Overview

Presents a Comprehensive Guide to Preventing Mental Strain in High-Risk Professions Work in healthcare, emergency response, or other high-risk professions requires resilience under constant emotional pressure. Fundamentals of Strain Psychology provides a clear and compassionate framework for understanding, managing, and preventing mental strain in these demanding roles. Drawing on bio-psycho-social and existential theories, Rikke Høgsted explores how individuals and organizations can recognize warning signs, develop protective strategies, and create sustainable mental health practices. Structured in three parts—The Impacts, The Reactions, and The Strategies—the book offers both theoretical foundations and practical exercises that foster emotional balance and collective resilience. Høgsted’s Strain Square model introduces a new way to assess and manage psychological demands across teams. Bridging research and real-world application through evidence-based insights and field-tested intervention methods, this book: Integrates bio-psycho-social and existential approaches to understanding workplace strain and resilience Explores the psychological effects of primary and secondary exposure to trauma and crisis situations Offers practical exercises, case examples, and strategies for maintaining emotional balance and mental health Provides actionable guidance for organizations seeking to build supportive, resilient workplace cultures Examines the collective role of employees, leaders, and organizations in fostering long-term psychological resilience Fundamentals of Strain Psychology is ideal for professionals in healthcare, emergency services, defense, social work, and related fields. It supports courses in psychology, occupational health, and organizational behavior, and serves as a critical professional reference for those managing mental strain in high-stress work environments.

Full Product Details

Author:   Rikke Høgsted (Institute for Strain Psychology, Denmark) ,  Agnes Ringer ,  Niel Greenberg
Publisher:   John Wiley & Sons Inc
Imprint:   John Wiley & Sons Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 22.80cm
Weight:   0.369kg
ISBN:  

9781394402328

ISBN 10:   1394402325
Pages:   256
Publication Date:   04 June 2026
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

Foreword by Neil Greenberg xix Acknowledgements xxiii Prologue xxix Introduction xxxv Part I The Impacts 1 1 Who Is Affected? 3 2 Factors Affecting the Traumatic Impact 9 3 The Traumatic Event 13 4 Managing the Traumatic Event 20 5 Other Factors 30 6 Global Crises and Cumulative Strain—Helping in a Time of Permacrisis 38 Part II The Reactions 47 7 Mental Tilting and Sustainability 49 8 Warning Signs of Mental Tilting 54 9 Mirror Neurons and the Red–Green–Blue Model 68 10 From Warning Signs to States of Strain 79 11 Trauma-related Mental Disorders 88 Part III The Strategies 97 12 HR Policy Framework 99 13 Psychological Safety as a Shared Resource 103 14 The Strain Square 108 15 The TIC Model and the Powerlessness–Power Pendulum 115 16 The Big WHY? 121 17 Educational Institutions, Organisations, and Leaders: Roles and Responsibilities 128 18 Groups: Roles and Responsibilities 146 19 Individuals: Roles and Responsibilities 159 20 Additional Preventive Measures 176 21 In Times of Crisis: A Tiered Approach 179 22 Proactive Psychosocial Prevention 192 Epilogue 197 Appendix 1 200 Appendix 2 203 Further Reading 208 Index 211

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Author Information

RIKKE HØGSTED is a psychologist specializing in preventing mental fatigue and psychological injuries among professionals in mentally demanding roles. The originator of the concept of Strain Psychology, Høgsted has authored several books on stress, crisis, and grief. She is the founder of the Institute for Strain Psychology and conducts lectures and training across healthcare, emergency services, and other high-demand professions.

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