Researchers at Ohio State University have found evidence that links psychological stress with the development of lower back pain-especially with people who have introverted personality types.
Researchers at Ohio State University conducted a study with 25 college student volunteers. The students were asked to wear a device that monitored motion and measured stresses on the spine while lifting 25-pound boxes. Spinal measurements were taken under two different conditions. First, students lifted the 25-pound boxes while they were given positive comments, and then they were asked to lift the same boxes while receiving negative criticism.
Under the negative criticism test the introverted students' spinal compression showed an increase of 14% and sideways forces on the spine increased by 27%. The introverted students actually changed the way that they used their muscles, so that lifting became more mechanically stressful. Extroverted students, on the other hand, did not allow the negative criticism to affect their muscles.
Organizational psychologists have long believed that employees who experience workplace stress, are more likely to develop physical health problems than employees not subject to workplace stress. Now there is additional evidence that demonstrates the role that stress plays on employee health.
Of course more research needs to be conducted to confirm that employees, in an actual workplace setting, also change how they use their muscles when receiving negative criticism, however, in the interim, employers should strongly consider introducing stress reduction methods within their organization today.
Leaders within organizations may want to consider providing training to their managers and supervisors on how to provide employees with helpful/support feedback versus providing negative criticism feedback. Also, organization leaders may want to consider looking at the overall stress levels within their organization. A stress analysis employee survey is a good tool to use to indicate if your organization is producing too much stress for employees to manage successfully. Organizations need to be mindful that intermittent stress will help an employee to perform better, but overwhelming and/or constant stress will decrease an employee's overall performance.
From India, Gurgaon
660Researchers at Ohio State University conducted a study with 25 college student volunteers. The students were asked to wear a device that monitored motion and measured stresses on the spine while lifting 25-pound boxes. Spinal measurements were taken under two different conditions. First, students lifted the 25-pound boxes while they were given positive comments, and then they were asked to lift the same boxes while receiving negative criticism.
Under the negative criticism test the introverted students' spinal compression showed an increase of 14% and sideways forces on the spine increased by 27%. The introverted students actually changed the way that they used their muscles, so that lifting became more mechanically stressful. Extroverted students, on the other hand, did not allow the negative criticism to affect their muscles.
Organizational psychologists have long believed that employees who experience workplace stress, are more likely to develop physical health problems than employees not subject to workplace stress. Now there is additional evidence that demonstrates the role that stress plays on employee health.
Of course more research needs to be conducted to confirm that employees, in an actual workplace setting, also change how they use their muscles when receiving negative criticism, however, in the interim, employers should strongly consider introducing stress reduction methods within their organization today.
Leaders within organizations may want to consider providing training to their managers and supervisors on how to provide employees with helpful/support feedback versus providing negative criticism feedback. Also, organization leaders may want to consider looking at the overall stress levels within their organization. A stress analysis employee survey is a good tool to use to indicate if your organization is producing too much stress for employees to manage successfully. Organizations need to be mindful that intermittent stress will help an employee to perform better, but overwhelming and/or constant stress will decrease an employee's overall performance.
From India, Gurgaon
This view is consistent with my experience on the general health of employees - ie. a supportive and positive work environment hasa positive effect on employees self esteem and well being (both physical and psychological. On the other hand unsupportive workplaces where criticism is the norm has a detrimental impact on employee performance, well being and work attendance.
Bernard
Bernard
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WORKPLACE BACK PAIN-pdf.pdf