TY - JOUR
T1 - Protecting and promoting mental health in the workplace: Developing a systems approach to job stress
AU - LaMontagne, Anthony
AU - Keegel, Tessa
AU - Vallance, Deborah
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Issue addressed: Job stress has been linked to a wide range of adverse effects on mental, physical, and
organisational health. Despite the evidence that systems approaches are most effective in reducing the adverse
impact of job stress, prevalent practice is dominated by worker- or individual-focused strategies in the absence of
commensurate intervention on working conditions.
Methods: A literature review and cross-disciplinary conceptual synthesis were combined in the articulation of a
systems approach to job stress.
Results: An outline of the job stress process is followed by explanation of how a systems approach addresses the
various steps in the stress process. Systems approaches to job stress emphasise primary prevention or focusing
on stressors as the upstream determinants of job stress. Additionally, systems approaches integrate primary
with worker-directed secondary and illness-directed tertiary intervention, include the meaningful participation
of groups targeted by intervention, and are context-sensitive. Systems approach intervention principles are
illustrated by concrete examples of intervention strategies and activities.
Conclusions: Further efforts are needed to promote, disseminate, implement, and evaluate systems approaches
to job stress and to improve cross-disciplinary co-operation in this effort.
AB - Issue addressed: Job stress has been linked to a wide range of adverse effects on mental, physical, and
organisational health. Despite the evidence that systems approaches are most effective in reducing the adverse
impact of job stress, prevalent practice is dominated by worker- or individual-focused strategies in the absence of
commensurate intervention on working conditions.
Methods: A literature review and cross-disciplinary conceptual synthesis were combined in the articulation of a
systems approach to job stress.
Results: An outline of the job stress process is followed by explanation of how a systems approach addresses the
various steps in the stress process. Systems approaches to job stress emphasise primary prevention or focusing
on stressors as the upstream determinants of job stress. Additionally, systems approaches integrate primary
with worker-directed secondary and illness-directed tertiary intervention, include the meaningful participation
of groups targeted by intervention, and are context-sensitive. Systems approach intervention principles are
illustrated by concrete examples of intervention strategies and activities.
Conclusions: Further efforts are needed to promote, disseminate, implement, and evaluate systems approaches
to job stress and to improve cross-disciplinary co-operation in this effort.
UR - http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=2030671611&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=6&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1320028507&clientId=16397
M3 - Article
VL - 18
SP - 221
EP - 228
JO - Health Promotion Journal of Australia
JF - Health Promotion Journal of Australia
SN - 1036-1073
IS - 3
ER -