The distributions of various psychosocial job stressors and their associations with self-reported health problems were examined in a national survey conducted in 1994 in Taiwan. Eligible subjects were those who were employed at the time of the survey and were selected with a stratified cluster sampling method. Information on employment status, perceived job stress, major job stressors, and health complaints were obtained by a self-administered questionnaire that was delivered in person to the selected households. A total of 15,345 subjects with complete data and aged between 25 and 65 years old were available for this study. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that higher job stress was associated with younger age, higher education level, larger firm size, longer work hours per week, and being a white-collar skilled worker or administrator. Problems with individual job content were ranked as the most important job stressor across all employment categories; while lack of career prospects and problems with salary were ranked as the second most important job stressor among white-collar and blue-collar workers, respectively. After adjustment for age, workers with higher job stress had significantly higher risks of cardiovascular symptoms (OR, 3.30, 95% CI, 2.57-4.23), gastrointestinal problems (OR, 3.30, 95% CI, 2.72-4.02), respiratory problems (OR, 2.00, 95% CI, 1.65-2.42), eye problems (OR, 2.06, 95% CI, 1.72-2.48), hearing problems (OR, 1.98, 95% CI, 1.54-2.53), and headache (OR 2.11, 95% CI, 1.67-2.66) as compared to low stress workers. The results of this study suggested that psychosocial stress at work had significant impacts on health.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1. recognize psychological stress as an emerging occupational problem. 2. identify possible high risk groups for high stress at work. 3. develop research plans to further evaluate the associations between psychosocial work conditions and health problems. 2
Keywords: Occupational Health, Survey
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.