The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71130

Peter L. Schnall, MD, MPH, Center for Social Epidemiology, University of California at Irvine, Suite 525, 710 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-319-6595, pschnall@workhealth.org and Deborah R. Gordon, PhD, Department of Anthropology, History and Social Medicine, University of California - San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 485, San Francisco, CA 94143-0850.

Accumulating findings implicate workplace 'psychosocial stressors' in numerous health outcomes, including blood pressure, musculoskeletal disorders and quality of life, and their role in the genesis of health gradients. This panel includes a multidisciplinary group of researchers whose work represents important and innovative approaches both to the study of this complex area and to its use for organizational change. It includes projects that: 1) refine the study of psychosocial stressors and blood pressure using new methods of blood pressure determination among autoworkers: STEP Project (P Schnall) and U.S. Auto worker project (P Landsbergis); 2) explore psychosocial stressors and musculoskeletal disorders: among hotel workers (N Krause) and hospital workers (GROW Study, J Braff); 3) explore the multiple meanings and experiences of 'stress' among workers in diverse occupations: among hospital workers – GROW ethnographic study (D Gordon, G Ames) and CAW autoworkers (W Lewchuk, D Cole) ; 4) explore the role of psychosocial stressors through intervention studies: among agricultural workers (J Faucett) and hospital workers in Denmark (B Aust , R Rugulies). Participants will also discuss the relevance of their research for improving the health of working people. Two experts in the field (J Frank, Canada, and D Baker, USA) will critically discuss the approaches presented. This panel emphasizes studies that are in the early phases of development or analysis with the goal of maximizing the exchange of methodological and theoretical problems, strategies, and solutions in this evolving field of study.

Learning Objectives:

• Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants should be able to:
• 1) Describe the two leading models of psychosocial stress in the workplace.
• 2) Indicate two common health problems that can be related to psychosocial stress on the job.
• 3) Describe 3 ways in which the sociocultural context can mediate the relationship between psychosocial stress and health in the workplace.

Keywords: Occupational Health, World Wide Web

Related Web page: www.workhealth.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.