Thursday, October 31, 2019

Literature on Holocaust Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Literature on Holocaust - Essay Example It is also helpful to refer to analysis of the works by each of these authors to help determine how they affected society and how they changed it. Through analysis of several works, elements such as characterization, plot, setting, theme and structure will be studied. The Holocaust coincides with World War II, and was started with Hitler's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 (Saldinger, 6). The original problem, though, began several years earlier. In January of 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, which had a Jewish population of 566,000. Soon after, in March, Hitler was given dictatorial powers. Concentration camps were slowly evolving from the ghettos which they once were, and Jews were gradually being prohibited from a variety of things, including owning land and being newspaper editors. Hitler continued to make alliances with other nations, which eventually helped him to be able to persecute many other people besides those in the lands he ruled (Holocaust Timeline). Several days after the Nazis invade Poland, England and France declare war on Germany, as they wisely chose not to ally with Hitler. February 12, 1940 marked the first deportation of German Jews into Poland, which was already occupied. Two short months later, Denmark and Norway were invaded. Other lands continue to be invaded by Hitler and his Nazi regime, with many Jews being sent to concentration camps to live the last few months of their lives. On April 30, 1945, Hitler committed suicide. On the same day, Americans freed 33,000 people from camps, marking the beginning of the end of the Holocaust (Holocaust Timeline). Memories of the horror of seeing people die every day have remained with all three of the previously mentioned authors. In their writing, they have used a variety of elements to successfully recall these experiences. Elie Wiesel, in particular, is widely known because of his amazing sense of honesty that is displayed through his Night Trilogy. Wiesel did not try to cover the brutality of events that occurred, but rather gave a detailed description so as to leave an acting impression on the reader. However, this impact was not meant to be one of guilt. Instead it was to ensure that readers would not let an event anything like the Holocaust occur again. He used images of young, dying children and adults being burned to death to convey his themes. The novel itself is actually an autobiography, though there are elements of fiction present throughout. After his experiences, Wiesel "dedicated his life to preserving the memory of the Holocaust victims," which proves to be the basis for all of his writing ("Wiesel's Night Recalls the Holocaust, 1956"). Born in Transylvania in 1928, Wiesel received a thorough Jewish education and it was thought by his parents that he would later be a proficient rabbi. In 1944, Nazis invaded his hometown and he was taken to Auschwitz, which is where his gruesome story really began. In the end, Elie and two sisters survived but, along with two hundred thousand other Jews, the rest of his family died. The original version of Wiesel's novel And the World Remained Silent appeared in Yiddish in 1956. Two years later, he translated the book to French and changed the title to Night. Eventually, it was expanded to include two of his other works and became known as the Night Trilogy. In 1960, it was published in English, adding to the eventual list of

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Caris Story Essay Example for Free

Caris Story Essay How could an infection in Cari’s nasal passage and pharynx spread into her sinuses? The pharynx connects to the nasal meatuses, which can in turn cause an infection. Which structures found in the terminal bronchioles and alveoli normally would protect Cari’s lungs from infectious pathogens and particulate matter? Macrophages in the terminal bronchioles and alveoli protect Cari’s lungs. How would Cari’s lung compliance (the effort required to expand the lungs) be altered as her alveoli fill with fluid due to pneumonia? Her lung compliance will increase because of trying to force gases in and out of the alveoli. The lungs are filled with fluid due to pneumonia. How does the elevation of Cari’s respiratory rate alter her minute ventilation? Her respiratory rate would rise due to shallow breaths. Normal blood oxygen saturation levels are greater than 94 percent; Cari’s blood oxygen saturation level was 90 percent at the time of her exam and initial arterial blood gas analysis done when she was admitted to the hospital revealed her arterial PO2 was 55mmHG. How do these clinical findings relate to the internal respiration in Cari’s body? The arteries have too much oxygen. A normal resting level should be around 94% without any additional oxygen. How would you have expected Cari’s decreased PCO2 and alkaline blood pH to have affected her breathing? Her rate of breathing would also decrease. Which anatomical structures in Cari’s respiratory system were initially involved? Nasal cavity, external/internal nares, nasopharynx, pharynx, and sinuses. Which damaging effects of tobacco smoke led to Cari’s impaired respiratory defense mechanisms? The cilia and villi begin to become hardened and die; they wouldn’t be able to filter particles through the nasal cavity, which would lead to the mucosal membrane drying out from the cigarette smoke. The lungs would then lose elasticity from over inflation of the lungs trying to supply enough air to the rest of the body.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Research Analysis: Acceptance of Non-Abstinence Goals

