Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Psychosocial Coronary Risk Constellations in the Work Setting

  • Chapter
Behavioral Medicine: Work, Stress and Health

Part of the book series: NATO Science Series D: (closed) ((ASID,volume 19))

Abstract

This paper examines three basic issues in the field of relationships between workload and cardiovascular disease (CVD). As a starting point, an obviously paradoxical finding in contemporary social epidemiology is discussed: on the one hand, coronary-prone behavior (CPB) has been linked, although with a rather low specificity, to the incidence of CVD, and especially ischemic heart disease (IHD), as an independent risk factor. It has also been demonstrated that CPB is prevalent among higher economic or educational groups. On the other hand, the incidence of IHD is especially high among lower socioeconomic groups, even if one controls for somatic risk factors. How can we explain these discrepant findings? Our answer will suggest that one should differentiate dimensions of stressful experiences between white-collar and blue-collar occupations. In the case of white collars, and this is the first issue raised here, the role of CPB in certain types of occupations has to be specified on a conceptual as well as on an empirical level. There is good reason to conceive of CPB in terms of an interactional phenomenon, being elicited and reinforced by specific characteristics of the work setting, and being changed over time as a function of exposure.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Krantz, D.S., D.C. Glass, M.A. Schaeffer, J.E. Davia. Behavior Patterns and Coronary Disease: A Critical Evaluation. Focus on Cardiovascular Psychophysiology (New York, Guildford Press, 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Dembroski, T.M., S.M. Weiss, J.L. Shields, S.G. Haynes, and M. Feinleib (Eds.) Coronary Prone Behavior ( New York, Springer, 1978 ) 129–136.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rosenman, R.H. and M.A. Chesney. The Relationship of Type A Behavior Pattern to Coronary Heart Disease. Act. Nervosa Suppliment 22 (1980) 1–46.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Chesney, M.A. and R. H. Rosenman. Type A Behavior in the Work Setting. Current in Occupational Stress. (New York, J. Wiley, 1980) 187–212.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Rose, G. and M. Marmot. Social Class and Coronary Heart Disease. British Heart Journal 45 (1981) 13–19.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Koskenvuo, M., J. Kaprio, A. Kesaniemi, and S. Sarna. Differences in Mortality from Ischemic Heart Disease by Marital Status and Social Class. Journal of Chronic Disease 33 (1980) 95–116.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Holme, I. Paper unpublished. European Congress of Cardiology (1980) Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Weinblatt, E., B. Ruberman, J.D. Goldberg, C.W. Frank, S. Shapiro, and B.S. Chandhary. Relation of Education to Sudden Death After Myocardial Infarction. New England Journal of Medicine 299 (1978) 60–65.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Zyzanski, S.J. Coronary Prone Behavior Pattern and Coronary Heart Disease: Epidemiologic Evidence. In Dembroski., T.M. et al: Coronary Prone Behavior. (New York, Springer Verlag, 1978).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Rosenman, R.H., R.J. Brand, D. Jenkins, M. Friedman, R. Straus, and M. Wurm. Coronary Heart Disease in the Western Collaborative Group Study: Final Follow-Up Experience of 831 Years. Journal of the American Medical Association 233 (1975) 872–877.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Waldron, I., S.J. Zyzanski, R. Shkelle, C.D. Jenkins. Type A Behavior Pattern in I Employed Men and Women. Journal of Human Stress 3 (1978) 2–18.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kasl, S . Epidemiological Contributions to the Study of Work Stress. In Cooper, C.L. et al. Stress at Work. (New York, J. Wiley, Chichester, 1978) 3–48.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Haynes, S.G., M. Feinleib, and W.B. Kannel. Psychosocial Factors and CHD Incidence in Framingham-Results from an 8-Year Follow-Up Study. American Journal of Epidemiology 108 (1980) 229.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Rosenman, R.H., M. Friedman, R. Staus et al. A Prediction Study of Coronary Heart Disease. Journal of the American Medical Association 189 (1964) 103–110.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Theorell, T . Life Events, Job Stress and Coronary Heart Disease. In Siegrist, J. and M.J. Halhuber (Eds.) Myocardial Infarction and Psychosocial Risks. New York, Berlin, Heidelberg, Springer, 1981) 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Jenkins, C. Low Education: A Risk Factor for Death. New England Journal of Medicine 299 (1978) 95–97.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Bolm, U. Koronare Risikoberufe — Ergebnisse einer bundesweiten daten. (Med. Diss., Marburg, 1981 ).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Bolm, U., J. Siegrist. Occupational Morbidity Data in Myocardial Infarction — A Case Referent Study in West Germany. (Paper submitted for publication)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Siegrist, J., K. Dittmann, K. Rittner, and I. Weber. Soziale Belastungen and Herzinfarkt. (Enke, Stuttgart 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Siegrist, J., K. Dittmann, K. Rittner, and I. Weber. Psychosocial Risk Constellations and First Myocardial Infarction. In J. Siegrist, M.J. Halhuber (Eds.) Myocardial Infarction and Psychosocial Risks. (Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Springer 1981) 41–57.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Siegrist, J., K. Dittmann, K. Rittner, and I. Weber. The Social Context of Active Distress in Patients with Early Myocardial Infarction. Social Science and Medicine (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Siegrist, J., K. Dittmann, and H. Weidenmann. The Role of Psychosocial Risks in Patients with Early Myocardial Infarction. Act. Nerv. Sup. (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Smith, J.W. Mortality After Recovery from Myocardial Infarction. Journal of Chronic Disease 33 (1980) 1–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Rissanen, V. and M. Romo. Premonitory Symptoms and Stress Factors Proceeding Sudden Death from Ischemic Heart Disease. Acta. Med. Cand. 204 (1978) 389–396.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. van Dijl, H. Myocardial Infarction and Work Attitudes. An Empirical Study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 19 (1975) 197–202.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Fahrenberg, J., H. Hampel, and H. Selg. Das Freiburger Personlichkeitsinventar (FPI) (Hogrefe, Gottingen, 1973).

