Effect of a brief stress management intervention on work-related stress in employees of Isfahan Steel Company, Iran

Abstract

• BACKGROUND: Work-related stress has increased during recent years throughout the world as well as in developing countries. Studies demonstrate that Work-related stress can have a negative effect on the quality of life, productivity, and as a result lead to considerable socioeconomic consequences. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of a brief stress management intervention on work-related stress in employees of Isfahan Steel Company in Iran.
• METHODS: A quasi-experimental design was used to compare the intervention group with the control group. Eighty-eight employees of Blast Furnaces were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 44) and control groups (n = 44) and completed Occupational Role Questionnaire before and after A brief three-session CB (Cognitive behavioral) stress management.
• RESULTS: After the intervention significant differences were detected between the control and intervention groups in role overloud, role insufficiency, role boundary, and responsibility but not in role ambiguity and physical environment
• CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that the brief stress management intervention can be considered as a preliminary education for employees to develop skills to cope with role overloud, role insufficiency, role boundary, and responsibility, which are some of the factors of work-related stress.
• KEYWORDS: Workplace, Psychological Stress, Cognitive Therapy, Iran