Research Analysis: Acceptance of Non-Abstinence Goals Aaron Glogowski Dr. Michael E. Dunn Davis, A. K., Rosenberg H. (2013). Acceptance of Non-Abstinence Goals by Addiction Professionals in the United States. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 27(4), 1102-1109. doi: 10.1037/a0030563 Alan K. Davis and Harold Rosenberg have observed some formerly unexpected results from the use of drugs and alcohol recreationally. While the effects of excessive drug and alcohol use have been monitored and proven to be unsafe and unhealthy, recent studies have shown that a controlled use of them, otherwise referred to as non-abstinence, may bring several health benefits. Addiction professionals specializing in substance use disorders (SUD) are beginning to open their eyes to new alternatives of drug therapy for their patients. While many of these views are controversial among the professional world, many clinicians and doctors are starting to turn to the idea of non-abstinence in an attempt to help their patients more in the long term, by giving them short term goals that are easier for them to achieve. In this article, Davis and Rosenberg have catalogued their findings from a study that they conducted on the changing attitudes and ideals of professionals in many different clinical fields, in regards to the practice and implementation of non-abstinence. Davis and Rosenberg conducted their study based on previous surveys that they found that had been created to determine people’s opinions on the idea of non-abstinence. They asked the participants about how acceptable they thought it would be to administer a suggestion of non-abstinence to patients in eight different categories. They divided these categories based on the type of substance use disorder, as well as the severity of the problem and the intended final result from the practice. All of the survey respondents were then asked (using the eight categories from the previous question) to give a proportion of patients whom they had prescribed a non-abstinence procedure to. They gave proportions in increments of 25%, from none to 100%. After this, the participants were asked to rate its acceptability in different clinical settings. The survey was concluded with questions about the personal history of the respondents, such as their work environment, and whether or not they had any past history with substance abuse. The survey respondents were mostly Caucasian members of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Counselors, and over half of them had previous experience with a substance use disorder. The results appeared to be in favor of non-abstinence being used as a mid-term goal on the way to giving up drug abuse, however, only 32% of respondents said it was acceptable to use non-abstinence as an end-goal. When the issue came to alcohol abuse however, 51% agreed that non-abstinence was an acceptable end-goal. On the other hand, when it came to drug or alcohol dependence, far fewer participants agreed with non-abstinence as a procedure. The participants ranked non-abstinence acceptability for drug dependence as 27% for an intermediate procedure, and 15% for an end-goal. They found very similar results with alcohol dependence, at 28% and 16% respectively. No matter what type of drug or severity of the problem, Davis and Rosenberg’s participants seemed to disagree with non-abstinence more often than agree with it. At least half said that they would not consider non-abstinence as a procedure in any case, regardless of the situation. Most of the respondents who were against non-abstinence thought it was ineffective, or it did not agree with the treatment philosophy that they had laid out for themselves. Some other reasons why participants disagreed with non-abstinence included things such as a fear for a medical condition that a patient could have, or worries over the legality of the substance that was being used, or the context in which the patient would be using it (such as underage drinking, or drug use in a stressful work environment). Another key player in the determination of the acceptability of non-abstinence procedures was the environment in which professionals would be recommending the procedure. In both rehab and detoxification programs, the majority of survey participants found it to be a completely unacceptable treatment, with unacceptability ratings at 74% and 68% respectively. However, outpatient programs, DUI/DWI education programs, and independent practices saw significantly better results in terms of acceptability, with unacceptability ratings at 57%, 45%, and 28% respectively. Davis and Rosenberg also observed various characteristics of their respondents to determine whether there was any correlation between those factors and their acceptance of non-abstinence programs. They found that participants who had history with alcohol or drug related issues tended to disagree with non-abstinence programs more than those who had no history with drugs and alcohol, however, the variation was so small that it was deemed insignificant. In observing the results of their study, Davis and Rosenberg noticed some outside circumstances in relation to their topic of discussion. They realized in conducting the surveys that there was a possibility of bias, especially in regards to whether or not the addiction professional was willing to work with the client. They found that some professionals were simply unwilling to work with clients who were attempting to continue taking drugs or alcohol in moderation. These professionals were less likely to accept the possibility of non-abstinence