Association Between Job Strain and Hypertension in a Cross-Section of New York Radiologic Technologists.

摘要

An abundance of multiple occupation studies exists on the association between job strain (high psychological demands and low decision latitude on the job) and blood pressure and hypertension, but a paucity of literature exists on single occupations, such as radiologic technology. This cross-sectional study utilized the demand-control-support model to examine the relationship between job strain and blood pressure, as well as hypertension, in the radiologic technology profession. A random sample of 111 New York City technologists, aged 25-65 years, was selected from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists mailing list and invited to fill out the Job Content Questionnaire. Average blood pressure was calculated from 6 casual blood pressure measurements obtained, over a period of 8 hours, from each participant. Hypertension was classified as self-reported physician-diagnosed hypertension, hypertension by blood pressure measurement, and uncontrolled hypertension. Chi-square, t test, ANOVA, linear regression, and logistic regression analyses indicated no significant association between job strain and blood pressure or hypertension among radiologic technologists (p > 0.05). Gender and total social support had no significant modifying effect on job strain and hypertension (p > 0.05). This study augmented the literature available on single-occupation job strain studies and may contribute to positive social change in the radiologic technology profession by raising practitioners' awareness of the effects of job strain and serving as a catalyst to advocate for change in the organization of work in radiology departments.