Introduction: Understanding Stress and Burnout

Stress is one of the most studied phenomena in psychology and occupational health. In the context of the RAS examination, understanding stress is important both as a behavioral science concept and as a practical reality for public servants who experience significant role demands, resource constraints, and public accountability.

The word "stress" was borrowed from physics (where it means force applied per unit area) and popularised in the biological context by Hans Selye in the 1930s. Selye defined stress as "the non-specific response of the body to any demand made upon it." This definition emphasises two key ideas: first, the response is physiological (not just psychological); second, the stressor can be almost anything — physical threat, emotional challenge, cognitive overload, or even positive events like promotion.

Burnout — a related but distinct concept — emerged in the 1970s when psychologist Herbert Freudenberger (1974) described the "burning out" he observed in volunteer workers at a free clinic. Christina Maslach's subsequent research formalised burnout as a measurable psychological construct, distinct from simple fatigue or depression.

For RAS candidates, the key exam contexts for these topics are:

• What is stress, and what are its stages?
• How does personality (Type A/B, Big Five, Hardiness) relate to stress vulnerability?
• What are coping strategies, and how do they differ?
• What unique stressors do women face in professional settings?

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