treatments. These same professionals also accepted the fact that some of their clients may resort to non-abstinence procedures anyway, even if they didn’t prescribe or condone the procedure. Davis and Rosenberg’s study, when compared with previous studies on the subject, found that American addiction professionals had become more accepting of non-abstinence in terms of drinking than they had been 20 years prior. The amount of participants who rated non-abstinence as an acceptable mid-goal for alcohol abusers is twice as many as 20 years before their survey. Davis and Rosenberg claim that the increase in acceptance could be due to several factors, including an understanding of non-abstinence as a potential method for reducing long-term harm, and a reduction of total abstinence, or the 12-step program. Other regions still appear to be more accepting of non-abstinence in general, whether it is for a mid-goal or an end-goal. From previous studies, Rosenberg found that the United Kingdom had over an 80% acceptance rate of non-abstinence for alcohol abusers, and a 68% mid-goal as well as a 50% end-goal for alcohol dependence. Overall, even though America is slowly becoming more accepting of non-abstinence, they still have a long way to go before they reach the United Kingdom’s acceptance level. Davis and Rosenberg realize that their study may be skewed by outside factors, such as the study being a web-based study, or an inherent bias with the way that questions were asked. With regard to the outliers, Davis and Rosenberg conclude their study with notice for those practicing non-abstinence as it is becoming more common, especially in outpatient or independent practices. Everyday Use, Alice Walker | Symbolism And Characters: Everyday Use, Alice Walker | Symbolism And Characters: In the story Everyday Use, Alice Walker uses a detailed description to help describe the symbolism of the unique and highly valued quilts, as well as, contrasting the characters throughout the story. The quilts stand as a specific symbol and as more than just a creative piece of artwork throughout the story. According to an article written by Sam Whitsitt, the quilt, itself, represents the history and tradition that binds the African culture to the past and the past to the present (Whitsitt, 445). The quilts helps portray the theme of African American heritage throughout the story and binds Mamas ancestors and her heritage altogether. The quilts signify the bond between each generation and the impact they have on each main character in the story, which include Mama, Dee and Maggie. Walkers usage of the quilts throughout the story also helps demonstrate the differences between each of the characters. The quilts are the main focus in the story that brings out the characters true person alities and shows the differences in those personalities. Throughout the story Everyday Use by Alice Walker, the quilts help portray the unique cultural symbolism of the African culture and the way they view quilting, as well as, illustrating the differences of the main characters in the story. In the story, quilting is used as a symbol to signify the African American past. The quilts are a primary symbol that stands for the ties of heritage and the distinctive culture of Mamas family. According to an article written by Claudia Tate, Barbara T. Christian, the person who showcases the corpus of Walkers works and the traditions of African-American literature, explains that Walker articulates the metaphor of quilting to represent the creative legacy that African Americans have inherited from their maternal ancestors (Tate, 308). Quilting is part of the African American past and travels from generation to generation. According to an article written by David Cowart, the quilt that Dee, or Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo, fights over links her generation to previous generations and, therefore, the quilt is shown to represent the African American past (Cowart, 171). There are many types of unique patterns in the quilts that Mama and Dee are disputing over. According to Whitsitts article , many African American quilters employ large, often abstract designs, the use of these different designs shows the uniqueness of the quilt (Whitsitt, 454). The patterns in the quilts represent the African American past and Mamas heritage. In both of them were scraps of dresses Grandma Dee had worn fifty and more years ago. Bits and pieces of Grandpa Jattells Paisley shirts. And one teeny faded blue piece, about the size of a penny matchbox, that was from Great Grandpa Ezras uniform that he wore in the Civil War (Walker, 113). The use of these different types of patterns in the quilts symbolizes the history of Mamas family and the creativeness they had. The precious materials used in making the quilts represent the culture and the high value they each contain. The fabric that is used in the making of the quilts shows Mamas unique culture and the love her family has for their culture. The work Mama, Grandma Dee, and Big Dee put into the quilts show their strong African American herit age and background. In the African American culture many quilts travel from generation to generation to show ones familys culture and where they came from (Cowart, 171). The quilts Dee and Mama are fighting over are to be traveled from generation to generation, also, to help keep the culture alive. The quilts play a major role in the family because of the prestigious heritage they each contain. They help show the distinctive African heritage and special cultural symbolism. The quilt ties everything, heritage included, together. As the quilts are passed down the familys history and