What physiological changes are specifically linked to jobs characterized by high demands coupled with low autonomy?
Sustained high blood pressure or elevated cortisol levels
The psychological environment plays a crucial role in longevity, particularly when high job demands are paired with a lack of control or autonomy regarding task execution or scheduling. When an employee has little agency in how or when they perform demanding tasks, the stress response is amplified rather than buffered. This chronic activation of the body's stress system leads to sustained physiological changes, most notably elevated levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and persistently high blood pressure. Over time, these chronic conditions significantly accelerate the risk of developing serious cardiovascular diseases, demonstrating a direct biological pathway from workplace stress to reduced lifespan.
