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AN EXAMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STAFF BEHAVIOUR AND STRESS LEVELS IN RESIDENTIAL CARE
Author(s) -
Rose John,
Mullan Ellen,
Fletcher Ben C.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
mental handicap research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 0952-9608
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3148.1994.tb00133.x
Subject(s) - psychology , unit (ring theory) , stress (linguistics) , work (physics) , nursing , medicine , mechanical engineering , linguistics , philosophy , mathematics education , engineering
This paper examines the relationship between levels of stress and the observed performance at work of direct care staff in one community unit and two group homes for people with learning disabilities. Staff completed a questionnaire which measured their levels of stress and factors which they perceived could have influenced them. Staff were observed in detail at work and asked to report on levels of stress during these observation periods. No significant differences in levels of stress were found between the staff in group homes and community units. There was greater staff/resident interaction in the group homes, suggesting that quality improvements in residential environments can be achieved without affecting staff stress. A number of factors, particularly relationships with other staff and management, are discussed as of vital importance in influencing stress levels.