Campus Location
Dallas Campus (Online)
Date of Award
10-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Department
Organizational Leadership
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Katherine Yeager
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
A. Ray Royalty
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
BJ McMichael
Abstract
This qualitative study examined how client relationship managers and market supervision managers in the investment industry experienced, interpreted, and managed workplace stress within the context of organizational culture, leadership practices, and available resources. Guided by the job-demands resources (JD-R) model, semistructured interviews were conducted with participants across multiple markets to investigate the interplay between high job demands, leadership behaviors, and employee well-being. Findings indicated that while trusted colleagues and positive leadership behaviors served as protective resources that reduced strain and fostered resilience, negative attitudes, favoritism, and lack of collaboration among colleagues amplified stress. Communication breakdowns, poorly managed organizational change, and limited trust in employer-provided wellness resources further contributed to employee stress. Participants also reported using personal coping strategies, such as exercise, meditation, and family support, which helped mitigate strain. The study concluded that stress was not inherently detrimental; when balanced by supportive leadership, collaborative culture, and accessible wellness resources, it functioned as eustress, motivating performance and focus. Implications underscored the critical role of leadership training, structured management processes, and trust in wellness programs. Recommendations include fostering fairness, inclusivity, and transparency in leadership practices, enhancing communication regarding wellness resources, and aligning job demands with organizational support structures. This study contributed to scholarship on occupational stress by extending the JD-R model to the investment sector and offering practical strategies for organizations seeking to cultivate resilience, engagement, and sustainable performance among high-demand roles.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Nelson, Cheri C., "Stress Management Strategies in an Investment Firm: A Managerial Perspective" (2025). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 953.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/953