Stress Factors and Stress Management Interventions: the Heuristic of “Bottom Up” an Update From a Systematic Review

Organizations have increasingly sought to adopt innovative interventions to prevent stress-related issues. In the field of manufacturing, however, the effectiveness of these interventions remains unclear because a systematic and specific review of existing primary evidence has not been undertaken. The present systematic literature review sought to address the foregoing limitation in the literature by summarizing the main source of stress and effectiveness of stress management interventions as grounded in the context of manufacturing. Our review was limited to only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies and concerned employees from the manufacturing sector. Twenty-two studies on primary, secondary and tertiary interventions across four continents (Asia, Europe, USA and South America) were selected and analyzed in terms of stress factors, methodological properties and outcomes. Most of these were RCT studies (68% Vs 32%) with a majority of secondary interventions (N = 11, 50%), followed by primary (N = 5, 22%), tertiary (N = 3, 13%), and two (9%) mixed interventions. The main outcomes included an improvement of psychological wellbeing, decreased stress reactivity and an increment of general health. There was a predominance of interventions utilizing skills programs and/or cognitive-behavioral techniques. The main source of stress reported related to professional identity, organizational deficiencies, interpersonal conflicts, physical complaints and poor work environment. Taken together, the findings provide important theoretical and practical implications for advancing the study of stress factors and the use of stress management interventions in the workplace. The prerequisite for a successful intervention is to address the real problems experienced by professionals and help them to cope with their difficult situations. The strategy of “bottom-up” offers a potential means of enhancing employees’ health and well-being; however, the most effective means of implementing these interventions needs to be understood better.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

• Get 10 units per month
• Download Article/Chapter or eBook
• 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
• Cancel anytime

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (France)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Rent this article via DeepDyve

Similar content being viewed by others

Stress Management Interventions: Reflections

Stress Management and Resilience Building

Enhancing well-being: evaluating the impact of stress management interventions for IT professionals in the workplace

