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Aggressive student behavior is considered one of the main risk factors for teacher stress. The present study investigated teachers' physiological and behavioral reactions when facing aggressive student behavior and examined which resources favor adaptive teacher reactions. The sample included 42 teachers. We assessed (a) teacher self-reports (i.e., resources, risk factors, and vital exhaustion) (b) classroom observations, (c) ambulatory assessments of teachers' heart rate and heart rate variability, and (d) teachers' progesterone concentrations in the hair. The present study focused on a subsample of ten teachers (9 females, Mage = 34.70, SD = 11.32) managing classes which were potentially very stressful as they had a high density of aggressive behavior. High levels of work satisfaction, hair progesterone, and a low level of work overload fostered social integrative teacher responses. Moreover, in 75% of the cases, teachers succeeded in downregulating their physiological reaction. Our results support the notion that teachers evaluate stressors in light of their resources. When they perceive their resources as insufficient for coping with a challenging situation, stress arises, and subsequently, they react inefficiently to aggressive behavior. Thus, teacher education could benefit from strengthening teacher resources and strategies for coping with aggressive student behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aversive leadership remains a relatively underexplored area in organizational behavior. This study advances the field by identifying emotional exhaustion as a key mechanism linking aversive leadership to employees’ psychological health outcomes, including psychological well-being, psychological strain, and psychological detachment. It also examines the role of Islamic work ethics (IWE) as a moderator in the relationship between aversive leadership and emotional exhaustion. Supported by conservation of resource (COR) theory, which posits that stressful workplace situations, such as aversive leadership, lead to resource depletion resulting in emotional exhaustion and poor psychological health, this study finds that individuals with strong personal resources, such as IWE, are better equipped to cope with these negative outcomes. Data were collected from 260 employees in service sector organizations of Pakistan using self-administrated questionnaires. The results supported direct and indirect effects, as well as the moderating role of IWE. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers in addressing the negative impacts of aversive leadership and offers organizations guidance on selecting and nurturing supportive and positive leaders. Such leaders can foster a healthier and more productive work environment.

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak necessitated physical distancing, as part of secondary prevention, at a personal and professional level. Working from home (WFH) became increasingly important. In this study, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on physical and mental health is investigated, compared with pre-pandemic data, and with employees who WFH and are on-site. Methods: Data from the German Saxon longitudinal study population were used. Attitudes towards WFH as well as mental and physical health assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Comparisons were made with corresponding pre-pandemic scores and between employees WFH and on-site in 2022. Results: In total, 319 participants with equal gender distribution were included. Of those, 86 worked from home stating better organizability of their work, more time for partnership, less stress, and greater work satisfaction. Compared to pre-pandemic data, the D-score, PHQ-4, G-Score, and PHQ-SSS-8 showed a significant increase. No difference in physical or mental health between employees WFH and on-site was observed. Conclusion: In general, COVID-19 restrictions had a negative impact on mental and physical health. Although WFH is well accepted, it did not show significant health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on examining how different training conditions impact the mental well-being of athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also aims to validate the Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ) in the context of Iranian society. This descriptive survey was conducted on a population consisting of Iranian male and female sportspersons (16 to 40 years old), of whom 300 sportspersons were selected as the sample using snowball sampling. The tools used in this study were the APSQ, Kessler-10 Scale, and Ryff Mental Well-Being Scale, which were used online. SPSS 23 and AMOS 22 were used for data analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was utilized to assess the validity of the questionnaire, while the reliability of the questionnaire was examined through the application of Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation test was employed to assess the concurrent validity of the questionnaire. Furthermore, discriminant analysis and ROC curve were utilized for examining the discriminant validity and cut-off point. Findings: Results indicate that sportspersons who had stopped playing sports during the COVID-19 pandemic suffered more psychological strain than those who continued playing sports during this period. The number of training sessions per week and the duration of each training session exhibited a significant inverse relationship with psychological strain. However, concern about progress and athletic burnout had a significant positive association with psychological strain. Furthermore, the validity and reliability of the APSQ were proved among Iranian athletes. Conclusion: The mental well-being of athletes is correlated with the extent of their training. The psychometric validation of the APSQ was confirmed in Iranian athletes. Therefore, researchers can use this scale to examine and detect early psychological strain and the psychological consequences of COVID-19 among these athletes. Early detection of psychological problems by this instrument may aid in improving athletes’ mental health.

