impact of stress on morality of teachers in private university : a case study in lucknow

Inspira-Journal of Commerce, Economics & Computer Science 71 ISSN : 2395-7069 (Impact Factor : 1.7122) Volume 02, No. 02, April- June, 2016, pp. 71-79

IMPACT OF STRESS ON MORALITY OF TEACHERS IN PRIVATE UNIVERSITY : A CASE STUDY IN LUCKNOW

Smriti Srivastava ∗

Prof. H.K. Singh ∗∗

Shailesh Kumar Singh∗∗∗

Abstract At present scenario life is full of deadlines, hassles, demands and frustrations. For many

people, stress is so common place that it has become a part of their life. Stress isn’t always bad. In small doses, it can help you perform under pressure and motivate you to do your best but your mind and body pay the price by constantly running in emergency mode. You can protect yourself by recognizing the signs and symptoms of stress and taking steps to reduce its harmful effects. Define stress as a "relationship between the person and the environment that is appraised by the person as taxing or exceeding his or her resources and endangering his or her wellbeing." Stress is a common human experience frequently blamed for much of the ill health individuals’ experience. Much focus is been given to the effect of stress on health and wellness. Research demonstrates a strong relationship between psychological stress and health. This paper shows that how stress can be harmful for the human body that an individual can be move onto suicide. Stress effects a human mind by which the power of thinking totally get changed, firstly stress change the human psychology and afterwards it effects the human attitude, motivation, personality, behavior, inspiration, positive thinking, decision making etc. Here not only the stress has been described but also mention that how you can check your stress level and how you can manage it.

Keywords: Stress, Fight-or-flight-or-freeze, Hassles, Frustrations, Epistemology, Morality. Introduction What is Stress ?

Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset in some way. When you sense danger—whether it’s real or imagined—the body's defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight-or-freeze” reaction, or the stress response. The stress response body’s way of protecting you. When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergency situations, stress can

∗ Research Scholar, Maharishi University of Information Technology (MUIT), Lucknow, U.P. ∗∗ Professor, Faculty of Commerce, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P. ∗∗∗ Research Scholar, Maharishi University of Information Technology (MUIT), Lucknow, U.P.

72 Inspira- Journal of Commerce, Economics & Computer Science: April- June, 2016

save your life—giving you extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. The stress also helps you rise to meet challenges. Stress is what keeps you on your toes during a presentation at work, sharpens your concentration when you’re attempting the game-winning free throw, or drives you to study for an exam when you'd rather be watching TV. But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life. What is Morality

Morality (from the Latin moralitas "manner, character, proper behavior") is the differentiation of intentions, decisions, and actions between those that are distinguished as proper and those that are improper: In other words, it is the disjunction between right and wrong. Morality can be a body of standards or principles derived from a code of conduct from a particular philosophy, religion, or culture, or it can derive from a standard that a person believes should be universal .Morality may also be specifically synonymous with "goodness" or "rightness." Moral philosophy includes moral ontology, or the origin of morals, as well as moral epistemology, or what is known about morals. Different systems of expressing morality have been proposed, including deontological ethical systems which adhere to a set of established rules, and normative ethical systems which consider the merits of actions themselves. An example of normative ethical philosophy is the Golden Rule which states that, "One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.” Immorality is the active opposition to morality (i.e. opposition to that which is good or right), while amorality is variously defined as an unawareness of, indifference toward, or disbelief in any set of moral standards or principles. Signs and Symptoms of Stress Overload

The following table lists some of the common warning signs and symptoms of stress.

The more signs and symptoms you notice in yourself, the closer you may be to stress overload.

Cognitive Symptoms Emotional Symptoms

• Memory problems

• Inability to concentrate

• Poor judgment

• Moodiness

• Irritability or short temper

• Agitation, inability to relax

Physical Symptoms Behavioral Symptoms

• Aches and pains

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Nausea, dizziness

• Eating more or less

• Sleeping too much or too little

• Isolating yourself from others

Keep in mind that the signs and symptoms of stress can also be caused by other psychological or medical problems. If you’re experiencing any of the warning signs of stress, it’s important to see a doctor for a full evaluation. Your doctor can help you in recognizing whether your symptoms are stress- related or not. Causes of Stress

The pressures and situations that cause stress are known as stressors. We usually think of stressors as being negative, such as an exhausting work schedule or a rocky relationship. However, anything that puts high demands on you or forces you to adjust can be stressful. This includes positive events such as getting married, buying a house, going to college, or receiving a promotion. Of course, not all stress is caused by external factors. Stress can also be self-generated, for example, when you worry excessively about something that may or may not happen, or have irrational, pessimistic thoughts about life.

