Effect of Changing Work Stressors and Coping Resources on Psychological Distress.

OBJECTIVES: We examined whether or not changing work stressors and coping resources affect the risk of psychological distress.

METHOD: A baseline evaluation of work stressors and coping resources and mental health was assessed for 4362 petroleum industry workers after 12 years.

RESULTS: Increased task and organizational stressors were associated with an elevated risk of psychological distress. Decreased task stressors, increased job control, and increased coping resources were associated with a reduced risk of psychological distress. Increased coping also had a buffering effect on increased work stressors and psychological distress. Gender-specific differences were observed in the factors influencing mental health.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that reducing gender-specific task and organizational stressors, and promoting coping resources at work may help prevent the onset of psychological distress.