    Google Scholar 

  27. Rosenman, K.D. Cardiovascular Disease and Environmental Exposure. British Journal of Ind. Medicine 36 (1979) 85–97.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Khomulo, P.S., L.P. Rodionova, and A.P. Rusinowa. Changes in the Lipid Metabolism of Man in Protracted Effect of Industrial noise on the central nervous system. Kardiologie 7 (1967) 35–38.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Suvorow, G.A., E.I. Denisow, G.V. Ovakimow, Y.K. Tavtin. Correlations Between Hearing Losses and Neurovascular Impairments in Workers in Relation to the Level of Noise. Gig. Tr. Prof. Zabol. 7 (1979) 18–22.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Meinhardt, P. and U. Renker. Untersuchungen zur Morbiditat an Herz-Kreislauferkrankungen durch Dauerlarmexposition. Z. Ges. Hyg. 16 (1970) 853–857.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Brenner, M.H., A. Mooney, and T.J. Nagy (Eds.) Assessing the Contributions of the Social Sciences to Health. AAAS Symposium 26 ( Boulder, Colorado, Westview Press, 1980 ).

    Google Scholar 

  32. Kornitzer, M.D., M. Dramaix, and H. Gheyssen. Incidence of Ischemic Heart Disease in Two Belgian Cohorts Followed During 10 Years. European Journal of Cardiology 9 (1979) 455.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Cobb, S. and R. M. Rose. Hypertension, Peptic Ulcer and Diabetes in Air Traffic Controllers. Journal of the American Medical Association 224 (1973) 489.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Zorn, E., J.N. Harrington, and H. Goethe. Ischemic Heart Disease and Work Stress in West German Sea-Pilots. Journal of Occupational Medicine 19 (1977) 762.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Carruthers, M. Hazardous Occupations and the Heart. In C.L. Cooper, R. Payne (Eds.) Current Concerns in Occupational Stress. ( New York, J. Wiley, 1980 ) 3–22.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Weber, I. Berufstatigkeit, Psychosoziale Belastung and Koronares Risiko. Doctoral dissertation (in preparation).

    Google Scholar 

  37. Mettlin, C. Occupational Careers and the Prevention of Coronary Prone Behavior. Social Science and Medicine (1976) 367–372.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Howard, J.H., D.A. Cunningham, P.A. Rechnitzer. Work Pattern Associated with Type A Behavior: A Managerial Population. Human Relations 30 (1977) 825–836.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Burke, R.J. and T. Weir. The Type A Experience: Occupational and Life Demands, Satisfaction and Well-Being. Journal of Human Stress 4 (1980) 28–38.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Glass, D.C . Type A Behavior: Mechanisms Linking Behavioral and Pathophysiologic Processes. In J. Siegrist and M.J. Halhuber (Eds.) Myocardial Infarction and Psychosocial Risks. New York, Berlin, Heidelberg, Springer, 1981) 77–88.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Brockmeier, R. Katamnesen Psychosozialer Merkmale bei Herzinfarktpatienten. Diplomarbeit Soziologie: Unpublished. (Marburg, 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  42. Nie, N.H., C.H. Hull, J.G. Jenkins, K. Steinbrenner, and T.H. Bent. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. ( New York, McGraw Hill, 1975 ).

    Google Scholar 

  43. Ganong, W.F. Review of Medical Physiology. 8th Edition. (Los Altos, California, Lange Medical Publishers) 271–274.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Isaacson, R.L. Neural Systems of the Limbic Brain and Behavioral Inhibition. In R. A. Boakes, M.S. Halliday (Eds.) Inhibition and Learning. (London and New York, Academic Press; 1972) 497–528.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Henry, J.P. and P. Stephens. Stress, Health and the Social Environment. (New York, Springer Verlag, 1977).

    Google Scholar 

  46. Henry, J.P., and J.P. Meehan. Psychosocial Stimuli, Physiological Specificity, and Cardiovascular Disease. In H. Weiner, M.A. Hoffer, A.J. Stundard, Brain,Behavior, and Bodily Disease. (New York, Raven Press, 1981). 305–333.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Henry, J.P. Present Concept of Stress Theory. In E. Usdin, R. Kvetnansky, I.J. Kopin (Eds.) Catecholamines and Stress Recent Advances. (New York, Amsterdam, Oxford, Elsevier, 1980 ) 557–571.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Frankenhaeuser, M. U . Lundberg. Psycho-Neuroendocrine Aspects of Efforts and Distress as Modified by Personal Control. In R. Sinz (Ed) Proceedings of Psychophysiology (Berlin (DDR) G. Fischer, in press).

