Stress management among human services professionals

Research on the effects of stress in the workplace supports the case that healthy stress management is paramount to the success of employees on the job. In addition to the health issues that arise from constant high levels of stress, job performance is also impacted and stress can inversely affect the quality of care administered by human service employees. To understand the impact of stress among professionals working in New York City health and human services agencies, a focus group of eight participants convened to discuss the type of stress they face at work; how they cope with stress; and how stress impacts their work performance as well as their physical and mental health. The responses revealed that the participants felt overworked with little support; inconsistently found ways for coping with stress; and expressed their desire to be more efficient on the job. Participants also provided recommendations for managing stress and the means for implementing worksite health promotion.