Vocational stresses, psychosomatic complaints and life satisfaction in midlife. A comparison between 3 age groups in psychosomatic treatment

We studied the relationship between vocational changes, stresses and psycho somatic complaints in aging patients. In a follow-up study all patients of the Psychosomatic Hospital Bad Neustadt/Saale (Rehabilitation) were assesse d at intake and at discharge. 158 older patients (50-59 years) were compare d to 97 younger patients (30-39 years) and 157 patients between 40 and 49 y ears based on standardized and newly developed questionnaires for psychosom atic complaints and vocational stresses. Older patients were less distresse d at admission and more satisfied with their lives in general. They reporte d more vocational changes and dissatisfaction and were more pessimistic abo ut returning to work. The introduction of new computer technologies and the change of their supervisor were experienced as particularly threatening. T hey responded with more negative work attitudes and heightened distress. Th erapeutic strategies are exemplified by the reduction of the fear of the wo rk with computers.