Drawing on the identity asymmetry literature, transactional stress theory, and creativity literature, we investigate how a perceived discrepancy between an individual's creative role identity and others' views toward his/her creative role identity (i.e., creative identity asymmetry) influences individual's creative performance via psychological strain. We also examine how perceived creativity requirement and self-monitoring alter the relationships between creative identity asymmetry, psychological strain, and creative performance. Based on two studies (an experimental study and a field study), we found that creative identity asymmetry was positively related to psychological strain and negatively and indirectly related to creative performance. We also found that the effects of negative asymmetry were stronger than positive asymmetry, while perceived creativity requirement and self-monitoring significantly strengthened most of these relationships. Hence, this study contributes to the literature on creativity, identity asymmetry, and stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently employees are under a great stress such as excess, role doubt, role conflict, lack of feedback, and rapid technological change. This article aimed to determine the predictors of psychological strain and identify multidimensional criteria for psychological strain. The present study includes review research articles collected from Scopus and Science Direct databases. A total of 60 articles from 2015 to 2021 have been reviewed. This study is classified into components of work stress and psychological strain and then its definitions and dimensions are classified. It was observed that work stress affects different dimensions of psychological strain. These findings also indicate work-related stressors that can be classified into two main themes, which are work characteristics and psychosocial work characteristics. This article also helps to understand the conceptual knowledge of work stress, psychological strain and its causes and consequences in the workplace. Stress management workshops can be held regularly in different organizations in different departments, which can educate employees about the sources of stress and its harmful effects on health and how to reduce stress effectively. A total of 60 research articles on work-related stress and psychological consequences were reviewed in this study. In addition, the article is classified based on the main work stressors and dimensions of psychological strain in heterogeneous occupations.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 outbreak has taken a heavy toll on the mental well-being of healthcare workers, even those who have not been directly involved in the care of acutely ill patients. The aims of this study were to identify the overall burden and mental health status of healthcare workers in pediatric developmental services under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify the risk and protective factors associated with mental health. Methods This cross-sectional web-based study was part of a large multicenter VOICE study conducted among employees ((neuro-)pediatricians, psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, etc.) from various pediatric developmental services between June and July 2020. A total of 1291 questionnaires regarding overall burden, mental health status (depression, generalized anxiety disorder and emotional exhaustion) and risk and protective factors for mental health (working conditions, potential problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and psychological resources) were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis. Results A total of 44.5% (574/1291) participants felt a high or very high overall burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of all the participants, 14.6% (171/1173) reported clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms, 17.0% (199/1173) reported generalized anxiety disorder symptoms and 44.6% (532/1192) reported emotional exhaustion. Multiple linear regression analyses identified several common risk and protective factors for mental health status variables. The burden of an increase in the quantity of work, fear of work and fear of becoming infected showed the strongest negative associations, whereas psychological resources and sufficient relaxation in leisure time exhibited the strongest positive associations. Conclusion Employees who were not directly involved in the care of acutely ill patients were also exposed to considerable stress, some of which was not different from that experienced by professionals who were directly affected. These employees should not be lost sight of and must be offered appropriate support.

The role of human research is basic to determine the objective of an organization or company. The case of a work accident can be detrimental for workers and can decrease the safety performance of the company. Some factors could affect it for instance human factors (unsafe actions), which are caused by undiscipline in applying regulation of work, worker's skilled less in mastering production tools, etc. While environmental factors can be caused by various things for instance an unsafe circumstance of work which concerns all equipment or machinery, and also buildings. The purpose of this research is to obtain the knowledge to gain broader knowledge about the influence of Safety Climate, Perceived Supervisor Safety, and Psychological Strain on Safety Performance. The research population is about 115 employees consist of 45 supervisors and 70 active employees in the Commercial Ship Division of PT PAL Indonesia (Persero), Surabaya. Due to a total population of 115 employees which consist of 45 supervisors, and 70 active employees are used as respondents to the commercial ship division. The data analysis in this research uses partial least square (PLS). The result obtained from this research is that safety climate and perceived supervisor safety are low practice, so the company's safety performance will be low as well and for the psychological strain highly level could make a negative impact on the company's safety performance.

The core objective of this study is to examine the impact of less social connectedness and testing fear on employee health. This study also investigates the mediating role of psychological strain between the relationship of less social connectedness, testing fear and employee health. Furthermore, this study also assesses the impact of employee health on employee performance. The study's target audience consisted of employees in the electronics industry in China. The convenience sample method was used in this study to collect data from respondents. Data analysis of this study was performed by using the structural equation modeling technique. The statistical software used for data analysis is Smart PLS 3. The results of this study show that less COVID-19 testing fear has a negatively significant impact on employee health, but less social connectedness has not significant direct impact on employee health. Furthermore, psychological strain was discovered to mediate the relationship between less social connectedness and employee health and testing fear and employee health. In addition, this impact of employee health on employee performance was found significant. This study provides theoretical and practical implications. In the context of practical implications, this study provides valuable insights for the organizational management to develop a healthy and positive working environment and adopt healthy behavior among their employees which ultimately foster their job performance.

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak has taken a heavy toll on the mental well-being of healthcare workers, even those who have not been directly involved in the care of acutely ill patients. The aims of this study were to identify the overall burden and mental health status of healthcare workers in pediatric developmental services under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify the risk and protective factors associated with mental health. Methods: This cross-sectional web-based study was part of a large multicenter VOICE study conducted among employees ((neuro-)pediatricians, psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, etc.) from various pediatric developmental services between June and July 2020. A total of 1291 questionnaires regarding overall burden, mental health status (depression, generalized anxiety disorder and emotional exhaustion) and risk and protective factors for mental health (working conditions, potential problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and psychological resources) were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 44.5% (574/1291) participants felt a high or very high overall burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of all the participants, 14.6% (171/1173) reported clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms, 17.0% (199/1173) reported generalized anxiety disorder symptoms and 44.6% (532/1192) reported emotional exhaustion. Multiple linear regression analyses identified several common risk and protective factors for mental health status variables. The burden of an increase in the quantity of work, fear of work and fear of becoming infected showed the strongest negative associations, whereas psychological resources and sufficient relaxation in leisure time exhibited the strongest positive associations. Conclusion: Employees who were not directly involved in the care of acutely ill patients were also exposed to considerable stress, some of which was not different from that experienced by professionals who were directly affected. These employees should not be lost sight of and must be offered appropriate support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cluster headaches can occur with considerable clinical variability. The inter- and intra-individual variability could contribute to the fact that the clinical headache phenotype is not captured by too strict diagnostic criteria, and that the diagnosis and the effective therapy are thereby delayed. The aim of the study was to analyze the severity and extent of the clinical symptoms of episodic and chronic cluster headaches with regard to their variability and to compare them with the requirements of the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition (ICHD-3) diagnostic criteria. Methods: The study was carried out as a cross-sectional analysis of 825 patients who had been diagnosed with cluster headaches by their physician. Using an online questionnaire, standardized questions on sociodemographic variables, clinical features of the cluster headache according to ICHD-3, and accompanying clinical symptoms were recorded. Results: The majority of patients with cluster headaches have clinical features that are mapped by the diagnostic criteria of ICHD-3. However, due to the variability of the symptoms, there is a significant proportion of clinical phenotypes that are not captured by the ICHD-3 criteria for cluster headaches. In addition, change in the side of the pain between the cluster episodes, pain location, as well as persisting pain between the attacks is not addressed in the ICHD-3 criteria. In the foreground of the comorbidities are psychological consequences in the form of depression, sleep disorders, and anxiety. Conclusions: The variability of the phenotype of cluster headaches can preclude some patients from receiving an appropriate diagnosis and effective therapy if the diagnostic criteria applied are too strict. The occurrence of persisting pain between attacks should also be diagnostically evaluated due to its high prevalence and severity as well as psychological strain. When treating patients with cluster headaches, accompanying psychological illnesses should carefully be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the beneficial effects of the internet, inappropriate, and overuse of it may result in negative consequences such as internet addiction (IA). Despite the increasing uses of the internet among students and the concern about IA, the mechanism and the direction of association between IA and psychological stain is still unknown. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between IA and psychological strain in nursing and midwifery students of Islamic Azad University, Qom Branch, in 2018. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 298 nursing and midwifery students of Islamic Azad University, Qom Branch. The students were recruited through a census method and responded to a three-part instrument. The study instrument included questions addressing the students' characteristics, the Young's IA Test, and the Osipow Psychological Strain Inventory. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean age of the students was 21.93 ± 2.91 years. The mean IA and psychological strain were 53.12 ± 16.66 and 25.22 ± 7.33, respectively. About 50% of the students were moderately addicted to the internet, and 53% of the students showed moderate psychological strain. A direct significant correlation was found between IA and psychological strain in nursing and midwifery students (P = 0.001 and r = 0.41). IA and students' age could predict psychological strain in nursing and midwifery students (r2 = 0.18). Conclusion: A majority of nursing and midwifery students showed moderate levels of IA and psychological strain, and these two variables are significantly correlated. The authorities in nursing and midwifery education should establish appropriate strategies to diminish the harmful effects of excessive internet use by the students.

