Briner, Robert B (1990) Patterns of psychological response to the demands of computer-supported work. PhD thesis, University of Sheffield.
Abstract
The central aim of the thesis is to examine and resolve some of the
fundamental theoretical and methodological problems in stress research. Two
interdependent means of realising this aim are adopted. The first involves a
critical analysis of research practices, the building of a theoretical framework,
and the development of methodologies. The second assesses these
methodologies by using them to explore affect and symptom reporting in
computer-supported work.
In order to perform a critical analysis of stress research the key variables are
reviewed. Methodological problems encountered in the measurement of each
variable are examined, and theory implicit in their measurement is discussed.
Existing explicit theories of stress are considered and found to be inadequate.
A rational approach to theory building, which takes account of the complexity
of stress phenomena is adopted. A theoretical framework of Adaptive Action
Control is presented, synthesized from a number of theories, including action
theory and motivational control theory. The meaning and measurement of
variables within this framework is discussed.
Three empirical studies are reported, and their results considered both in
terms of their research findings, and wider implications for methodology. The
first study is exploratory, using cross-sectional questionnaire methodology
typical of much stress research. Several variables were found to be associated
with symptom reporting, but the nature of these methodologies make
interpretation of the results difficult. In contrast, the next two studies use
theory-based diary methodologies and measures of hassles and affect.
Different patterns of associations between variables were found for different
dimensions of affect and types of hassles. Few effects of computer use were
found. The diary methodologies were shown to be useful, and provided
indirect support for the theoretical framework. Future development of the
framework and its implications for stress research and the relationships
between theory and methodology are discussed.
Metadata
Keywords: | Stress |
---|---|
Awarding institution: | University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Psychology (Sheffield) |
Identification Number/EthosID: | uk.bl.ethos.336161 |
Depositing User: | EThOS Import Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 25 Oct 2012 15:15 |
Last Modified: | 08 Aug 2013 08:47 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:etheses.whiterose.ac.uk:1845 |
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