International Journal of Education and Psychological Research (IJEPR) Volume 4, Issue 4, December 2015 AQuantitative Study on Indian IT Professionals to Validate the Integrated Model on Job Stress Pammi Shesha Srinivas[1] Sony Kumari[2] Katte Bharathiramanachar Akhilesh[3] Hongsandra Ramarao Nagendra[4] Abstract: Impact of mental strain caused by Job stress in workforce, is much researched topic in this digital age. It is generally accepted that mental strain caused by excessive stress (distress), is one of the main reasons for today’s wide spread nature of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, depression etc., in the knowledge based workforce. Eustress (positive state of stress) brings high alertness and helps to perform beyond the perceived capability of any worker. Most of the western popular models on job stress, considered only distress component while understanding mental state due to job stress leaving behind the Eustress component. In this integrated model on job stress, both Eustress and distress states were duly considered, by making it the unique comprehensive model on defining impact due to Job stress. This model also brings about the significance of psyche nurturing practices which play key role in modifying the impact of job stress. To validate this integrated model on Job stress, a quantitative study was performed on assessing “perceived stress levels” of Indian IT professionals by choosing Yoga based Cyclic Meditation practice as psyche nurturing practice. It was observed that “perceived stress levels” were reduced significantly in Indian IT professionals with regular practice of cyclic meditation. This quantitative study supports claims of Integrated Job stress model that psyche nurturing practices have modifying effect on impact due to job stress in knowledge based workforce. Stress researchers across the globe, are encouraged to use this unique integrated model under multiple industry/professional setups and come up with valuable suggestions for mental well –beings of the workforce. Key words: Job stress, mental strain, integrated model, Yoga, ITprofessionals I. BACKGROUND As per US National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (1998) , [1]Job stress can be defined as the harmful physical and emotional response that occurs when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources or needs of the worker. Job stress can cause poor mental health and can increase rates of work-related injuries and accidents. Stress and lack of well-being in the workplace cost more than $25.9 billion per annum in terms of sickness absence, presents and labour turn over in UK and Europe.[2] Given the impact and importance of stress at work place, popular western models on mental strain due to job stress were studied with a view of coming up with suggestions to increase ‘stress tolerance levels’ of knowledge based workforce. 1.1 western popular models related to job stress: Demand-Control Model (DCM): As per DCM model, if a worker has less control/discretion power at work, while meeting job demands, then the worker would go through mental strain caused by Job stress. [3]Based on job control and Job demand, jobs are classified as Passive jobs, active jobs, low strain jobs and high strain jobs. [1]Svyasa University, India [2]Svyasa University, India [3]Svyasa University, India [4]Svyasa University, India 26 International Journal of Education and Psychological Research (IJEPR) Volume 4, Issue 4, December 2015 Person –Environment Fit Model (P-E model): The P-E fit model characterizes stress as misfit between person characteristics (e.gabilities, values) and Environment ( E.g Supplies, Demands). This misfit causes negative psychological, physiological and behavioural patterns which could be collectively labelled as mental strain.[4] High Effort – Low Reward imbalance model:- High effort and low reward model is derived after reviewing many studies related to mental strain due to job stress, including Demand Control Model and Person Environment model . It came to conclusion that reciprocity is the crucial element, which was not considered well in earlier related studies. The model is of the view that the work role in adult life defines a crucial link between self- regulatory functions such as self-esteem, self- efficacy and social opportunity structure. This causes individuals to invest high effort on job to be in a position to expect high rewards, which in turn increases their reciprocity capability. This model argues that any imbalance between efforts spent and rewards gained would cause a state of emotional distress.[5] 1.2 Quick Analysis of popular models and need for integrated model: All these popular models helped to understand distress causing situations for work force and are outward in nature by looking at environment/ control at work place. These models do not consider ‘Eustress’component at all. It was called up on stress researchers to include ‘eustress’ along with ‘distress’ in the upcoming models on job stress. [6]So any forward looking integrated model on Job stress needs to consider both positive and negative states of work related stress and its impact on worker. Everybody is uniquely different in coping up with stressful scenarios faced. Some people may turn these situations into opportunities while others may lose existing opportunities. So any mental strain faced by the individual due to stress related scenario is also conditioned by the psyche-orientation of the individual. As these popular models, do not consider psyche- orientation/ self-condition of the individuals, they are not complete in understanding the effects of Job stress on Individuals. Current Integrated Model looks at the ancient Indian view on stress as well as at principles from western models, in coming up with unique model on defining impact due to job stress. The ancient Indian View:There is lot of literature available on human body-mind complex characteristics in ancient Indian scriptures .It is maintained in the ancient Indian scriptures that, continued imbalance at mind level could be termed as stress and would manifest as disease at the physical level .It was also discussed on how to train the psyche to overcome the state of imbalance. Text below from MandukyaUpanishad help son understanding, techniques on achieving mental state of equilibrium.[7] ?????