Work related stress measurement and intervention

Introduction
Prevention of Psychosocial Risk Factors in the workplace demands two conditions. First, identify and measure the stress dose and second, compare the results with a previously established reference value. These findings help to develop stress intervention programs. This prevalence logic currently has some challenges for its application in the field of psychosocial risk factors, but is proposed as a way of measuring the effectiveness of the applied stress intervention programs. The objective of this study is demonstrate the effectiveness of intervention programs selected over the course of four years of continuous measurement as well as to present stress levels in three manufacturing plants and one corporate office, review the symptoms, identify the most relevant work related causes.

Methods
The Seppo Aro Stress Symtoms Scale (ESE) questionnaire was used along with part of the Viccorsat (IMSS) questionnaire which considers work related causes. The Krejcie, R.V. & Morgan 1970 method was used to validate the samples sizes.
The employee sample sizes were 1,163 employees in 2007, 1,047 in 2008, 2,023 in 2,009 and 2,286 in 2010, with a transversal type design and data gathered using a self administered questionnaire.

Results
Stress levels were 15 to 20% higher at a corporate office compared to manufacturing plants. The stress management programs applied were very effective as demonstrated by the improvement of all stress levels, year after year.
Of the three groups of causes of occupational stress, the most consistently outstanding and increasingly important factor has been Time Management.

Discussion
Stress has been measured in terms of levels, symptoms and causes with the same tool and prospective analysis that allows for targeted attention and intervention programs with demonstrated effectiveness.