Objectives Despite regularly reporting high levels of occupational stress, lawyers are an under‐researched group in this field. The first objective of this research is to develop a short measure assessing two common work stress management techniques (WSMS) commonly employed by lawyers: relaxation and cognitive restructuring. A second objective is to assess the impact of three key job characteristics and two work stress management techniques upon levels of psychological strain, job satisfaction, and work engagement in a sample of lawyers. Method Drawing on the Job Demands Control‐Support theoretical explanation of occupational stress, we assessed the impact of the two stress management techniques upon three key psychological outcomes, in comparison with three common job characteristics. An anonymous survey was administered to lawyers employed in one Australian state and produced a respondent sample of N = 114. Results Confirmatory factor analysis produced acceptable psychometric results for the six‐item WSMS. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that job demands was not directly associated with any of the three criterion variables. Importantly, cognitive restructuring was as strongly associated with job satisfaction and work engagement, compared to the three job characteristics. Cognitive restructuring techniques were also associated with high levels of work engagement even when experiencing high job demands. Conclusions The implications for occupational stress experienced by lawyers, the current popularity of occupational resilience and organisational wellness programs, and the assessment of generic job characteristics are all discussed.

Background and Objectives: Nurses as the largest group of health services provider must be away from psychological strain in order to provide patients with a desirable care. Hence, this research was conducted with the objective of assessing the role of fatigue severity, sleep quality, and occupational hardiness dimensions in the prediction of psychological strain among nurses working in hospitals of Bandar Abbas and Haji Abad. Methods: This study was conducted as a descriptive correlational study on all nurses working in hospitals of Bandar Abbas and Haji Abad in 2018. A total of 126 subjects were selected using available sampling method. The used collection tools included Psychological Strain Questionnaire (PSQ), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Occupational Hardiness Questionnaire (OHQ). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression tests. Results: The results was indicative of poor sleep quality in the nurses. Based on the regression analysis, the fatigue severity, sleep quality, and the components of challenge and control of occupational hardiness can explain 61.6% of the variance of psychological strain, but the commitment component of occupational hardiness could not predict psychological strain (p>0.05). Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, training and intervention on improving fatigue severity, sleep quality, and occupational hardiness of nurses can be suggested as an effective way in the reduction of their psychological strain.

The relation between role overload and work performance remains insufficiently understood. Drawing upon conservation of resources theory, we expected role overload to negatively relate to performance through psychological strain and this relation to be buffered by leader–member exchange (LMX). Study 1 (N = 212) examined depression as a severe type of strain that mediates between role overload and in-role performance, job dedication, and voice behavior. Study 2 (N = 191) used generic, perceived strain as a mediator between role overload and in-role performance and reward recommendations. Both studies tested LMX’s buffering effect, controlling for role ambiguity and conflict. A supplementary panel study (N = 99) assessed the temporal relationship between role overload and strain. Role overload triggered psychological strain, which undermined performance, and LMX acted as a buffer on role overload, but not on role ambiguity or role conflict. We discuss the implications of these findings for theory and practice.

