Course aims:

To understand and manage sources of professional stress.
To distinguish the main ways of classifying stress
Describe the mechanism of stress formation

Course Entry Requirements:

-

Course contents:

I. Stress concept Historical presentation, definition II. Factors of professional stress and their influence. Classification of stress generating factors. Stress factors at the organizational-management level. Stress factors at operational level III. Effects of stress over the person Effects at the biological, behavioural, affective and cognitive level IV. Mechanisms for stress adaptation Defence and coping mechanisms: a comparison. Efficient adaptation vs difficulties in adaptation; analysis of the consequences over the person V. Theoretical perspectives about adaptation to stress Attributions, locus of control, cognitive distortions and their effects. Coping styles VI. Strategies for stress management Prevention strategies. Strategies for cognitive intervention, relaxation techniques, changing the coping style, assertive training, time management. VII. Stress management in organizations Prevention of stress in organizations. Reduction of professional stress: organizational intervention and change

Teaching methods:

Lecture, conversation, exemplification.

Learning outcomes:

Ability to understand sources of professional stress  Ability to make an intervention plan for prevention or reduction of professional stress in organizations

Learning outcomes verification and assessment criteria:

Written paper – interpretative essay – 80%; continuous assessment – 20%.

Recommended reading:

Cavalcanti, Leandro, and Sofia Azevedo, Psychology of Stress New Research, Nova Science Publishers, New York, 2013, 179.
Clarke, Sharon,, Managing the Risk of Workplace Stress: Health and Safety Hazards, Routledge, London, 2004, 13.
Fairweather, Alan, How to Be a Motivational Manager: An Essential Guide for Leaders and Managers Who Need to Get Fast Results with Minimum Stress, Howtobooks, Tavistock, 2007, 178.