Stress and strain of blue and white collar workers during work and leisuretime: results of psychophysiological and behavioral monitoring

This study of 29 blue and 57 white collar workers (mean age 50 and 51 yr) i nvestigated behavior and the level of subjective stress and objective strai n during work and leisure time. Physiological and psychological parameters as well as behavioral activities were assessed simultaneously using a speci al ambulatory monitoring device capable of storing 23 h records. Total stra in was operationalized by heart rate (HR), physical strain by physical acti vity, emotional strain by non-metabolic HR, and mental strain by HR variabi lity. Analysis of the physiological parameters for the working hours from 8 to 16 h revealed differences between the hours for physical activity, HR, and non-metabolic HR but not for HR variability. Between 12 and 13 h, physi cal activity was somewhat lower and non-metabolic HR higher, presumedly cau sed by the lunch break. Physical activity and HR were higher for blue than white collar workers due to the different tasks of the workers. Self-report s of excitement and enjoyment during the working hours showed no main effec ts in the MANOVA. Comparison between total working time and leisure time re vealed lower physical activity and HR but higher non-metabolic HR for leisu re time. In the self-reports, however, leisure time was rated less exciting and more pleasant than working time. There was no indication of higher emo tional strain for one or the other group, but mental strain at work was som ewhat higher for the blue collar workers. In a questionnaire, white collar workers reported having significantly more stress at work and outside work than blue collar workers. Analysis of the behavior during leisure time (phy sical activity, activity, social contacts) showed only minor differences be tween the groups. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.