Subjective versus Objective Assessment of Short Term Occupational Stress: Bias and Analysis of Self-Assessment of High Stress Levels

Abstract

Aims: Experiments undertaken with two professions (engineers and anesthesiologists) have shown the possible overestimation of perceived stress by subjects when self-assessing stress through questionnaires for high levels of acute stress. Previous analyses having demonstrated that the overestimation was effective, the present study aimed at analyzing a possible effect due to professional traits. Study Design: Data were compared with models of professional personality: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator approach, Holland’s theory of careers and vocational choice and the Five-Factor model of personality. Place and Duration of Study: Data from previous studies were used: A sample of engineers working at the nuclear power plant of Chinon in France (published in 2014) and a sample of anesthesiologists working at the University Hospital of Angers, France (published in 2015). Methodology: Anesthesiologists (N=11, 50% male, 25 to 35 years old) experienced a stress episode in an operating theater simulator. Engineers (N=8, 38% male, 25 to 35 years old) underwent a stress-test in their office. Heart rate was measured for each subject. Comparison was examined between the stress perceived by the subjects through the Post-traumatic Disorder Inventory and the expected levels of stress estimated using the heart rate data. Characterization of the difference was undertaken using models of professional personality. Results: While a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator approach did not provide any relevant information, an approach based on Holland’s theory of careers and vocational choice and on the Five-Factor model of personality showed that overestimation of stress was linked with occupational preoccupations specific to the professions. Limitations, perspectives and scientific implications are discussed. Conclusion: As a major recommendation for researchers, during experiments inducing high levels of acute stress, it is worth to consider the possibility to compare self-assessment of stress with physiological measurements in order to detect a possible overestimation of perceived stress.