Creating Positive Stress with Demanding Work – The HRD-Eustress Model

The HRD-Eustress Model describes how work-related stress is converted into productive energy, benefiting both employees and companies. This model is based on psychological concepts and shows stress factors as well as targeted preventive measures for stress management. It distinguishes between eustress (positive stress) and distress (negative stress), whose effects on the organization and the individual are individually recognizable.

What is the HRD-Eustress Model?

The HRD-Eustress Model identifies and analyzes stressors in the workplace, which often arise from demanding tasks. It highlights how these factors can be both challenging and motivating, and breaks down into three modalities that influence how stress is managed.

Stress Management Through Preventive Measures

In order to manage work-related stress preventively, there are various approaches in the HRD-Eustress Model:

1. Primary prevention: These measures have a direct effect on stressors before they occur. They include job analyses, the creation of clear requirement profiles and targeted training to better cope with task complexity.
2. Secondary prevention: Here, individual reactions are moderated in order to strengthen personal resilience. Measures such as coaching, health programs, and flexible scheduling help reduce stress and strengthen coping resources.
3. Tertiary prevention: This phase aims to influence long-term responses to stress. Performance evaluations, monetary incentives and targeted employee recognition strengthen well-being and promote resilience.

Practical Implementation of the HRD-Eustress Model

In practice, the HRD-Eustress Model helps to convert negative effects of stress into positive development. Examples are targeted training programs, personal responsibility through individual schedules and regular reflections that contribute to knowledge formation. Feedback and support from managers create a positive learning atmosphere and strengthen employee satisfaction and performance.

The HRD-Eustress Model thus offers a holistic approach to stress management that has the potential to make the work environment more motivating and healthier.

Quick Facts:

Source: Hargrove, Blake; Becker, Wendy & Hargrove, Debra (2015). The HRD Eustress Model: Generating Positive Stress With Challenging Work. Human Resource Development Review 14(3), pp. 279-298.

Link to the original: https://hrd.sagepub.com/content/14/3/279.abstract

This article comes from the Xing group Science meets HRD