Browsing by Subject "Työstressi"

Objectives: Work-related stress is a major factor influencing human well-being and society, which is why it is important to recognize the factors predisposing to it. In addition to work related stressors, individual differences such as personality, affect perceiving work stress as well. It is important to examine the role of personality in experiencing work related stress in order to prevent it as effectively as possible. The aim of this bachelor’s thesis is to examine personality as a predisposal factor to work-related stress by examining existing scientific research. Methods: This is a scientific review, which used studies concerning association between personality and work-related stress. Results and conclusions: Especially high neuroticism has been found to be associated with high perceived work stress. High extraversion and high agreeableness have been found to protect from work stress at least at some level. High negative emotionality, low sociability, high harm avoidance and low novelty seeking have been reported to be related with higher perceived work stress. From the so called A-type personality have two components been found to predict higher perceived work stress: high hostility and high hard driving. Leadership, which is a component of A-type personality as well, has been shown to predict lower level of work stress. Low self-esteem and low optimism have been found to be related with higher perceived work stress as well. Internal locus of control and high sense of coherence have been reported to correlate with lower levels of perceived work stress. More longitudinal studies are needed to examine the predictive effect of personality on the level of work-related stress. It is important to study the role of personality in perceiving work stress, to be able to plan interventions and address them to people who are more vulnerable to perceive work-related stress. It is however important to notice that personality is not the only factor predisposing to work stress, and it is possible to improve one’s coping skills.