    Google Scholar 

  49. Frankenhaeuser, M. Psycho-Neuroendocrine Approaches to the Study of Emotions as Related to Stress and Coping. In H.E. Howe, R.A. Dienstbier (Eds.) Nebraska Symposium on Motivation–1978: (Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press, 1979) 123–161.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Julius, S. L. Hansson,, L. Andress et al: Borderline Hypertension. Acata Med. Scand. 208 (1980) 481–489.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Goldstein, D.S. Plasma Norepinephrine in Essential Hypertension. Circulation 3 (1981) 48–52.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Wallis, C.J., and M.P. Printz. Adrenal Regulation of Brain Angiotensinogen Content. Endocrinology 106 (1980) 337–342.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Sowers, J.M. Plasma Aldosterone and Corticosterone Responses to ACTH, Angiotensin, Potassium and Stress in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. Endocrinology 108 (1981) 1216–1221.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Ganten, D. The Brain Renin-Angiotensin System. In J.B. Martin, S. Reichlin, K.L. Bick (Eds.) Neurosecretion and Brain Peptides. (New York, Raven Press, 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  55. Weinstein, R., M.B. Steuerman, and T. Macaig. Hormonal Requirements for Growth of Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells In Vitro: An Endocrine Approach to Atherosclerosis. Science 212 (1981) 818.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Henry, J.P. Coronary Heart Disease and Arousal of the Adrenal Cortical Axis. Unpublished paper. (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  57. Troxler, R.G., et al. The Association of Elevated Plasma Cortisol and Early Atherosclerosis as Demonstrated by Coronary Angiography. Atherosclerosis 26 (1977) 151–162.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Selye, H. Stress in Health and Disease (London, Boston, 1970).

    Google Scholar 

  59. Raab, W. Preventive Myocardiology (Springfield: Thomas, 1970).

    Google Scholar 

  60. Reichenbach, D.M., N.W. Moss. Myocardial Cell Necrosis and Sudden Death in Humans. Circulation 51/52, Suppl. III. (1975) 60–62.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Eliot, R.S., F.C. Clayton, G.M. Pieper, and G.L. Todd. Influence of Environmental Stress on Pathogenesis of Sudden Cardiac Death. Federal Procedures 36 (1977) 1719–1724.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Wilson, S.P., K.J. Chang, and O.H. Viveros. Synthesis of Enkephalins by Adrenal Medullarv Chromoffine Cells. Proc. Nat’l Acad. Sci., U.S.A. 77 (1980) 4364–4368.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Verrier, R.L. and B. Lown. Neural Influences and Sudden Cardiac Death. Adv. Cardiol. 25 (1978) 155–168.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Maseri, A., A. Pesola, M. Marzilli et al. Coronary Vasospasm in Angina Pectoris. Lancet I 8014 (1977) 713–719.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Krieger, D.T. and J.B. Martin. Brain Peptides. NEJM 302 (1981) 876–885.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Check, W.A. Old Hormones Reveal New Surprises. JAMA 243 (1980) 499–505.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Glass, D.C. Behavior Patterns, Stress, and Coronary Disease. ( Hillsdale, 1977 ).

    Google Scholar 

  68. Matthews, K.A. Efforts to Control by Children and Adults with the Type A Coronary Prone Behavior Pattern. Child Development 50 (1977) 842–847.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Roskies, E. and Lazarus, R.S. Coping Theory and the Teaching of Coping Skills. In P.O. Davidson, S.M. Davidson (Eds) Behavioral Medicine: Chanqinq Health Life Styles. (New York, Brunner, Mazel, 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  70. Zuckerman, M. Sensation Seeking. (Hillsdale, 1977).

    Google Scholar 

  71. Grossarth-Maticek, R., J. Siegrist, and H. Vetter. Inter-personal Repression as a Predictor of Cancer. Soc. Sci. & Med. (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  72. Killilea, M. et al (Eds) Report of the Task Panel on Community Support Systems. Balimore, unpublished manuscript, 1978

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Sociology, University of Marburg, Marburg, West Germany

    Johannes Siegrist

Authors
  1. Johannes Siegrist
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Psychological Associates of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, 24502, VA, USA

    W. Doyle Gentry PhD

  2. Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, University of Virginia, USA

    W. Doyle Gentry PhD

  3. Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Hospital, USA

    Herbert Benson MD

  4. Workgroup on Psychology of Work and Organization, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Charles J. de Wolff (Director) (Director)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1985 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Siegrist, J. (1985). Psychosocial Coronary Risk Constellations in the Work Setting. In: Gentry, W.D., Benson, H., de Wolff, C.J. (eds) Behavioral Medicine: Work, Stress and Health. NATO Science Series D: (closed), vol 19. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5179-2_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5179-2_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8792-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5179-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation