Work and Stress: Physiology, Psychology, and Social Pathology The interaction between work and stress represents one of the most pressing issues in modern occupational medicine, organizational psychology, and sociology. Work-related stress (work-related stress) arises as a result of a imbalance between the demands placed on the worker and the resources available to meet them, under the condition of high significance of the consequences of failure. Physiological Foundations: From "Fight or Flight" to Chronic Inflammation The stress response is initially an adaptive mechanism. Upon perceiving a threat (deadline, conflict, overload), the hypothalamus initiates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA-axis). The adrenal glands secrete cortisol and adrenaline, leading to: Increased heart rate and blood pressure. Mobilization of glucose in the blood. Rearrangement of blood flow to muscles and the brain. Suppression of "unimportant" functions (digestion, immunity, reproduction). The problem arises when acute stress becomes chronic. A constantly high level of cortisol leads to: Cardiometabolic risks: hypertension, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, obesity. Immune disorders: chronic inflammation (elevated C-reactive protein levels), decreased cellular immunity, exacerbation of autoimmune diseases. Neurodegenerative processes: cortisol is toxic to the hippocampus — the brain area responsible for memory and regulation of the HPA-axis. This creates a vicious cycle: hippocampal damage weakens the ability to turn off the stress response. Interesting fact: The Whitehall II study (on British civil servants) showed that employees with low control over work (high demands + low autonomy) had a 2-4 times higher risk of developing ischemic heart disease than colleagues with high control, regardless of income and lifestyle. Psychological Models and Organizational Sources of Stress The "Demand-Control-Support" model (R. Karasek). High demands (load, complexity, deadlines). Low cont ... Read more