ABSTRACT
Stress has a wide range of impacts on the body, from changes in homeostasis to life-threatening consequences and death. Stress causes pathophysiological problems in many diseases, and people who are exposed to it, such as those who work or live in stressful circumstances, are more likely to develop a variety of conditions. Many diseases and pathological states can be triggered by or exacerbated by stress. Stress has a wide range of impacts on the body, from changes in homeostasis to life-threatening consequences and death. Stress causes pathophysiological problems in many diseases, and people who are exposed to it, such as those who work or live in stressful circumstances, are more likely to develop a variety of conditions. For many diseases and pathological situations, stress can be a triggering or worsening component. The study focused on “Effect Of Stress On Psychological Function Of The Nervous System”. A descriptive survey design was used to achieve the study objectives. A simple random sampling procedure was used to select a total of 100 respondents for the study. Questionnaire was the sole instrument for data collection. The findings revealed that there is high positive correlation between stress and the functioning of the body system.
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.0 Background of the Study
Stress is inherent and inevitable in a social system. Stress has always been a part of man’s life, affecting all aspects of his biological, psychological, and social demands. Stress as a concept has attracted a lot of attraction frommany diverse disciplines such as psychiatry, clinical and social psychology, sociology, organizational behaviours, cultural anthropology,medicine et cetera. This is not surprising because the causes and consequences of stress are multi-faceted and wide-ranging.In the developing countries, the incidence of stress at homes, in the society and amongst employees of any service industry is also alarming owing to harsh economic realities, poor social relations, institutional delays and breakdowns, general pervasive feelings of precariousness of life.
According to Feldman (2003), stress is a necessary component of every human existence; otherwise, our lives would be uninteresting and boring. Stress is a condition that can manifest in either a positive (enjoyable) or negative (distressful) way. The negative kind of stress, on the other hand, is the most problematic for teachers. Negative stress that isn’t appropriately addressed, handled, and released can lead to melancholy, illness, weariness, and burnout. According to Kahn and Quinn (2010) “Stress is the outcome of facet of the assigned work role that caused harmful effect for individual. Occupational stress is considered as harmful factor of the work environment”. It also has unpleasant effects on health of an individual’s as David (2008) contributed “it can also be labeled as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources or needs of the workers. Stress can lead to poor health and even injuring”.
According to Ilo (2006) “it is recognized world-wide as a major challenge to individual mental and physical health, and organization health”. Although stress includes both good and bad aspects but it is not necessarily bad. Robbins and Sanghi (2006) also contributed “stress is typically discussed in a negative context; it also has a positive gain”. Robbins et al, (2008) contributed the same “stress is not always negative or harmful and indeed, the absence of stress is death”.
stress is a particular pattern of disturbing psychological and physiological reaction that occurs when an environment event threatens important motives and taxes one’s ability to cope. Stressors abound in our everyday life as would condition and unsatisfactory living continues to be a problem Stress on its own does not have any damaging effect on an individual; however individuals’ assessment of an event, their perceptions and interpretations give meaning and their coping ability determines whether events are viewed as threatening or positive. Personality traits also influence individual reaction to stress because what may be strenuous to one person may be stimulating to another (Robinson, M. D. et al., 2011).
The effects of unmanaged stress situations according to Koshiba and Helgerson (1999) include high blood pressure, aches and pains, internal heat, palpitation, poor memory, sleeplessness (insomania), poor appetite, lack of concentration, depression, fear, anxiety, anger, hostility and bad dreams. Sharing similar views, Azubuike (2005) and Maisamari (2002), submitted that the consequences of stress could be manifested in unhealthy physiological, psychological and behavioural change. Psychological or mental stress may be accompanied by anger, anxiety, depression, nervousness, 16 irritability, tension and boredom. Maisamari stated further that physical stress can be accompanied by high blood pressure, digestive problem, ulcers and indigestion, palpitation, chest pain, skin disorder, muscle tension, headache, loss of appetite, restlessness, shutdown of menstrual cycle, impairment of fertility among male spouses and depletion of vitamins C, B and D in the body. In extreme cases, Groiler, (2006) added that unmanaged stress could result to illness such as high blood pressure leading to stroke and death. The detrimental and dangerous effects of stress on spouse has necessitated the need for the adoption of healthy stress management. Stress management are appropriate coping actions, behaviours or attitudes which spouses exhibit when faced with certain psychological, physiological and social demands that tax their adaptive resources (Oboegbulem, 2010). It comprises various measures taken to cope with stress, so that a state of psychological and physiological equilibrium is re-established and subsequently maintained.
1.1 Statement of the Problem
Stress is a physical and mental response emerged through interaction of an individual with the environment and mismatching his or her needs with his or her abilities and demands. Stress and its negative consequences is a great threat/challenge of modern living. According to Biscomb (2008), stress has both psychological and physiological dimensions. Psychologically people perceive a situation and interpret it as challenging or threatening. This cognitive appraisal leads to a set of physiological responses, such as high blood pressure, sweaty hands, dry mouth, trembling, headache and faster heart beat.
The specific signs and symptoms of stress vary widely from person to person (Anderson, 2005). Some people primarily experience physical symptoms such as low back pain, stomach problems, headache, muscle tension, stiffness, nausea, rapid heartbeats, dry throat and skin outbreaks. In others the stress pattern centers around emotional symptoms such as moodiness, restlessness, short temper, depression, impatience, and irritability. While for others, it may be changes in the way they think
(like memory loss, indecisiveness, inability to concentrate) or behave (like using drugs, alcohol, nervous habit such as nail biting, pacing) predominates (Anderson, 2005; Heeres, 2007).
1.2 Objectives of the Study
The general objective of the study is to examine the Effect Of Stress On Psychological Function Of The Nervous System. The specific objectives of the study can be stated as follows.
- To know whether there is any effects of stress on the Psychological functioning of the nervous system.
- To investigate the factors that are responsible for stress among individuals.
- To ascertain the strategies for dealing with stress
1.3 Research Question
This research questions that would guide this study are stated below:
- Does stress have any effects on the Psychological functioning of the nervous system?
- What are the common factors responsible for factors among individuals?
- Is there any strategy for dealing with stress?
1.4 Research Hypothesis
- Ho – stress does not have effects on the Psychological functioning of the nervous system
Hi – stress has effects on the Psychological functioning of the nervous system
1.5 Significance of the Study
The study will also add to existing store of knowledge. Thus, the findings will add to studies that have been done, so that people in other part of the country can also appreciate the problem. It will also provide suggestions on how to reduce the effects of stress on output. Again, it will be a source for further research and of relevance to stakeholders. It is hoped that the key ideas can be transported to any work place wishing to increase or enhance workers productivity.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The research covered the effect Of Stress On Psychological Function Of The Nervous System. The research is intend to be elaborated in order to gather diversified opinion on the subject matter and to allow for precision in the identification related stressors for every individual respondent.
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