White-collar Workers Research Articles

Developing a gender measure and examining its association with cardiovascular diseases incidence: a 28-year prospective cohort study

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Examining gender (socio-cultural) in addition to sex (biological) is required to untangle socio-cultural characteristics contributing to inequities within or between sexes. This study aimed to develop a gender measure including four gender dimensions and examine the association between this gender measure and CVD incidence, across sexes.MethodsA cohort of 9188 white-collar workers (49.9% females) in the Quebec region was recruited in 1991–1993 and follow-up was carried out 28 years later for CVD incidence. Data collection involved a self-administered questionnaire and extraction of medical-administrative CVD incident cases. Cox proportional models allowed calculations of hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), stratified by sex.ResultsSex and gender were partly independent, as discordances were observed in the distribution of the gender score across sexes. Among males, being in the third tertile of the gender score (indicating a higher level of characteristics traditionally ascribed to women) was associated with a 50% CVD risk increase compared to those in the first tertile (HR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.24 to 1.82). This association persisted after adjustment for several CVD risk factors (HR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.73). Conversely, no statistically significant association between the third tertile of the gender score and CVD incidence was observed in females (HR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.60–1.05).ConclusionsThe findings suggested that males within the third tertile of the gender score were more likely to develop CVD, while females with those characteristics did not exhibit an increased risk. These findings underline the necessity for clinical and population health research to integrate both sex and gender measures, to further evaluate disparities in cardiovascular health and enhance the inclusivity of prevention strategies.

The Impact of COVID-19: A study of academic stress in high school students in Vietnam due to the transition from offline to online lessons.

CoViD-19 had a detrimental impact on all humans in our society, from white-collar office workers to students. The outbreak caused stress in all individuals, leading to pres- sure, and a decline in learnability, even though its magnitude and origins varied. In con- text with the education domain, the students have suffered adverse repercussions due to the shift from traditional in-person classes to online learning modes, which has been a major cause of their mental health’s downward spiral, leading to poor performances, and the inability to learn in unmonitored classroom conditions. Aim. To assess the stress in high school students and correlate their stress levels with their end-of-year examination results for 2021. Method. This can be achieved using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, by assessing 78 high school students selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria, from the public schools of Hanoi, with their respective results obtained for their end-of-year examina- tions of March 2021. The Academic stress will be calculated with the Student Academic Stress Scale (SASS), and, all the percentage of grades will be out of 100. Results. The results obtained from the following Pearson’s correlation coefficient tests showed a moderate negative correlation existing between Academic Stress levels and marks it obtained, with the r value of -0.447. Limitations: The sample was collected from 4 public schools in Hanoi, not taking the rest of the country into account, and the accuracy of the stress level grading using SASS which can be affected by an impairment in cognitive function, excludes outliers from the research that was conducted.

Nietzsche in The Office: the aesthetic justification of capitalist realism

ABSTRACT In this paper, I provide an interpretation of the American mockumentary-styled sitcom, The Office (2005–2013), as an instance of what Nietzsche calls an “aesthetic justification” of life. The Office offers an aesthetic justification of the life of lower-tiered North American white-collar workers under neoliberalism. The Office performs this function via an implicit endorsement of what Mark Fisher (2009) calls capitalist realism, or the idea that “it’s easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism.” I focus on an illuminating scene in episode 16 of Season 3, “Business School” (2007), that exemplifies this especially well. The argument is that The Office orchestrates an aesthetic justification of those aspects of our existence that cannot be justified morally under capitalism, for example, precarity, ruthless competition, and so on. In Section I, I outline Nietzsche’s conception of aesthetic justification. In Section II, I discuss the major themes of The Office, highlighting their resonance with the concerns and experiences of the workforce. In Section III, I bring these together in a Nietzschean analysis of the “Business School” scene. Finally, in Section IV, I close by offering some open-ended but critical reflections on this analysis via Adorno and the Frankfurt School.

