Job stress research at NIOSH: 1972–2002

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of job stress research at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) from its inception in 1972 through current and proposed research in 2002. During this 30-year period, NIOSH funded a wide range of job stress projects and a detailed account of each is not possible in a single chapter. In some cases, the research will be discussed in great depth, especially if the work was unique to NIOSH (e.g. mass psychogenic illness) or was large in magnitude (e.g. Job Demands and Worker Health study). In many other cases, however, the research will be mentioned briefly and citations provided. Since many of the early reports referenced in this chapter are long out of print, the chapter makes liberal use of “Text Boxes” that contain sections of narrative text from NIOSH reports. The inclusion of such narrative text will provide the reader with a more authentic ‘feel’ for the research than would a summary statement.The chapter does not include NIOSH research in the areas of ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders, or indoor air pollution, although psychosocial factors and job stress were elements of many studies in these areas.

Citation

Murphy, L.R. (2002), "Job stress research at NIOSH: 1972–2002", Perrewe, P.L. and Ganster, D.C. (Ed.) Historical and Current Perspectives on Stress and Health (Research in Occupational Stress and Well Being, Vol. 2), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 1-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-3555(02)02001-2