A Systematic Literature Review of Causes, Effects, and Strategies for Prevention of Occupational Stress in the Workplace.

Abstract: Occupational stress is widely recognized as a significant challenge impacting employee health, well-being, andorganizational effectiveness across various professional settings. Increasing levels of stress-related conditions, such asanxiety, burnout, and depression, have resulted in notable human and economic consequences for organizations andsociety. Based on the Person–Environment (PE) Fit Model, this systematic literature review explores the causes, effects,and prevention strategies related to occupational stress in the workplace. Utilizing a qualitative thematic approach, in linewith the PRISMA method a 41 peer-reviewed journal articles were systematically identified from key academic databases,including Scopus, PubMed, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, and SABINET. Findings indicate that occupational stress often stemsfrom ongoing mismatches between individual capabilities and workplace demands, especially in high-intensity sectors suchas healthcare and emergency services. Common stressors include excessive workloads, role ambiguity, shift schedules,emotional labour, insufficient managerial support, and suboptimal work environments. Evidence shows that prolongedexposure to these stressors can lead to psychological and physiological health issues, decreased job performance, higherabsenteeism, and reduced organizational effectiveness. While moderate stress (eustress) can enhance performance whenproperly managed, unmanaged or chronic stress generally results in adverse outcomes. The review emphasizes thatindividual coping mechanisms alone are inadequate to address structural sources of stress. Effective prevention requirescomprehensive interventions at the individual, organizational, and systemic levels. Strategies such as job redesign,leadership development, resilience training, cognitive-behavioural techniques, and fostering supportive organizationalcultures are essential in mitigating occupational stress. Overall, the study highlights the importance of developing context-specific, evidence-based frameworks for stress management to support sustainable employee well-being and organizationalsuccess.