Analysis of multi-site HPV infection and vaccination willingness among men who have sex with men in Tianjin, China.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are vulnerable to HPV infection. This study aims to explore the HPV infection status at different sites among HIV-positive MSM, HIV-negative MSM, and men who have sex with women (MSW), and to investigate their willingness to receive HPV vaccination. From September 2023 to April 2024, three groups were recruited in Tianjin, China. Participants completed an electronic self-administered questionnaire, which included demographic information, knowledge related to sexually transmitted diseases, behavioral information, and willingness to receive the HPV vaccine. Samples were collected from the anal region, genitals, and oral cavity for HPV typing. A total of 1,559 participants were recruited, including 300 HIV-positive MSM, 600 HIV-negative MSM, and 659 MSW. The HPV infection prevalence for any site were 62.0, 53.7 and 8.3%, respectively (p < 0.001). The infection prevalence for HPV genes covered by the 9-valent vaccine were 47.0, 36.8, and 3.5%, respectively (p < 0.001). Co-infection prevalence at anal and genital were 20.3, 14.2, 0.6%, respectively. Co-infection prevalence at anal and genital and oral were 1.3, 0.3%, 0, respectively. A total of 77.0% HIV-positive MSM and 75.3% HIV-negative MSM expressed willingness to receive the HPV vaccine, whereas 58.9% of MSW were unwilling (p < 0.001). Being HIV-positive (aOR, 3.119; 95% CI, 2.213-4.395), being over 46 years old (aOR, 1.994; 95% CI, 1.266-3.142), with an occupation classified as "white collar workers" (aOR, 1.620; 95% CI, 1.111-2.362) and "freelancing" (aOR, 2.025; 95% CI, 1.371-2.993) and a history of homosexual behavior in the past 6 months (aOR, 5.338; 95% CI, 3.802-7.495) were risk factors for HPV infection among men in Tianjin. Consistently using condoms in the past 6 months (aOR, 0.667; 95% CI, 0.513-0.867) were protective factors. The HPV infection prevalence among MSM in Tianjin is significantly higher than among MSW, with higher prevalence in the anal region compared to the genital and oral region. HPV infection is associated with HIV infection, older age, and homosexual behavior. Most MSM showed a positive willingness to receive the HPV vaccine, indicating the necessity to implement targeted HPV vaccination programs for MSM and to enhance necessary preventive knowledge and behavioral interventions.

The impact of AI-generated content on content consumption habits of Chinese social media users through Xiaohongshu application

This study aims to analyze the effects of artificial intelligence-generated content and human-generated content on user cognition, interaction and satisfaction in Xiaohongshu application. The samples are 500 active Xiaohongshu users in China's first - and second-tier cities, including white-collar workers, students, freelancers selected through multi-stage random sampling. The research instrument is a questionnaire. Data were analyzed by statistical methods such as multiple linear regression analysis, T-test and Pearson correlation analysis were used to compare the differences between AI-generated content and human-generated content in terms of user satisfaction, time of use, recommendation quality, personalization satisfaction, content creativity and understanding of user needs. The findings revealed that AI-generated content shows significant advantages in improving user satisfaction and interaction, and the conclusions provide empirical support for the content optimization of social media platforms.

Exploring Job-Related Factors and Exercise Intentions in Relation to Overall Physical Activity and Its Subdivisions.

This study examined the relationships between job-related factors and overall physical activity (PA), including its subdivisions: leisure-time PA, transportation PA, and work-related PA. Additionally, this study investigated the associations between exercise intentions and different types of PA. A cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing a questionnaire to collect data on participants' demographics, job-related characteristics, exercise intentions, and levels of PA. A total of 400 full-time workers voluntarily participated in this study. The findings identified women, white-collar workers, those with longer working hours, and individuals with low exercise intentions as high-risk groups for insufficient overall PA in multiple linear regression analysis. After controlling for covariates, occupation was found to be associated with both overall PA (β = 0.146) and work-related PA (β = 0.236). Shift workers exhibited higher levels of work-related PA (β = 0.234). Furthermore, exercise intentions showed associations with overall PA (β = 0.243), leisure-time PA (β = 0.523), and transportation PA (β = 0.176) but did not demonstrate a significant relationship with work-related PA. This study highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive approaches in workplace health promotion programs aimed at enhancing various types of PA. Strategies should focus on improving exercise intentions to boost leisure-time and transportation PA, while work-related PA requires tailored interventions based on job-specific factors.

