Job strain and ambulatory blood pressure among female white-collar workers.
OBJECTIVE
The association between job strain and ambulatory blood pressure was studied among female white-collar workers.


METHODS
This cross-sectional investigation studied 210 women in high- or low-strain jobs randomly selected from 3183 women of all ages, employed as white-collar workers. The women wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor for 24 hours during a workday. Mean blood pressures were calculated. Psychological demands and decisional latitude were measured twice (14 months before and 7 days before the blood pressure measurement) with 2 scales recommended by Karasek.


RESULTS
Significant differences in blood pressure were found according to current job strain among the women holding a university degree. Their mean blood pressures during work were significantly higher [8.0 mm Hg (1.1 kPa) systolic and 6.4 mm Hg (0.8 kPa) diastolic blood pressure] in the high-strain group than in the low-strain group. Statistically significant elevations in blood pressure over the 24-hour period were also found for women with a university degree. Cumulative exposure to high strain over 14 months was also significantly associated with high systolic blood pressure at work, in the evening, and over a 24-hour period irrespective of other factors related to blood pressure. Among the women without a university degree, the blood pressure differences observed between the job strain groups were less than 1 mm Hg (0.1 kPa) and not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide support for the effect of job strain on ambulatory blood pressure only among female white-collar workers holding a university degree.
Laflamme
N
N
Laval University Epidemiology Research Group, Quebec, Canada. NLaflamme@cspq.qc.ca
Brisson
C
C
Moisan
J
J
Milot
A
A
Mâsse
B
B
Vézina
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D011792:Quebec; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace