Stress caused by an economic crisis is such that it is directly associated with a marked increase in heart attacks, depression and burnout among the population.
These findings emerge from studies in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries in recent years by Dr. Tores Theorell, professor emeritus of psychosocial and environmental medicine at the Institute Karolinska1-2. It was one of the speakers present at the Symposium of mental health at work which has involved hundreds of researchers, business representatives and workers.3.
The economic crisis of the early 1990s and the one we saw being led to the departure of thousands of Swedish workers on sick leave, says Dr. Theorell3.
"In this difficult context, the stress rises considerably and takes several forms, demonstrates Tores Theorell. Companies are reorganizing, they push their employees to produce more and create an overload. Under stress, these employees lose confidence in their ways and eventually crack and suffer from depression or burnout. "
The solution: educate managers
The situation has forced the Swedish government to act. In 1991, he voted an amendment to the Act on the working environment. Now, companies would have to promote a safe work environment, both psychologically and physiologically.
A social project which has attracted strong support from employers, says Tores Theorell, despite some holdouts who have provided action plans without actually comply.
The researcher observed a general reduction of attrition rate on sick leave. He said the establishment of outreach programs to stress for managers give excellent results.
Dr. Theorell presented at the symposium, the results of an ongoing study. With his research team he has followed a group of 120 managers in training on stress management for 12 to 18 months.
In the first group, the program included traditional interventions. In the second, managers using an artistic approach. Background music, they were invited to express their impressions of poetry related to difficult ethical situations. The participants met monthly to discuss their progress.
Decreased rates of stress hormones was noted in both groups. The results are even more marked in the group with the artistic approach.
"We need to urge managers to engage in training and awareness, the specialist again. A boss organized, efficient, attentive and committed to his employees helps to reduce stress in his team, "says the researcher.
These findings emerge from studies in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries in recent years by Dr. Tores Theorell, professor emeritus of psychosocial and environmental medicine at the Institute Karolinska1-2. It was one of the speakers present at the Symposium of mental health at work which has involved hundreds of researchers, business representatives and workers.3.
The economic crisis of the early 1990s and the one we saw being led to the departure of thousands of Swedish workers on sick leave, says Dr. Theorell3.
"In this difficult context, the stress rises considerably and takes several forms, demonstrates Tores Theorell. Companies are reorganizing, they push their employees to produce more and create an overload. Under stress, these employees lose confidence in their ways and eventually crack and suffer from depression or burnout. "
The solution: educate managers
The situation has forced the Swedish government to act. In 1991, he voted an amendment to the Act on the working environment. Now, companies would have to promote a safe work environment, both psychologically and physiologically.
A social project which has attracted strong support from employers, says Tores Theorell, despite some holdouts who have provided action plans without actually comply.
The researcher observed a general reduction of attrition rate on sick leave. He said the establishment of outreach programs to stress for managers give excellent results.
Dr. Theorell presented at the symposium, the results of an ongoing study. With his research team he has followed a group of 120 managers in training on stress management for 12 to 18 months.
In the first group, the program included traditional interventions. In the second, managers using an artistic approach. Background music, they were invited to express their impressions of poetry related to difficult ethical situations. The participants met monthly to discuss their progress.
Decreased rates of stress hormones was noted in both groups. The results are even more marked in the group with the artistic approach.
"We need to urge managers to engage in training and awareness, the specialist again. A boss organized, efficient, attentive and committed to his employees helps to reduce stress in his team, "says the researcher.
No comments:
Post a Comment