RELATIONSHIP OF JOB STRAIN TO STANDARD CORONARY RISK-FACTORS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN WOMEN AND MEN OF THE FAMILY HEART-STUDY

This study reports on standard coronary risk factors (plasma lipids an d lipoproteins, blood pressure, heart rate, age, body mass index) and psychosocial variables (job strain, Type A behavior, hostility, illnes ses, medical and psychological symptoms, health-damaging behavior) in a community sample of 324 employed men, 203 employed women, and 155 fe male homemakers. Employed women reported less hostility and fewer illn esses than homemakers and had lower cholesterol levels than homemakers and men. Job characteristics were unrelated to standard coronary risk factor levels in both sexes, but predicted medical symptoms and healt h-damaging behavior in men. These findings suggest that employment is associated with enhanced medical and physical well-being among women a nd point to possible behavioral and psychological pathways by which jo b strain may adversely influence men's health.