Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Demand-Control-Support Model and Health Among Women and Men in Similar Occupations

  • Published:
Journal of Behavioral Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the main and the interaction effects of the demand–control–support (DCS) model on women's and men's health in a Swedish telecom company. According to the DCS model, work that is characterized by high demands, low decision latitude, and low support decreases health and well-being. Furthermore, control and support are assumed to interact in protecting against adverse health effects of stress. Earlier studies have failed to consider occupational status and gender simultaneously. Questionnaire data from 134 female and 145 male employees in similar occupations were collected. Correlational analysis supported the main effect hypotheses irrespective of gender. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that only demands predicted women's health, whereas both demands and lack of social support predicted men's health. However, no interaction effects were found for either women or men. Further studies should probe the relevance of the model while considering gender and occupational status.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Albertsen, K., Nielsen, M. L., and Borg, V. (2001). The Danish psychosocial work environment and symptoms of stress: The main, mediating and moderating role of sense of coherence. Work Stress 15: 241–253.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Aronsson, G. (1989). Swedish research on job control, stress and health. In Sauter, S. L., Hurrell, J. J., Jr., and Cooper, C. L. (Eds.), Job Control and Worker Health, Wiley, Chichester, UK, pp. 75–88.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Beehr, T. A., Glaser, K. M., Canali, K. G., and Wallwey, D. A. (2001). Back to basics: Re-examination of demand-control theory of occupational stress. Work Stress 15: 115–130.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Beehr, T. A., King, L. A., and King, D. W. (1990). Social support and occupational stress: Talking to supervisors. J. Vocat. Behav. 36: 61–81.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bekker, M. H., Nijssen, A., and Hens, G. (2001). Stress prevention training: Sex differences in types of stressors, coping, and training effects. Stress Health 17: 207–218.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chay, Y. W. (1993). Social support, individual differences and well-being: A study of small business entrepreneurs and employees. J. Occup. Organ. Psychol. 66: 285–302.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Cohen, J., and Cohen, P. (1983). Applied Multiple Regression/Correlation Analysis for Behavioral Sciences, 2nd ed., Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Cohen, S., and Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychol. Bull. 98: 310–357.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Colwill, N. L. (1995). Sex differences. In Vinnicombe, S., and Colwill, N. L. (Eds.), Women in Management, Prentice-Hall, London, pp. 20–34.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Cooper, C. L., Dewe, P. J., and O'Driscoll, M. P. (2001). Organizational Stress: A Review and Critique of Theory, Research, and Applications, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Cortina, J. M. (1993). What is coefficient alpha? An examination of theory and applications. J. Appl. Psychol. 78: 98–104.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Dallner, M., Elo, A.L., Gamberale, F., Hottinen, V., Knardahl, S., Lindström, K., Skogstad, A., and ørhede, E. (2000). Validation of the General Nordic Questionnaire, QPSNordic, for Psychological and Social Factors at Work, Nord 2000:12, Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen, Denmark.

    Google Scholar 

  13. De Croon, E. M., Van Der Beek, A. J., Blonk, R. W. B., and Frings-Dresen, M. H. W. (2000). Job stress and psychosomatic health complaints among Dutch truck drivers: A re-evaluation of Karasek's interactive job demand-control model. Stress Med. 16: 101–107.

    Google Scholar 

  14. De Jonge, J., Janssen, P. P. M., and Van Breukelen, G. J. P. (1996). Testing the demand-control-support model among health-care professionals: A structural equation model. Work Stress 10: 209–224.

    Google Scholar 

  15. De Jonge, J., and Kompier, M. A. J. (1997). A critical examination of the demand-control-support model from a work psychological perspective. Int. J. Stress Manag. 4: 235–258.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Derogatis, L. R., Lipman, R. S., Rickels, K., Uhlenhuth, E. H., and Covi, L. (1974). The Hopkins symptom checklist (HSCL): A self-report symptom inventory. Behavioral Science 19: 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Fletcher, B. C., and Jones, F. (1993). A refutation of Karasek's demand-discretion model of occupational stress with a range of dependent measures. J. Organ. Behav. 14: 319–330.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Frone, M. R., Russell, M., and Cooper, M. L. (1995). Relationship of work and family stressors to psychological distress: The independent moderating influence of social support, mastery, active coping, and self-focused attention. In Crandall, R., and Perrewé, P. L. (Eds.), Occupational Stress, Taylor & Francis, London, pp. 129–150.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Greenglass, E. R. (1993). Social support and coping of employed women. In Long, B. C., and Kahn, E. (Eds.), Women, Work and Coping, McGill-Queen's University Press, Montreal, pp. 154–169.

