Workers in the service industry face unique types and levels of stress, and this problem is worsening. Many workers and organizations are now recognizing work stress as a significant personal and organizational cost, and seeing the need to evaluate a range of organizational issues that present psychosocial hazards to the workers. Occupational Stress in the Service Professions introduces the reader to contemporary theoretical and research issues and then provides a comprehensive international review of a range of professions including nurses, correctional officers, police, fire fighters, volunteers, academics, the clergy and teachers. The book identifies the main sources of stress for these specific occupation work groups, and the implications for intervention. The range of contributions from researchers in Australia, The Netherlands, Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States presents an international perspective. Well illustrated with case-studies of a number of organizations, the book serves to explore the political and social nature of the work stress problem. It then concludes with a chapter on the implications for intervention, policy and the future and aims to present a theoretical synthesis, applicable to the whole sector. Graduate students, researchers, and high level HR professions will find this an invaluable work.

The transition from school to work is recognized by developmental psychologists as a significant phase in maturation of young people. In the 1990s the likelihood that the transition might be delayed by a period of prolonged unemployment was greater than any time since the 1930s. The psychological consequences of such a delay need to be understood because they may be damaging to both the individual and to society, particularly if they are long-lasting. Such an understanding is essential for the development of sound policy in relation to youth unemployment. Originally published in 1993, Growing up with Unemployment describes a major longitudinal study of a large group of South Australian school leavers through the 1980s. It assesses the scale and context of the problem and reviews the methods and theories that have been developed to study the psychological impact of unemployment. It also looks at those factors which may contribute towards helping young people cope with it, such as financial security, social support and being involved in constructive activities with other people. The authors also examine how we might be able to predict future unemployment and understand the relationship between it and alcohol consumption, smoking and drug use. This book describes a major study with important implications for employment policy, as well as future theory and research. This title will be interesting historical reading for students of psychology and social policy, policy makers and all those who deal with young people.

Workers in the service industry face unique types and levels of stress, and this problem is worsening. Many workers and organizations are now recognising work stress as a significant personal and organizational cost, and seeing the need to evaluate a range of organizational issues that present psychosocial hazards to the workers.
Occupational Stress in the Service Professions introduces the reader to contemporary theoretical and research issues and then provides a comprehensive international review of a range of professions including nurses, correctional officers, police, fire fighters, prostitutes, volunteers, academics, the clergy and teachers and identifies the main sources of stress for these specific occupation work groups, and the implications for intervention. The range of contributions from researchers in Australia, The Netherlands, Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States presents an international perspective, well illustrated with case-studies of a number of organizations, which serves to explore the political and social nature of the work stress problem. It then concludes with a chapter on the implications for intervention, policy and the future and aims to present a theoretical synthesis, applicable to the whole sector. Graduate students, researchers and high level HR professions will find this an invaluable work.

This is one of the most thorough and comprehensive studies of workplace stress among university staff ever undertaken. The authors of this book have done a great service to higher education throughout the world by their systematic research and insights. On behalf of the academic community at large, I would like to thank the authors of this remarkable book. -- Cary L. Cooper, Ph.D., CBE Pro Vice Chancellor (External Relations) and Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health at Lancaster University, A variety of changes to academic working conditions have resulted in an increase in occupational stress and a decrease in occupational wellbeing among university academics as well as nonacademic, or general, staff. This book releases for the first time the complete results of the Australian University Staff Stress (AUSS) Project, which examined over a number of years the level, extent, and antecedents of occupational stress experienced by staff, and the consequences on individuals and universities.

This outstanding book provides a rare insight into ground-breaking comprehensive research from Europe, Australia, Asia and the United States on the health impact of unemployment on the individual and the community. Featuring authors from across the fields of psychology, medicine, economics, sociology, occupational health and organisational development, Unemployment and Health outlines current theory and findings about the factors responsible for the generally detrimental health effects of being out of work or in unstable employment. This book is a vital resource for policy-makers, social workers, educators, researchers, students and anyone with an interest in the global effects of unemployment on the human condition.

Unemployment and Health is based on presentations by leading researchers at the Second International Expert Conference organised by the Scientific Committee Unemployment and Health of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) on 'Occupational Transitions: Unemployment, Underemployment and Health', held in Adelaide, Australia in December 2001. The activities of this body bring together researchers working specifically on occupational health issues related to employment with those focusing on the health effects of being out of work in a society centred on paid employment. Thus the ICOH Scientific Committee tries to bridge these two areas that are traditionally separated and to reduce the gap between unemployment research and occupational health. The Adelaide conference was the second international conference. The first one, held in Paris in 1998, focused on interventions with unemployed people. Additional contributions have been invited from other leading researchers who were unable to attend the conference.