References

• Basnet, P., Gurung, S., Pal, R., Kar, S., & Bharati, D. R. (2010). Occupational stress among tunnel workers in Sikkim. Industrial Psychiatry Journal, 19(1), 13–19. ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
• Bhat, P. S., Chopra, V., Mehta, S. G., Srivastava, K., Kumar, S. R., & Prakash, J. (2012). Psychological benefits of yoga in industrial workers. Industrial Psychiatry Journal, 21(2), 98–103. ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
• Blonk, R. W., Brenninkmeijer, V., Lagerveld, S. E., & Houtman, I. L. (2006). Return to work: a comparison of two cognitive behavioural interventions in cases of work-related psychological complaints among the self-employed. Work and Stress, 20(2), 129–144. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Briner, R. B., & Reynolds, S. (1999). The costs, benefits, and limitations of organizational level stress interventions. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 20(5), 647–664. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Calogiuri, G., Evensen, K., Weydahl, A., Andersson, K., Patil, G., Ihlebæk, C., & Raanaas, R. K. (2016). Green exercise as a workplace intervention to reduce job stress. Results from a pilot study. Work, 53(1), 99–111. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Carson, J., & Kuipers, E. (1998). Stress management interventions. In S. Hardy, J. Carson, & B. Thomas (Eds.), Occupational stress: Personal and professional approaches (pp. 157–174). London: Stanley Thornes Ltd. Google Scholar
• Cartwright, S., & Cooper, C. L. (1997). Managing workplace stress. Thousand Oaks: Sage. Google Scholar
• Chan, I. Y. S., Leung, M. Y., & Liu, A. M. M. (2016). Occupational health management system: a study of expatriate construction professionals. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 93(8), 280–290. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Choobineh, A., Motamedzade, M., Kazemi, M., Moghimbeigi, A., & Pahlavian, A. H. (2011). The impact of ergonomics intervention on psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 41(6), 671–676. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Cohen, S. (1980). After effects of stress on human performance and social behavior: a review of research and theory. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 82–108. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24(4), 386–396. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Cooper, C. L., & Marshall, J. (2013). Occupational sources of stress: A review of the literature relating to coronary heart disease and mental Ill health. In C. L. Cooper (Ed.), From stress to wellbeing volume 1 (pp. 3–23). London: Palgrave Macmillan. ChapterGoogle Scholar
• Cooper, C. L., Dewe, P. J., & O'Driscoll, M. P. (2001). Organizational stress: A review and critique of theory, research, and applications. Thousand Oaks: Sage. Google Scholar
• Corbière, M., Shen, J., Rouleau, M., & Dewa, C. S. (2009). A systematic review of preventive interventions regarding mental health issues in organizations. Work, 33(1), 81–116. PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Cox, T., & Griffiths, A. (2010). Work-related stress: A theoretical perspective. In S. Leka & J. Houdmont (Eds.), A textbook of occupational health psychology (pp. 31–56). Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. Google Scholar
• Demerouti, E., Van denHeuvel, M., Xanthopoulou, D., Dubbelt, L., & Gordon, H. J. (2017). Job resources as contributors to wellbeing. In C. Cary & Leiter (Eds.), The Routledge Companion to Wellbeing at Work, New York (pp. 269–283).
• Egan, M., Bambra, C., Thomas, S., Petticrew, M., Whitehead, M., & Thomson, H. (2007). The psychosocial and health effects of workplace reorganisation. 1. A systematic review of organisational-level interventions that aim to increase employee control. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 61(11), 945–954. ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
• Eisen, P. K., Allen, G. J., Bollash, M., & Pescatello, L. S. (2008). Stress management in the workplace: a comparison of a computer-based and an in-person stress-management intervention. Computers in Human Behavior, 24(2), 486–496. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Eklöf, M., & Hagberg, M. (2006). Are simple feedback interventions involving workplace data associated with better working environment and health? A cluster randomized controlled study among Swedish VDU workers. Applied Ergonomics, 37(2), 201–210. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Fiedler, F. (1992). Time-based measures of leader experience and organizational performance: a review of research and a preliminary model. The Leadership Quarterly, 3, 5–23. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Flaxman, P. E., & Bond, F. W. (2010). A randomised worksite comparison of acceptance and commitment therapy and stress inoculation training. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 48(8), 816–820. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Granath, J., Ingvarsson, S., von Thiele, U., & Lundberg, U. (2006). Stress management: a randomized study of cognitive behavioural therapy and yoga. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 35(1), 3–10. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: a new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44, 513–524. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Hurrell, J. J., & Murphy, L. R. (1996). Occupational stress intervention. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 29(4), 338–341. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Ivancevich, J. M., Matteson, M. T., Freedman, S. M., & Phillips, J. S. (1990). Worksite stress management interventions. American Psychologist, 45, 252–261. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Jay, K., Brandt, M., Hansen, K., Sundstrup, E., Jakobsen, M. D., Schraefel, M. C., & Andersen, L. L. (2015). Effect of individually tailored biopsychosocial workplace interventions on chronic musculoskeletal pain and stress among laboratory technicians: randomized controlled trial. Pain Physician, 18(5), 459–471. PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Johns, G. (2006). The essential impact of context on organizational behavior. Academy of Management Review, 31, 386–408
