Perceived job stress in executives: The role of lifestyle related factors

The term "stress-related disorders" is used to denote a variety of physical illnesses in which psychological stress and lifestyle related behaviours play an important role in the onset and maintenance of the disease process. Executives have been identified as a particularly vulnerable group because they experience high levels of job stress. In this study subjective perception of job stress and lifestyle related behaviours such as smoking, alcohol and caffeine intake, diet and exercise patterns were studied in a group of 46 male middle-level executives from a large private sector organisation. The results indicate an inadequate knowledge regarding the role of lifestyle related factors and a lack of health consciousness in this group. The implications of the findings are discussed keeping in mind both employers, who have to bear the burden of health-care costs, and professionals who are involved in conducting stress-management programmes.