Subjective versus Objective Assessment of Short Term Occupational Stress: Bias and Analysis of Self-Assessment of High Stress Levels
Philippe Fauquet- Alekhine *
Nuclear Power Plant of Chinon, BP80, 37420, Avoine, France, Lab. for Research in Sciences of Energy, Doué, France and INTRA Robotics, Avoine, France.
Laetitia Rouillac
SEBE-Lab, Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton St., WC2A 2AE, London, UK.
Jean-Claude Granry
University Hospital of Angers, Angers, France.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Experiments undertaken with two professions (engineers and anesthesiologists) have shown the possible overestimation of perceived stress by subjects when self-assessing stress through questionnaires for high levels of acute stress. Previous analyses having demonstrated that the overestimation was effective, the present study aimed at analyzing a possible effect due to professional traits.
Study Design: Data were compared with models of professional personality: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator approach, Holland’s theory of careers and vocational choice and the Five-Factor model of personality.
Place and Duration of Study: Data from previous studies were used: A sample of engineers working at the nuclear power plant of Chinon in France (published in 2014) and a sample of anesthesiologists working at the University Hospital of Angers, France (published in 2015).
Methodology: Anesthesiologists (N=11, 50% male, 25 to 35 years old) experienced a stress episode in an operating theater simulator. Engineers (N=8, 38% male, 25 to 35 years old) underwent a stress-test in their office. Heart rate was measured for each subject. Comparison was examined between the stress perceived by the subjects through the Post-traumatic Disorder Inventory and the expected levels of stress estimated using the heart rate data. Characterization of the difference was undertaken using models of professional personality.
Results: While a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator approach did not provide any relevant information, an approach based on Holland’s theory of careers and vocational choice and on the Five-Factor model of personality showed that overestimation of stress was linked with occupational preoccupations specific to the professions. Limitations, perspectives and scientific implications are discussed.
Conclusion: As a major recommendation for researchers, during experiments inducing high levels of acute stress, it is worth to consider the possibility to compare self-assessment of stress with physiological measurements in order to detect a possible overestimation of perceived stress.
Keywords: Subjective stress, acute stress, overestimation, professional personality, behavioral psychology.