Work-related stressors and coping behaviors among leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises
Abstract Background Occupational health interventions for leaders are underrepresented in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). When creating and developing effective occupational health interventions, identification of the specific needs of the target group is regarded as an essential step bef...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15581-3 |
| _version_ | 1797845769119596544 |
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| author | Indra Dannheim Anette E. Buyken Anja Kroke |
| author_facet | Indra Dannheim Anette E. Buyken Anja Kroke |
| author_sort | Indra Dannheim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Occupational health interventions for leaders are underrepresented in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). When creating and developing effective occupational health interventions, identification of the specific needs of the target group is regarded as an essential step before planning an intervention. Therefore, the aim of this study was (1) to examine the subjectively experienced work-related stressors of leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises, (2) to explore coping behaviors leaders use to deal with the experienced work-related stressors, (3) to investigate resources supporting the coping process and (4) to identify potentially self-perceived consequences resulting from the experienced stressors. Methods Ten semi-structured interviews with leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises were conducted. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed with content-structuring qualitative content analysis in accordance to Kuckartz. Results Leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises experience various stressors caused by work organization as well as industry-related stressors and other work-related stressors. To address the experienced stressors, leaders apply problem focused coping behaviors (e.g. performing changes on structural and personal level), emotional focused coping behaviors (e.g. balancing activities, cognitive restructuring) as well as the utilization of social support. Helpful resources for the coping process include organizational, social and personal resources. As a result of the experienced work-related stressors, interviewees stated to experience different health impairments, negative effects on work quality as well as neglect of leisure activities and lack of time for family and friends. Conclusion The identified experienced work-related stressors, applied coping behaviors, utilized resources and emerging consequences underpin the urgent need for the development and performance of health-oriented leadership interventions for leaders in small and medium- sized IT and technological services. The results of this study can be used when designing a target-oriented intervention for the examined target group. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:44:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c3108359f30240168547e82bd76b0d38 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:44:15Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-c3108359f30240168547e82bd76b0d382023-04-16T11:27:06ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582023-04-0123111310.1186/s12889-023-15581-3Work-related stressors and coping behaviors among leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprisesIndra Dannheim0Anette E. Buyken1Anja Kroke2Regional Innovative Centre of Health and Quality of Live Fulda (RIGL), Fulda University of Applied SciencesInstitute of Nutrition, Consumption and Health, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Paderborn UniversityRegional Innovative Centre of Health and Quality of Live Fulda (RIGL), Fulda University of Applied SciencesAbstract Background Occupational health interventions for leaders are underrepresented in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). When creating and developing effective occupational health interventions, identification of the specific needs of the target group is regarded as an essential step before planning an intervention. Therefore, the aim of this study was (1) to examine the subjectively experienced work-related stressors of leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises, (2) to explore coping behaviors leaders use to deal with the experienced work-related stressors, (3) to investigate resources supporting the coping process and (4) to identify potentially self-perceived consequences resulting from the experienced stressors. Methods Ten semi-structured interviews with leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises were conducted. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed with content-structuring qualitative content analysis in accordance to Kuckartz. Results Leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises experience various stressors caused by work organization as well as industry-related stressors and other work-related stressors. To address the experienced stressors, leaders apply problem focused coping behaviors (e.g. performing changes on structural and personal level), emotional focused coping behaviors (e.g. balancing activities, cognitive restructuring) as well as the utilization of social support. Helpful resources for the coping process include organizational, social and personal resources. As a result of the experienced work-related stressors, interviewees stated to experience different health impairments, negative effects on work quality as well as neglect of leisure activities and lack of time for family and friends. Conclusion The identified experienced work-related stressors, applied coping behaviors, utilized resources and emerging consequences underpin the urgent need for the development and performance of health-oriented leadership interventions for leaders in small and medium- sized IT and technological services. The results of this study can be used when designing a target-oriented intervention for the examined target group.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15581-3Work-related stressorsCoping BehaviorLeadershipSMEsHealth-oriented leadershipOccupational health |
| spellingShingle | Indra Dannheim Anette E. Buyken Anja Kroke Work-related stressors and coping behaviors among leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises BMC Public Health Work-related stressors Coping Behavior Leadership SMEs Health-oriented leadership Occupational health |
| title | Work-related stressors and coping behaviors among leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises |
| title_full | Work-related stressors and coping behaviors among leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises |
| title_fullStr | Work-related stressors and coping behaviors among leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises |
| title_full_unstemmed | Work-related stressors and coping behaviors among leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises |
| title_short | Work-related stressors and coping behaviors among leaders in small and medium-sized IT and technological services enterprises |
| title_sort | work related stressors and coping behaviors among leaders in small and medium sized it and technological services enterprises |
| topic | Work-related stressors Coping Behavior Leadership SMEs Health-oriented leadership Occupational health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15581-3 |
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