theoretical and clinical aspects (pp. 21-35). New York: Free Press .
20.
House, R.J. & Rizzo, J.R. (1972) Role conflict and ambiguity as critical variables in a model of organisational behaviour. Organisational Behaviour and Human Performance, 7: 467-505.
21.
Kanner, A.D., Kafry, D. and Pines, A. (1978) Conspicuous in its absence: The lack of positive conditions as a source of stress. Journal of Human Stress , 4: 33-8.
22.
Latack, J.C. and Havlovic, S.J. (1992) Coping with job stress: A conceptual evaluation framework for coping measures. Journal of Organisational Behaviour , 13: 479-508.
Lazarus, R.S. (1991) Psychological stress in the workplace. In P.L. Perrewé (ed.), Handbook on job stress [Special Issue]
25.
, Journal of Social Behaviour and Personality, 6: 1-13.
26.
Lazarus, R.S. and Launier, R. (1978) Stress-related transactions between person and environment. In L.A. Pervin and M. Lewis (eds), Perspectives in international psychology (pp. 287-327). New York: Plenum .
27.
Newton, T.J. (1989) Occupational stress and coping with stress: A critique . Human Relations, 42: 441-61.
28.
Orlans, V. (1986) The trainer's role in stress management and prevention . Journal of European Industrial Training, 10: 3-5.
29.
Payne, R.L., Jick, T.D. and Burke, R.J. (1982) Wither stress research? An agenda for the 1980's . Journal of Occupational Behaviour, 3: 131-45.
30.
Sutherland, V.J. and Cooper, C.L. (1988) Sources of work stress. In J.J. Hurrell, L.R. Murphy, S.L. Sauter and C.L. Cooper (eds), Occupational stress: Issues and developments in research (pp. 3-40). London: Taylor and Francis.
31.
Wolfgang, A.P. (1991) Job stress, coping and dissatisfaction in the health professions: A comparison of nurses and pharmacists. In P.L. Perrewé (ed.), Handbook on job stress [Special Issues]
32.
, Journal of Social Behaviour and Personality, 6: 213-26.
