Baseline survey of psychosocial factors levels and their health effects in a cohort study of natural gas field workers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To investigate the level of psychosocial factors in workplace and their health effects among workers in a natural gas field. Methods: A prospective and open cohort of natural gas field workers was established to study the level of workplace psychosocial factors and their health effects, with a follow-up every 5 years. In October 2018, a cluster sampling method was used to conduct a baseline survey of 1737 workers in a natural gas field, including a questionnaire survey on demographic characteristics, workplace psychosocial factors and mental health outcomes, physiological indicators such as height and weight, and biochemical indicators such as blood routine, urine routine, liver function and kidney function. The baseline data of the workers were statistically described and analyzed. The psychosocial factors and mental health outcomes were divided into high and low groups according to the mean score, and the physiological and biochemical indicators were divided into normal and abnormal groups according to the reference range of normal values. Results: The age of 1737 natural gas field workers was (41.8±8.0) years old, and the length of service was (21.0±9.7) years. There were 1470 male workers (84.6%). There were 773 (44.5%) high school (technical secondary school) and 827 (47.6%) college (junior college) graduates, 1490 (85.8%) married (including remarriage after divorce), 641 (36.9%) smokers and 835 (48.1%) drinkers. Among the psychosocial factors, the detection rates of high levels of resilience, self-efficacy, colleague support and positive emotion were all higher than 50%. Among the mental health outcomes evaluation indexes, the detection rates of high levels of sleep disorder, job satisfaction and daily stress were 41.82% (716/1712), 57.25% (960/1677) and 45.87% (794/1731), respectively. The detection rate of depressive symptoms was 22.77% (383/1682). The abnormal rates of body mass index (BMI), triglyceride and low density lipoprotein were 46.74% (810/1733), 36.50% (634/1737) and 27.98% (486/1737), respectively. The abnormal rates of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, uric acid, total cholesterol and blood glucose were 21.64% (375/1733), 21.41% (371/1733), 20.67% (359/1737), 20.55% (357/1737) and 19.17% (333/1737), respectively. The prevalence rates of hypertension and diabetes were 11.23% (195/1737) and 3.45% (60/1737), respectively. Conclusion: The detection rates of high level psychosocial factors in natural gas field workers are high, and their effects on physical and mental health remain to be verified. The establishment of a cohort study of the levels and health effects of psychosocial factors provides an important resource for confirming the causal relationship between workplace psychosocial factors and health.

The Effect of PCDH15 Gene Variations on the Risk of Noise-induced Hearing Loss in a Chinese Population / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a complex disease caused by interactions between environmental and genetic factors. This study investigated whether genetic variability in protocadherin related 15 (PCDH15) underlies an increased susceptibility to the development of NIHL in a Chinese population. The results showed that compared with the TT genotype of rs11004085, CT/CC genotypes were associated with an increased risk of NIHL [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.64; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14-6.11, P = 0.024]. Additionally, significant interactions between the rs11004085 and rs978842 genetic variations and noise exposure were observed in the high-level exposure groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the risk haplotype TAGCC was observed when combined with higher levels of noise exposure (P < 0.05). Thus, our study confirms that genetic variations in PCDH15 modify the susceptibility to NIHL development in humans.

Co-effect of Demand-control-support model and effort-reward imbalance model on depression risk estimation in humans: findings from Henan Province of China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the co-effect of Demand-control-support (DCS) model and Effort-reward Imbalance (ERI) model on the risk estimation of depression in humans in comparison with the effects when they are used respectively.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 3 632 males and 1 706 females from 13 factories and companies in Henan province were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Perceived job stress was evaluated with the Job Content Questionnaire and Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (Chinese version). Depressive symptoms were assessed by using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DC (demands/job control ratio) and ERI were shown to be independently associated with depressive symptoms. The outcome of low social support and overcommitment were similar. High DC and low social support (SS), high ERI and high overcommitment, and high DC and high ERI posed greater risks of depressive symptoms than each of them did alone. ERI model and SS model seem to be effective in estimating the risk of depressive symptoms if they are used respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The DC had better performance when it was used in combination with low SS. The effect on physical demands was better than on psychological demands. The combination of DCS and ERI models could improve the risk estimate of depressive symptoms in humans.</p>

