Definition
The term “stress factors”, also called stressors, includes all internal and external influences that can cause a stress reaction in the human body. Which circumstances act as stress factors in people and to what extent they do so varies greatly from person to person and depends on numerous factors. Stress factors are divided into several groups.
Physical stress factors for example include noise, heat and cold. Mental stress factors, on the other hand, are usually based on internal and external performance demands or excessive demands. Interpersonal conflicts, separations and the loss of close persons are assigned to the social stressors. The extent to which an external factor acts as a stress factor or not depends largely on the personality of the person concerned. Thus, for example, external pressure to perform is perceived by people to very different degrees.
What can be stress factors?
Physical stress factors: Long-lasting noise Heat and cold Pollutants Bad light at the workplace Mental stress factors: Internal and external pressure to perform Overworking Feeling of not meeting expectations Over- and underchallenge Competitive pressure Unclear goals at work Social stress factors: Loss of close persons Separation Interpersonal conflicts Change of job Mobbing
- Long lasting noise
- Heat and cold
- Pollutants
- Poor light at the workplace
- Internal and external performance pressure
- Revision
- Feeling of not meeting expectations
- Over- and underchallenge
- Competitive pressure
- Unclear goals in the job
- Loss of related parties
- Separations
- Interpersonal conflicts
- Change of job
- Mobbing
Can stress factors be measured?
With the exception of physical stress factors, it is generally difficult to measure stress factors such as performance pressure. Furthermore, there is the question of whether it makes sense to measure stress factors directly, since it is their effect on the individual that ultimately determines whether or not this stress is triggered. The effects of a stress factor on a person can indeed be measured.
Various methods can be used for this purpose. For example, there are now numerous psychological questionnaires that attempt to describe the influence of certain external factors on an individual and enable a distinction to be made between mild and severe stressors. Furthermore the physical signs of acute stress can be measured. These include, for example, an increase in heart rate, increased sweating or an increase in muscle tension.
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