Prepared as per the syllabus of B.Sc Nursing. useful for UG Nursing Students

1. FRUSTRATION
Mr.Visanth V S
Sherwood College of Nursing
Barabanki, UP

2. ◉ The word frustration is derived from a Latin word “frustra”
which mean “in vain”.
◉ Frustration can be regarded as a negative feeling since the person
feel depressed, fearful, anxious or angry during the blockage of
motives.
◉ The blockage may be another person, object in the environment
or the individual’s own lack of abilities.
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Meaning

3. Definition
◉ Frustration means emotional tension resulting
from the blocking of a desire or need.
- Good
◉ When there is some interference with our goal
directed behavior, the result is frustration.
- Gilmer
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4. 4
Frustration
Motives
Obstacles
Goal

5. Characteristics of Frustration
◉ The emotional state developed by frustration is
always unpleasant.
◉ In frustration failures dominate the attempts.
◉ The individual feels a major block in the
satisfaction of basic needs.
◉ The cause of frustration lies both in the
individual and his environment.
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6. Types of Frustration
◉ Personal Frustration: This form of frustration
arises from our personal life ie, the expectation
from others.
◉ Conflicting frustrations: The term conflict is used
in different ways. It may be the clash between two
goals, ideologies, organizations, cultures etc.
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7. ◉ Pressure frustration: This type of frustration arises
when there are more work load comes; it may be in the
form of negative pressures usually in work places,
educational setup etc.
◉ Environmental frustrations: If we work or study in a
negative environment can produce frustrations.
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Contd…..

8. SOURCES/ CAUSES OF FRUSTRATIONS
◉ The various causes of frustration can be broadly
divided into;
■ External Factors
■ Internal factors
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9. External Factors
◉ Physical Factors: These factors block the path of an individual in
attaining his aims and goal; the obstacles may be a locked door,
lack of money, teachers or policeman.
◉ Social Factors: Also include the part played by other person’s in
blocking the doors of the motivated individual. Eg. A child may be
frustrated if he denied to go for play or a picnic similarly an
employee may be frustrated if he denied the promotion or
incentives.
◉ Economic Factors: For example, a young man may suicide
because of unemployment, a family may suicide because of
poverty.
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10. Internal Factors
◉ Physical Abnormality: Physical abnormalities like lean and
thin body, dark complexion, and blind, deaf and dumb etc.
may contribute to frustrations.
◉ Conflicting desires: Frustration may also arise from
mutually conflicting (opposite or mutually attractive) goals.
◉ Individual’s Morality: individual’s moral standards, code of
ethics may become a source of frustration to him. He is
always caught between his super ego and id. When the ego
fails to maintain a balance between the two the person
becomes frustrated.
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11. Internal Factors
◉ Too high level of aspiration: Human beings aspire
very high in spite of their incapability or limitations.
Such aspirations are bound to lead frustrations.
◉ Lack of persistence and sincerity in efforts:
Frustration may be caused by one’s own weakness in
putting continuous and persistent efforts with all the
courage, enthusiasm and will power at one’s
command.
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12. Reaction To Frustration
◉ Simple Reactions: Simple reaction to frustration
includes the following;
○ Improving Efforts
○ Adopting compromising means
○ Withdrawal
○ Submissiveness
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13. ◉ Violent Reactions: Sometimes the individual becomes emotionally
tense and resorts aggressive activities. These reactions may be;
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External Aggression
◉ Here the person shows
frustration towards the person
or towards the substitute.
◉ For example an employee is
denied from promotion may
quarrel with his officer or
rebuke his wife.
Internal Aggression
◉ Here the aggression is
turned towards the self.
Excessive aggression
towards the self is
destructive for the self.

14. Measures to Face Frustration
◉ Review the situation: Try to understand the intensity of the
situation. This will help to adapt appropriate measures to reduce
the frustration.
○ Eg: Career aspiration, inter group conflicts, etc.
◉ Change our goals: Set the goals or modify the goal/desires
◉ Substitute the goals: Some of the cases the original goals may
not be possible to attain. Such cases we can opt for substitute
goals.
○ Eg: A student with poor academic record may shift his option
to sports or cultural activities.
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