PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL BEHAVIOUR
2.2 Stress theory
2.2.2 Physical cryptograms of stress
Most of us do not know when the stress response initiates, hypothalamus secretion of stress hormones are usually reflex action based on what we perceive, however, we become aware we are stressed through physical signs on our bodies. As explained above, the process necessitates temporal shutting down of non-essential functions in order for the body to be prepared for the stressor, by increase of flow of blood, oxygen and glucose to those parts of the body answerable for the response. Physical stress signs are noticeable when (a) our thoughts suddenly become sharper, (b) heart beats faster due to increase in blood pressure, (c) pain receptors temporarily shut down to reduce painful effects of injury, (d) sight is sharp and very clear as pupils opens wider to allow more light, (e) hair stands on end, (f) digestion and elimination system temporarily shut down (these signs are not conclusive). These signs are first indicator stress response has initiated. However, it cannot be sustained for prolong period because the ‘non-essential’ body parts will eventually require normal flow of blood.
The reason corticotrophin regulates cortisol to bring the body back to normalcy immediately brain transmit message of normalcy (Benham, 2006; Faucher, 2009).
What happens when this physical process is maintained for a prolonged period without body going back to normalcy? The body undergoes what is called chronic stress syndrome.
14 2.2.3 Chronic Stress
Human goes through each day with what is termed everyday stress, while our body system has developed an adaptation system to combat these. There are stresses which are sustained for a prolonged period which usually ends is physical and psychological damage to human body. These are called chronic stress. Sinha (2005) postulated that chronic stress are stress that cannot be managed effectively like everyday stress our bodies has adapted to; through process of evolution and stress management behaviours. Rather this type of stress can cause serious health problems such as depression, anxiety, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, insomnia and many more complicated health challenges. Understanding what causes chronic stress can be an effective way of managing it (Chandola, Brunner & Marmot, 2006; Dallman et al., 2003).
Exposure to traumatic event, improper management of everyday stress, negative illusions and bad health habit can be a proven factor(s) that create chronic stress. There are a number of chronic stresses based of analysis made by (APA, 2016) which includes:
A. Monetary stress: Lack of money can result in chronic stress, as bills continue to mount without ability to settle, inability to cater for one’s family, lack of means to livelihood and associated disrespect accorded by the society can result in chronic stress. Monetary stress have different roots, it could be as a result of lack of financial discipline, accumulation of liabilities instead of assets, loss of job, loss related to gambling, high level of debt, unemployment or general economic hardship in a country. This type of stress is not limited to the original bearer but permeates through the entire household (Lewis, Porcelli & Delgado, 2014).
B. Job-related stress: In as much as been gainfully employed can serve as antidote to monetary stresses it can as well be a cause of chronic stress. Working with an unfriendly overbearing boss, jealous or bullying colleagues, uncertainty surrounding conditions of employment, unreasonable targets, abusive autocratic management can result into chronic stress. Most people under such work environment feels stuck as fear of losing one’s job and the associated monetary stress compounds the problem. If such stress is not managed timely it will eventually affect the output of such individual, his production level will nose-dive and this will result in more stress which eventually ends in loss of jobs and in some rare cases death of such individual suicide or heart failure (Berland, et al., 2008).
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C. Conjugal difficulties: A stressful marriage is a chronic stress creator, as it seems there is no escape route, unlike work-related stress that once you knock-off for the day you get reprieve till the next working day; such luxury does not appear to be possible with stressful marriage. The pain and constant discomfort poses hazardous threat to one’s heart like excessive alcohol intake. Enduring a stressful marriage can be associated to various heart diseases like uncontrolled high blood pressure, hypertension, obesity, aches and perpetual pessimist view of life (Somhlaba & Wait, 2009; Lu, 2000).
D. Separation: Usually when marital problems persists one of the options open to the embattled couples is to go their separate ways, however, this in itself does not end the stress associated with unhappy marriage as the study conducted by Iowa State University in 2006 affirms that separation sometimes accelerates chronic stress which results in rejection and physical illness over a period of 10 years. Coping with the psychological effects of rejection, guilt or regrets of engaging in the marriage from inception have immediate unhealthy effects on the concerned individual; this is usually followed by longer-terms physical and emotional problems, one reason why divorced individual hardly stays in another marriage for long. Similarly, separation could be as a result of bereavement, in each case separation related stress has similar correlation (Ong et al, 2005).
E. Educational Burden: The moment a child enrolled in a formal school, stress began to build; this can be connected to expectations from different concerned individuals, parents, folks, society, self and peers. The pressure to succeed could result in burnout.
Låftman, Almquist & Östberg, (2013) posits that one in every three of Swedish high school pupil undergoes serious stress related pressure to perform in school with as much as eight per cent tending towards exhaustion. It is worthy of note that this type of stress has no age limit as human never stops learning.
F. Caregiver stress syndrome: The responsibility of long-term caregiving can result in chronic stress. Care given to a paralysed spouse, terminally sick child, blind parent or any long-term role of providing supports to a loved one can cause caregiver stress syndrome. Yin, Zhou & Bashford (2002) posit that caregivers stress could shorten the life-span of the giver because of the burden of taking care of loved ones for prolong period of time. Study also shows that stress caregiver develop while caring for Alzheimer’s disease patients may shorten the caregivers lives by as much as four to eight years.’ It also furthered the revelation with evidence of chronic stress
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compounds found in the caregivers genetic and molecular bodies (Jaremka &
Lindgren, 2013; Reamy et al., 2011; Yin, Zhou & Bashford, 2002).
The above list is not exhaustive; however there is one common denominator. The ability to recognise chronic stress syndrome, will ultimately lead to rehabilitation efforts. The healing process may take few months, years, relocation, change of profession and many other changes that will have real impact on the cause and effects of the chronic stress. Wincent, &
Örtqvist, (2009) posit that there is a direct correlation between the aforementioned type of stress and entrepreneurship because, embarking on an energy sapping venture like entrepreneurship demands optimal healthy mind and body.