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How older workers with coronary heart disease perceive the health effects of work
Insights
Older workers with coronary heart disease (CHD) perceive work as impacting their health and use coping strategies to manage job stress. Understanding these perceptions is vital for developing supportive workplace programs for this growing demographic.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Gerontology
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) affects over 3.4 million workers, causing significant limitations.
- The population of aging workers with CHD is increasing, yet their workplace experiences are understudied.
- Understanding the interplay between work and health in older CHD patients is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how older workers with CHD perceive the health effects of their work environment.
- To describe the coping mechanisms employed by older workers with CHD to manage work-related stress.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative, descriptive study design.
- Explored perceptions of 47% female and 33% African American participants (mean age 59.21 years).
- Participants predominantly held professional or managerial positions (55%).
Main Results:
- Key themes identified regarding the perceived health impacts of work.
- Distinct coping strategies for managing work stress were described by participants.
- Older workers with CHD experience unique challenges in the workplace.
Conclusions:
- Older employees with CHD represent a vulnerable workforce segment.
- Insights into perceived work-related health effects can inform workplace interventions.
- Findings support the development of targeted workplace programs and policies for aging workers with CHD.
Abstract:
More than 3.4 million workers have coronary heart disease (CHD) with significant work limitations and disability. Although the cohort of aging workers with CHD is growing, little is known about how older workers with CHD perceive the relationship between the work environment, including job stress, and their health. The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive study was to explore the perceptions of the health effects of work among older workers with CHD and describe how they cope with work stress. The sample was 47% female and 33% African American. Their mean age was 59.21 (± 5.4) years, and most (55%) worked in professional or managerial jobs. Themes emerged about perceptions of the health effects of work and coping strategies. Because older employees are a vulnerable work group, understanding the perceived health effects of work may guide future workplace program development and policy.
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