[An integrated perspective of the organisational context and experience of stress].
OBJECTIVE
Investigating scientific production regarding the concept of occupational stress in periodicals indexed in international databases and analysing questions related to the heart of this phenomenon as seen from the perspective of individual and collective interpretation.


METHODS
Most articles were obtained from Medline, Lilacs and PsycINFO databases covering 1998 to 2008 using the following keywords: stress, well-being, burnout, organisation and presenteeism.


RESULTS
33 articles were identified; 21 of them were selected and 18 located. Speaking about stress in daily-life is already commonplace, associated as it is with constant changes and the accelerated rhythm ruling society nowadays; this leads to profound transformations in an individual's behaviour patterns, attitudes and values. Stress can therefore be seen as a cultural symbol of the present, leading to feelings of uncertainty regarding an individual's perception of the future.


CONCLUSIONS
The analysis of the literature allowed the sources of intrinsic/extrinsic stress on an individual to be discriminated and an analysis of the main repercussions, of which presenteeism and burnout are worth special mention. This reinforced the need for primary prophylactic intervention, starting from recognising those risk factors which make certain individuals more vulnerable.
Laranjeira
Carlos A
CA
Escola Superior de Saúde do Campus Universitário Jean Piaget de Viseu, Portugal. carlos.brightman@gmail.com
D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D011643:Publishing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013315:Stress, Psychological