Smriti Srivastava, Prof. H.K. Singh & Shailesh Kumar Singh : Impact of Stress on …… 73

Effects of Chronic Stress The body doesn’t distinguish between physical and psychological threats. When you’re

stressed over a busy schedule, an argument with a friend, a traffic jam, or a mountain of bills, your body reacts just as strongly as if you were facing a life-or-death situation. If you have a lot of responsibilities and worries, your emergency stress response may be “on” most of the time. The more your body’s stress system is activated, the harder it is to shut off. Long-term exposure to stress can lead to serious health problems. Chronic stress disrupts nearly every system in your body. It can raise blood pressure, suppress the immune system, increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, contribute to infertility, and speed up the aging process. Long-term stress can even rewire the brain, leaving you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. Causing Many Health Problems or Exacerbated by Stress Including:

• Any kind of Pain

• Heart disease

• Digestive problems

• Sleep problems

• Depression

• Weight problems

• Autoimmune diseases

• Skin problems, such as eczema

What is Burnout? Burnout is a state of mental, emotional and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and

prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest or motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place. Burnout reduces your productivity and saps your energy, leaving you feeling increasingly helpless, hopeless, cynical, and resentful. Eventually, you may feel that life is of no use and even you can commit suicide. Most of us have days when we feel bored, overloaded, or unappreciated; when the dozen balls we keep in the air aren’t noticed, let alone rewarded; when dragging ourselves out of bed requires the determination of Hercules. If you feel like this most of the time, however, you may have burnout. The Difference between Stress and Burnout

Stress Burnout

Characterized by over engagement Characterized by disengagement

Over reactive emotions Emotions are blunted

Produces urgency and hyperactivity Produces helplessness and hopelessness

Loss of energy Loss of motivation, ideals, and hope

Leads to anxiety disorders Leads to detachment and depression

Causes of Burnout In many cases, burnout stems from your job. But anyone who feels overworked and

undervalued is at risk for burnout-from the hardworking office worker who hasn’t had a vacation or a raise in two years to the frazzled stay-at-home mom struggling with the heavy responsibility of taking care of three kids, the housework, and her aging father. But burnout is not caused solely by stressful work or too many responsibilities. Other factors contribute to burnout, including your lifestyle and certain personality traits. What you do in your downtime and how you look at the world can play just as big of a role in causing burnout as work or home demands. Burnout Prevention TIPS

• Day Should be Start With a Relaxing Rituals: Rather than jumping out of bed as soon as you wake up, spend at least fifteen minutes meditating, writing in your journal, doing gentle stretches, or reading something that inspires you.


• Adopt Healthy Eating, Exercising, and Sleeping Habits: When you eat right, engage in regular physical activity, and get plenty of rest, you have the energy and resilience to deal with life’s hassles and demands.

• Boundaries Should be Set: Don’t overextend yourself. Learn how to say “no” to requests on your time. If you find this difficult, remind yourself that saying “no” allows you to say “yes” to the things that you truly want to do.

Stress at Work While some workplace stress is normal, excessive stress can interfere with your

productivity and impact your physical and emotional health. And your ability to deal with it can mean the difference between success or failure. You can’t control everything in your work environment, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless-even when you’re stuck in a difficult situation. Finding ways to manage workplace stress isn’t about making huge changes or rethinking career ambitions, but rather about focusing on the one thing that’s always within your control: Learn How Academic Heads or Teachers Can Reduce Job Stress

It's in a academic head’s best interest to keep stress levels minimum in the workplace. Heads’ can act as positive role models, especially in times of high stress. If a respected academic head can remain calm in stressful work situations, it is much easier for his or her teachers’ to also remain calm. Additionally, there are a number of organizational changes that academic head and teachers’ can make to reduce workplace stress. These include: Improve Communication

• To reduce uncertainty about their jobs and futures share information with teachers’.

