The Influence of Domestic Overload on the Association between Job Strain and Ambulatory Blood Pressure among Female Nursing Workers

Abstract

Evidence suggests that the workplace plays an important etiologic role in blood pressure (BP) alterations. Associations in female samples are controversial, and the domestic environment is hypothesized to be an important factor in this relationship. This study assessed the association between job strain and BP within a sample of female nursing workers, considering the potential role of domestic overload. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a group of 175 daytime workers who wore an ambulatory BP monitor for 24 h during a working day. Mean systolic and diastolic BP were calculated. Job strain was evaluated using the Demand-Control Model. Domestic overload was based on the level of responsibility in relation to four household tasks and on the number of beneficiaries. After adjustments no significant association between high job strain and BP was detected. Stratified analyses revealed that women exposed to both domestic overload and high job strain had higher systolic BP at home. These results indicate a possible interaction between domestic overload and job strain on BP levels and revealed the importance of domestic work, which is rarely considered in studies of female workers.

Job strain associated with increases in ambulatory blood and pulse pressure during and after work hours among female hotel room cleaners

“…Some studies assessing the heterogeneity of effect of job strain at different hours of the day have found that domestic tasks and workload interact with the effects of job strain, increasing its effect even after work . Specifically, the study by Portela et al found that working women exposed to additional domestic workloads experienced a substantially stronger positive association between job strain and systolic blood pressure at home (after work) than women without domestic work . Other studies have posited the effects after work could be a spillover effect.…”

Job strain and unhealthy lifestyle: results from the baseline cohort study, Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

“…Artazcoz and collaborators [ 43 ] found that working conditions had greater impact on men’s health, while domestic demands were more important among women. Although not explored in the present study, the domestic work overload identified among women in Brazil [ 45 , 46 ] may have interacted with the characteristics of professional work and affected the association between passive work and physical inactivity among women. In addition, lack of time is reported to be one the reason for not engaging in healthy behaviors, such as physical exercise and healthy eating [ 47 ].…”

Gender Discrepancies Related to Pediatrician Work-Life Balance and Household Responsibilities

“…Of note, a greater perceived unequal distribution of responsibilities for household tasks has been associated with poor health outcomes for women. 14,15 Although a handful of studies have examined gender differences in household responsibilities and satisfaction with work-life balance, 4,[16][17][18] these studies had limitations to generalizability and/or were not focused on the perceptions of pediatricians.…”