Chandola Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is the stress hormone mentioned in the study?
Cortisol
Cortisol is often referred to as the stress hormone as it is released in response to stress.
What was the aim of the study by Chandola et al. (2008)?
To determine the biological and behavioural factors linking work stress and coronary heart disease (CHD)
This study focused on how work-related stress could contribute to the development of CHD.
What was the sample size of the study?
10,308 participants
The participants were male and female civil servants based in London.
What age range did the study participants fall into?
35-66 years old
The participants were civil servants within this specific age bracket.
How long were the participants followed in the study?
17 years
The study tracked participants over multiple phases to gather data.
What method was used to assess self-reported work-related stress?
Job Strain Questionnaire
This questionnaire evaluates job demands and control to determine job strain.
What indicates job strain according to the study?
High job demands and low control over the job
Job strain is assessed based on these two factors.
What additional factor was considered in assessing work stress?
Isolation at work
Isolation can contribute to overall work stress experienced by individuals.
How was total work stress measured?
By adding the number of times job strain and isolation were reported
This was done during Phases 1 and 2 of the study.
What health condition was assessed in relation to work stress?
Coronary heart disease (CHD)
The study aimed to find correlations between work stress and incidents of CHD.
How was cortisol measured in the study?
By providing saliva samples on waking and 30 minutes afterwards
This method allows for the assessment of cortisol levels in response to stress.
What behavioural risk factors were measured in Phase 3?
Alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, diet, and physical exercise
These factors can influence health outcomes, including CHD.
What was the self-reported work stress level in the highest grades of the civil service?
Lowest
This indicates that higher positions may correlate with lower perceived work stress.
What age group showed a significant association between work stress and incidents of CHD?
Younger participants (37-49)
Older participants (age 50-60) showed little association.
How does work stress correlate with health behaviors?
Greater reports of work stress were associated with poor health behaviors such as:
* Eating less fruit and vegetables
* Reduced physical activity
Poor health behaviors can exacerbate health issues.
What physiological response was correlated with work stress in Phase 7?
Morning rise in cortisol
Cortisol is often linked to stress responses.
What is a risk factor for CHD according to the conclusions?
Continuous work stress over a period of time
This highlights the long-term effects of stress on cardiovascular health.
What percentage of the effect of work stress on CHD can be explained by its impact on health behaviors?
Approximately 32 percent
This emphasizes the role of lifestyle choices in the relationship between stress and health.
Which studies support the findings of Chandola et al. (2008) regarding work-related stress?
Marmot et al. (1997) and Johansson et al. (1978)
These studies provide additional evidence for the link between job control and stress.
What limitation is noted regarding the samples used in the studies?
Samples were taken from a limited range of professions and countries
This raises questions about the generalizability of the findings.
What did Chandola et al. (2008) and Marmot et al. (1997) specifically study?
Civil servants from the UK
Their focus on a specific demographic may limit broader applicability.
What did Johansson et al. (1978) study focus on?
Sawmill workers from Sweden
This adds diversity to the sample but still may not represent all professions.
What additional finding did Onuz et al. (2010) report regarding stress?
Work underload was also associated with high rates of ill health and absence
This challenges the assumption that only work overload causes stress.
True or False: Work overload was the only factor assumed to cause stress according to Johansson et al. (1978).
True
This highlights a potential oversight in understanding stress factors.
