Self-esteem and the occupational stress process: testing two alternative models in a sample of blue-collar workers

Blue-collar workers (4,523 men and 927 women) participated in a survey comparing two alternative models, one assuming the level of self-esteem (SE) to result to a significant extent from the strain induced by occupational stressors and the other stating the level of SE as a determinant of stressor perception and experienced strain. The results of multiple regression analyses did not support the latter model, whereas the first model was partially supported: Monotony was associated with increased strain and decreased SE among younger (< or = 35 years) male participants and older (> 35 years) female participants, and lack of control related to increased strain and decreased SE among older male participants. These observations were made in the context of psychological strain symptoms but not in the context of physiological strain symptoms.