culture is past down, also, which makes the quilts play a special role in the African American culture. The quilts made by Mama, Grandma Dee and Big Dee are not only used as a symbol throughout the story but are shown as objects that the African American culture keeps in reserve because of the value the they contain (Whitsitt, 455). The quilts contain a historic value because of the creativeness that was put into making them. As Patricia Mainardi notes in Whitsitts article, many inhabitants of the African culture who make the quilts sign them and date them to show the high value they contain and also put a list in their will of who should inherit the quilts they make once they pass away (Whitsitt, 455). The quilts have a specific value and are treated with much care because of the strong culture they uphold. Throughout the story Mama and Maggie distinguish the quilts as more than just a piece of artwork, instead they see them as something to treasure in remembrance of loved ones. According to Whitsitts article, the quilt represents those values of things which do not circulate, do not wander, do not gel traded or sold but, rather, stay at home (Whitsitt, 454). They value them because the quilts remind them of their beloved relatives, such as Grandma Dee and Big Dee. The quilts portray a high value throughout the story and because of this high value Mama promises the quilt to Maggie for when she marries (Whitsitt, 455). Mama wants to give Maggie the quilts because of the history they each contain and because Mama wants the quilts to be utilized in everyday use. If the quilts were to be hung on the wall, like Dee wanted to do to preserve the African American heritage, then the true culture wouldnt be shown. On the other hand, if the quilt was put to everyday use, like Maggie would do with the quilt, then the African heritage would be shown and kept alive because it was being put to use. Mama wants to give Maggie the quilts for that reason. Mama knows Maggie will preserve the quilts and put them to everyday use to remember her ancestors and their families history and culture. Throughout the story the quilt not only shows symbolism and value but also helps in contrasting each character. According to the article by Susan Farrell, Dee is seen throughout the story as shallow, condescending, and manipulative, as well as, overly concerned with style, fashion, and aesthetics, and thus as lacking a true understanding of her heritage (Farrell, 179). Mama remembers Dee as a fearless girl who, unlike herself, would always look anyone in the eyes. Hesitation was not part of her nature (Farrell, 181). Dee is seen throughout the story as very different then Mama and Maggie because she is very selfish and demanding (Farrell, 181). Maggie, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of her sister. Maggie, throughout the story, was seen as the quiet and timid child with no characteristics that related to her sister. In Farrells article, she states that most readers see Mama and Maggie as having a true sense of heritage as opposed to Dees false or shallow understanding of the past (Farrell, 183). Mama and Maggie are seen throughout the story as wanting to cherish their heritage by keeping the quilts to use, as well as, to remember loved ones. Dee, on the other hand, sees the quilts as something that should be kept in reserve and to hang on the wall as a unique piece of artwork. Maggies moderation in the story contrasts with Dees courage (Farrell, 183). When Dee says that Maggie would ruin the quilts by putting them to everyday use, and that hanging the quilts would be the only way to preserve them, Maggie, like somebody used to never winning anything, or having anything reserved for her, meekly replies: She can have them, Mama, I can member Grandma Dee without the quilts(Farrell, 183-184). Once this occurs, Mama acts in a different manner than she has before. She sees Maggie standing with her hands hidden in her skirt and says: When I looked at her like that something hit me in the top of my head and ran down to the soles of my feet. Just like when Im in church and the spirit of God touches me and I get happy and shout (Farrell, 184). This powerful feeling causes Mama to do something she never had done before; she snatched the quilts out of Dees hands and dumped them into Maggies lap(Farrell, 184). This scene in the story is the only part where Mama acts differently than before. Instead of acting like the patient Maggie, Mama begins to act more like Dee, with her refusal to back down and her motivation to stand up for herself (Farrell, 184). The quilt in the story acts as a way to contrast the characters and show their different personalities. Throughout the story, the quilts symbolize and show the value of the African American culture, as well as, acting in a way to show the differences between the main characters in Everyday Use. The quilts play a major role in Everyday Use and are mentioned throughout the entire story. The quilts have an impact on each character throughout the story, and they help in contrasting each character and showing symbolism of the African American culture. The mentioning of the quilts display the importance of the African American heritage and the true value it has on Mama, Maggie, and Dee. Dee is shown wanting the quilts to just hang on the wall and show their unique culture from afar. In actuality, the quilt is shown as a symbol of the African American heritage and importance of remembering loved ones. The remembrance of Mamas ancestors will also be preserved forever with the use of the quilt in everyday life. The values of the quilts are shown as a way to remember the loved ones who helped in the making of them and also of Mamas ancestors. The quilts portray the unique cultural bond between Mamas ancestors and her heritage. The quilt binds Mamas ancestors and the value of her heritage together and shows the impact the quilt has on her, Maggie and Dee. The quilt brings out the diverse personalities of Mama, Maggie and Dee throughout the story and the different views they have on their heritage, as well as, the actions they each take. With the usage of the quilts, the distinction between each character is shown, as well as, the unique cultural symbolism throughout the entire story.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Anne Bradstreets Poem Essay -- Dear Loving Husband Anne Bradstreet E

