Social and Cognitive learning theory and also Lazarus theory of stress
A Theoretical framework consists of concepts and their definitions with
reference to relevant scholarly literature and existing theories that are used in a
particular study. They demonstrate an understanding of theories that have been chosen
which relate to the broader areas of knowledge being considered (Gardner, 2013). The
psychological theories of Work related stress and Alcoholism vary according to how
much they generally recognize or incorporate others theoretical stances like societal
factors. This study is guided by two theories social and Cognitive learning theory and
also Lazarus theory of stress (Sheard, Huntington & Gilmour, 2014).
Social and Cognitive Learning Theory
This theory goes beyond conditioning models by emphasizing psychosocial
elements to understand the origins of Work related stress and alcohol use (Hanson &
Engs, 2013).In the social context, heavy drinking occurs among student’s nurses in
training practicum due to environmental and social conditions which make alcohol
use and work related stress more likely to happen among the students nurses in
internships (Brooks et al., 2012). In social learning theory, Work related stress and
alcohol abuse is described as a method of coping with the demands of everyday life
(Schulman et al., 2012). Social learning points out that social environment in which
one is brought up in as being crucial to the development of alcoholism and work
related stress (Wong, Tang, & Schwarz, 2013).
In psychological dependence, heavy drinking is seen as a strategy for altering
psychological, emotional states of coping with problems like work stress especially in
student’s nurses in their internships. One assumption in cognitive models is that work
related stress and alcohol use stems from a deficit in knowledge about the harmful
effects of alcohol and heavy drinking (Akers & Cochran, 2012). Once armed with this
knowledge, it is expected individuals like the student’s nurses in their practicum will
understand that work related stress and alcohol abuse or alcoholism causes significant
harm to themselves as well as to their families and society at large. The theory was
relevance to the study as the theory informed the foundation of the study as it link
causal factors such as peer pressure and modelling of heavy drinking, that extends to
negative expectancies for Alcohol use and also the coping strategies.
The Lazarus Theory
The Lazarus theory is central to any psychological stress theory appraisal that
focus on individuals’ evaluation of the significance of what is happening for their
well-being, and coping, that is individuals' efforts in thought and action to manage
specific demands (Lazarus 1993). In Lazarus stress theory, stress is viewed as a
relationship transaction between individuals and their environment. Dewitt et al.
(2012) noted that the processes by which individuals cope with stressful situations has
grown substantially over the past three decades. Many trait-oriented approaches in
this field have established two constructs central to understanding the cognitive
responses to stress, that is the orientation toward stressful aspects of an encounter, and
cognitive avoidance that is, averting attention from stress-related information.
Cognitive evaluation is the process of judgment by which, the level of adjustment
methods available that each person has, is recognized. It includes identifying
available resources and options, which will help the person to negotiate with potential
or actual demands. Upon the initial requirements evaluation, some can be assessed as
irrelevant, and other as very stressful or as positive, Dewitt et al (2012). Lazarus
theory is chosen for the current study because it acknowledges certain environmental
conditions such as causes of stress among individuals and indicates the extent of
difference people exhibit due to their level of sensitivity and vulnerability to certain
kind of occurrence as well as interpretation and response to the occurrence.
FIG.1
The Conceptual Framework
Organizational
Support
Life styles
Independent Variable
Work
Hospital
Environment
Related
Stress
Role
Clarity
Workload
in Hospital
Intervening Variables
–Decision making
-Attitude
-Behaviour
Control
-Exercise/Diet
Dependent Variable
Alcoholism
Frequency of
alcohol taking
Ranking Level of
alcoholism Taking
(High, Moderate,
Low)
Figure 2. 1: Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework link independent variables to dependent variable.
This is in an effort to exhibit the status of the effect of work related stress on
alcoholism. The independent variable organization support is operationalized through
financial supports, rewards and training of the student’s nurses to improve on their
skill disposition.
Work related stress culminates from workplace lifestyles described by peer
influence, academic pressure, sleep-wake cycle, diet, physical activity involved in.
Working environment is a critical workplace stress factors based on working
conditions, accommodation, involvement in decision making, work shift schedules
and medical staff support. Role clarity is also being assessed on how it contributes to
alcoholism. It is operationalized through supervision of duties, task delegation,
capacity of nurse student through qualification and task aligned to qualification.
Workload is yet a critical workplace factors that influence alcoholism among students
nurses. The study assessed workload based on number of patients being attended to,
working hours, and number of operations to be executed. Alcoholism was measured
using ranking level of taking of alcohol and termed as high, moderate or low and by
determining frequencies of alcohol taking among student’s nurses.
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