Coping with stress: Firstbeat Lifestyle Assessments for family workers
Sjövall, Samu (2015)
Sjövall, Samu
Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoulu
2015
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2015092915001
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2015092915001
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this thesis was to assess the balance between stress and recovery of family workers. Furthermore, the aim was to educate the family workers in stress management during feedback sessions. The assessment was implemented using Firstbeat Lifestyle Assessment and BODYGUARD 2 measurement device of First-beat Technologies Ltd.
The research was performed on five family workers working in Tukeva Satakunta service unit. The practical implementation of the research was conducted between February and May in 2015. The practical implementation of the research included an informative lecture about autonomic nervous system (ANS), heart rate variability (HRV) and the use of BODYGUARD 2 device, a three day Firstbeat Lifestyle Assessment and a feedback session about the results and stress management.
The theoretical part of the thesis consists of topics including stress, physiological and psychological effects of stress, physiology and division of autonomic nervous system, heart rate variability, Firstbeat Lifestyle Assessment and family work. The research method of the thesis was quantitative since the data of the Firstbeat Lifestyle Assessments is presented statistically and numerically.
The results of the Firstbeat Lifestyle Assessment revealed that the balance between the family workers’ stress and recovery was stress-driven. The average daily balance figures of the group were 55% of stress and 22% of recovery. Most of the family workers did not recover from the load of their work sufficiently during sleep and leisure time. The average share of stress per day clearly exceeded the Firstbeat database’s average value of 47% and the average share of recovery did not reach the recommended value of 30%, or even the 25% average of Firstbeat database. In addition, the average proportions of recovery during work time and leisure time were very low and did not promote the recovery process.
The research was performed on five family workers working in Tukeva Satakunta service unit. The practical implementation of the research was conducted between February and May in 2015. The practical implementation of the research included an informative lecture about autonomic nervous system (ANS), heart rate variability (HRV) and the use of BODYGUARD 2 device, a three day Firstbeat Lifestyle Assessment and a feedback session about the results and stress management.
The theoretical part of the thesis consists of topics including stress, physiological and psychological effects of stress, physiology and division of autonomic nervous system, heart rate variability, Firstbeat Lifestyle Assessment and family work. The research method of the thesis was quantitative since the data of the Firstbeat Lifestyle Assessments is presented statistically and numerically.
The results of the Firstbeat Lifestyle Assessment revealed that the balance between the family workers’ stress and recovery was stress-driven. The average daily balance figures of the group were 55% of stress and 22% of recovery. Most of the family workers did not recover from the load of their work sufficiently during sleep and leisure time. The average share of stress per day clearly exceeded the Firstbeat database’s average value of 47% and the average share of recovery did not reach the recommended value of 30%, or even the 25% average of Firstbeat database. In addition, the average proportions of recovery during work time and leisure time were very low and did not promote the recovery process.