Gender and Work Stress: Differential Exposure and Vulnerability

Abstract

Three work conditions have evidenced consistent relationships to health-related outcomes: control, demands, and job complexity. Most studies of work stress involve samples of male workers. The hypothesis of differential vulnerability contends that women would be more responsive than men to work stressors. The differential exposure hypothesis proposes that there is no gender difference in the effects of work stressors, but patterns of occupational segregation increase women's exposure to detrimental job conditions. Previous studies of gender differences in responses to work stress are equivocal, indicating both similarity and highly specific differences. This study explores gender differences in the effects of work conditions on psychological distress and self-medication. Job satisfaction and perceived job stress are specified as mediating variables. The results do not support the hypothesis of general differential vulnerability. The only gender difference observed indicates that women are less responsive than men to job demands.