The Relationship of Communication to Work Stress

The relationship of thirteen communication variables to work stress was analyzed. Therelationship of Personal Behavioral Style (Type A) to these thirteen variables was alsoinvestigated. By means of regression analysis, it was found that group support had thegreatest relationship to work stress. The results of a stepwise regression found that RoleConflict, Role Overload, Career Development, and Group Support resulted in a .951R-Square . Two of the thirteen communication variables—Role Overload and Responsibilityfor People-were significantly related to Type A Behavioral Style. The conclusion is madethat group and individual level communication variables are more closely related to workstress than are organizational communication variables. Consequently, activities such asteam building and individual communication skills should receive attention before variablesat the organizational level when attempting to reduce work stress.