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Moderating Effects of Control on the Relationship Between Stress and Change

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Abstract

Given the well-documented impact of stress on employees, it is important to understand moderating factors, especially in behavioral health treatment settings, where constant change occurs. Staff members at four mental health (n=663) and four substance abuse (n=256) treatment agencies completed questionnaires inquiring about perceptions of direct and indirect agency changes, stress experienced due to changes, and control and input into the changes. Results revealed that as direct and indirect change increased, stress increased; as level of control and input into changes increased, stress decreased. Control and input served as a moderating variable between stress and direct change, but not for indirect change.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Grant Number 1H79TI11988, from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and the Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the funding agency.

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Correspondence to Mark E. Johnson.

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Johnson, M.E., Brems, C., Mills, M.E. et al. Moderating Effects of Control on the Relationship Between Stress and Change. Adm Policy Ment Health 33, 499–503 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-005-0002-6

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