Anne Bradstreet's Poem "To my Dear and Loving Husband" Anne Bradstreet?s poem, ?To my Dear and Loving Husband? presents a beautiful love theme. "Of ever two were one, then surely we" (1). This quotation is important because Bradstreet is pointing out that she does not feel as though she is one individual person. And one of the first questions that come to my mind is if Bradstreet was trying to make a point for all wives to be that way or she felt insecure about her own self. The poem itself portrays a loving wife, but the fact is she sounds like she is afraid to be alone, that her husband is the one who makes her complete, in another words, it makes her be a full person.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Also we see the great value she has for the love of her husband by the way she describes it as meaning more to her than all the gold in the world and how her own love for her husband is a love that she cannot stop, because her love is "such that rivers cannot quench" (7).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first part in this poem, "If ever two were one" (1) sets us with expectations to continue with the reading. These words show that Bradstreet and her husband were really in love, that this love could unite two persons and make them one. Bradstreet and her husband think, act, and feel much like they are part of each other. The tone of this poem tells us that she is a very religious, because she speaks of praying and the heavens. We get the impression that she is a very dedicated person, to her family and to God. She...

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Froebel Kindergarten Essay

Freidrich W. A. Froebel is best known as the founder of kindergarten. He was a German educationalist. Froebel was born in 1782 in a village in Germany. His childhood was difficult because his mother died when he was a baby and his father abandoned him. Froebel was given to his uncle’s care. Between 1808-1810 he attended the training institute run by John Pestalozzi at Yverdon. Froebel left the institution accepting the basic principles of Pestalozzi’s theory: permissive school atmosphere, emphasis on nature, and the object lesson. Froebel, however, was a strong idealist whose view of education was closely related to religion. He believed that everything in this world was developed according to the plan of God. He felt that something was missing in Pestalozzi’s theory: the â€Å"spiritual mechanism† that, according to Froebel, was the foundation of early learning. Froebel’s philosophy of education rested on four basic ideas: free self-expression, creativity, social participation, and motor expression. Froebel began to focus on the needs of children just prior to entering school. He envisioned a place attended by 4-6 year olds where children would be nurtured and protected from outside influences—like plants in a garden. Froebel decided to call his school kindergarten, which in German means â€Å"child garden. † Froebel began a training institute for the teachers of his schools. He believed that teachers should be highly respected people with values that the children should imitate. The teacher should also be a sensitive, open, and easily approachable person. Froebel’s first kindergarten was founded in 1837 in Blakenburg Germany. It featured games, play, songs, stories, and crafts to stimulate imagination and develop physical and motor skills. The materials in the room were divided into two categories: â€Å"gifts† and â€Å"occupations. † Gifts were objects that were fixed in form such as blocks. The purpose was that in playing with the object the child would learn the underlying concept represented by the object. Occupations allowed more freedom and consisted of things that children could shape and manipulate such as clay, sand, beads, string etc. There was an underlying symbolic meaning in all that was done. Even clean up time was seen as â€Å"a final concrete reminder to the child of God’s plan for moral and social order. † In 1848, the Prussian government ordered these schools to be closed because they did not agree with Froebel’s ideas. Then Froebel died in 1852, not knowing the impact his work would have on the U. S. school system. Then many Germans immigrated to the United States after the German Revolution. Among them were women trained in the Froebel system of education. It was these women who were responsible for bringing kindergarten to the United States. The first U. S. kindergarten was for German immigrant children in Wisconsin and taught in German. Then in 1873 kindergarten was introduced in the public American schools. Freidrich Froebel’s ideas provided the major direction for kindergarten curriculum during the last half of the nineteenth century. Many of his ideas can still be observed in kindergarten today: learning through play, group games, goal oriented activities, and outdoor time. Now applying Froebel’s philosophy of education to the Bahamas. From the National Task Force on Education (1994) Final report. This was stated about Pre-Schools. PICTURE. But yes we do have active kindergartens in many schools. I know for sure on the island of Eleuthera there is the kindergarten section in all of the primary schools. But upon my research I found that there are kindergarten sections in only a few schools here in New Providence. Example: The Bahamas Academy School. Here is a quick look at their curriculum. Then there is one in Yellow Elder Gardens and Elizabeth Estates. REPORTING TODAY FROM THE EDUCATIONAL CHANNEL, I’M VASHTE’ NAIRN.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Stress Management Concept