• Jonas, B., Leuschner, F., & Tossmann, P. (2017). Efficacy of an internet-based intervention for burnout: a randomized controlled trial in the German working population. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping, 30(2), 133–144. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-based interventions in context: past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 144–156. Google Scholar
• Karasek, R., & Theorell, T. (1992). Healthy work: Stress, productivity, and the reconstruction of working life. New York: Basic books. Google Scholar
• Kim, S. A., Suh, C., Park, M. H., Kim, K., Lee, C. K., Son, B. C., . & Jung, H. (2014). Effectiveness of a comprehensive stress management program to reduce work-related stress in a medium-sized enterprise. Annals of occupational and environmental medicine, 26(1), 4.
• Kobayashi, Y., Kaneyoshi, A., Yokota, A., & Kawakami, N. (2008). Effects of a worker participatory program for improving work environments on job stressors and mental health among workers: a controlled trial. Journal of Occupational Health, 50(6), 455–470. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Kojima, R., Fujisawa, D., Tajima, M., Shibaoka, M., Kakinuma, M., Shima, S., & Yutaka, O. N. O. (2010). Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy training using brief e-mail sessions in the workplace: a controlled clinical trial. Industrial Health, 48(4), 495–502. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Lamontagne, A. D., Keegel, T., Louie, A. M., Ostry, A., & Landsbergis, P. A. (2007). A systematic review of the job-stress intervention evaluation literature, 1990–2005. International Journal ofOccupational andEnvironmental Health, 13(3), 268–280. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer Publishing Company, Inc.. Google Scholar
• Leach, L. S., Poyser, C., & Butterworth, P. (2017). Workplace bullying and the association with suicidal ideation/thoughts and behaviour: a systematic review. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 74(1), 72–79. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• LePine, J., LepPine, M., & Jackson, C. (2004). Challenge and hindrance stress: relationships with exhaustion, motivation to learn, and learning performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 89, 883–891. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Limm, H., Gündel, H., Heinmüller, M., Marten-Mittag, B., Nater, U. M., Siegrist, J., & Angerer, P. (2010). Stress management interventions in the workplace improve stress reactivity: a randomised controlled trial. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 68(2), 126–133. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Lu, L., Megahed, F. M., Sesek, R. F., & Cavuoto, L. A. (2017). A survey of the prevalence of fatigue, its precursors and individual coping mechanisms among US manufacturing workers. Applied Ergonomics, 65(11), 139–151. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Ly, K. H., Asplund, K., & Andersson, G. (2014). Stress management for middle managers via an acceptance and commitment-based smartphone application: a randomized controlled trial. Internet Interventions, 1(3), 95–101. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Milner, A., Page, K., Spencer-Thomas, S., & Lamotagne, A. D. (2015). Workplace suicide prevention: a systematic review of published and unpublished activities. Health Promotion International, 30(1), 29–37. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Mino, Y., Babazono, A., Tsuda, T., & Yasuda, N. (2006). Can stress management at the workplace prevent depression? A randomized controlled trial. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 75(3), 177–182. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Mittal, K., Singh, K., & Sharma, G. (2017). Work-life balance and employee health: a cross-sectional analysis of manufacturing and service sectors. Prabandhan: Indian Journal of Management, 10(7), 34–49. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Nishiuchi, K., Tsutsumi, A., Takao, S., Mineyama, S., & Kawakami, N. (2007). Effects of an education program for stress reduction on supervisor knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in the workplace: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Occupational Health, 49(3), 190–198. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Norder, G., Bültmann, U., Hoedeman, R., Bruin, J. D., van der Klink, J. J., & Roelen, C. A. (2014). Recovery and recurrence of mental sickness absence among production and office workers in the industrial sector. European Journal of Public Health, 25(3), 419–423. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Ormel, J., VonKorff, M., Ustun, T. B., Pini, S., Korten, A., & Oldehinkel, T. (1994). Common mental disorders and disability across cultures: results from the WHO Collaborative Study on Psychological Problems in General Health Care. Journal of the American Medical Association, 272(22), 1741–1748. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Rachiwong, S., Panasiriwong, P., Saosomphop, J., Widjaja, W., & Ajjimaporn, A. (2015). Effects of modified hatha yoga in industrial rehabilitation on physical fitness and stress of injured workers. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 25(3), 669–674. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Rasmussen, K., Glasscock, D. J., Hansen, O. N., Carstensen, O., Jepsen, J. F., & Nielsen, K. J. (2006). Worker participation in change processes in a Danish Industry setting. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 49(9), 767–779. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Sakuraya, A., Shimazu, A., Imamura, K., Namba, K., & Kawakami, N. (2016). Effects of a job crafting intervention program on work engagement among Japanese employees: a pretest-posttest study. BMC Psychology, 4(1), 49. ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
• Santos, A. C., Bredemeier, M., Rosa, K. F., Amantéa, V. A., & Xavier, R. M. (2011). Impact on the quality of life of an educational program for the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health, 11(1), 60. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-60 Accesed on November 17 th , 2017. ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
