Coping with work-related stressors: does education reduce work-related stress?

Abstract

Aim: Work is a central area of human life, and work-associated stress can affect health over a long period of time. From a health sociological perspective, it was assumed in this paper that education as a resource is able to support the management of stress(ors) and thus has a positive impact on health. Subject and methods: This contribution deals with the research question of whether more highly educated people cope better with work-related stressors than those people who are less highly educated. Previous research has already proved the relationship between education and health but not the role that education plays in the coping process. Data from the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS): Starting Cohort 6 – Adults, was used and a cross-sectional analysis was performed. Linear regression models were estimated to analyse the effect of stressors at the workplace on work-related stress. Results: The results show that more well-educated people show a lower level of stress, net of stressors and additional controls. Regarding the moderating effect of education, highly qualified workers are better able to cope with a high level of routine in the workplace. However, more highly educated employees report higher stress levels related to the threat of job loss or lack of occupational advancement compared with less well-educated employees. Conclusion: The general goal of providing healthy work environments can be reached by helping people to recognize and cope with work-related stressors, and by motivating organizations to prevent their members from harmful stressors. Future research should address the ambivalent role of education in moderating the effect of work-related stressors on stress.