Carbon disulfide exposure level of workers in a chemical fiber industry / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the exposure levels of carbon disulfide (CS(2)) for a chemical fiber industry.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The concentration of CS(2) was monitored in representative workshops and types of work, and the datas of that over the years were collected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The short-term exposure concentration of CS(2) about 80% of the type of work was less than or equal to 10 mg/m(3), which of more than 90% was less than or equal to 20 mg/m(3). The time weighted average concentration of CS(2) about 70% of the type of work was less than or equal to 5 mg/m(3), which of more than 90% was less than or equal to 10 mg/m(3). The short-term exposure concentration of CS(2) which was more than 15 mg/m(3) or the time weighted average concentration of CS(2) which was more than 30 mg/m(3) was only for little type of work.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The concentration of CS(2) for the most type of work was lower, but there were still a number of types of work exposuring the higher concentration, which exceed the national occupational exposure limits.</p>

Effects of carbon disulfide on cardiovascular system of workers occupationally exposed to carbon disulfide / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of long-term exposure to carbon disulfide (SC(2)) on cardiovascular system of workers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The concentrations of CS(2) were detected in the representative workshops with different exposure levels. The indicators related to cardiovascular system were tested in 633 workers occupationally exposed to CS(2), which included blood pressure, electrocardiogram, blood routine (blood RT), cholesterol (TCHO), triglyceride (TG) and so on. The data were analyzed by chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The exposure concentration of CS(2) for 389 workers was less than or equal to 5 mg/m(3), which for other 244 workers was higher than 5 mg/m(3). The maximum exposure concentration of CS(2) was 15.73 mg/m(3). There were no significant effects of CS(2) on the electrocardiogram, red blood cells, white blood cells, blood platelet, TCHO and TG of workers. However, the positive effects of CS(2) on blood pressure and negative effects of CS(2) on hemoglobin were found. The rates of high TCHO, TG and hypertension in male workers were significantly higher than those in female workers (P < 0.05). The rates of high TCHO, hypertension and sinus arrhythmia in older workers (≤ 30 years old) were significantly higher than those in young workers (> 30 years old) (P < 0.05). The rate of sinus arrhythmia in workers with 1 - 10 working years was significantly higher than that in workers with more than 10 working years (P < 0.05). The rate of hypertension in workers with 1 - 10 working years was significantly lower than that in workers with more than 10 working years (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There were no significant effects of CS(2) exposure on the indexes of cardiovascular system of workers.</p>

The epidemiological characteristics and correlated factors of daily hassles for thermal power plant workers / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and correlated factors of daily hassles among thermal power plant workers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A mass screening of daily hassles and correlated factors was conducted on 498 workers from a thermal power plant in Zhengzhou in July, 2008. The questionnaires included Daily Hassles Questionnaires, Work Roles Questionnaires, Job Content Questionnaires (Chinese version), Effort-Reward Imbalance (Chinese version), Work Locus of Control Scale and Type A Behavior Scale, with content covering demographic characters and occupational stress correlated factors among subjects. The daily hassles was divided into lower level and higher level according to scores, and the epidemiological characteristics and correlated factors of daily hassles were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 446 qualified questionnaires were obtained, effective response rate was 89.6% (446/498). For respondents, the age was (36.96 ± 6.49) years old, working length of the current job was (12.05 ± 7.54) years, the daily hassles scores was (9.01 ± 2.50), and the prevalence rate of the higher level of daily hassles was 34.1% (152/446). The multiple non-conditional logistic regression analysis showed 5-14 years' working length of current job (OR = 0.451, 95%CI: 0.225 - 0.904), average income > 3000 yuan(OR = 0.372, 95%CI: 0.202 - 0.684), reward (OR = 0.557, 95%CI: 0.325 - 0.954) and coping strategy (OR = 0.552, 95%CI: 0.330 - 0.925) were negatively correlated with daily hassles, and shift-work (OR = 1.887, 95%CI: 1.108 - 3.215), effort (OR = 2.053, 95%CI: 1.198 - 3.519), psychological demand (OR = 1.797, 95%CI: 1.049 - 3.078), negative affectivity (OR = 3.421, 95%CI: 2.065 - 5.668) were positively correlated with daily hassles.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevalence rate of the higher level of daily hassles was considerable high for thermal power plant workers. Its negative correlated factors included 5 - 14 years' working length of the current job, average income > 3000 yuan, reward and coping strategy and its positive corelated factors included shift-work, effort, psychological demand and negative affectivity.</p>

Analysis of musculoskeletal disorders, work load and working postures among manufacturing workers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the distribution of the musculoskeletal disorders, work load and working postures in different factories, gender, education levels, age and working years among manufacturing workers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In a cross-sectional study of 5134 manufacturing workers in 12 factories, the morbidities for musculoskeletal disorders in one year period were measured with questionnaires.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The morbidities for musculoskeletal disorders in body sites: waist, neck, shoulder, wrist, ankle/feet, knee, hip/buttocks and elbows were 59.7%, 47.9%, 38.1%, 33.7%, 26.9%, 25.4%, 15.2%, and 14.9%, respectively in one year period. There were significant differences of morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms in body sites of workers among different factories (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The morbidities of musculoskeletal symptoms in elbows, waist, wrists and ankle/feet of the workers in refractory material and chemical fiber factories were higher than those in other factories, the morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms of workers in garments and diamond factories were lower than those in other factories. The morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms in neck, shoulders and wrists of female workers were significantly higher than those of male workers (P < 0.01). There were significant differences of the morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms in body sites among workers with different educational levels (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). There were significant differences of the morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms in neck, shoulders, wrists, hip/buttocks and knee among groups with different age or different working years (P < 0.01), and the morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms increased with age and working years. The proportions of unhealthy working postures and high working load among workers in refractory material and chemical fiber factories were higher; but those in garments and diamond factories were lower.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms in waist, neck, shoulder and wrists of workers in manufacturing workers were higher; the gender, education level, age and working years could influenced the morbidities for musculoskeletal disorders.</p>

Relationship between job satisfaction and occupational stress in the workers of a thermal power plant / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between job satisfaction and occupational stress in the workers of a thermal power plant.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cluster sampling method was used to investigate 875 workers in a thermal power plant. The job satisfaction, occupational stressors, strains, personalities, meeting strategy and social support were measured using occupational stress instruments, job content questionnaire and effort-reward imbalance questionnaire.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant differences of job satisfaction scores between different groups according to sex, educational level, marriage status, smoking and drinking (P > 0.05). But there were significant differences of job satisfaction scores between different age groups or between different service length groups (P < 0.01). The correlation analysis revealed that job satisfaction scores were related positively to responsibility for persons and things, promotion opportunity, job control, job stabilization, rewards, mental health, positive affectivity, self-esteem, superior support and coworker support scores (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), negatively to role ambiguity and conflict, job future ambiguity, job demands, negative affectivity, depressive symptoms, patience, and mental locus of work control(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The results of variance analysis indicated that the job relationship, responsibility for persons and things, promotion opportunity, job control, job stabilization, reward, mental health, positive affectivity, self-esteem and buffer scores of the workers with high job satisfaction scores were significantly higher than those of workers with moderate and lower job satisfaction scores (P < 0.01), but the role ambiguity and conflict, job future ambiguity, job demands, and depressive symptoms scores and mental locus of work control of the workers with high job satisfaction scores were significantly lower than those of workers with moderate and lower job satisfaction scores (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of job dissatisfaction for workers with low reward was about four times as high as that for workers with high reward (OR = 3.773), the risks of job dissatisfaction for workers with low social support and mental locus of external work control were about two times as high as that for workers with high social support or mental locus of internal work control (OR = 2.419 and 2.219, respectively). The daily life stress, low control strategy, low support strategy, low job control and negative affectivity were risk factors of job dissatisfaction (OR = 1.125 approximately 1.790), but the self-esteem and positive affectivity could reduce the risk of job dissatisfaction.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Increasing the decision level, social support, meeting strategy and reward or decreasing the role conflict and ambiguity, demands and negative affectivity could improve worker's job satisfaction level.</p>