    Google Scholar 

  20. House, J. S. (1981). Work Stress and Social Support, Addison-Wesley, London.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Janssen, P. P. M., Bakker, A. B., and De Jong, A. (2001). A test and refinement of the demand-control-support model in the construction industry. Int. J. Stress Manag. 8: 315–332.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Jennings, B. M. (1990). Stress, locus of control, social support, and psychological symptoms among head nurses. Res. Nurs. Health 13: 393–401.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Johnson, J. V. (1986). The Impact of Workplace Social Support, Job Demands and Work Control Upon Cardiovascular Disease in Sweden, Department of Psychology, University of Stockholm, Sweden.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Karasek, R. A. (1979). Job demands, job decision latitude and mental strain: The implications for job redesign. Adm. Sci. Q 24: 285–308.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Karasek, R., and Theorell, T. (1990). Healthy Work: Stress, Productivity, and the Reconstruction of Working Life, Basic Books, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Kirmeyer, S. L., and Dougherty, T. W. (1988). Work load, tension, and coping: Moderating effects of supervisor support. Pers. Psychol. 41: 125–139.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Kristensen, T. S. (1995). The demand-control-support model: Methodological challenges for future research. Stress Med. 11: 17–26.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Landsbergis, P. A. (1988). Occupational stress among health care workers: A test of the job demands-control model. J. Organ. Behav. 9: 217–239.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Landsbergis, P. A., Schnall, P. L., Deitz, D., Friedman, R., and Pickering, T. (1992). The patterning of psychosocial attributes and distress by "job strain" and social support in a sample of working men. J. Behav. Med. 15: 379–405.

    Google Scholar 

  30. LaRocco, J. M., House, J. S., and French, J. R. P., Jr. (1980). Social support, occupational stress, and health. J. Health Soc. Behav. 21: 202–218.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Licht, M. H. (1995). Multiple regression and correlation. In Grimm, L. G., and Yarnold, P. R. (Eds.), Reading and Understanding Multivariate Statistics. American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, pp. 19–64.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Lidwall, U., and Skogman Thoursie, P. (2001). Sickness absence during the last decades. In Marklund, S. (Ed.), Worklife and Health in Sweden 2000, National Institute for Working Life, Stockholm, Sweden, pp. 81–100.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Linzer, M., Gerrity, M., Douglas, J. A., McMurray, J. E., Williams, E. S., and Konrad, T. R. (2002). Physician stress: Results from the physician worklife study. Stress Health 18: 37–42.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Morrison, D., and Payne, R. L. (2001). Test of the demands, supports-constraints framework in predicting psychological distress amongst Australian public sector employees. Work Stress 15: 314–327.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Moyle, P., and Parkes, K. (1999). The effects of transition stress: A relocation study. J. Organ. Behav. 20: 625–646.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Parkes, K. R., Mendham, C. A., and Von Rabenau, C. (1994). Social support and the demand-discretion model of job stress: Tests of additive and interactive effects in two samples. J. Vocat. Behav. 44: 91–113.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Payne, R., and Fletcher, B. C. (1983). Job demands, supports, and constraints as predictors of psychological strain among schoolteachers. J. Vocat. Behav. 22: 136–147.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Pelfrene, E., Vlerick, P., Kittel, F., Mak, R. P., Kornitzer, M., and De Backer, G. (2002). Psychosocial work environment and psychological well-being: Assessment of the buffering effects in the job demand-control (-support) model in BELSTRESS. Stress Health 18: 43–56.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Piltch, C. A., Walsh, D. C., Mangione, T. W., and Jennings, S. E. (1994). Gender, work, and mental distress in an industrial labor force: An expansion of Karasek's job strain model. In Keita, G. P., and Hurrell, J. J., Jr. (Eds.), Job Stress in a Changing Workforce: Investigating Gender, Diversity, and Family Issues, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, pp. 39–54.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Rodriquez, I., Bravo, M. J., Peiró, J. M., and Schaufeli, W. (2001). The demands-control-support model, locus of control and job dissatisfaction: A longitudinal study. Work Stress 15: 97–114.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Sandanger, I., Moum, T., Ingebrigtsen, G., Dalgard, O. S., Sørensen, T., and Bruusgard, D. (1998). Concordance between symptom screening and diagnostic procedure: The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 and the composite international Diagnostick Interview I. Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 33: 345–354.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Torkelson, E. (1997). Expert and Participatory Perspectives on Stress in Stage Artists (In Swedish with English summary), Department of Psychology Lund University, Lund Sweden.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Van Der Doef, M., and Maes, S. (1999). The job demand-control(-support) model and psychological well-being: A review of 20 years of empirical research. Work Stress 13: 87–114.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Vermaulen, M., and Mustard, C. (2000). Gender differences in job strain, social support at work, and psychological distress. J. Occup. Health Psychol. 5: 428–440.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Technology and Society, Malmö University, SE-205 06, Malmö, Sweden

    Tuija Muhonen

  2. Department of Psychology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

    Eva Torkelson

Authors
  1. Tuija Muhonen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Eva Torkelson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tuija Muhonen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Muhonen, T., Torkelson, E. The Demand-Control-Support Model and Health Among Women and Men in Similar Occupations. J Behav Med 26, 601–613 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026257903871

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026257903871

Search

Navigation