Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What is the term used to describe the situation when psychological demands exceed a worker's control over their job?

1. Job burnout

2. Job strain

3. Work overload

4. Occupational stress

The correct answer is: Job strain

The term used to describe the situation when psychological demands exceed a worker's control over their job is known as job strain. This concept relates to the imbalance between the demands placed on an individual and their ability to manage those demands effectively. Job strain often arises when employees face high levels of pressure or expectations, but lack the necessary resources, support, or autonomy to meet those demands. This can lead to feelings of frustration, inadequacy, and stress. The relationship between demands and control is central to understanding job strain, as an individual who has significant responsibilities but feels powerless to influence their work situation is more likely to experience negative psychological outcomes. In contrast, while job burnout refers to a state of physical and emotional exhaustion resulting from prolonged stress, particularly in a work context, and work overload points more specifically to having too much work to handle, these do not encapsulate the specific dynamic of excessive psychological demands coupled with lack of control, which is the essence of job strain. Occupational stress, while related, is a broader term that can encompass various factors leading to stress, not all of which involve the specific imbalance described in job strain.