• Roles and responsibilities of teachers’ should be clearly define.

• Communication should be friendly and efficient, not mean-spirited or petty. Consult Your Teachers’

• Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions making.

• Scheduling and work rules should be consulting through teachers’.

• Avoid unrealistic deadlines. Be sure the workload is suitable to teachers’ abilities and resources; Show that individual workers are valued.

• Offer rewards and incentives. Cultivate a Friendly Social Climate

• Opportunities for providing social interaction among teachers’.

• Establish a zero-tolerance policy for harassment.

• Make management actions consistent with organizational values. Stress Management Learn How to Manage Stress

You may feel like the stress in your life is out of your control, but you can always control the way you respond. Managing stress about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. Stress Management involves changing the stressful situation when you can, changing your reaction when you can’t, taking care of yourself, and making time for rest and relaxation. Remember the Four A’s: Avoid, Alter, Adapt, or Accept

• Avoid unnecessary stress. Not all stress can be avoided, but by learning how to say no, distinguishing between “should” and “musts”.

• Alter the situation. If you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Instead of bottling up your feelings and increasing your stress, respectfully let others know about


your concerns. Or be more willing to compromise and try meeting others halfway on an issue.

• Adapt to the stressor. When you can’t change the stressor, try changing yourself. Reframe problems or focus on the positive things in your life. If a task at work has you stressed, focus on the aspects of your job you do enjoy.

• Accept the things you can’t change. There will always be stressors in life that you can’t do anything about. Learn to accept the inevitable rather than rail against a situation and making it even more stressful. Look for the upside in a situation—even the most stressful circumstances can be an opportunity for learning or personal growth. Learn to accept that no one, including you, is ever perfect.

Learning to Stay in the Present A less formal approach to mindfulness can also help you to stay in the present and fully

participate in your life. You can choose any task or moment to practice informal mindfulness, whether you are eating, showering, walking, touching a partner, or playing with a child or grandchild. Attending to these points will help:

• Start by bringing your attention to the sensations in your body

• Breathe in through your nose, allowing the air downward into your lower belly. Let your abdomen expand fully.

• Now breathe out through your mouth

• Notice the sensations of each inhalation and exhalation

• Proceed with the task at hand slowly and with full deliberation

• Engage your senses fully by noticing each sight, touch, and sound Results and Discussions Gender Wise Classification

Table 1 Gender Wise Classification

Gender Number of Respondents Percentage

Male 48 40

Female 72 60

Total 120 100

Source: Primary Data

Experience Wise Classification: The demographic profile of the respondents on the basis of experience group is given in table-2.


Experience Wise Classification Table 2

Experience Wise Classification

Experience Number of Respondents Percentage

0-6 years 48 40

6-12 years 48 40

More than 12 years 24 20

Total 120 100

Source: Primary Data Analysis of Stress Creator Factors

Table 3 Analysis of Stress Creator Factor

Opinion No. of Respondents

Agree Disagree No Response Total

Job Insecurity 113 7 - 120

Poor students behavior and their negative attitude towards Study

108 12 - 120

Ineffective leadership at Department Level / Management Politics

102 12 6 120

Lack of Motivation 96 23 1 120

Negative Attitude of Colleagues 72 36 12 120

Excessive Additional duty 48 60 12 120

Involvement in non-teaching duty 96 11 13 120

Lack of Research & Personal Growth Opportunities

60 37 23 120

Work-home Conflicts 109 - 11 120

Total 120

Source: Field Data


The above table shows that opinions or stress creator factors about the teaching and handling students. 94% of the College teachers assume job insecurity, 90% of respondents assume Poor students behavior and their negative attitude towards study, and 85% of respondents assume Ineffective leadership at Department Level / Management politics lack of motivation, 80% of respondents assume lack of motivation, 60 % of respondents believe negative attitude of colleagues, 40% of respondents think excessive additional duty, 80 % of respondents feel involvement in non-teaching duty, 50% of lack of research & personal growth opportunities and 91% of respondents believe that work-home conflicts are the key stress creator factors. Physical and Mental Impact of Stress