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? Layesambodhayetcittaàvikñiptaàçamayetpunaù, Sakañäyaàvijïänéyätsamapräptaànacälayet. ‘In a state of mental inactivity awaken the mind; when agitated, calm it; between these two states realize the possible abilities of the mind. If the mind has reached the state of perfect equilibrium then do not disturb it again’(Mandukya Upanishad Karika: 3.44) II. INTEGRATED MODEL ON JOB STRESS In today’s modern medicalworld, it is well accepted that mental well-being is a major vector in drivingphysical health.[8,9] This is in accordance with literature from ancient Indian view. So, by being able to condition the psyche, the response to stressful situation could also be modified, which could potentially alter impact of mental strain due to job stress on the individual. This principle is grossly missed in the existing models while describing impact of mental strain due to Job stress. Any stimulus external or internal, which can cause ‘stress’is called ‘stressor’in stress research. So in this integrated model, along with work related stressors and Person related stressors, due consideration was also given to the effect of psyche nurturing practices.Existing psyche deposits due to impact of previous stressful situations faced, also plays a significant role in responding to current and future stress stimulus situations. Work related stressors: Work related stressors could be further categorized as environment stressor and organisation stressors. Work related stress variables which are governed by changing customer needs, government policies, market fluctuations, vendor costs, competitive pricing demands, back to school schedules etc., come under environment stressors. There is a little control for employers as well as employees of a business enterprise on the environment stressors. Stressors controlled by inter department and/or intra department practices followed with in the organisation come under organisation stressors. Organisation culture in terms of setting ambitious targets, openness to employee 27 International Journal of Education and Psychological Research (IJEPR) Volume 4, Issue 4, December 2015 concerns, cross cultural sensitivity, organised project management, Risk management etc., also contribute to modify organisation stress variables. Person related stressors: These are the stressors which arise from home as well as from work settings. Stressors like ill-health of family members/friends, financial loss of self/family members/friends,growing needs of family, necessity of support to family member education/health etc. come under personal related stressors arising from home. Stressors like lack of skills for current job, lack of decision making authority at work by virtue of position, over work demanded by the organisation, demanding schedules etc. come under person related stressors arising from work settings. Theory of operation explaining flow ofJob stress stimulus and its impact: Job stress stimulus for any worker is generated by work related stressors. This stimulus is influenced by both person related stressors as well as psyche history variable. This Job stress stimulus traverses through virtual stress perception channel in the psyche. Psyche nurturing practices followed by the worker would have modifying effect on the perception of job stress stimulus. Healthy psyche nurturing practices like regular practice of Yoga etc. may reduce the agitation of the mind while perceiving the stress situations faced.[10]Un-healthy psyche nurturing practices like taking drugs/excessive alcohol etc., may increase the agitation of the mind while perceiving the stress situations faced. Every individual has stress tolerance capacity (TC)i.e. he /she can with stand the impact of stress situations faced by being able to return to homeostasis condition soon. If the actual perceived Job stress (JS) is less than the Tolerance capacity (TC) , then one would end up in positive stress sphere else in negative stress sphere. In the positive stress (Eustress) sphere, one would adopt positive coping skills like listening, focusing on solution based approaches etc. Positive stress sphere would help to find new opportunities which in turn increases the self-esteem of the worker resulting in positive health. In the Negative stress (Distress) sphere, one would use negative coping techniques like running away from problem, unable to listen to others etc., which would result in uncertainty to solve problem at hand. One under the negative stress sphere may lose existing opportunities causing ill health effects like depression. The net impact of previous Eustress /distress experiences would be stored as deposited psyche variable in the person. This psyche variable plays a role in influencing the next stress stimulus faced as well as stress tolerance capacity. A well nurtured psyche would be able to expand its ‘stress tolerance limits’. .By increasing the positive effects of psyche nurturing practices, one can land up in eustress sphere, even if challenging situationswere created due towork related stressors. III. VALIDATION OFTHE INTEGRATED MODEL IT professionals in India represent knowledge based work force as they mainly work with their mental capital. Indian IT professionals are always under constant pressure to deliver services efficiently along with being cost efficient. This requires to plan for ever changing customer requirements and forecast market demands in advance , so as to deliver services/products in “first time right” approach. In this web-connected world, time is the most precious thing for all the customers round the globe for IT professionals. All these factors cause Job stress for IT professionals. In a studyperformed on professional stress, depression and alcohol use among Indian software professionalswith support of a sample size of 1071 subjects working in Bengaluru, it was observed that the software employees are professionally stressed due to job conditions and are at ten times higher risk for developing depression and also there is a significant increase in the incidence of psychiatric disorders.[11]Asurvey performed on call centre workers from IT based BPO industry based in Pune &Mumbai indicates that,a high proportion of workers faced sleep disturbances and associated mental stress and anxiety as a result of work related stressors.[12] In a study performed on 200 IT professionals based out of Delhi, common problems seen among the study subjects were musculoskeletal (77.5%) and visual (76%) followed by stress (35%).