RELATIONSHIP OF JOB STRAIN AND ISO-STRAIN TO HEALTH-STATUS IN A COHORT OF WOMEN IN THE UNITED-STATES

Objective This study examined the relationships of job strain and iso- strain psychosocial work-environment exposures to health status in a c ohort of working women in the United States. Methods In a cross-sectio nal survey, 33 689 women responded to the Karasek job content and the MOS SF-36 health status questionnaires. The psychosocial work-environm ent exposures were characterized using the job strain and iso-strain f rameworks. Health status was assessed with the following 6 scales: phy sical functioning, vitality, freedom from pain, mental health, role li mitations due to physical health, and role limitations due to emotiona l health. Results When compared with active work, high-strain work (hi gh job demands and low job control) was associated with lower vitality , mental health, higher pain, and increased risks of both physical and emotional role limitations. Iso-strain work (high strain and low work -related social support) increased the risks further. Job insecurity w as also associated with lower health status. Conclusions The analyses supported the hypothesis that the psychosocial work environment is an important determinant of health status among working women. The findin gs suggest that incorporating social conditions at work into the measu rement of psychosocial work-environment exposure improves the identifi cation of highrisk work arrangements.