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Stress Management In Research Projects
ŞTEFAN VELICU1, Fl. VELICU2, ALEXANDRU VELICU3, M. GIURGIU2
1, 3Politehnica University of Bucharest, 2 190 School ”Marcela Penes”
1,3313 Spl.IndependenŃei, Bucharest, 216, Nitu Vasile, Bucharest
1,2,3ROMANIA
velstefan@hotmail.com
Abstract: - The paper analysis how stress occurs in research projects proposing a set of recommendations on
methods and techniques that can be used to prevent and/or eliminate negative stress.
Words and References corresponding author: Prof.dr.eng. Stefan Velicu - University Politehnica of Bucharest:
velstefan@hotmail.com
Key-Words: - management, projects, research, stress.
1 INTRODUCTION
Amid the profound changes in the companies and
the economy as a whole, but also the need to adapt
to markets globalization has led to widespread
acceptance of management thinking based on project
management. This means achieving a long-term
future projection of specific company goals and
objectives [1]. Basically, any activity that is intended
to have objectives, concrete results, is managed and
conducted as a series of projects. Nowadays, at
internal as well as international level, engineering
contributes, with an important percentage, to the
society progress and ensuring the environmental and
life quality, an engineer being considered as a
“change manager” [ 12]
The project is a dynamic process whose time
and cost constraints conditions the preparing of a
detailed project plan, which specifies the starting
point, strategies followed and results obtained.
Interdependence between work packages in the
project, how they relate and condition each other
sometimes raises tensions and may lead to conflicts.
The general term designating all the tension, the
causes and effects of is stress. Stress is an imbalance
between the demands imposed and the available
resources to resolve those requests.
In the project, stress can occur due to a
multitude of internal and external factors. In terms of
internal tensions, conflicts may arise in the human
plan, at project team level or in the material plan in
the inadequate resources organization or structure.
Study of individual and organizational stress has
become a necessity given that the stress level
conditions the quality of the activities [2]. Stress
study provides a better way of understanding stress
generators and their effects on human body and
proposes methods and techniques to cope with
negative stress.
Traditional project management relied on an
approach based on linear cause-effect relationships.
Modern project management offers a perspective
and a systems approach whereby projects are seen as
a "whole" complex unit, characterized in particular
by a two-way relationship. This means that instead
of being considered the "input" problems (input
actions) and "output" problems (output actions), it
should be seen as coming from the entire set of
information reception and response, its control and
process control, feedbacks and assessment. Through
this broad perspective more accurate and complex
results are obtained than traditional methods,
especially if changing and adapting to environmental
variables is seen as a continuous process and not as a
creator and uncontrollable risk factor.
2 STRESS TYPOLOGY IN
PROJECTS
In recent decades the field has intensified research
on stress. What is stress, how does it appear, what
can be done when the organism is filled and no
longer can deal with the situation, these are
fundamental questions the researchers sought to
answer [3].
According to R. Lazarus, stress occurs when
an individual perceives the external environmental
demands as beyond his power. Later, along with
Lazarus, S. Folkman proposes in one of their works,
the idea that stress can be seen as the result of
"imbalance between demands and resources" or as a
result of "pressure that exceeds the power supposed
to be held".
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The stress generator, in specialized
terminology, is a stimulus, a trigger event that
causes the manifestation of stress. Stress generators
have positive or negative value, but are neutral. The
positive or negative valences are the effects of these
stressors on the individual. There is internal,
external, situational and development stress.
To cope with is the process of solving
problems that an individual uses when faced with a
stressful event or situation.
Adaptation is also a complex process by
which the body changes some parameters depending
on the environment in which it is located. These
adjustments appear as results of stress.
According to a study by NASA stressors can
be integrated in sets of categories.
1. Significant changes in their lives. This
group of stress refers to any critical changes,
pleasant or unpleasant.
2. Routine. Whether fighting with traffic or
a deadline approaching, the body consumes energy
to exhaustion. While these activities are common
causes of stress the cumulative effect is often
ignored.
3. Unrealistic expectations of themselves.
While the reasons for positive expectations and
directs energy to achieve goals, unrealistic
expectations can lead to failure and impairment of
self-esteem and confidence.
4. Interpersonal relationships. Maintain
personal and professional relationship requires
effort. Communication deficiency can lead to
frustration, hostility and open conflict.
Besides these categories, the study also proposed to
NASA and other common types of stressors, such as
family problems, illness, financial problems,
communication problems, loss, addictions, time
management and change management.
Whether it is chronic stress, fear, irritation
or even abuse of various kinds on the body,
everything is the result of stress. Recent studies
show that stress affects three broad categories of
life: individual, organization and society. Therefore,
stress is individual, organizational and societal.
There is a two way process of influence
between stress and conflict. In the same way that
conflict generates related stress effects, stress from
a particular direction may cause conflicts elsewhere.