The relation between role overload and work performance remains insufficiently understood. Drawing upon conservation of resources theory, we expected role overload to negatively relate to performance through psychological strain and this relation to be buffered by leader–member exchange (LMX). Study 1 (N = 212) examined depression as a severe type of strain that mediates between role overload and in-role performance, job dedication, and voice behavior. Study 2 (N = 191) used generic, perceived strain as a mediator between role overload and in-role performance and reward recommendations. Both studies tested LMX's buffering effect, controlling for role ambiguity and conflict. A supplementary panel study (N = 99) assessed the temporal relationship between role overload and strain. Role overload triggered psychological strain, which undermined performance, and LMX acted as a buffer on role overload, but not on role ambiguity or role conflict. We discuss the implications of these findings for theory and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pervasive nature of social media can result in excessive use and addiction, but whether excessive use of social media is good or bad for individuals' creativity is unclear. This study explored the direct and indirect impact of excessive use of WeChat on individuals' creativity in workplace, focusing on how excessive use of WeChat promotes or restrains creativity through knowledge sharing and psychological strain. Based on the person–environment fit model and motivation theory, this study examined the three paths of excessive WeChat use affecting individuals' creativity in workplace. We used the structural equation model to test our research model. A survey of 364 employees revealed that excessive WeChat use directly promotes creativity and indirectly improves creativity via knowledge sharing, but excessive WeChat use does not lead to psychological strain. These findings, obtained by theoretically and empirically investigating the positive outcomes of excessive WeChat use, suggest an upside to excessive WeChat use. The implications and limitations of this study and future research on excessive-use behavior are also discussed.

The pervasive nature of social media can result in excessive use and addiction, but whether excessive use of social media is good or bad for individuals' creativity is unclear. This study explored the direct and indirect impact of excessive use of WeChat on individuals' creativity in workplace, focusing on how excessive use of WeChat promotes or restrains creativity through knowledge sharing and psychological strain. Based on the person–environment fit model and motivation theory, this study examined the three paths of excessive WeChat use affecting individuals' creativity in workplace. We used the structural equation model to test our research model. A survey of 364 employees revealed that excessive WeChat use directly promotes creativity and indirectly improves creativity via knowledge sharing, but excessive WeChat use does not lead to psychological strain. These findings, obtained by theoretically and empirically investigating the positive outcomes of excessive WeChat use, suggest an upside to excessive WeChat use. The implications and limitations of this study and future research on excessive-use behavior are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research introduced the new construct of ‘perceived COVID-19 vaccine pressure’ (i.e., the psychological strain associated with societal demands on vaccine taking) and examined the initial psychometric properties of a newly proposed measure. The study surveyed 411 Barbadian respondents to examine their level of perceived COVID-19 vaccine pressure using an online survey modality. The results revealed strong and robust psychometric properties for the scale and its unidimensionality. Younger and employed respondents as well as those working in the tourism and hospitality and government (public) sectors experienced the greatest internalised vaccine pressure relative to other respondent groups. Only initial/preliminary evidence of the scale’s validity and reliability was revealed by this cross-sectional study. A follow-up study (using CFA on a new sample) is needed to provide stronger evidence for its validity and reliability. Understanding the dynamics of perceived or internalised vaccine pressure might help explain the positive or negative effects of societal pressure and its implications for vaccine hesitancy and other vaccine-related attitudes and behaviours. The study is the first to conceptually discuss and empirically examine the mental health strain occasioned by societal demands placed on individuals to take a COVID-19 vaccine.

Background and Objectives: Psychological strain is one of the prevalent problems in nursing profession, which can lead to unpleasant consequences; also, psychological empowerment is of great importance due to its effects on nursing professional practice. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the correlation between psychological empowerment and its components with psychological strain in nurses. Methods: This descriptive - correlational study was performed on 308 nurses working in 6 educational hospitals of Qom city in 2017. Samples were selected through census method and according to the inclusion criteria. Data collection tools included a 12-question questionnaire (5 degrees scale) of Spreitzer's Psychological Empowerment, and a 10-question questionnaire (5 degrees scale) of Psychological Strain (Osipow). Results: The mean psychological empowerment was determined 3.90±0.61 and the mean amount of psychological strain was 2.48±0.85 .According to the results of regression analysis, among predictor variables (psychological empowerment components), autonomy and impact, were significant at the error level less than 0.05. Among them, the greatest influence of empowerment was related to the autonomy component, which inversely predicts psychological strain. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that empowering nurses as much as possible in clinical settings and in “autonomy” component of psychological empowerment components, can reduce their psychological strain. This issue reveals the need to pay attention to the planning in the field of empowerment of nurses in clinical settings.