Promoting a Sustainable Workplace with the “Shortened Working Week” (SWW): Empirical Insights from 1,000 White-Collar Workers in Poland.

This paper explores the effectiveness of the Shortened Working Week (SWW) as a mechanism for advancing Sustainable Human Resource Management (SHRM). It begins by reviewing various SWW models implemented in pilot studies across the UK, Sweden, Japan, and the US. Next, the paper employs the Triple Bottom Line theoretical framework to assess the impact of SWW on SHRM. Furthermore, it presents empirical data from a survey of 1,000 white-collar employees in Polish organisations, examining their attitudes towards SWW. The findings suggest that a reduction in work hours can positively influence the social, economic, and environmental pillars of SHRM. Considering the varied preferences for SWW based on factors such as gender, family status, and company size, the paper recommends that managers consider flexible scheduling alternatives to the conventional Free Fridays model.

Work-life Balance of White-collar Remote Workers in a Technopark in Turkey

The main purpose of the current study was to explore the work-life balance experiences of white-collar employees who shifted to remote work in a Technopark in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic, using a phenomenological approach. The research was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, 49 white-collar workers participated by completing online questionnaires to assess their work-life balance. In the second phase, two focus group discussions were held, involving 11 participants. The data gathered from the questionnaires and focus groups were analyzed using interpretive content analysis method with MAXQDA 20 software. The content analysis revealed that personal factors, such as personality traits and adaptability, influenced the work-life balance of the white-collar employees. Among organizational factors, workplace culture and the home environment emerged as significant determinants. Most remote workers were found to be unable to set a work-life balance, consequently experiencing conflicts. However, some participants managed to maintain a harmonious balance between their professional and personal lives, though it tended to be skewed towards a work-centered equilibrium. The observed imbalances resulted in several negative outcomes for the participants, including the need for psychological support, role conflicts in different aspects of life, and diminished motivation. In contrast, those who achieved balance reported higher levels of life satisfaction, job satisfaction, and subjective well-being.

Importance of Digital Adoption for Workforce in Various Sectors: A Comparative Analysis

This article aims to explore the significance of applying digital adoption for the workforce in different sectors, including construction, manufacturing, services, and agriculture. By analysing globally accepted statistics and scholarly articles, we present a comprehensive overview of the impact of digital adoption of mobile application on both blue-collar and white-collar workers. The findings emphasize the transformative power of digital technologies and highlight the potential benefits and challenges associated with their implementation of digital application and mobile application in each sector. This research underscores the need for strategic planning and effective training to maximize the advantages of digital adoption across diverse industries.

Exploring the Links Between Employee Resilience and Career Satisfaction: The Roles of Job Crafting and STARA Awareness

Abstract In a dynamic business environment where challenges are inevitable, the success of an organization depends on the resilience demonstrated by its employees. Prior studies provide valuable information on employee resilience and its outcomes; however, there is limited knowledge of how employee resilience influences career outcomes. Drawing on Job Demands-Resources Theory, this study explores the mediating effect of job crafting on the relationship between employee resilience and career satisfaction. Also, this study examines whether smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and algorithms (STARA) awareness moderates the relationship between those variables. The study sample consists of 321 individuals employed in white-collar positions within various enterprises in Turkey. Structural equation modeling was used to test the research hypotheses. The findings indicate that job crafting significantly mediates the relationship between employee resilience and career satisfaction. Additionally, STARA awareness moderates the relationship between employee resilience and job crafting, whereas there is no conditional indirect effect between employee resilience and career satisfaction. This study presents practical implications for white-collar workers' career attitudes in business environments characterized by increased digitalization.

