title: Bus operators' responses to job strain: An experimental test of the job demand-control model.
abstract: The research aim was to test the Job Demand-Control (JDC) Model demands × Control interaction (or buffering) hypothesis in a simulated bus driving experiment. The buffering hypothesis was tested using a 2 (low and high demands) × 2 (low and high decision latitude) design with repeated measures on the second factor. A sample of 80 bus operators were randomly assigned to the low (n = 40) and high demands (n = 40) conditions. Demands were manipulated by increasing or reducing the number of stops to pick up passengers, and decision latitude by imposing or removing restrictions on the Rapid Transit Bus (BRT) operators' pace of work. Outcome variables include physiological markers (heart rate [HR], heart rate variability [HRV], breathing rate [BR], electromyography [EMG], and skin conductance [SC]), objective driving performance and self-report measurements of psychological wellbeing (psychological distress, interest/enjoyment [I/E], perceived competence, effort/importance [E/I], and pressure/tension [P/T]). It was found that job decision latitude moderates the effect of job demands on both physiological arousal (BR: F(1, 74) = 4.680, p = .034, SC: F(1, 75) = 6.769, p = .011, and EMG: F(1, 75) = 6.550, p = .013) and psychological well-being (P/T: F(1, 75) = 4.289, p = .042 and I/E: F(1, 74) = 4.548, p = .036). Consistently with the JDC model buffering hypothesis, the experimental findings suggest that increasing job decision latitude can moderate the negative effect of job demands on different psychophysiological outcomes. This finding is useful for designing organizational and clinical interventions in an occupational group at high risk of work stress-related disease. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Fundación Universitaria Konrad Lorenz, University of Knowledge and Innovation for Justice (CIJ).
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cendales-Ayala
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Valencia.
authors.forename: Sergio Alejandro
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Useche
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Los Andes University.
authors.forename: Viviola
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gómez-Ortiz
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering, Los Andes University.
authors.forename: Juan Pablo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bocarejo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003105:Colombia; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D000073397:Occupational Stress / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011581:Psychological Tests; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014186:Transportation; D000066477:Work Performance; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult