Stress, Performance & Quality of Life

There is a really fine balance to strike between a model being simple enough to understand and being oversimplified.

Which is why this image will keep evolving.

I have been playing with causal models for a couple of months (yes, I'm a nerd, deal with it), looking to build a graphic representation of how external and psychological stressors affect performance quality of life.

When you get into full stress response causal models it gets very complex very fast.

You know, with all them hormones and neurotransmitters buzzing around?

That's something I wanted to avoid, because that level of detail is not necessary for the changes that I want to encourage.

No, we just need a clear illustration of the impacts of real world stuff that we see and experience on a daily basis, on other real world stuff.

(Of course all the physiological and psychological stuff is real too, but you know exactly what I'm getting at)

If we want to effect change in how stress impacts individual wellbeing and organisational performance, we don't necessarily need to understand the mechanisms (even though they are fascinating)... we just need to understand the cause/effect on a more superficial level, and how we can influence those relationships.

This model isn't perfect, and it will evolve over time, but perhaps it'll help someone understand the complexities without it becoming totally overwhelming.

If you want an explanation and example of each of the sixteen interactions on this diagram, read on…

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➡️ External stressors have a direct causal effect on the stress response, for example: conflict at work can trigger sympathetic nervous system arousal and relating hormonal cascade.

➡️ External stressors have a direct causal effect on psychological stressors, for example: low income can trigger financial worry.

➡️ External stressors have a direct causal effect on dysfunction and illness, for example: a pathogen can cause necrosis.

➡️ External stressors have a direct causal effect on performance and quality of life, for example: low income can limit hobbies and interests. 

➡️ Psychological stressors have a direct causal effect on external stressors, for example: financial worries can trigger overeating/undereating.

➡️ Psychological stressors have a direct causal effect on dysfunction and illness, for example: chronic threat anticipation can trigger generalised anxiety disorder.

➡️ Psychological stressors have a direct causal effect on stress response, for example: anticipation of an argument can trigger sympathetic nervous system arousal and relating hormonal cascade.

➡️ Psychological stressors have a direct causal effect on performance and quality of life, for example: worry can reduce enjoyment of social situations.

➡️ Dysfunction and illness have a direct causal effect on psychological stressors, for example: living with diabetes can trigger thoughts and worry about worsening health or death.

➡️ Dysfunction and illness have a direct causal effect on stress response, for example: a broken leg can trigger sympathetic nervous system arousal and relating hormonal cascade.

➡️ Dysfunction and illness have a direct causal effect on performance and quality of life, for example: a broken leg can limit involvement in hobbies and social interaction.

➡️ Stress response has a direct causal effect on psychological stressors, for example: increased adrenaline and cortisol in the bloodstream can cause thoughts of panic.

➡️ Stress response has a direct causal effect on dysfunction and illness, for example: chronic stimulation of the stress response can cause hypertension and blood vessel damage, leading to atherosclerosis.

➡️ Stress response has a direct causal effect on performance and quality of life, for example: increased adrenaline in the bloodstream can increase performance and enjoyment (thrill)..

➡️ Performance and quality of life have a direct causal effect on psychological stressors, for example: poor quality of life can trigger unhappiness and worry.

➡️ Performance and quality of life have a direct causal effect on external stressors, for example: lots of physical hobbies can cause greater physical stress on the body..

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Some of these interactions and examples may seem positive, some may seem negative.

That judgement really depends on what’s happening in relation to the priorities of the individual.

The diagram and explanations I’ve offered here are merely to help you consider how all these factors are interrelated.

And once we understand these relationships, we can look at where we can intervene to improve outcomes.

Yes, I know that’s a lot for a Monday morning 😂

You’re welcome 😉

Please let me know what you found most interesting, or anything you think I’ve got wrong, in the comments below ⬇️