THE IMPLICATIONS OF STATUS, CLASS AND CULTURAL-DIVERSITY FOR HEALTH-EDUCATION PRACTICE - THE CASE OF WORKSITE STRESS REDUCTION PROGRAMS

Empirical evidence for the effectiveness of traditional worksite stres s reduction programs for subgroups of employees is not available. Howe ver, empirical and conceptual investigations of the influence of statu s, class and culture on the experience of stress provide indirect supp ort for the hypothesis that employees with low status, of the working class or of a minority culture are the least likely to benefit from ty pical worksite stress programs currently conducted in the US. In order to better meet the needs of employees in these groups, a participator y empowerment approach to worksite stress reduction is recommended, Th is approach involves a process that is inclusive of the diverse cultur al and class-based views of employees, and builds on the strengths of each. Suggestions for the implementation of a participatory empowermen t approach are provided.