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. 2008 May;63(3):S135-45.
doi: 10.1093/geronb/63.3.s135.

The influence of work control trajectories on men's mental and physical health during the middle years: mediational role of personal control

K A S Wickrama  1 , Florensia F Surjadi, Frederick O Lorenz, Glen H Elder Jr
Affiliations

The influence of work control trajectories on men's mental and physical health during the middle years: mediational role of personal control

K A S Wickrama et al. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2008 May.

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated whether men's mental and physical health problems during the middle years may be attributed, in part, to the influence of varying levels of, and changes in, work control among members of a rural midwestern cohort. Specific study objectives were to examine (a) how trajectories of work control influence men's mental and physical health outcomes and (b) how this influence is mediated by the trajectories of personal control during the middle years.

Methods: The study used four waves of data on 318 employed men across 10 years of midlife. Variables included self-reported work control, personal control, and mental and physical health.

Results: The results supported the hypothesis that both the initial level and change in work control contribute to men's mental and physical health outcomes during the middle years. This influence was mediated by the initial level and change in personal control.

Discussion: Our results demonstrate the dynamic nature of work experiences, personal control beliefs, health, and long-term health consequences due to work conditions in a sample of middle-aged men. We discuss the theoretical implications of this.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The Theoretical Model
Figure 2
Figure 2
Figure 2A. The Direct Influence of the Trajectories of Work Control on Health Outcomes (Standardized values with t-ratios in parentheses). Note. Values above each line represent results predicting poor physical health, and values below the line represent results predicting depressive symptoms. *p < .10; **p < .05 Figure 2B. The Direct and Indirect Influence of the Trajectories of Work Control on Health Outcomes (Standardized values with t-ratios in parentheses). Note. Values above each line represent results predicting poor physical health, and values below the line represent results predicting depressive symptoms. *p < .10; **p < .05 Figure 2C. The Indirect Influence of Work Control on Health Outcomes (Standardized Values with t-ratios in parentheses). Note. Values above each line represent results predicting poor physical health, and values below the line represent results predicting depressive symptoms. *p < .10; **p < .05
Figure 2
Figure 2
Figure 2A. The Direct Influence of the Trajectories of Work Control on Health Outcomes (Standardized values with t-ratios in parentheses). Note. Values above each line represent results predicting poor physical health, and values below the line represent results predicting depressive symptoms. *p < .10; **p < .05 Figure 2B. The Direct and Indirect Influence of the Trajectories of Work Control on Health Outcomes (Standardized values with t-ratios in parentheses). Note. Values above each line represent results predicting poor physical health, and values below the line represent results predicting depressive symptoms. *p < .10; **p < .05 Figure 2C. The Indirect Influence of Work Control on Health Outcomes (Standardized Values with t-ratios in parentheses). Note. Values above each line represent results predicting poor physical health, and values below the line represent results predicting depressive symptoms. *p < .10; **p < .05
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