Stress Management Concept Introduction Organizations are increasingly experiencing a challenge arising from the dynamic nature of the environment in which they operate. In order to survive in this environment, it is paramount for these organizations to develop their competitive advantage. One of the ways through which they can achieve this is by integrating the concept of organizational development.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Stress Management Concept specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Anderson (2011, p.2) defines organizational development as the various organizational Work content Job content The job may not be challenging enough thus making it to be monotonous The tasks may be unpleasant and lacking variety. Working hours Long working hours Unpredictable working hours Job-shift systems may be ineffectively designed Inflexible working schedules Participation and control The employees may not be involved in the decision Lack of promotion prospects Unfair performance appraisal systems Job insecurity. The job may be of low social value Poor remuneration schemes making process. Work Context Career development, remuneration and job status . Interpersonal relationship Lack of support from the supervisors. Lack of a well defined procedure to resolve work problems and complaints. Poor relationship with employees. Home-work interface Conflicting demands between work and home duties. Lack of support in dealing with domestic issues from work. Lack of support for work problems by family members. Organizational culture Poor organizational leadership. Lack of clarity on organizational objectives. Role in the organization Conflicting roles within the same job. Unclear roles Stress management According to Fried (2008, p. 61), stress management entails the various techniques that are used in eliminating feelings of strain. If not well managed, stress may lead into dysfunc tional behavior amongst the employees in addition to poor mental and physical health. For example, stress may result into extreme physical conditions such as heart diseases, high blood pressure, digestive system complications and musculo-skeletal disorders. As a result of stress, the employees’ operational efficiency is significantly reduced. The employees’ ability to make effective decisions and to think logically is also affected. Parker (2007, p. 32) asserts that stress leads into a reduction in the employees’ level of commitment in their duties. Stress in the workplace negatively affects employees productivity and hence the organization’s performance. Over the recent past, organizations in different economic sectors have appreciated the strength of relationship between the well being of their workforce and their productivity. Firms in the public and private sector are increasingly appreciating the costs associated with stress (Weinberg, Sutherland Co oper, 2010, p. 61). Stress management is one of the ways through which they are integrating in an effort to minimize stress. According to Ron (2004, p.1), it is estimated that job stress in the United States costs businesses more than $ 300 billion in their corporate profit annually. This cost arises from increased complaints by customers and clients, a high rate of absenteeism, a rise in legal claims by employees, poor employees’ performance and productivity, and lack of employee commitment. On a daily basis, it is estimated that one million people do not attend work daily in the United State as a result of workplace stress overload (Ron, 2004, p. 1).Advertising Looking for critical writing on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Ashworth (2005, para. 1) In 2005, the rate of unscheduled absenteeism in the US reached its five-year high due to a number of factors amongst them stress. According to Leka, Griffiths and Cox (2003, p. 14), inefficiency in managing job stress tarnishes an organization’s image both internally and externally. Ron (2004, p.1) is of the opinion that stress is a major issue in an organization’s operation. However, it is astonishing to see the rate at which organizational CFOs and CEOs are concerned with attaining the desired profitability. Additionally, firm’s management teams are also concerned with ensuring that the employees are committed in executing their duties. Despite this, most organizations have not implemented strategies aimed at dealing with stress at the workplace. According to Jex and Britt (2008, p.222), one of the most effective methods of dealing with stress related hazards in workplace is through stress management. The best stress management strateg ies that an organization can implement are those that check it from reaching excessive levels. In the 21st century, organizations are increasingly appreciating the importance of being involved in managing work related stress (Kaila, 2005, p.494). The rationale for this trend is that organizations are partially involved in making the employees to be stressed. As a result, they should be actively involved