Intrapersonal Communication As A Stress Management Tool The Perceived Effects On Employee Productivity In Cut Unlimited, Incorporated

Abstract

Stress, or the demands and pressures perceived as endangering one's health and general well-being, as well as its effects, has become a great concern among many individuals. One particular place where the negative outcomes of stress are critical is in the environment of the workplace, in which stress is also termed as "burnout." For this reason, the issue of balancing distressing pressures and one's ability to cope, or stress management, is essential and encouraged for stress and burnout can lead to seriously harmful physiological, psychological and social consequences. The widespread occurrence of stress and burnout has also prompted organizations to more closely study the stress process and to implement organizational countermeasures, because stress initiates detriments to employee productivity, which in turn influences an organization's overall efficiency and effectiveness. There are many strategic tools for coping with stress. There are coping mechanisms that eliminate the sources of stress, or stressors, while others try to alleviate the disturbed arousal brought on by them. And with these coping mechanisms, human communication largely plays a significant part, most especially intrapersonal communication, that is, verbal or nonverbal communication exchange with oneself or within the context of a single person. Examples of intrapersonal stress management tools are problem-solving, self-reassessment, introspection, venting out through writing in a journal, meditation, and even praying. However, there is a lack of attention given to intrapersonal communication as a beneficial stress management tool in the organizational context. In light of this gap in knowledge, this research was determined to answer the proceeding main research question, "What are the perceived effects of intrapersonal communication as a stress management tool on employee productivity in its chosen organization, Cut Unlimited, Incorporated?" Besides that, this research had to also answer the following sub-problems: What is the nature of Cut Unlimited, Incorporated? What is the level of its employee productivity? What are the sources of stress, or stressors, experienced by its employees? What strategies help these employees in coping with their stressors? Among these coping strategies, how do intrapersonal communication activities rank? The scope and limitations of this study were set thereafter. This study is concerned with human communication, particularly the human communication situations of intrapersonal communication and organizational communication, while the organizational communication and management elements in focus are employee productivity and stress, or burnout. Furthermore, this study is set within the timeframe of its development, from data gathering and analysis to final supervisory revisions, and is set within the environment of its subject organization, which is Cut Unlimited, Incorporated. To arrive with its conclusions, a descriptive research design was used by this study. It obtained information through library research, in-depth personal interviews, as well as a survey to be able to gain insights for its research problems and to fulfill its objectives. The subject organization, Cut Unlimited, Incorporated, was picked, because the group is comparatively small in organizational size and it places a good deal of concern over its employees' efficiency and quality of work. All the members of the group comprise the population of this study; a census on intrapersonal communication as a stress management tool was made through a survey questionnaire. On the other hand, through non-probability or purposive sampling, three key informants were interviewed in order to learn the nature of Cut Unlimited, Incorporated and establish the company's level of employee productivity. Eventually, findings from the in-depth personal interviews and survey were evaluated through content analysis and descriptive statistics. It was found that Cut Unlimited, Incorporated is a year old events marketing and management team comprised of twelve members. So far, the company has not formally crystallized its organizational structure (flow of information in the meantime is based on projects rather than otherwise) nor its mission, vision, organizational goals and objectives. In spite of this, the group and each of its members are aware of its standards on work efficiency and quality, and some of the organizational members of Cut Unlimited, Incorporated believe that the members are adequately productive in meeting these standards. Additionally, the sources of stress, or stressors, of the members are mainly derived from work and major life changes. In order to cope with these stressors, they utilize a variety of strategies, but the top choices are as follows: talking to others or being with friends and family, time management or balancing lifestyle, having quiet moments, praying, learning to relax, training or self-development, attending to hobbies and interests, participation in decision-making processes at home or work, self-reassessment, going for breaks or vacations, reducing or quitting vices, and learning to sleep better. Obviously, among these coping mechanisms, only two are interpersonal communication activities (being with others or talking to friends and family, and participation in decision-making processes). The rest of these top-ranking coping strategies were deemed as intrapersonal endeavors. In conclusion, the members of Cut Unlimited, Incorporated substantially employ intrapersonal communication in coping with the demands and pressures of their stressors, which mostly stem from work and significant events in their lives. Thus, it is evident that intrapersonal communication as a stress management tool has an auspicious and helpful effect for Cut Unlimited, Incorporated in attaining a satisfactory level of employee productivity.