Back to basics: Re-examination of Demand-Control Theory of occupational stress
- 1 April 2001
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Work & Stress
- Vol. 15 (2), 115-130
- https://doi.org/10.1080/02678370110067002
Abstract
The Demand-Control model of occupational stress posits an interaction between job demands and job control predicting psychological strain, but previous research has found such an interaction only rarely or inconsistently. Such research, however, has often failed to measure either demands or strain faithfully to the model's constructs, or has simply failed to test for a statistical interaction. The present study corrected these shortcomings by going back to basics. Using a sample of 115 employees in a manufacturing company, it operationalized the variables more consistently with their original conceptualizations. However, when the hypothesized Demand-Control interaction was then tested, it still failed. Outcomes other than psychological strain (e.g. job dissatisfaction) were related negatively rather than positively to demands. This highlights the difference between psychological strain and dissatisfaction and casts doubt on models positing dissatisfaction as an intervening variable between stressors and strains.Keywords
This publication has 38 references indexed in Scilit:
- The relationships among objective and subjective environmental stress levels and serum uric acid: The moderating effect of perceived control.Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2000
- The Job Demand-Control (-Support) Model and psychological well-being: A review of 20 years of empirical researchWork & Stress, 1999
- Construct validity of the demand-control model: A double cross-validation approachWork & Stress, 1998
- The relationship between job experiences and psychological distress: A structural equation approachJournal of Organizational Behavior, 1995
- Supervisor behaviors, role stressors and uncertainty as predictors of personal outcomes for subordinatesJournal of Organizational Behavior, 1994
- New measures of job control, cognitive demand, and production responsibility.Journal of Applied Psychology, 1993
- The effects of job demands and control on employee attendance and satisfactionJournal of Organizational Behavior, 1991
- A revision of the Job Diagnostic Survey: Elimination of a measurement artifact.Journal of Applied Psychology, 1987
- "Participation in Decision Making as a Strategy for Reducing Job-Related Strain": Correction.Journal of Applied Psychology, 1984
- Job Demands, Job Decision Latitude, and Mental Strain: Implications for Job RedesignAdministrative Science Quarterly, 1979