Introduction: Nurses as the major group of health service providers need to have the satisfactory mental health in order to give desirably care for the patients. Therefore this study was done aimed to predict of psychological strain based on perceived work difficulty, occupational hardiness and spirituality among nurses working in hospitals of Malayer. Methods: The research was descriptive and from correlation type. The statistical population included all nurses working in hospitals of Malayer in 2016 year that 115 people were selected using convenience sampling method. Psychological Strain Questionnaire (PSQ), Work Difficultly Scale, Occupational Hardiness Questionnaire (OHQ) and Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES) were used for gathering data. Pearson correlation, multivariate stepwise regression and software SPSS-22 were used for analyzing the data. Results: The results showed that there was a significant correlation between perceived work difficulty, component of challenge from occupational hardiness and spirituality with psychological strain (p

Objective Preliminary evidence suggests veterinary nurses are an at‐risk population for high levels of occupational stress. This study sought to advance knowledge of occupational stress in this under‐researched professional group by applying the Job Demands–Resources model to assess predictors of psychological strain, work‐related burnout, and work engagement. Method Research participants consisted of 144 veterinary nurses employed within one Australian state (response rate of 41%). Data were obtained via an anonymous self‐report questionnaire. All research participation was voluntary. Results Analyses indicated the mean level of work‐related burnout in this sample exceeded that of normative samples in human health‐care professions. We also found that although both generic and occupation‐specific job demands were significantly associated with levels of psychological strain and burnout, generic job demands accounted for a greater proportion of variance. Only direct effects were produced for the association of both workplace social support and job control with work engagement; no evidence was found for the moderating effects of these two job resources. Conclusions The findings both validate and challenge the tenets of the Job Demands–Resources explanation of occupation stress. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.

Workplace bullying is regarded as one of the most devastating stressors at work for those targeted, and the bullying-mental health relationship is well-documented in the literature, even under lower levels of exposure. However, less is known about when and for whom these negative behaviors have more effect. Perceived control over outcomes in life (i.e., internal locus of control) has normally been related to good health and well-being, while relying on chance and/or powerful others (i.e., external locus of control) have been related to stress and poor health. In situations with reduced individual control like bullying, however, these mechanisms may act differently. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether internal and external locus of control, respectively, moderates the bullying-mental health relationship. Data were gathered in 2014–2015 from 1474 Russian employees (44% response rate), and analyzed using Mplus and SEM modeling. Included measurement scales were the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised, the General Health Questionnaire-12, and Levenson’s Locus of Control scale. Although the prevalence of high intensity bullying was low, the results showed the expected positive relationship between exposure to bullying behaviors and psychological strain. Furthermore, this relationship was moderated by locus of control. In line with our expectations, internal locus of control did not have the generally assumed positive effect on strain when exposed to bullying behaviors. On the other hand, external locus of control seems relatively beneficial when facing bullying behaviors. The results of this study thus support that exposure to bullying and its associated behaviors are unique stressors where personal characteristics seem to play a different role than normally expected when facing other kinds of stressors.