For example, the accumulated stress at work can
cause irritability and aggression increase or
decrease the degree of empathy and sympathy to
family relationships, which creates a state of tension
and can lead to conflict. Similarly, family conflicts
that arise can generate a state of acute stress which
may manifest itself through lower productivity at
work, loss of attention etc.
3 STRESS MANAGEMENT IN
PROJECTS
Stress management includes methods and techniques
designed to induce, at individual level, reactions and
mechanisms in order to cope with stress emerged as
psychological response of the individual to internal
and / or external agents that can cause stress.
One may speak of a fair and effective
management of stress when the stress situation is
improved or even eliminated. However, stress
management kicks into action when the person calls
a set of strategies to cope with stress, to avoid or
reduce the effects of stress, to eliminate the
emotional tension, to improve behavioral reactions
Stress
type Cause Symptoms Effects
Indivi-
dual
Impersonal
and
intraperso-
nal
pressures,
poor
communi-
cation
Insomnia,
changes in
diet and
behavior,
irascibility
Mental or
physical illness,
irritability,
aggressiveness,
over-
excitability, lack
of motivation,
loss of self-
esteem
Organiza
-tional
Increasing
the number
of tasks
and
responsibi-
lity, poor
relation-
ships
Increase of
illnesses or
absenteeis
m, work
related
accidents,
decreased
producti-
vity and
decreased
quality
Sales drop,
resignations,
loss of
customers and
investors,
domestic
discontent
Societal Economic
status, high
rate of
crime,
unemploy
ment,
immigra-
tion
Overall
tension
status,
financial
instability,
corruption,
distrust of
state
systems,
skepticism,
ignoring
clearance
Increased
pressure on state
public services,
lack of social
programs, lack
of jobs, social
conflicts
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and induce the state of physical and psychological
comfort.
In organizational understanding, stress
management consists of systematical interventions
that are designed to minimize the impact of stressors
on the project team. They can focus on the
individual, with the aim of helping it to form a set of
methods and techniques to cope with stress factors,
or an organizational focus, in order to reduce the
number and impacts of environmental stressors at
organizational level.
Stress management has started and
developed on the idea* that stress is not a direct
response to stressors, but rather the ability to manage
resources and ability to mediate individual responses
to stressors. Since the parameters of these resources
can be modified, it creates the possibility to control
stress [4].
To develop an effective program for stress
management, it is necessary first to identify the
central factors that help a person or group to monitor
their stress levels, and to know the most effective
methods which can operate in such factors. Stress in
Lazarus and Folkman's interpretation focuses on the
transactional process between people and the
external environment (Transaction Model). The
model perceives stress as a result of the relationship
between how stress is measured or estimated and
how the person assesses or estimates the resources
assumed to be covered. Transactional model breaks
the relationship stressor - stress and suggests that:
1) if stressors would be perceived as positive
challenges rather than threats;
2) and the stressed person is confident that it
has adequate resources then the stress would not
necessarily occur as a result of the presence of a
stress factor.
Transactional stress model states that stress
can be reduced if people are helped to change their
perceptions of stressors, whether their strategies are
offered to help them cope with stress and stressed
people are helped to improve self-esteem and rely on
their own forces. There are a variety of stress
management techniques. Some of the most effective
methods of stress reduction are closely linked to the
concept of time management. Other techniques
involve assuming limits.
For stress reduction practices to be more
efficient and have visible results is necessary that
measures are to be taken simultaneously at
individual and organizational level.
At the individual level, methods and
techniques of cognitive therapy can be apply
(especially to those who show anxiety and
depression), conflict resolution, exercise, relaxation
etc. At the organizational level, the main methods
used are related to working conditions, workload,
counseling, training, work pace, deadlines, job
requirements and choosing the right person for the
right job.
In principle, stress assessment and choice of
intervention method should be made according to
the specificities of the institution or the individual
requesting them.
Other methodologies for evaluating the
effects of stress and intervention strategies may
include pre and post stress emergence, comparisons
between individuals or groups in similar situations,
tests indicating the extent to which subjects accept
and follow the strategies, selection of appropriate
measurement instruments for each case [5].
The reality of globalization and competitive
organizational life, international and
multidisciplinary projects suggests the changing of
the parameters for training and manager assessment.
To succeed is not enough just to prove intelligent.
You must be emotionally intelligent.
The two promoters of the concept of
emotional intelligence were american psychologists
Peter Salovey and John Mayer [7]. In their
perception, emotional intelligence refers to a set of
learned skills to perceive, understand and express
feelings in a clear way and to control these emotions
so they work for us, not against us.
Relevant terms:
• Emotional Intelligence (EI) - describes the
ability or capacity to own perceived self-control and
can manage one’s emotions, others or the group’s.
• Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ) - the
measurement of emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence (EI or EQ) refers to:
• know the answer to the question "why"
and "how" I and others feel and what measures have
to be taken;
• learn to discern between what is good and
evil and how to get from bad to good;
• emotional awareness of their own learning,
sensitivity and a set of management capabilities that
will help minimize the occurrence of stress.
One of the main reasons why the concept of
them was taken into account in management, was
the relationship with stress and recognition of the
potential for neutralization of its effects through the
effective management of EQ [11]. Research has
shown that improving of EQ skills reduces tension
in staff communication and networking within
organizations, thereby maximizing the results of
work efforts.
From the social point of view, numerous
investigations have revealed a strong link between
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emotional intelligence and stress levels [9]. The
proportionality between stress levels decrease with
the increasing level of EI can be explained by the
fact that EI is responsible for evaluating and
controlling emotions over others. Research has
shown that two thirds of the problems related to
stress arise from abusive, poor or limited
relationships with others [6]. EI is a component of
the personality that regulates and manages stress by
neutralizing its effects. Emotional intelligence is
responsible for developing the potential of
happiness, empathy, trust etc. And can combat the
demoralizing effects of stress, such as isolation, loss
of motivation, depression.
Regarding the project team research has
shown that the link between members EQ and
positive results in their work is more powerful [10].
Improper management of stress mainly by the
project director, but also by all team members will
lead to disease and illness, lower efficiency and
quality and will be the main reason for absenteeism
at work or refusal to work on the same team [8]. By
contrast, employees who show a high EQ are more
likely to get the top hierarchy of organizations and
have better results in terms of performance and
quality of work.
4 CONCLUSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS ON STRESS
MANAGEMENT
Stress can’t be completely avoided. It is part of life
and is even beneficial in small doses to keep the
body ready to respond to environmental demands.
To avoid or diminish the effects of stress, however,
several ways to combat it need to be known.
Methods and techniques to combat stress,
include but are not limited to: stress awareness,
avoidance of people or situations known cause
stress, sports or physical exercise, time management
and change management, boosting self-motivation
and self-respect, learning relaxation methods like
meditation, breathing techniques, positive thinking,
etc.
On a personal level, complete stress prevention is
not possible, and is not recommended, because stress
is a catalyst for growth and human creativity.
As each person becomes stressed for
whatever reason, it experiences stress differently
than others and therefore effective methods and
techniques to combat stress will also be different
depending on the nature and number of stressors, but
also depending on the extent to which the person can
manage their stress. In general, a number of changes
in attitude and behavior works satisfactorily to most
people affected. But researchers found that the best
way to prevent stress on the individual is learning a
model of proactive attitudes and behavior,
prevention of stress or cope with stress during
childhood.
Regarding stress in projects, most do not list
specific differences between key processes of
project management and stress management.
Because stress has a major impact on the successful
delivery of project results to the beneficiary, the
stress analysis in projects should be considered
paramount, as it is manifested in the project team.
As a result, due to the stress appearance at physical
or psychological level among project team members,
there may appear unexpected side effects that may
not be anticipated, but may affect activities.
It is vital that the project manager focuses
on direct contact and manage tensions, conflicts and
stress by various methods, including but not limited
to: improving emotional intelligence competencies,
time management and promotion of change,
stimulating the respect for self and others,
maintaining positive interpersonal relationships
between team members through open and effective
communication and maintaining motivation through
appropriate rewards.
Systematic and controlled stress
management minimizes negative effects on
individual level, which will automatically lead to
growth and positive value results, labor efficiency,
increase productivity and quality in projects.
References
[1] BAUM, Vicki - Handling Employee Stress. U.K,
online published by SCRIBD LTD, 2008.
[2] BODEA, Constanta, Nicoleta - Fundamentals of
project management. Bucharest, Economic
Publishing House, 2008.
[3] BRATIANU, C. - Management and Marketing.
University course, Bucharest, comunicare.ro
Publishing, 2007.
[4] CHAPMAN, Margaret - The emotional
intelligence pocket book. U.K., Ed. Management
Pocketbooks LTD, 2001.
[5] GOLEMAN, D. - Emotional Intelligence.
Bucharest, Curtea Veche Publishing, 2001.
[6] LEGERON, Patrick - How to defend yourself
from stress. Bucharest, Three Publishing, 2003.
[7] OPRAN, C., Stan, S. - Project Management.
Bucharest, BREN Publishing, 2008.
[8]http://osha.europa.eu/ro/topics/stress/definitions_
and_causes
[9] http://www.netmba.com/marketing/
[10] http://ohp.nasa.gov/cope/stress_sources.htm
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[11] http://www.scribd.com/doc/15629195/Stress-
Management
[12] Sohaciu, Mirela et al., Professional Skills
Developing – A Way of Continuous Performances
Improving, Proceeding of 6th WSEAS International
CONFERENCE ON ENGINEERING EDUCATION
(EE'09), 2009, pp. 112.
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ISBN: 978-960-474-202-8
