The Relationship Between Exercise Stage of Change and Job Strain Variables
by Lubonovich, Phoebe
Abstract (Summary)
The detrimental effects of job strain were the same detrimental effects that regular exercise impacted and often prevented. The purpose of this study was to use Prochaska's stages of change model and Karasek's job strain model to determine relationships between perceived job strain variables and exercise stage of change. A questionnaire was administered to 905 corporate associates that measured exercise stage of change, job strain, job control, job demand, and social support. The survey response rate was 62.8% (n=568). The proportions of participants in each stage were: precontemplation 7% (n=40), contemplation 13.7% (n=78), preparation 29.9% (n=170), action 14.4% (n=82), and maintenance 34.9% (n=198). Participant mean scores reflected national average scores in job control and social support, but were higher in job demands. The majority of participants were Caucasian (84.5%) women (68.3%)close to 40 years of age who worked approximately 42 hours a week in a position held for longer than 6 months. Pearson correlation results indicated significant relationships between exercise stage of change and both job control and job strain. As exercise stage of change progressed towards the maintenance stage, job control increased and job strain decreased.Women scored significantly lower in job control and higher in job strain than men scored. ANOVA tests showed significant differences in both job control and job strain levels between the preparation and maintenance exercise stages of change. Maintainers scored significantly higher in job control and significantly lower in job strain than preparers scored. This study reinforces the role of exercise adherence initiatives in the design of corporate stress management programs. Employees engaging in regular exercise for durations longer than 6 months perceive the lowest levels of job strain and the highest levels of job control. Employees who do not exercise regularly, but are preparing to within 30 days, perceive less job control and higher job strain. Employees in the preparation stage may need tailored help to overcome barriers such as low control and high strain. Because this study shows that job strain is related to exercise behavior, integrative efforts should be made to simultaneously reduce job strain and enhance progression through the exercise stages of change.