Gender difference of relationship between occupational stress and depressive symptoms / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore gender difference of relationship between occupational stress and depressive symptoms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cross-sectional study was used to investigate 5338 workers in 13 factories and companies, the depressive symptoms were assessed with Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the perceived occupational stress was evaluated by the Chinese version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) Model Questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between occupational stress and prevalence of depressive symptoms.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Prevalence of depressive symptoms was 31.8% for all subjects, 33.8% for males and 27.7% for females, gender difference of prevalence was significant (P < 0.01). Psychological demands, physical demands, job control, effort, overcommitment and negative affectivity scores for males were significantly higher than those for females(P < 0.01 or 0.05), social support, reward and job satisfaction scores for males were significantly lower than those for females (P < 0.01). Psychological demands, physical demands, job control, effort, overcommitment and negative affectivity scores for workers with depressive symptoms were significantly higher than those for workers without depressive symptoms (P < 0.01) but job control, social support, reward, job satisfaction and positive affectivity scores for workers with depressive symptoms were significantly lower than those for without depressive symptoms (P < 0.01). Psychological demands, physical demands, job control, effort, overcommitment and negative affectivity scores for male workers with depressive symptoms were significantly higher than those for female counterparts (P < 0.01), but social support, reward, job satisfaction scores for male workers with depressive symptoms were significantly lower than hose for female workers with depressive symptoms (P < 0.01). Ratio of male workers and male workers with depressive symptoms with job strain and ERI > 1, high demands and low control, and high effort and low reward were higher than female counterparts (P < 0.01). The risk of depressive symptoms for female with high demands and low control was about two times as high as that for female workers with low demands and high control for psychological demands and physical demands (OR = 2.0), risk for females was slightly higher than that for males (OR = 2.04 and 2.17, respectively). The risk of depressive symptoms for workers with high efforts and low rewards was about two times as high as that for workers with low efforts and high rewards (OR = 1.70). No interactive effect between gender and job strain and ERI on depressive symptoms were found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The gender difference of relationship between depressive symptom prevalence and job strain may due to the difference of psychosocial factors between females and males. There may be no interactive effect between psychosocial factors and gender on depressive symptoms.</p>

Association between occupational stress and musculoskeletal disorders in lower extremity / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between occupational stress and musculoskeletal disorders in lower extremity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cross-sectional study was used to investigate 5338 workers in 13 factories and companies for prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in lower extremity, working postures and occupational stress were investigated with questionnaires for past year. Perceived occupational stress was evaluated by the Chinese version of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) and Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) Model Questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between occupational stress and prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in lower extremity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the main dimensions of job strain and ERI model, physical demands and effort were risk factors of hip disorders, but job control was a protective factor of hip disorders. When job strain and ERI model scales were analyzed simultaneously, only physical demands were risk factor of hip disorders. When job strain and the effort-reward imbalance were computed by creating four independent categories, job strain was a risk factor of hip disorders, ERI was a risk factor of hip and knee disorders. The risk of imbalance between job strain and effort-reward the protective effect of job control increased with the disorder regions. According to continuous variable analysis, job strain by calculated with physical demands was risk factor of hip disorders, continuous ERI variable was risk factor of hip and knee disorders.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Occupational stress is associated significantly with musculoskeletal disorders in lower extremity. The control of occupational stress and increase of job control should be considered for preventing the musculoskeletal disorders in lower extremity.</p>

Coping strategy and its effect on occupational stress among rail freight dispatchers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyse the relationship between coping strategy and occupational stress in rail freight dispatchers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>115 rail freight dispatchers were investigated by using group sampling method, investigation contents included coping strategies, occupational stressors, strains and personalities.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The proportion of using coping strategy in rail freight dispatchers is lower. The scores of job future ambiguity, type A behavior and work locus of control in workers with insufficient coping strategy were higher than those in workers with sufficient strategy (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but the score of organization commitment score in workers with insufficient coping strategy was lower than those in workers with sufficient strategy (P < 0.05), the differences of scores of some occupational stressor, strain and personality variables between workers with insufficient and those with sufficient in social support, job-family balance, job involvement coping factors of coping strategy were remarkable significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the differences of scores of occupational stressor, strain and personality variables between workers with insufficient and those with sufficient in ask, logic and time management factors of coping strategy weren't significant (P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that risk of being job dissatisfaction and daily life stress in workers with insufficient social support coping was three or four times than those with sufficient coping (OR = 3.06 or 4.38, respectively), risk of being daily life stress in workers with insufficient job involvement coping was three times than those with sufficient coping (OR = 3.26).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The proportion of using coping strategy in rail freight dispatchers is lower. Coping strategy has influence on the individual's perception of occuaptional stressors, strains and personalities.</p>

Effect of occupational stress on ambulatory blood pressure / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of occupational stress on ambulatory blood pressure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>30 male healthy workers from the refrigerator assembly line in Henan province in China were investigated. Psychosocial work conditions were measured by using the Job Demand-control Model, the Effort-reward Imbalance Model questionnaires and Occupational Stress Measurement Scale. Ambulatory blood pressure(ABP) was measured by using mobile ABP monitor. The t test was utilized to analyze the difference of parameters of ABP monitoring between different groups of occupational stress and other variables scores. The stepwise regression analysis was used to analyse the effect of occupational stress factors on parameters of ABP.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) As to stressors, systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV), mean arterial blood pressure variability (MABPV) and heart rate at 30 minute after work in workers with high role conflict score were significantly higher than those in workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with high skill utilization score had significantly lower mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 30 minute after work than workers with low score (P < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure variability (DBPV) and heart rate variability (HRV) in workers with high decision latitude score were significantly higher than those in workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with high job psychological demands score had significantly higher SBPV, DBPV and MABPV than workers with low score (P < 0.05). Heart rate-pressure product(RPP) and SBPV in workers with high effort score were significantly higher than those in workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with low rewards score had higher mean heart rate and heart rate at 30 minute after work than workers with high score (P < 0.05). (2) For personalities, workers with high work locus of control score had significantly higher mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) than workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with high patience score had significantly lower mean SBP at 30 minute after work than workers with low score (P < 0.05). Heart rate at 30 minute after work in workers with high organization commitment score was significantly lower than that in workers with low score (P < 0.05). (3) Concerning buffer factors, HRV in workers with high control strategies score were significantly lower than that in workers with low score (P < 0.05). Workers with low supervisor support score had higher RPP and MABPV than workers with high score (P < 0.05). (4) In the multiple stepwise regression, daily life stress affected SBPV (R2 = 0.12) and MABPV (R2 = 0.05), depression was related to DBPV at 30 minute after work (R2 = 0.15) and SBPV (R = 0.03), mental health was predictor of MABPV (R2 = 0.07) and negative affection was predictor of heart rate at 30 minute after work (R2 = 0.24).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Occupational stressors, personality and social support have effect on parameters of ABP. Parameters of ABP monitoring could be used to evaluate occupational stress in the field research.</p>

Effect of occupational stress on hypertension / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of occupational stress on hypertension.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>498 workers whose accumulative length of service was more than two years were investigated with questionnaire by method of cluster sampling from a thermal power plant in Henan province in China; 446 respondents returned qualified questionnaire including 281 male and 165 female Han People. After the patients with secondary hypertension, diabetes patients, and patients with liver or kidney disease were excluded, 84 workers (58 males and 26 females) were diagnosed as hypertension. The occupational stressors, personalities, buffering factors and occupational strain were measured by using the Job Demand-control Model, the Effort-reward Imbalance Model questionnaires and Occupational Stress Measurement Scale. Main risk factors for the development of hypertension such as heredity, body mass index, high salt diet, alcohol use, smoking habit and lack of physical activity were investigated. 498 whole blood samples were collected from workers in field epidemiologic survey. All of the samples were detected TG, CHO and FPG by common biochemistry methods. Multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine the relationship between occupational stressors and prevalence rate of hypertension. The difference of morbidity of hypertension between different stress level subjects was analyzed by chi2 test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Logistic regression analysis of the hypertension by all occupational stressors and risk factors of hypertension indicated that not only some common factors such as parents' hypertensive history, BMI, alcohol use and TG, but also responsibility for person, work locus of control and social support were significantly correlated with elevated risks of hypertension. (2) Logistic regression analysis of the hypertension by main dimensions of effort-reward imbalance model and risk factors of hypertension indicated that parents' hypertensive history, BMI, alcohol use, TG, and effort were significantly correlated with elevated risks of hypertension. Logistic regression analysis indicated the risk of hypertension had an effect on the FRI and effort (OR was 1.71 and 2.43 respectively). (3) For the job strain model, results indicated that parents' hypertensive history, UMI, alcohol use, TG, work locus of control and social support were significantly correlated with elevated risks of hypertension. But the main dimensions of job strain model (job demands and decision latitude) didn't enter regression equation. (4) The difference of prevalence of hypertension between high- and low stress level groups in male was statistically significant (OR = 3.13, P < 0.01), but the case was not the same in female (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Occupational stress might be risk factor of hypertension; The predictive power of effort-reward imbalance model for the development of hypertension would be larger than that of job strain model.</p>

Analysis of occupational stress in workers of a steel plant / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate level and its influential factors of occupational stressors and strains in workers of a steel plant and explore the feasibility of occupational stress and mental health as indicators of effect evaluation of health promotion at workplace.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>1039 workers were investigated by using cross-sectional method. The questionnaires included job stressors, skill discretion, job control latitude, mental health and sleep disorders.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>54.5% of respondents reported "job doesn't allow mistakes" as stressor, while 47.6% of respondents reported "too job responsibility" as stressor. The scores of job stressors were significantly higher than female workers (P<0.01). Workers with high education level scored more skill discretion, job control latitude and lower mental health than ones with low educational level (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Elder workers had more skill discretion and job control latitude scores than younger. There were significant differences in scores of skill discretion among different length of service groups (P<0.05). There were also significant differences in scores of skill discretion among different job title groups (P<0.01). Occupational stressors were correlated significantly positively with sleep disorder (r=0.37, P<0.01), but job control latitude negatively to mental health (r=-0.19, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The workers in the steel plant report occupational stressors, which is related to poor self-reported health symptoms. The occupational stressors and mental health should be considered as one of effect evaluation indicators of health promotion at workplace.</p>

