Summary
Objectives
Data from a cross-sectional survey of the Swiss general population were used in an explorative attempt to apply the transtheoretical model of behavioural change to perceived stress.
Methods
The sample comprised 575 respondents who reported having experienced stressful situations in the previous month. Other variables assessed included gender, age, education, reported symptoms, and three constructs representing stages and processes of change as well as self-efficacy.
Results
Findings indicated that (1) about one third of respondents appeared to cope successfully with the stressful situations they experienced, one third intended to do so, while one quarter appeared to have no intention of managing their stress more effectively. (2) There was no difference in stage of change distribution by gender or age, while those with higher education were more frequently represented in the latter stages than those with lower education. (3) Those in the maintenance stage reported significantly less symptoms than others.
Conclusions
We conclude that the assessment of readiness to change could be of valuable support in designing stage-specific interventions in the area of stress management.
Zusammenfassung
Fragestellung
Diese explorative Querschnittstudie dient der Prüfung des Transtheoretischen Modells (TTM) für die Untersuchung von subjektiv wahrgenommenem Stress.
Methoden
Die verwendete Schweizer Stichprobe setzt sich aus 575 Probanden zusammen, welche angaben, während des letzten Monats Stress erlebt zu haben. Als weitere Variablen wurden Geschlecht, Alter, Bildung, berichtete Symptome und Stufen der Stresswahrnehmung gemäss TTM, kognitiv-emotionale Prozesse sowie Selbstwirksamkeit erfasst.
Ergebnisse
Es zeigte sich, dass (1) cirka ein Drittel der Probanden angab, subjektiv erlebten Stress erfolgreich zu bewältigen, ein Drittel gab an, dass sie die Absicht haben dieses Ziel zu erreichen, während die übrigen keine Absicht zeigten, ihren Stress effektiver zu bewältigen. (2) Bezüglich der Stufenverteilung gab es keine Alters- und Geschlechtseffekte, wobei Probanden mit höherem Bildungsstatus relativ häufig angaben, mit ihrem Stress gut umgehen zu können. (3) Probanden, welche sich als kompetent im Umgang mit Stress bezeichneten, gaben weniger Symptome an als die Anderen.
Schlussfolgerungen
Es darf davon ausgegangen werden, dass das TTM eine valable Grundlage bildet für die Planung und Evaluation von Interventionen zur Optimierung der Stressbewältigung im Bereich Public Health.
Résumé
Objectifs
Des données d'une enquête transversale de la population Suisse ont été utilisées dans une tentative exploratoire d'appliquer le modèle transthéorique au stress preçu.
Méthodes
L'échantillon analysé comprenait 575 personnes qui déclaraient avoir connu des situations stressantes au cours du mois précédent. Les autres variables considérées étaient le sexe, l'âge, l'éducation, une liste de symptômes physiques ainsi que deux éléments mesurant les processus de changement et la self-efficacy.
Résultats
Les résultats ont montré que (1) un tiers environ des personnes interrogées semblaient gérer avec succès les situations stressantes rencontrées, un tiers en avait l'intention, alors qu'un quart ne manifestait aucune intention de mieux gérer le stress. (2) ll n'y avait aucune différence de répartition dans les étapes de changement entre les deux sexes ou suivant l'âge. Par contre, les personnes avec un niveau d'éducation plus élevé étaient plus souvent représentées dans les étapes tardives que les personnes avec un niveau d'éducation moins élevé. (3) Les personnes classées dans le niveau de maintenance indiquaient souffrir de moins de symptômes que les autres.
Conclusions
Nous concluons que la mesure de la disposition à changer au moyen d'un modèle comme le modèle transthéorique pourrait être une aide valable dans le design d'interventions dans le domaine de la gestion du stress.
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This research was supported by grants from the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, the Swiss Foundation of Health Promotion and the Swiss Federal Office of Sports.
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Padlina, O., Aubert, L., Gehring, T.M. et al. Stages of change for perceived stress in a Swiss population sample: An explorative study. Soz Präventivmed 46, 396–403 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01321666
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01321666