Job stress,emotion, and work environment: Toward a causal model

Based on a theoretical job stress model, a causal structure linking antecedent variables, intervening processes, and a physiological response variable has been proposed. Antecedent variables comprise work environment, trait-anxiety, age and weight. Cognitive appraisal processes are conceived as intervening variables that may be assessed by two questionnaire scales ‘General Job Pressure’ and ‘General Job Dissatisfaction’. It is hypothesized that job pressure results from an accumulation of negative conditions, whereas job dissatisfaction arises from a lack of positive conditions. The model was tested by a sample of 98 male Ss involved in different occupations. Emotions were incorporated into the model assuming that job pressure leads to emotional reactions of anxiety and anger, while job dissatisfaction is connected with anger only. The total model was supported by the data, although consistent relationships of work environment with job stress variables could not be established. The personality and emotion measures displayed relations expected with the subjective job stress variables. There was no relationship between blood pressure and the variables associated with stress or emotion. The results are interpreted within the theoretical framework of a general job stress model.