1 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.0 Overview Over ... - DSpace@UM

degree of “stressfulness” possibly generated by the stimulus. Generally, three types ofstressors have been identified; major changes affecting most people such as naturaldisasters; major events affecting one or few persons, such as life events; and minor eventsthat happen on a relatively regular basis, such as daily hassles. Here. This study willrelate to the type third stressor which relates to work environment and consequences dueto the interaction between variables over a long period.2.5 Cognitive Appraisal PerspectiveIt is important to share some literatures to enhance the readers appreciation on the needfor occupational environment and occupational stress related study. Lazarus (1984), canbe said to be the most important advocate of the cognitive appraisal approach to stressresearch. He took a bold step in theorizing psychological stress as opposed tophysiological stress, and, in doing so, helped enhance our understanding of the complexinteraction processes between the person and his environment. According to him, a stateof stress develops when an individual feels a discrepancy between the demands of thesituation and own capabilities to cope. Coping here refers to the efforts directed atcounter re-acting the demands imposed by stressors. Lazarus and Folkman, (1984)repeatedly emphasized that “the way a person appraises an encounter strongly influencesthe coping process and how the person reacts emotionally”.18