Effort-reward imbalance at work assessed at midlife and prediabetes prevalence assessed 18 years later in a prospective cohort of white-collar workers.

Evidence suggests that workers exposed to psychosocial stressors at work from the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, evidence about the effect of ERI on prediabetes is scarce. This study aimed to examine the association between effort-reward imbalance at work, glycated hemoglobin level and the prevalence of prediabetes in women and men from a prospective cohort study. This study was conducted among 1354 white-collar workers followed for an average of 18 years. Effort-reward imbalance at work was measured in 1999 to 2001 using a validated instrument. Glycated hemoglobin was assessed at follow-up (2015 to 2018). Differences in mean glycated hemoglobin levels were estimated with linear models. Prediabetes prevalence ratios (PRs) were computed using robust Poisson regression models. In women, those exposed to effort-reward imbalance at work at baseline had a higher prevalence of prediabetes (PR = 1.60, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-2.49) at follow-up following adjustment for sociodemographic, lifestyle-related, clinical, and other occupational risk factors. There was no difference in mean glycated hemoglobin levels. Among women, effort-reward imbalance at work at midlife was associated with the prevalence of prediabetes, at older age. Preventive workplace interventions aiming to reduce the prevalence of effort-reward imbalance at work may be effective to reduce the prevalence of prediabetes among women.

Repressed Catholic Priests and Monks during the First Years of the Occupation and Annexation of the Republic of Lithuania: June 1940–June 1941

The subject investigated has not been systematically researched at scientific level until now. The claims made by historians and other authors are fragmented and controversial. However, the publications of historical sources necessary for the subject under research, particularly Volume 1 of the list of names published by the Genocide and Resistance Research Centre of Lithuania, as well as numerous archival documents make it possible to reveal the main features of the reprisals of Lithuanian priests and monastic communities in 1940 and 1941. During the occupation and annexation of the Republic of Lithuania, local Catholic priests, monks and nuns were not among the most important groups of the repressed, i.e. among politicians, white collar workers, officers and public figures. Nevertheless, the registration and surveillance of priests, the cases of the annihilation especially of the Russian Orthodox Church and smaller religious groups of the aggressor country, testify indirectly to the fact that the oppressive apparatus of the Empire that was hostile to religion was getting ready to annihilate the Lithuanian Catholic priests at least as a separate group. The NKVD / NKGB took efforts to win over as many priests as possible. About 115 priests (7.9% of all the priests) were repeatedly summoned to the agencies with this purpose in mind but the result was as poor: 12 of those who promised to arrive (0.8% of all priests, 10.4% of recruited priests), three of them staff workers (0.2% of all priests, 2.6% of recruited priests) showed up. According to the available research results, during the period examined a total number of repressed Catholic priests and monks in Lithuania (of the local Church Province, the part of the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Vilnius assigned to Lithuania, and Polish refugees) is about 111 persons: 64 (almost 58%) Lithuanian and 47 (over 42%) Polish. From the Lithuanian Church Province or its monasteries and convents 61 persons were repressed, out of whom 53 were diocesan priests, five were monks ordained as priests, three were from monastic communities (one brother and two sisters): 21 from Kaunas diocese, 19 from Vilkaviškis diocese, 11 from Panevėžys diocese, and five from Kaišiadorys and Telšiai dioceses each; all of them were Lithuanians. From the Lithuanian part of the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Vilnius and the monastic communities based there, about 15 priests (three Lithuanian and 12 Polish) were subject to repression; fewer than half of them were priests, the others were nuns. Taking together the instances in the parts of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Belarus and Poland, based on the facts from a longer period (from September 1939 until July 1941), the number of the repressed priests in the archdiocese is at least 62 persons: 34 were refugees who suffered from repression; about 27 of them were nuns. The number of people who suffered greatly, i.e. were imprisoned and exiled before Hitler’s war against the “Bolsheviks” were at least 57 Lithuanian Catholic priests and monks (from the local ecclesiastical province and the part of the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Vilnius). The number of Lithuanian priests – 17 – who were killed by the retreating Soviet Army troops at the first stage of the war between Nazi Germany and the USSR that has been known for a long time remains the same. Nevertheless, counting the priests killed not only in the Lithuanian Church Province and in the part of the Vilnius Archdiocese that belonged to Lithuania but also analogous facts from the parts that belonged to Belarus and Poland, the number of the victims of this category amounts to at least 26. The war that broke out between Hitler and Stalin opened the road to freedom for some priests and members of the monastic community. Between 16 and 18 priests were liberated or freed themselves from prisons in Lithuania, while most of Polish priests who were taken to forced labour camps or exiled were granted an amnesty; later they joined Polish army units and became chaplains. The number of arrested, imprisoned, taken to forced labour camps and exiled priests and members of monastic communities is much higher than those who promised to collaborate with the KGB and joined the staff, which demonstrates that the Lithuanian clergy as well as those who arrived from Poland avoided collaborating with the occupying powers; almost all of them resisted, did not succumb to this temptation and did not act under compulsion.

