STRESS IS BASED ON PROBLEMS LIKE THOSE APPARENT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF A PROVINCIAL MENTAL HOSPITAL WHOSE STAFF COMPLAINED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF CARE GIVEN TO PATIENTS. ALL WORKERS EXPERIENCE PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESS AT SOME TIME DURING THEIR CAREERS. THE ANXIETY FELT DURING THESE TIMES WILL BE EXPRESSED IN 'SEARCHING BEHAVIOR.' QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED WITHIN THE FORMAL ORGANIZATION AND, IF THE QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED INADEQUATELY, INCREASINGLY BIZARRE RUMORS WILL BEGIN TO ABOUND. EVENTUALLY, ANXIETY STARTS TO THREATEN THE INTEGRITY OF THE ORGANIZATION. INDIVIDUALS COMPLAIN OF A SENSE OF GENERAL FRUSTRATION, AND STAFF SICKNESS RATES AND RESIGNATIONS INCREASE. TO MEET THIS MOUNTING TENSION, MANAGEMENT CAN ISSUE DIRECTIVES RESOLVING THE CRISES, PUNISH THOSE JUDGED RESPONSIBLE FOR WRONGDOING, INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS CAUSING STRESS, DO NOTHING, OR COMBINE THESE ACTIONS. GROUP MEETINGS SHOULD BE HELD AT WHICH THE PROBLEM IS CONFRONTED AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS ARE DISCUSSED. THE AGREEMENT REACHED MUST BE ACCEPTED AND IMPLEMENTED, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, BOTH BY SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND BY SENIOR UNION OFFICIALS WHEN NEITHER GROUP HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CONFLICT AND EVEN THOUGH NEITHER WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE THERAPEUTIC PROCESS. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.