| This dissertation examines the relatively new subdiscipline within psychology called Occupational Health Psychology (OHP). A relatively extensive review of the OHP literature is conducted and discussed beginning with a brief history of OHP. The aim of this dissertation was to help prepare a university for the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award (PHWA). As such, a review of prominent OHP theories, researchers, measures, past university-setting studies, and the PHWA are discussed, as well as the frequently associated health consequences of occupational stressors. Likewise, how OHP has intervened in the past to reduce occupational stressors and the financial burden associated with these stressors is reviewed. After which an integrated approach is taken to highlight key findings from this dissertation, and make recommendations that may help prepare a university in applying for the PHWA. Although this dissertation attempts to help a university setting in preparing for application to the PHWA, many, if not all of the key findings and recommendations are easily transferable concepts to other types of industries and organizations. An argument is made that the Personal Stress NavigatorRTM is the OHP measure of choice, based on a review of nearly 40 different OHP measures. Other goals of this dissertation include bringing greater awareness of OHP and its efficacy, and providing an invaluable, never-before-done, collection of integrated OHP information and resources into one body of work, & introduce the Psychologically Healthy Workplace Organizational Assessment (PHWOA). |