Dark Triad and Humor Styles: A Study on White Collar Workers from Türkiye

Humor plays a crucial role in psychological functioning, influencing goal achievement, emotional regulation, and interpersonal interactions. This study explores the effects of dark triad on humor styles and to inquire about the inconsistent relations previously reported between narcissism and self-enhancing humor within a Turkish sample. Utilizing the Humor Styles Questionnaire and the Dirty Dozen Dark Triad inventory, data were collected from 468 white-collar employees working in various companies through online questionnaire. The results indicated that Narcissism positively affects all humor styles, while Psychopathy significantly associated with aggressive, self-enhancing and self-defeating humor. In contrast, Machiavellianism shows a negative effect with self-defeating humor. These findings underscore the complex interplay between personality traits and humor, suggesting that while Narcissism may enhance both positive and negative humor styles, Psychopathy predominantly influences negative styles, and Machiavellianism appears less involved. The study discusses the implications of these results and provides suggestions for future research.

Smart working during the COVID-19 pandemic: the prevalence of musculoskeletal and visual disorders in administrative staff of a large international company.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the use of digital devices during work activities has increased with important re-percussions on the psychological and physical well-being of the employees. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal and visual disorders related to the use of computers and home workstation. The study is a cross-sectional study. A checklist, from the National Institute of Health, was administered to white collar workers of a large international pharmaceutical company based in Italy. Our study showed that postural breaks have a protective effect on neck/shoulder pain (OR 0.32, CI 0.16-0.62), back and lower extremity pain (OR 0.35, CI 0.18-0.69), and eye burning (OR 0.50, CI 0.27-0.94) of study participants. The research recommends that remote employees who often change their workstations should establish a suitable work environment and obtaining enough risk training from an occupational physician. This is essential for maintaining their mental and physical well-being.

Influence of Sagittal Cervical and Thoracic Range of Motion on Neck Pain Severity in Young White-Collar Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Neck pain (NP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder, especially among individuals with sedentary occupations. The interplay between cervical and thoracic spine mobility is hypothesized to contribute significantly to NP severity, yet this relationship requires further exploration. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 179 young white-collar workers with NP lasting for at least six weeks. Participants were stratified into mild (n = 78) and moderate (n = 101) pain groups based on their scores on the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ). Cervical and thoracic range of motion (ROM) in the sagittal plane was measured using inclinometers. NP severity was further assessed using the NPQ and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Correlation, regression, and mediation analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between cervical and thoracic ROM and NP severity. Results: Thoracic ROM was higher in the mild pain group (median: 47.35, IQR: 10.13) than in the moderate pain group (median: 42.10, IQR: 13.60; p < 0.001). The NDI had a negative correlation with thoracic ROM (r = -0.65; p < 0.05) and a positive correlation with cervical ROM (r = 0.84; p < 0.01). Additionally, thoracic ROM mediated the effect of cervical ROM on NP, particularly influencing NDI scores (p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study found a significant association between reduced thoracic ROM and increased NP severity, highlighting the role of thoracic spine mobility in NP among young white-collar workers. Targeted interventions for thoracic dysfunction may reduce compensatory cervical strain and improve NP management, suggesting that thoracic spine assessments should be integrated into routine clinical evaluations.

