Talking about work stress: Discourse analysis and implications for stress interventions

A qualitative study of how doctors use impression management when they talk about stress in the UK

“…The use of professionally-specific stress discourses functioning as rhetorical devices to manage accountability have been reported in other professions. [31][32][33] The use of repertoires here can offer a similar function; serving to normalise the experience as a professional consequence that all face, rather than an individual failure to cope. A further possible feature of this is that the repertoire is particular to the profession.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Discursively this has also been found in female clerical workers. 32 This repertoire could serve as a gate-keeper for discussing stress; as usage of these discourses limits a potential discussion to a level of simply reflecting on environmental issues, which is often the case. 21 Therefore, not personally coping or the impact of stress at an individual level are not fully considered when these discourses are employed.…”

“…19 These findings illustrate the importance of considering stress within its socio-cultural context, as is clear within other occupations, 32 and taking consideration of potential factors associated with the hidden curriculum. 34 Collectively these interpretative repertoires served to perform particular social functions for the doctors that involved managing stake and accountability.…”

“…30 Such discourses have been found in other professions, such as police, teachers and clerical workers. [31][32][33] Within medical education a 'hidden curriculum' has often been reported. 34 That the hidden curriculum is often referred to does reinforce the existence and influence of socio-cultural factors.…”

“…Employees may simply not use stress management strategies because they are resisted in the workplace culture or their position within the hierarchy. 32 The medical profession is particularly susceptible to using (ineffective) coping strategies that minimise perceptions/impacts of stress such as responding to stress by continuing to work, relying on non-formal consultations and attempting to mask effects. [15][16][17] Therefore it is unsurprising that the discursive strategies used, as a means of presenting coping and impression management, contributed towards the function of maintaining a position as the model medical professional.…”