The Middle Years

Abstract

This paper examines career stages from an occupational stress perspective. Specifically, relationships among job demands, career stages, and health-related strains are analyzed in a sample of over 6,000 United States Postal Workers. Results from these analyses suggest that for individuals in the middle stage of their careers, job Stressors lose some of their potency in affecting physical health status while stressful events outside of the job domain become increasingly deleterious. Moreover, the beneficial effects of social support on mental health were found to vary by career stage, being most pronounced among middle career workers. Findings from the study emphasize the necessity for stress researchers to consider career stress effects.