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Job strain, social support in the workplace, and haemoglobin A1c in Japanese men
N Kawakami1, K Akachi, H Shimizu
1Department of Public Health, Gifu University School of Medicine, Gifu 500-8705, Japan.
Insights
High job strain and low workplace social support are linked to elevated glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in middle-aged male workers. These factors may influence blood glucose and heart disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Job strain, characterized by high demands and low control, is a significant workplace stressor.
- Workplace social support can buffer the negative effects of job strain.
- Glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a key biomarker for long-term blood glucose control and diabetes risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between job strain and workplace social support with HbA1c levels.
- To explore the relationship between occupational psychosocial factors and glycemic control in male manufacturing employees.
Main Methods:
- Study included 268 male day workers aged 40-60 from a Japanese manufacturing firm.
- HbA1c levels were measured from blood samples.
- Job strain and social support were assessed using the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ).
Main Results:
- Higher job strain and lower social support were significantly associated with increased HbA1c levels (p<0.05).
- Multiple regression confirmed job strain positively correlated with HbA1c, while social support negatively correlated.
- These associations remained significant after controlling for covariates.
Conclusions:
- Elevated job strain and reduced workplace social support may contribute to higher HbA1c concentrations.
- Increased blood glucose, indicated by HbA1c, could be a mediator linking job strain and social support to coronary heart disease risk.
Objectives:
To examine the association between job strain (defined in the model of job demands and job control) and social support at the workplace with levels of glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
Methods:
All male employees aged 40-60 in a manufacturing firm, Japan, were invited to take part in the study. A blood sample was taken from the participants and HbA1c (%) was measured. Job strain and social support at the workplace were assessed with the job content questionnaire (JCQ). After excluding those who had a history of diabetes mellitus or other chronic diseases, data from 268 male day workers were analyzed.
Results:
Age adjusted average concentrations of HbA1c were significantly higher in the highest quartile group of job strain or the lowest quartile group of social support at the workplace (p<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that job strain was significantly and positively related to HbA1c (p<0.05), whereas social support at the workplace was significantly and negatively related to HbA1c (p<0.05), both after controlling for other covariates.
Conclusions:
Greater job strain and lower social support at the workplace may be associated with increased concentrations of HbA1c. Increased blood glucose may be a physiological mediator between job strain or social support at the workplace and coronary heart disease.
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