• Shimazu, A., Umanodan, R., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2006). Effects of a brief worksite stress management program on coping skills, psychological distress and physical complaints: a controlled trial. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 80(1), 60–69. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Shimomitsu, T., Haratani, T., Nakamura, K., Kawakami, N., Hayashi, T., Hiro, H., Arai, M., Miyazaki, S., Furuki, K., Ohya, Y., & Odagiri, Y. (2000). Final development of the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire mainly used for assessment of the individuals. In M. Kato (Ed.), The Ministry of Labor sponsored grant for the prevention of work-related illness, FY 1999 report (pp. 126–164). Tokyo: Tokyo Medical University. Google Scholar
• Sjögren, T., Nissinen, K. J., Järvenpää, S. K., Ojanen, M. T., Vanharanta, H., & Mälkiä, E. A. (2006). Effects of a physical exercise intervention on subjective physical well-being, psychosocial functioning and general well-being among office workers: a cluster randomized-controlled cross-over design. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 16(6), 381–390. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Solenhill, M., Grotta, A., Pasquali, E., Bakkman, L., Bellocco, R., & Trolle Lagerros, Y. (2016). The effect of tailored web-based feedback and optional telephone coaching on health improvements: a randomized intervention among employees in the transport service industry. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(8), e158. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.4005 Accessed on November 17th, 2017. ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
• Tate, W. L., Ellram, L. M., Schoenherr, T., & Petersen, K. J. (2014). Global competitive conditions driving the manufacturing location decision. Business Horizons, 57(3), 381–390. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Tetrick, L. E., & Winslow, C. J. (2015). Workplace stress management interventions and health promotion. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 2(1), 583–603. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Tomei, F., Baccolo, T. P., Izzo, A., Papaleo, B., Persechino, B., Tomao, E., & Rosati, M. V. (2000). Occupational cardiovascular risk factors. In J. B. Chang, K. Prasad, E. R. Olsen, & B. E. Sumpio (Eds.), Textbook of angiology (pp. 141–161). New York: Springer. ChapterGoogle Scholar
• Tsutsumi, A., Nagami, M., Yoshikawa, T., Kogi, K., & Kawakami, N. (2009). Participatory intervention for workplace improvements on mental health and job performance among blue-collar workers: a cluster randomized controlled trial. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 51(5), 554–563. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Tvedt, S. D., Saksvik, P. Ø., & Nytr⊘, K. (2009). Does change process healthiness reduce the negative effects of organizational change on the psychosocial work environment? Work and Stress, 23(1), 80–98.
• Umanodan, R., Kobayashi, Y., Nakamura, M., Kitaoka-Higashiguchi, K., Kawakami, N., & Shimazu, A. (2009). Effects of a worksite stress management training program with six short-hour sessions: a controlled trial among Japanese employees. Journal of Occupational Health, 51(4), 294–302. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Umanodan, R., Shimazu, A., Minami, M., & Kawakami, N. (2014). effects of computer-based stress management training on psychological well-being and work performance in Japanese employees: a cluster randomized controlled trial. Industrial Health, 52(6), 480–491. ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
• van Oostrom, S. H., Anema, J. R., Terluin, B., Venema, A., de Vet, H. C., & van Mechelen, W. (2007). Development of a workplace intervention for sick-listed employees with stress-related mental disorders: intervention mapping as a useful tool. BMC Health Services Research, 7(1), 127. ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
• van Oostrom, S. H., van Mechelen, W., Terluin, B., de Vet, H. C., & Anema, J. R. (2009). A participatory workplace intervention for employees with distress and lost time: a feasibility evaluation within a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 19(2), 212–222. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Vanhove, A. J., Herian, M. N., Perez, A. L., Harms, P. D., & Lester, P. B. (2016). Can resilience be developed at work? A meta-analytic review of resilience-building programme effectiveness. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 89(2), 278–307. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Vuori, J., Toppinen-Tanner, S., & Mutanen, P. (2012). Effects of resource-building group intervention on career management and mental health in work organizations: randomized controlled field trial. Journal of Applied Psychology, 97(2), 273. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar
• Wang, P. S., Simon, G. E., Avorn, J., Azocar, F., Ludman, E. J., McCulloch, J., & Kessler, R. C. (2007). Telephone screening, outreach, and care management for depressed workers and impact on clinical and work productivity outcomes: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 298(12), 1401–1411. ArticlePubMedPubMed CentralGoogle Scholar
• Willert, M. V., Thulstrup, A. M., & Bonde, J. P. (2011). Effects of a stress management intervention on absenteeism and return to work-results from a randomized wait-list controlled trial. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 37(3), 186–195. ArticleGoogle Scholar
• Wolever, R. Q., Bobinet, K. J., McCabe, K., Mackenzie, E. R., Fekete, E., Kusnick, C. A., & Baime, M. (2012). Effective and viable mind-body stress reduction in the workplace: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 17(2), 246–258. ArticlePubMedGoogle Scholar

Online References

• http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/work-stress.aspx. Last access Feb 27 2018.
• http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/stress/stress.pdf. Last access Feb 27 2018.

Acknowledgements

Silvia Riva is a Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellow and acknowledges support from the EC project H2020-MSCA-IF-2015/H2020-MSCA-IF-2015, Grant Agreement: 703236 – ‘Inhibiting Stress in the Construction Industry’ (INSTINCT). This review is part of the on-going INSTINCT project, and the authors are grateful for the Marie Sklodowska Curie Individual Fellowship grant which enabled it.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

1. Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV1 1LY, UK Silvia Riva & Ezekiel Chinyio

1. Silvia Riva