A Study of Occupational Stress and Health

Abstract

Because of claims by telegraphists' unions in a large Australian communications organization that their members suffered various forms of ill-health as a result of stresses imposed by their work, sickness absence, medical and environmental studies of the occupation were undertaken. Records of absence over a period of 2.5 years in all telegraphists in the organization, and in random samples of clerks and mechanics in all State capitals and of mail sorters in Sydney in the same organization were analysed; 516 telegraphists in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne (a 93% response) and, for comparison with Sydney telegraphists, 155 Sydney mail sorters (a 79% response) were interviewed and examined medically; and detailed ergonomic and occupational hygiene investigations were made into the work environment. There were gross occupational and geographic differences in absence experience, which were particularly marked in absence attributed to neurosis. In every capital the proportion of neurotic absentees was greater in telegraphists than in clerks, and in clerks than in mechanics. In each occupation the neurotic absentee rate was greater in Sydney than in the other capitals. In Sydney sorters, who had much absence generally, the rate was relatively low. The prevalence study based on medical interviews confirmed that the increase in neurotic absence in Sydney telegraphists was real. There were numerous other statistically strongly significant differences between capitals and vocations in social attributes, personal habits and negative attitudes to work which can be considered as the cause, effect or concomitant of mental stress. The only occupational characteristics that could be identified strongly with neurosis were the negative attitudes to job, supervision and noise in the workplace, though the drug habits of smoking, drinking and analgesic-taking (all strongly associated with neurosis) were also work-related. The interaction of neurosis, attitudes and habits can be interpreted to mean that the organization of work influences job satisfaction and thus the expression of emotional instability and also indulgence in habits detrimental to health. Interpretation of an association between neurosis and peptic ulceration was confounded by common links of both disorders with the drug habits. No association was found between neurosis or any other possible index of stress and such disorders as hypertension, coronary heart disease, asthma, nasal allergy and migraine:. Various measures can be undertaken to combat effects of occupational stress on health. They include scientifically based selection for the task, and reorganization of the work to lessen size effects and to increase satisfaction. A mental health programme as part of an occupational health service is a necessary adjunct to the promotion of optimal health at work. There is need for more research to identify occupational stress, to measure its effects and to establish methods of prevention.