Influence of affectivity trait on relationships between occupational stress and subjective physical health and job satisfaction / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the influence of affectivity trait on relationships between occupational stress and subjective physical health and job satisfaction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Self-reports for psychosocial work conditions and health and well-being in a sample of 878 workers from a thermal power plant in China were conducted using the job demand-control model, the effort-reward imbalance model, job satisfaction, depression symptom, and physical health complaints questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was used by controlling for age, sex, and educational level.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Negative and positive affectivity were correlated with occupational stressors or strains (P<0.01). In the most equation of job dissatisfaction, psychosomatic complaints and depressive symptoms as dependent variables respectively, odds ratios decreased greatly when negative affectivity or positive affectivity was controlled; Odds ratios decreased greater when negative affectivity and positive affectivity were controlled simultaneously. Furthermore in some equation no variable entered.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Affectivity trait has effect on relationships between occupational stress and subjective physical health and job satisfaction. According to the outcome category of study, the possible confounding role of affectivity should be controlled in the study of the relationships between occupational stress and health self-reports.</p>

Effect of occupational stress on mental health / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of job psychological demands and job control on mental health and their interaction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>93 male freight train dispatchers were evaluated by using revised Job Demand-Control Scale and 7 strain scales. Stepwise regression analysis, Univariate ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis H and Modian methods were used in statistic analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Kruskal-Wallis H and Modian methods analysis revealed the difference in mental health scores among groups of decision latitude (mean rank 55.57, 47.95, 48.42, 33.50, P < 0.05), the differences in scores of mental health (37.45, 40.01, 58.35), job satisfaction (53.18, 46.91, 32.43), daily life strains (33.00, 44.96, 56.12) and depression (36.45, 42.25, 53.61) among groups of job time demands (P < 0.05) were all statistically significant. ANOVA showed that job time demands and decision latitude had interaction effects on physical complains (R(2) = 0.24), state-anxiety (R(2) = 0.26), and daytime fatigue (R(2) = 0.28) (P < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed a significant job time demands and job decision latitude interaction effect as well as significant main effects of the some independent variables on different job strains (R(2) > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Job time demands and job decision latitude have direct and interactive effects on psychosomatic health, the more time demands, the more psychological strains, the effect of job time demands is greater than that of job decision latitude.</p>

The relationship between occupational stress and cardiovascular disease risk factor / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between the occupational stress and cardiovascular disease risk factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The subject was 93 male freight train dispatchers, the occupational stressors, personalities, and occupational strain response were measured by using questionnaires. Blood pressure, heart rate, the concentrations of the cholesterol, triglyceride, and glycosylated hemoglobin in blood serum were also measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Social support score were significantly positively related to systolic pressure (r = 0.22) and diastolic pressure (r = 0.30) (P < 0.05), while job satisfaction negatively related to them and concentration of triglyceride (r = -0.37, -0.47 and -0.28 respectively, P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and self-esteem negatively to systolic pressure (r = -0.21, P < 0.05). The differences in diastolic pressure [(78.5 +/- 13.1), (83.6 +/- 8.2), (88.1 +/- 12.3), (85.8 +/- 9.8) mm Hg, P < 0.05] among groups of social support score, body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.01) among groups of job difficulty the differences in systolic pressure [(124.9 +/- 14.4), (129.7 +/- 13.1), (118.4 +/- 16.4), (133.5 +/- 23.1) mm Hg] and diastolic pressure [(85.5 +/- 11.3), (87.0 +/- 9.8), (80.1 +/- 10.1), (88.9 +/- 12.0) mm Hg] and cholesterol level in serum [(4.96 +/- 1.18), (5.39 +/- 0.85), (5.00 +/- 1.15), (4.34 +/- 0.91) mmol/L] among groups of vulnerability to stress (P < 0.05), as well as the difference in systolic pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin level in serum among groups of competition score (P < 0.05) were all statistically significant. Stepwise regression analysis showed that job time demands and negative coping affected the change of cholesterol (R(2) > 0.05); the job relation decision latitude, social support, job difficulty, personality (self-esteem and anxiety trait) and negative coping were the predictors of smoking (R(2) > 0.05). Heart rate was related to home income and competition factor of Type A Behavior (R(2) = 0.06).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The psychosocial stress aspects of work may be related to some cardiovascular risk factors.</p>