Sickness absence after work accidents and post-traumatic stress among white-collar workers in the retail and wholesale industry; a longitudinal Swedish cohort study

BackgroundMost studies about accidents and about PTSD, respectively, have been conducted either on blue-collar workers, or on the entire working population. There are very few such studies on white-collar workers.AimTo examine diagnosis-specific sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) after a work accident or PTSD, respectively, among white-collar workers in the private retail and wholesale industry.MethodsA prospective population-based cohort study of all 192,077 such workers aged 18–67 (44% women) in Sweden in 2012, using linked microdata from nationwide registers. We identified individuals who had secondary healthcare due to work-related accidents (n = 1114; 31% women) or to PTSD (n = 216; 79% women) in 2012–2016. Their average number of net days of diagnosis-specific SA (in SA spells > 14 days) and DP were calculated for 365 days before and 365 days after the healthcare visit.Results35% of the women and 24% of the men had at least one new SA spell during the 365 days after healthcare due to work accidents. Among women, the average number of SA/DP days increased from 14 in the year before the visit to 31 days the year after; among men from 9 to 21 days. SA days due to fractures and other injuries increased most, while SA days due to mental diagnoses increased somewhat. 73% of women and 64% of men who had healthcare due to PTSD had at least one new SA spell in the next year. Women increased from 121 to 157 SA/DP days and men from 112 to 174. SA due to stress-related disorders and other mental diagnoses increased the most, while DP due to stress-related diagnoses and SA due to musculoskeletal diagnoses increased slightly.ConclusionsAbout a quarter of those who had secondary healthcare due to work accidents, and the majority of those with such healthcare due PTSD, had new SA in the following year. SA due to injury and mental diagnoses, respectively, increased most, however, SA/DP due to other diagnoses also increased slightly. More knowledge is needed on factors associated with having or not having SA/DP in different diagnoses after work accidents and among people with PTSD.

O46 PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESSORS AT WORK ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED BLOOD PRESSURE VARIABILITY

Background and Objectives: Elevated blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, independently of blood pressure values. Psychosocial stressors at work are modifiable risk factors from the work environment, shown to increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The present study aims to determine whether psychosocial stressors at work have a detrimental effect on BPV. Methods: The present study relied on a prospective cohort of 3 645 white-collar workers in Quebec City evaluated at three visits: at recruitment, 3 years, and 5 years. At each visit, participants wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor during working hours and answered a questionnaire on psychosocial work stressors, as measured using validated instruments according to the demand-control (DC) and effort-reward imbalance (ERI) models. Working hours BPV was calculated using average real variability. Results: A total of 7 078 observations (n = 4 246 in women and n = 2 832 in men) were available. Using the DC model, systolic and diastolic BPV were higher in active (high psychological demands, high job control) when compared to non-exposed participants (low demands, high control). Using the ERI model, systolic and diastolic BPV were higher among participants exposed to an imbalance between efforts at work and rewards when compared to unexposed participants. These associations were robust to adjustment for socio-demographics, lifestyle-related risk factors and clinical risk factors. Conclusions: Participants exposed to psychosocial stressors at work showed higher BPV than non-exposed participants. Since these risk factors are amenable to appropriate preventive intervention in workplaces, they should be considered for the primordial prevention of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Adjusted for age, education, body mass index, alcohol intake, smoking status, sedentary behaviors, family history of CVD and medication for hypertension (as well as for sex in analyses conducted in the total sample).

