April 2010
Beginner
48 pages
1h 11m
English
The Nature of Role Stress
Following Kahn, Wolfe, Quinn, Snoeck, and Rosenthal (1964), we define role stress as a composite construct consisting of role conflict and role ambiguity and, following later studies, of role overload. Role conflict refers to “the simultaneous occurrence of two (or more) sets of pressures such that compliance with one would make more difficult compliance with the other” (Kahn et al., 1964, p. 19). Role ambiguity occurs when a person does not have access to sufficient information to perform his role adequately. Role overload occurs when a person does not have sufficient time or resources to comply with expectations even when there is no role conflict or ambiguity.
A role is distinguished from a ...