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The Cycle of Stress

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The Palgrave Handbook of Occupational Stress

Abstract

Stress has two dimensions: a psycho-sociological dimension and a physiological dimension, both influencing the behavioral dimension. These dimensions of stress interact permanently and continually. For example, psycho-sociological expressions of stress have been shown to impact on an individual’s physiology; subsequently, that might produce an increase in sensitivity to stress for the individual and thus enhance the individual’s psycho-sociological expressions of stress. Depending on the psycho-social environment (context and demands) and the individual’s personal characteristics, the psycho-sociological dimension and the physiological dimension of stress may combine and result in a pathological cycle of stress. This mechanism is presented and the factors favoring its realization in the world of work are exposed and discussed.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Homeostasis is the state of steady physiological conditions of an individual.

  2. 2.

    Allostasis designates the process of achieving homeostasis through psychological and physiological changes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. SEBE-Lab, Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK

    Philippe Fauquet-Alekhine

  2. Laboratory for Research in Science of Energy, Montagret, France

    Philippe Fauquet-Alekhine

  3. Group INTRA Robotics, Avoine, France

    Philippe Fauquet-Alekhine

  4. Psychotherapy Office, Ottobrunn, Germany

    Laetitia Rouillac

Authors
  1. Philippe Fauquet-Alekhine
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  2. Laetitia Rouillac
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Correspondence to Philippe Fauquet-Alekhine .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. SEBE-Lab, Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK

    Philippe Fauquet-Alekhine

  2. London Hertfordshire Therapy Centre, St George’s University of London, London, UK

    James Erskine

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Fauquet-Alekhine, P., Rouillac, L. (2023). The Cycle of Stress. In: Fauquet-Alekhine, P., Erskine, J. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Occupational Stress. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-27349-0_3

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