Suicide is a global public health problem, but very few theories have been developed for its etiology and effective prevention. Presented in this article is a comprehensive and parsimonious theory explaining the socio-psychological mechanism prior to suicidal behavior. Strain, resulting from conflicting and competing pressures in an individual's life, is hypothesized to precede suicide. The strain theory of suicide (STS) proposes four sources of strain leading to suicide: (1) value strain from differential values; (2) aspiration strain from the discrepancy between aspiration and reality; (3) deprivation strain from the relative deprivation, including poverty; and (4) coping strain from deficient coping skills in the face of a crisis. This new model is built on previous notions of anomie (Durkheim, 1897/1951), strain theories of deviance (Merton, 1957) and crime (Agnew, 1992), although suicide is not a major target for explanation in those theories. Future research with rigorous quantitative data needs to be conducted to further test STS on a more comprehensive level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workplace bullying is regarded as one of the most devastating stressors at work for those targeted, and the bullying-mental health relationship is well-documented in the literature, even under lower levels of exposure. However, less is known about when and for whom these negative behaviors have more effect. Perceived control over outcomes in life (i.e., internal locus of control) has normally been related to good health and well-being, while relying on chance and/or powerful others (i.e., external locus of control) have been related to stress and poor health. In situations with reduced individual control like bullying, however, these mechanisms may act differently. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether internal and external locus of control, respectively, moderates the bullying-mental health relationship. Data were gathered in 2014–2015 from 1474 Russian employees (44% response rate), and analyzed using Mplus and SEM modeling. Included measurement scales were the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised, the General Health Questionnaire-12, and Levenson's Locus of Control scale. Although the prevalence of high intensity bullying was low, the results showed the expected positive relationship between exposure to bullying behaviors and psychological strain. Furthermore, this relationship was moderated by locus of control. In line with our expectations, internal locus of control did not have the generally assumed positive effect on strain when exposed to bullying behaviors. On the other hand, external locus of control seems relatively beneficial when facing bullying behaviors. The results of this study thus support that exposure to bullying and its associated behaviors are unique stressors where personal characteristics seem to play a different role than normally expected when facing other kinds of stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will explore if and how psychological strain plays a mediator role between the learning climate and job performance in a group of health workers.Although the relationship between learning climate and job performance has already been explored in the international literature, the role of psychological strain, which may hamper or deepen this relationship, has yet to be investigated. The research hypothesis is that psychological strain mediates the relationship between the climate towards learning (including also the error avoidance climate) and job performance.Data were gathered in a Public hospital in Italy. Participants (N = 61) were health professionals (nurses and obstetricians). Considering the relatively small sample size, a mediation analysis with the aid of the SPSS macro PROCESS was performed.The results show that the relationship between the learning climate (specifically its dimension of organizational appreciation towards learning) and job performance is mediated by psychological strain. The future research agenda and practical implications are discussed in the paper.

Teacher stress significantly challenges teachers' health, teaching quality, and students' motivation and achievement. Thus, it is crucial to identify factors that effectively prevent it. Using a LASSO regression approach, we examined which factors predict teachers' psychological strain and allostatic load over two years. The study included 42 teachers (28 female, M age = 39.66, SD = 11.99) and three measurement time points: At baseline, we assessed teachers' (a) self-reports (i.e., on personality, coping styles, and psychological strain), (b) behavioral data (i.e., videotaped lessons), and (c) allostatic load (i.e., body mass index, blood pressure, and hair cortisol concentration). At 1- and 2-year follow-ups, psychological strain and allostatic load biomarkers were reassessed. Neuroticism and perceived student disruptions at baseline emerged as the most significant risk factors regarding teachers' psychological strain two years later, while a positive core self-evaluation was the most important protective factor. Perceived support from other teachers and the school administration as well as adaptive coping styles were protective factors against allostatic load after two years. The findings suggest that teachers' psychological strain and allostatic load do not primarily originate from objective classroom conditions but are attributable to teachers' idiosyncratic perception of this environment through the lens of personality and coping strategies.

This paper will explore if and how psychological strain plays a mediator role between the learning climate and job performance in a group of health workers. Although the relationship between learning climate and job performance has already been explored in the international literature, the role of psychological strain, which may hamper or deepen this relationship, has yet to be investigated. The research hypothesis is that psychological strain mediates the relationship between the climate toward learning (including also the error avoidance climate) and job performance. Data were gathered in a Public hospital in Italy. Participants (N = 61) were health professionals (nurses and obstetricians). Considering the relatively small sample size, a mediation analysis with the aid of the SPSS macro PROCESS was performed. The results show that the relationship between the learning climate (specifically its dimension of organizational appreciation toward learning) and job performance is mediated by psychological strain. The future research agenda and practical implications are discussed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]