(a) People may be busy and under pressure, but stress is an over-used word and has become something of a fashion trend. Many people appear to compete for who is most stressed. The biggest danger is that the more people talk about stress, the more likely they will really become stressed.

(b) Suggestions for coping with a high level of stress, for example adjusting your view- point, changing your job or relaxation therapy, may be well intended but are diffi- cult to implement and have little adaptive value. Stress is predominately a feature of a person's personality and must be accepted as such.

(c) To what extent are situations outside of the work organisation (for example, domestic, economic, accommodation) likely to have an adverse effect on work- related stress? (d) How well does your personality allow you to cope with stress? What conclusions did you draw and to what extent was the discussion helpful to group members?