P125 WORKING LONG HOURS DURING MIDLIFE IS LATER ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED ARTERIAL STIFFNESS

Background and Objectives: Arterial stiffness is an asymptomatic cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk marker, resulting from reduced ability of large proximal arteries to dilate and retract. Arterial stiffness is associated with increased CVD, independently of blood pressure (BP). Evidence suggest that tackling modifiable risk factors may alter the pathogenic process leading to CVD, by reducing arterial stiffness progression. Long working hours is a frequent and modifiable risk factor from the work environment, shown to increase the risk of CVD. There is sparse evidence about the effect of long working hours on arterial stiffness. No previous study have used carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), recognized as the reference assessment method. This study aims to examine whether long working hours, repeatedly assessed at midlife, is associated with increased arterial stiffness at older age in a 24-year prospective study of white-collar workers in Quebec City, Canada. Methods: This study relied on a prospective cohort, initiated in 1991-1993 (T1) with two follow-ups after 8 years (T2, 1999-2000) and 24 years (T3, 2015-2018). Participants (N=1,629) were randomly selected for arterial stiffness measurement at T3 using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). Long working hours (&gt;40 h/week) were assessed at baseline (T1) and at the first follow-up (T2). Mean differences in PWV were estimated using generalized linear models, accounting for sociodemographic factors, lifestyle-related risk factors, clinical factors and psychosocial stressors at work. Results: Among participants who remained actively employed over the study period, baseline (+0.54 m/s, 95% CI: 0.05 – 1.02) and repeated (+1.54 m/s, 95% CI: 0.83 – 2.26) exposures to long working hours were associated with increased arterial stiffness. No association was observed among participants who retired between follow-ups. Conclusions: Working long hours during midlife is associated with increased arterial stiffness, among aging workers. Workplace preventive strategies reducing long working hours may be effective to mitigate long-term arterial stiffening.

P126 LONG WORKING HOURS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED BLOOD PRESSURE VARIABILITY

Background and Objectives: Elevated blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, independently of blood pressure values. Long working hours increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. The present study aims to determine whether long working hours have a detrimental effect on BPV. Methods: The present study relied on a prospective cohort of 3 639 white-collar workers in Quebec City evaluated at three visits: at recruitment, 3 years, and 5 years. At each visit, participants wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor during working hours and answered a questionnaire. Work hours per week were divided into the following categories: 21 to 34 hours, 35 to 40 hours (reference group), and 41 hours or more. Working hours BPV was calculated using average real variability. Results: A total of 7 056 observations (n = 4 234 in women and n = 2 822 in men) were available. Systolic and diastolic BPV were higher in participants working long hours (41 hours and more per week) than in participants working 35 to 40 hours per week. These associations were robust to adjustment for socio-demographics, lifestyle-related and clinical risk factors as well as psychosocial stressors at work (psychological demand – job control and reward). Conclusions: Participants exposed to long working hours showed higher BPV than non-exposed participants. Intervention aiming at reducing long working hours should be considered for the primordial prevention of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Average real variability of systolic and diastolic blood pressure during working hours according to hours worked per week

글로벌 가치사슬에서의 위치가 임금에 미치는 영향

This study analyses the impact of Korean manufacturing's position in the global value chain on wages, i.e., estimates the impact of the relative position of Korean manufacturing on the smile curve, which represents the relationship between production stage and value added in the global value chain. The main findings of the analysis are as follows. First, we find that wages are higher at the top and bottom of the value chain in Korean manufacturing. Second, we estimate an interaction between occupational category and the smile curve and find that the wage effect of the smile curve is pronounced for production workers, but not for white collar workers. For production workers, wages are relatively higher at the top and bottom of the value chain, meaning that even within the same production occupation, there are differences in wages depending on the position in the manufacturing value chain. This suggests that productivity and wages need to improve in the middle of the value chain to mitigate the wage polarisation within the same occupation in manufacturing.