Table 4 Impact of Stress

Opinions No. of Respondents

Agree Disagree No. Response Total

Mood disturbance 108 7 5 120

Psychological distress 113 7 - 120

Negative about career 60 36 24 120

Lowered efficiency 96 23 1 120

Anxiety 114 1 5 120

Lowered morale 72 37 11 120

Depression 112 - 8 120

Cardiovascular disease 96 11 13 120

Fatigue 116 4 - 120

Increased efficiency 53 60 7 120

Increased Effectiveness 35 41 24 120

Total 120

Source: Field Data

The table 4 shows that majority of respondents believe that stress create negative impact on teachers community.90% of respondents assume that stress create mood disturbance, 94% of respondents think it create psychological distress, 50% of respondents feel it create negative about career, 80% of respondents assume it create lowered efficiency, 95% of respondents feel stress create anxiety, 60% of respondents think it lowered morale, 93% of respondents assume stress create depression, 80% of respondents create cardiovascular disease, 97% of respondents feel that stress create fatigue, 44% of respondents assume that it increase efficiency & effectiveness.


Stress Managing Techniques Table 5

Techniques Adopted To Manage Stress

Opinion Number of Respondents Percentage

Yoga and Exercise 24 20

Believe in actions rather than fruits 48 40

Playing with children 7 6

Interaction with positive Colleagues 10 8

Reading Motivational Books 14 12

Rest 5 4

Positive Attitude 12 10

Total 120

Source: Field Data

The table 5 indicates the stress managing techniques. 40% of the college teachers accept ‘Believe in actions rather than fruits’ can be used to manage stress and they rank it at I while only 4% of the college teachers assume rest can be used as stress managing techniques and rank it at VII. 20% of the college teachers undertake yoga and exercise, 12 % read motivational books, 10% of college teacher believe in positive attitude, 8% believe in interaction with positive colleagues, 6% of college teachers play with children's. Findings

• Stress key factors like Poor students’ behavior and their negative attitude, Job Insecurity ,Ineffective leadership at Department Level, Negative Attitude of Colleagues, Lack of Motivation, Additional duty, Involvement in non-teaching duty, Personal Growth Opportunities, and Conflicts of work home has been observed.

• Stress management key techniques like Rather than fruits believe in actions, Yoga and exercise, Reading Motivational Books, Positive Attitude, Interaction with positive Colleagues, Playing with children, Rest has been observed. The ‘Rather than fruits believe in actions’ has been used to manage stress.

Conclusion Our prehistoric ancestors were free from facing city traffic and short- tempered bosses.,

but they had their share of psychological stress that produced no actual physical bodily insult. From both a physical vis a vis psychological point, our ancestors lived a much more stressful existence than we do today. However, we clearly make things worse for ourselves. Take


compulsive exercisers. These people can actually become addicted to strenuous exercise, because this behavior imposes a severe stress on metabolism and results in the steady release of endorphin. Responsible for "runner's high," this pain-killer is similar to morphine in its addictive capabilities. Extreme exercise also releases cortical, which though useful in maintaining circulatory and respiratory function, can lead to bone loss, hypertension, and death of brain cells. In yet another scenario, meeting a deadline at work is a source of pressure, but is not life-threatening, and yet it contributes to ill health by invoking an unnecessary release of stress hormones i.e. Adrenaline. Are we stressed in today's society? Of course we are. But the important thing to remember is that all animals, including ourselves, are confronted with innumerable types of stress and always have been. We should ignore the incessant mantra of ours being the Age of Stress and put things in a more historical and evolutionary perspective. So at last I would like to say that there are so many options we have to get rid of stress but we always try to ignore them just because of our hectic schedule. Today’s fact is we are running after money and try to earn more and more just to compete other but we never think that this competitive life has become a reason of losing our health and emotions. Psychologically we are harming ourselves as well as our family. If we’ll not avoid it today then definitely it can badly harm our future because stress is increasing day by day but still we have time to save ourselves by so many mediums and mode as we have discussed above. References � Nancy Rosenberg, stress management.

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impact of stress on morality of teachers in private university : a case study in lucknow

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