Study on Psychological Stress and Lower Back Pain
Researchers at Ohio State University have found evidence linking psychological stress with the development of lower back pain, especially in people with introverted personality types.
Researchers at Ohio State University conducted a study with 25 college student volunteers. The students were asked to wear a device that monitored motion and measured stresses on the spine while lifting 25-pound boxes. Spinal measurements were taken under two different conditions. First, students lifted the 25-pound boxes while receiving positive comments, and then they were asked to lift the same boxes while receiving negative criticism.
During the negative criticism test, the introverted students' spinal compression showed an increase of 14%, and sideways forces on the spine increased by 27%. The introverted students actually changed the way they used their muscles, making lifting more mechanically stressful. In contrast, extroverted students did not allow the negative criticism to affect their muscles.
Implications for Workplace Stress Management
Organizational psychologists have long believed that employees who experience workplace stress are more likely to develop physical health problems than employees not subject to workplace stress. Now, there is additional evidence demonstrating the role stress plays in employee health.
Further research needs to be conducted to confirm whether employees in an actual workplace setting also change how they use their muscles when receiving negative criticism. In the interim, employers should strongly consider introducing stress reduction methods within their organization today.
Recommendations for Organizational Leaders
Leaders within organizations may want to consider providing training to their managers and supervisors on how to provide employees with helpful/supportive feedback versus giving negative criticism. Additionally, organizational leaders may want to assess the overall stress levels within their organization. A stress analysis employee survey is a useful tool to determine if an organization is creating too much stress for employees to manage successfully. Organizations need to be mindful that intermittent stress can improve employee performance, but overwhelming or constant stress can decrease overall performance.
From India, Gurgaon
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675Researchers at Ohio State University have found evidence linking psychological stress with the development of lower back pain, especially in people with introverted personality types.
Researchers at Ohio State University conducted a study with 25 college student volunteers. The students were asked to wear a device that monitored motion and measured stresses on the spine while lifting 25-pound boxes. Spinal measurements were taken under two different conditions. First, students lifted the 25-pound boxes while receiving positive comments, and then they were asked to lift the same boxes while receiving negative criticism.
During the negative criticism test, the introverted students' spinal compression showed an increase of 14%, and sideways forces on the spine increased by 27%. The introverted students actually changed the way they used their muscles, making lifting more mechanically stressful. In contrast, extroverted students did not allow the negative criticism to affect their muscles.
Implications for Workplace Stress Management
Organizational psychologists have long believed that employees who experience workplace stress are more likely to develop physical health problems than employees not subject to workplace stress. Now, there is additional evidence demonstrating the role stress plays in employee health.
Further research needs to be conducted to confirm whether employees in an actual workplace setting also change how they use their muscles when receiving negative criticism. In the interim, employers should strongly consider introducing stress reduction methods within their organization today.
Recommendations for Organizational Leaders
Leaders within organizations may want to consider providing training to their managers and supervisors on how to provide employees with helpful/supportive feedback versus giving negative criticism. Additionally, organizational leaders may want to assess the overall stress levels within their organization. A stress analysis employee survey is a useful tool to determine if an organization is creating too much stress for employees to manage successfully. Organizations need to be mindful that intermittent stress can improve employee performance, but overwhelming or constant stress can decrease overall performance.
From India, Gurgaon
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This view is consistent with my experience on the general health of employees—i.e., a supportive and positive work environment has a positive effect on employees' self-esteem and well-being (both physical and psychological). On the other hand, unsupportive workplaces where criticism is the norm have a detrimental impact on employee performance, well-being, and work attendance.
Regards, Bernard
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Regards, Bernard
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Workplace environment & its impact on employee performance.pdf
STRESS MANAGEMENT.ppt