Abstract
In modern society, work stress is highly prevalent. Problematically, work stress can cause disease. To help understand the causal relationship between work stress and disease, we present a computational model of this relationship. That is, drawing from allostatic load theory, we captured the link between work stress and disease in a set of mathematical formulas. With simulation studies, we then examined our model's ability to reproduce key findings from previous empirical research. Specifically, results from Study 1 suggested that our model could accurately reproduce established findings on daily fluctuations in cortisol levels (both on the group level and the individual level). Results from Study 2 suggested that our model could accurately reproduce established findings on the relationship between work stress and cardiovascular disease. Finally, results from Study 3 yielded new predictions about the relationship between workweek configurations (i.e., how working hours are distributed over days) and the subsequent development of disease. Together, our studies suggest a new, computational approach to studying the causal link between work stress and disease. We suggest that this approach is fruitful, as it aids the development of falsifiable theory, and as it opens up new ways of generating predictions about why and when work stress is (un)healthy.
Highlights
Work stress has been estimated to cost between $221 to $187 billion annually [1]
In what follows, drawing from allostatic load theory [5], we propose a computational model of the putative causal effect of work stress on disease
Cortisol triggers a rise in blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output [22, 42, 43]. These cardiovascular changes help people deal with stressors and they are fully reversible. When they are prolonged, these cardiovascular changes increase the risk of vascular lesions, which in turn promote the buildup of arterial plaque at the lesion sites
Summary
Work stress has been estimated to cost between $221 to $187 billion annually [1]. Considering these high societal costs, it is not surprising that scientists have thoroughly studied the origins, the nature, and the consequences of work stress. Cortisol triggers a rise in blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output [22, 42, 43] These cardiovascular changes help people deal with stressors and they are fully reversible (allostatic strain). When they are prolonged, these cardiovascular changes increase the risk of vascular lesions, which in turn promote the buildup of arterial plaque at the lesion sites (allostatic load [44]). Plaques can get loose, after which they can get stuck in narrower arteries, where they block blood supply to the distal tissue [48] This process is potentially lethal, especially when it takes place in the heart (myocardial infarction) or the brain (stroke)
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