Stress Reactions 456 THEORIES ON ORGANIZATIONAL STRESS 457 Theoretical Models Focusing on the Stress Process 457 Theoretical Models on the Relationship Between Stressful Situations and Strains 458 EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE 460 Main Effects of Stressful Situation

Stress in organizations is a widespread phenomenon with far-reaching practical and economic consequences. A report published by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (1999) in the United States summarized findings from various surveys on organizational stress and found that between 26 and 40 % of all surveyed workers experi-enced their work as very stressful. Similarly, 28 % of the workers in the European Union reported that their work causes stress (Levi & Lunde-Jensen, 1996). In Japan, the percentage is even higher than either of these (Harnois & Gabriel, 2000). Experiencing organizational stress is related to health problems and their associated costs. A study based on more than 46,000 U.S. employees showed that health care costs were 46 % higher for workers who experienced high levels o