An integrative transactional process model of stress in organizations

In this paper a definition and a conceptualization of stress in organizations are offered. Stress is defined as a perceived dynamic state about something important. The model developed in this paper incorporates organizational and individual stressors, individual appraisal of the stressors and individual responses to the stress including short term, intermediate and long term responses, both voluntary and involuntary. Critical to the model is the definition of stress based on individual need for the resolution of dynamic states of uncertainty. Previous research from the medical and health sciences are used along with that from organizational sciences to develop the integrative transactional process model. Finally several hypotheses based on the model are suggested.

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