Stressful Job, Little Control: Shorter Life Spans?
Workers with more say in their jobs had better chance of living longer, study finds
WebMD News from HealthDay
By Randy Dotinga
HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Oct. 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- It can
be very frustrating to be in a high-demand job where your boss allows
you little control, and a new study suggests such constant stress might even shorten your life.
"We found that individuals in highly stressful jobs
with little control die at a younger age than workers who have more
control in their jobs," said study lead author Erik Gonzalez-Mule. He's
an assistant professor of organizational behavior and human resources at
Indiana University's Kelley School of Business.
The researchers also found the reverse was true.
People in high-demand jobs who had high control over their work seemed
to decrease their chances of death during the study by 34 percent.
However, the study couldn't prove a cause-and-effect
relationship between job control and death. It only showed an
association between these factors.
Still, there are several ways a lack of on-the-job
control might affect overall health and the risk of dying, Gonzalez-Mule
explained.
"We know that workplaces do affect health," he said.
"In particular, there's evidence showing that stressful jobs affect our
satisfaction with our lives."
One example: "Workers who have less control over their stressful jobs are more likely to be overweight than those workers who can control their jobs," he said.
Gonzalez-Mule said he and co-author Bethany Cockburn from the University of Iowa launched the study to better understand how stress
at work affects health. The researchers also wondered whether "high
control can actually make stressful jobs beneficial," Gonzalez-Mule
said.
The researchers looked at nearly 2,400 people who
took part in a long-term study in Wisconsin. All of the study volunteers
were 63 to 67 years old in 2004.
The researchers examined answers from the
participants in 2004 about their jobs and then tracked their health to
2011. Half of the study participants were women.
The researchers defined low levels of control in
jobs -- "an inability to set one's own goals, decide how to accomplish
tasks and prioritize work," Gonzalez-Mule said.
"Examples of jobs that could are traditionally
low-control include construction workers, auto mechanics, or nursing
aides. Examples of jobs that are traditionally high-control include
supervisors, craftsmen and construction inspectors," he noted.
Doc, This Election's Killing Me!'
More than half of Americans report stress as Clinton, Trump battle for the White House
WebMD News from HealthDay
By Robert Preidt
HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, Oct. 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- As
Donald and Hillary duke it out on the campaign trail, Americans are
feeling pummeled, too, a new poll finds.
The 24/7 coverage of the acrimonious U.S. presidential election has caused stress
for more than half of American adults, regardless of party affiliation,
according to a survey conducted by the American Psychological
Association (APA).
"We're seeing that it doesn't matter whether you're
registered as a Democrat or Republican -- U.S. adults say they are
experiencing significant stress from the current election," said Lynn Bufka, APA's associate executive director for practice research and policy.
"Election stress becomes exacerbated by arguments,
stories, images and video on social media that can heighten concern and
frustration, particularly with thousands of comments that can range from
factual to hostile or even inflammatory," she added in an association
news release.
You can minimize your discomfort, however, by
reducing your media exposure and avoiding political discussions, the
association suggests.
Overall, 52 percent of Americans aged 18 and older said the election is a somewhat or very significant source of stress. That included 55 percent who align with Democrats and 59 percent with Republicans.
The survey also found that 38 percent of respondents
said political and cultural discussions on social media causes them
stress. More than half who use social media said the election is a very
or somewhat significant source of stress, compared with 45 percent of
those who don't use social media.
Men and women were equally likely to feel stressed by the Trump-Clinton battle, but there were differences between generations.
Only 45 percent of Generation Xers -- those born
from 1965 to 1980 -- reported election stress, while nearly six out of
10 "Matures" did so, according to the online survey conducted in August.
Matures were born pre-1946.
In addition, 56 percent of millennials and half of
baby boomers said the election is a very or somewhat significant source
of stress.
Here are some tips from the APA for taking the election in stride:
- Turn off the newsfeed or take a digital break. Read just
enough to stay informed. Take time for yourself, go for a walk, do
things you enjoy and spend time with family and friends.
- Avoid discussing the election if there is a risk it may
escalate to conflict. Be aware of how often you discuss the election
with family, friends or co-workers.
-
Worrying
about the election outcome is not productive. Instead, take action on
issues that concern you. For example, volunteer in your community, join a
local group or advocate for an issue you care about.
- And finally, vote. That should help you feel that you're taking a proactive step.
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