in relieving it. The other rationale is that employees who are less stressed are more effective in their duties. In an effort to manage stress, organizations have implemented two main strategies. These include; Institutional programs Collateral programs Institutional programs These entail the various stress reduction strategies that are established through different organizational mechanisms (Griffin Moorhead, 2011, p. 191). For example, in order to establish work-life balance, organizations should effectively design their jobs. According to Kaila (2005, p.494), working in shifts can be a source of stress to employees. This arises from the fact that the employees will be forced to change their relaxation and sleeping patterns. Therefore, it is paramount for organizations to implement work schedules that contribute to reduction of stress. One of the way through which an organization can achieve this is by integrating flexible-working schedule. This will give employees an opportunity to take care of their non-work activities such as advance their career by going back to school, having time with their family and being involved in recreational activities. Establishing work-life balance can be very beneficial to both employees and the organizations. Stress within an organization can also be reduced by creating a strong organizational culture. One such culture that organizations can integrate entails ensuring that there is a balance between the employees work and non-work activities. For example, a firm’s management team may make it to be a norm that all em ployees should go on vacation or take some time off from work in order to relax. Another institutional mechanism that a firm can consider entails ensuring that there is effective supervision. According to Kaila (2005, p.494), a supervisor can cause employees to be stressed by overloading them with tasks. To avoid this, a firm’s management team should ensure that its employees are assigned manageable and reasonable tasks. Collateral programs These include stress reduction programs that are specifically designed to assisting employees to cope with stress. There are different collateral programs that organizations incorporate in their stress management efforts. Some of these include Health Promotion Programs (HPPs), Employee Wellness Programs (EWPs) and Stress Management Programs. According to Werner and DeSimone (2009, p.362), HPPs and EWPs are composed of various activities that are aimed at improving organizational practices and promoting employee behavior. The core objective is to ensure that the employees are fit and healthy to perform their duties. The HPP and EWP programs are based on the principle that employee wellness does not only entail ensuring that the employees are not sick. However, they are aimed at encouraging employees to adopt lifestyles that contribute towards maximization of their wellbeing. In their health promotion programs, organizations incorporate a holistic approach by educating employees on different issues. The health promotion programs are composed of different dimensions that are aimed at promoting employee wellness. These include emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, communal and social dimensions. According to Kaila (2005, p.494), collateral programs encourage employees to be involved in exercises thus reducing stress indirectly. However, implementation of collateral programs as stress management strategies can be costly. This arises from the fact that organizations will be required to invest in the necessary physical fa cilities. Despite this, Kaila (2005, p.494) asserts that more and more organizations are increasingly exploring this option in their stress management. Studies which have been conducted reveal that fitness and wellbeing programs significantly reduce absenteeism as a result of stress. Additionally, they also help in improving an employee’s mental health and his or her ability to resist stress. Training and development According to Donaldson-Fielder, Lewis and Yarker (2011, p. 67), organizations also use training and development interventions in managing stress. There are two main ways through which organizations use training and development in their stress management. These include technical skills training and stress management skills training. Technical skills training Technical skills training enhances employees’ ability to cope with job requirements. For example, technical skills training contribute towards significant reduction in the amount of effort required to e xecute a task. The resultant effect is that employees experience minimal stress arising from work demands and pressure. Through technical skills training, an employee’s level of confidence in performing his or her duties is improved. To determine the technical skills training that an organization should conduct, a firm may conduct a performance appraisal, stress risk assessment, or a one-on-one conversation with the employees (Leka, Griffiths Cox, 2003, p.3). For example, an employee who may be assigned a new task may be required to make a presentation in front of the organization’s directors. This may cause anxiety to the employee leading into stress. In order to improve the employee’s presentation skills; the organization may enroll him or her to a presentation skills course in an effort to improve his or her confidence level when communicating to the managers (Spiers, 2003, p.84). Additionally, a risk assessment conducted by an engineering firm revealed that employees were reporting work-related stress and a high level of job dissatisfaction. Upon investigation, the firm revealed that the cause of the stress was as a result