The Relationship of Communication to Work Stress

The relationship of thirteen communication variables to work stress was analyzed. The relationship of Personal Behavioral Style (Type A) to these thirteen variables was also investigated. By means of regression analysis, it was found that group support had the greatest relationship to work stress. The results of a stepwise regression found that Role Conflict, Role Overload, Career Development, and Group Support resulted in a .951 R-Square . Two of the thirteen communication variables—Role Overload and Responsibility for People-were significantly related to Type A Behavioral Style. The conclusion is made that group and individual level communication variables are more closely related to work stress than are organizational communication variables. Consequently, activities such as team building and individual communication skills should receive attention before variables at the organizational level when attempting to reduce work stress.