The difference between stressor (Belastung) and strain (Beanspruchung) in occupational psychology lies in their definition and effect:
Stressor (Belastung) describes all external, objective factors that act on a person in the workplace. Stressors can be of a physical, psychological, or social nature and include, for example, the working environment (noise, temperature), work tasks (difficulty, complexity), and work organization (working hours, break schedules). A stressor is therefore what comes at a person from the outside and can initially be viewed neutrally.
Strain, on the other hand, describes the individual, subjective reaction to these stressors. It strongly depends on a person's personal condition, experience, knowledge, and abilities. Thus, a specific stressor can lead to varying levels of strain depending on the individual. Strain can manifest as stress, fatigue, frustration, or even positive challenges, representing the actual impact that the stressor has on the person.
In summary:
Stressors = external working conditions
Strain = individual impact of these conditions on the person