A longitudinal test of the demand-control model using specific job demands and specific job control.
BACKGROUND
Supportive studies of the demand-control (DC) model were more likely to measure specific demands combined with a corresponding aspect of control.


OBJECTIVE
A longitudinal test of Karasek's (Adm Sci Q. 24:285-308, 1) job strain hypothesis including specific measures of job demands and job control, and both self-report and objectively recorded well-being.


METHODS
Job strain hypothesis was tested among 267 health care employees from a two-wave Dutch panel survey with a 2-year time lag.


RESULTS
Significant demand/control interactions were found for mental and emotional demands, but not for physical demands. The association between job demands and job satisfaction was positive in case of high job control, whereas this association was negative in case of low job control. In addition, the relation between job demands and psychosomatic health symptoms/sickness absence was negative in case of high job control and positive in case of low control.


CONCLUSIONS
Longitudinal support was found for the core assumption of the DC model with specific measures of job demands and job control as well as self-report and objectively recorded well-being.
de Jonge
Jan
J
Human Performance Management Group, Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands. j.d.jonge@tue.nl
van Vegchel
Natasja
N
Shimazu
Akihito
A
Schaufeli
Wilmar
W
Dormann
Christian
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D055809:Illness Behavior; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009426:Netherlands; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult