GENDER, JOB FACTORS, AND CORONARY HEART-DISEASE RISK

This study compares the relationship of job experiences, including psy chological, job demands and job-decision latitude, to risk factors for coronary heart disease, including serum cholesterol and diastolic blo od pressure, in men and women. Cross-sectional data were collected fro m 360 randomly selected employed subscribers to a group model health m aintenance organization in central Massachusetts. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship of job-decision latitude , total psychological stressors, physical exertion, and work hours to two dependent variables, diastolic blood pressure and total serum chol esterol, controlling for gender, age, and education;interactions betwe en gender and each job factor were also tested. For both men and women , high job-decision latitude and fewer work hours were associated with lower levels of risk factors for coronary heart disease. One gender d ifference was noted: Physical exertion was related to higher blood pre ssure levels in women, but to lower levels in men. Several reasons for this observed difference are discussed. This study underlines the imp ortance of gob factors, especially job-decision latitude, for risk of coronary heart disease among both men and women.