Job Strain, Anxiety, and Blood Pressure Among Long-Term Care Workers.

OBJECTIVES: Limited studies have assessed the relationship between job strain and blood pressure (BP) among long term care (LTC) workers or its underlying mechanisms. This study analyzed job strain subscales (job control, skill discretion, job demands, social support, and organizational justice) in relation with BP and whether anxiety and stress mediate these relationships. METHODS: Using baseline data from an LTC worker wellness study (n=83), linear regressions evaluated job strain subscales and BP. Path models assessed mediation effects. RESULTS: Lower social support and organizational justice were associated, separately, with higher systolic and diastolic BP. Anxiety and stress symptoms mediated the relationship between both subscales and systolic BP, but not for diastolic BP. CONCLUSION: Interventions to improve social support, organizational justice, as well as anxiety and stress may reduce BP among LTC workers.