[13]For these reasons, IT professionals working in Bengaluruwere selected for validating this integrated model using quantitative methods. Cyclic Meditation: Cyclic Meditation(C.M) practice was chosen as psyche nurturing practice. C.M is inspired by a verse from Mandukya Upanishad .Cyclic meditation was developed by Swami Yoga Anusansandhana Samstahana, a world class Yoga university based in Bangalore, India. In a day to day life we relax, though unconsciously, by stretching and relaxing. In Cyclic Meditation we not only stretch consciously and systematically, but also relax consciously. Yoga body postures (asana) like PadaHastasana, Ardha Chakrasana, Ardhakati Chakrasana, Shashankasana and Ushtrasana are used for stretching where as Shavasana is used for relaxing. Various relaxation techniques are employed during Shavasana like Instant Relaxation, Quick relaxation and Deep Relaxation. This provides stimulation 28 International Journal of Education and Psychological Research (IJEPR) Volume 4, Issue 4, December 2015 followed by relaxation at muscular level as well as psyche Level. [14]In a study done at Swami VivekanandYoga Anusandhan Samsthan, Bengaluru, it was also that found Cyclic Meditation Technique, to be more effective in achieving voluntary heart rate variability as compared with another yogic technique of Supine Rest (Savasan).[15] Materials and Methods: Sample sizechosen forthis quantitative study consisted of “96” ITprofessionals. All the IT professionals were selected from Bangalore office of an Information Technology based Multi-National company, which has presence in India, Germany, Singapore, Austria, UK and U.S.A. Participants position within organisation ranged from junior engineers, senior technical leads to people managers. All participants came voluntarily to participate in the study. Study also got permission from institution Ethical committee. Total sample size was divided into two groups, namely Yoga group and Control group. Yoga group has both men and women employees with an average age of 31.04 years and with standard deviation of 4.57 years. Control group has both men and women employees with an average age of 32.02 years with a standard deviation of 4.582 years. Study was performed for an average duration of 2 months excluding weekends in the selected office premises. Both Men and women employees, with normal health as declared by subjects were included in the study. Subjects volunteered for the study do not have any previous experience of Yoga program as declared by subjects. Employees who age is below 24 years or above 50 years are excluded from the study. All participants have education qualification of graduation and above. Perceived stress is measured through Perceived stress scale (PSS) questionnaire developed by Sheldon Cohen. PSS questionnaire was designed to tap how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded respondents find their lives. The scale also includes a number ofdirect queries about current levels of experienced stress. V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 2: indicates response on Perceived Stress(PS) component of Yoga Group, at the starting and at the end of study period. Table 2 : Yoga Group Yoga group has shown reduction of 34.77 % in the mean value from pre to post. The improvement observed in reduction of perceived stress is very significant as p < .01.Table 3 indicates responses on PS components of Control group, at the starting and at the end of study period. Table 3 : Control Group Control group has shown a reduction of 2.33 % in the mean value of perceived stress between pre and post. The improvement observed in reduction of perceived stress is not much significant as p > 0.01. The significance of change in PS component between Yoga and control group is measured with Mann Whitneytest. Table 4 : Between the Groups (Mann Whitney test) The baseline between yoga and control group is matched and the post value has shown highly significant result ( p< 0.01). IV. PROCEDURE PSS questionnaires were administered to all members participating in the study from both control and yoga groups. The intervention given to Yoga group is a 35 minute, cyclic meditation practice, whose details are mentioned earlier. Control group was administered with walking or equivalent exercise for 35 minutes and was told to write a dairy to observe changes taking place. This is a pre-post study. Participants from both groups filled up the questionnaires voluntarily before the beginning of the study period and at the end of study period. VI. CONCLUSION Based on the quantitative study performed, it could be observed that psyche nurturing practices like cyclic meditation have significant positive effect in reducing the perceived stress levels in Indian ITprofessionals. This study validates the integrated model on Job stress by supporting the claim that regular psyche nurturing practices would have modifying effect on perceived stress at work place. VII. LIMITATIONS Though psyche nurturing practices could have modifying effect on perceivedJob stress as per discussed model, organizational changes would also have effect in altering Job stressors. Certain variables like Role conflict, 29 International Journal of Education and Psychological Research (IJEPR) Volume 4, Issue 4, December 2015 Role ambiguity could also cause Job stress to employees. Organisational changes which address these concerns would also bring down the Job stress perceived by the workforce. Current study is done specific to one ITcompany , however it could be expanded to multiple industry domains like nursing, police offers etc., to validate this model more robustly. VIII. STRENGTH OFTHE STUDY This is the unique model in explaining the effect of psyche nurturing practices in altering job stress effects in physically healthy work force.This also brings out the positive effect of psyche nurturing practices in coping with job stress. IX. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Authors call up on stress researchers across the globe to use this model in all stress research by employing it under various industry set ups like police officers, nursing etc. Findings from the future data using the model would help to robustly validate this model. Acknowledgement- I would like to acknowledge my hearty thanks to S-VYASA university for their financial and technical support. 12. P BhuyarA, BanerjeeH,PandveP,PadmnabhanA, PatilS.Mental, physical and social health problems of call centre workers. Industrial Psychiatry Journal 2008;17:21-25. 13. Sharma A K, Khera S, Khandekar J. Computer related health problems among information technology professionals in Delhi. 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