of the project management systems that the firm was using. The project management team revealed that they had never received training on how to operate the new Information Technology system that the firm had implemented. In order to minimize stress as a result of the new technology, the firm implemented a training program on how to operate the new software (Donald-Fielder, Lewis Yarker, 2011, p. 68). Stress management skills training This is a stress management strategy that is aimed at increasing the employees’ level of awareness on stressors and the importance of their wellbeing. Alternatively, stress management skills training is aimed at teaching employees on how to reduce stress. In their stress management skills training, organizations intend to bridge the gap that existed between the job demands, the employees’ ability to perform the tasks and the resources available. There are three main types of stress management skills training that an organization can implement. These include multimodal, relaxation-based and cognitive behavioral therapy. Multimodal training entails increasing the level of awareness on what stress is, how to identify signs of stress and how they can acquire skills to cope with stress. Relaxation-based training entails educating employees on how to undertake mental and physical relaxation in an effort to deal with the various consequences associated with stress. On the other hand, cognitive behavioral therapy training entails equipping employees with skills that change their perception on the source of stress differently. According to Donaldson-Fielder and Yarker (2011, p.69), these stress management skills training are very effective in reducing stress. However, a recent evaluation conducted on these methods revealed that cognitive behavioral therapy t raining is more effective compared to the other two methods. Support interventions These include the various forms of assistance strategies such as therapy and counseling employees who are suffering from stress. The support interventions targets individuals who have not benefited from stress prevention strategies such as training and development. The support interventions are focused at curing symptoms of stress. Support interventions may also entail medical treatment and coaching employees suffering from stress. Conclusion In order for organization to attain their goals, it is paramount for management teams to ensure that their employees are committed and productive. However, employees are faced with a challenge in executing their duties due to work-related stress. Stress has a negative impact to both the employee and the organization. Therefore, it is important for organizations to incorporate the concept of stress management in order to help them cope with challenging work situat ions. There are different strategies that an organization can integrate in their stress management efforts. To be effective in stress management, it is important for firms to integrate both curative and preventative stress management strategies. Some of the main strategies that a firm can integrate entail institutional programs, collateral programs, training program and support interventions. Institutional programs contribute towards reduction of work-related stress by ensuring that there are effective organizational mechanisms that minimize stress in its structure. Some of the ways through which they attain this is by being effective in designing jobs. Organizations should ensure that they assign employees jobs in according with their abilities and the resources available. It is also important for firm’s management teams to design jobs that are meaningful to their employees. Jobs should be designed in such as way that employees can be able to use their skills in executing th em. This will contribute towards creation of a high level of commitment. It is also critical to ensure that the employees understand their role and responsibilities. When making decisions that affect them, firm’s management teams should give the employees an opportunity to participate. Organizations should also integrate effective work-schedule that ensures a high level of flexibility. The work-schedules incorporated should be in line with the employees’ non-work responsibilities and demands. Such schedules reduce work-related stress by giving employees an opportunity to pursue their personal goals such as advancing their education . Employees intend to advance their career in order to improve their competitiveness in the labor market. Additionally, employees have sufficient time with their family and friends and to engage in recreational activities that improve their wellbeing hence reducing stress. On the other hand, collateral programs aid in improving the employees fitness and wellbeing. Training and development strategies such as technical skills training and stress management skills training enable employees to cope with job pressure and associated stressors. Through technical skills training, an employee is equipped with skills that enable him or her to execute tasks assigned with minimal pressure and effort. On the other hand, stress management skills training equip employees with a high level of awareness regarding skills. Organizations may also integrate support interventions such as counseling and coaching employees who are already suffering from stress. Therefore, to increase the probability of attaining organizational development, it is critical for firm’s management teams to integrate effective stress management. Stress management benefits both an organization and its employees. Reference List Anderson, D., 2011. 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