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The Influence of Work Control Trajectories on Men's Mental and Physical Health During the Middle Years: Mediational Role of Personal Control

¹ Department of Human Development and Family Studies, and Institute for Social and Behavioral Research, Iowa State University.
² Departments of Statistics and Psychology and Institute for Social and Behavioral Research, Iowa State University.
³ Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Objectives. This study investigated whether men's mental and physical health problems during the middle years may be attributed, in part, to the influence of varying levels of, and changes in, work control among members of a rural midwestern cohort. Specific study objectives were to examine (a) how trajectories of work control influence men's mental and physical health outcomes and (b) how this influence is mediated by the trajectories of personal control during the middle years.

Methods. The study used four waves of data on 318 employed men across 10 years of midlife. Variables included self-reported work control, personal control, and mental and physical health.

Results. The results supported the hypothesis that both the initial level and change in work control contribute to men's mental and physical health outcomes during the middle years. This influence was mediated by the initial level and change in personal control.

Discussion. Our results demonstrate the dynamic nature of work experiences, personal control beliefs, health, and long-term health consequences due to work conditions in a sample of middle-aged men. We discuss the theoretical implications of this.

Key Words: Midlife cohort • Work control • Personal control • Health