Analysis of job stress in coal mining

A sample of 486 miners and mine foremen was investigated via a questionnaire to determine whether job stresses would be a real hazard to their psychological well-being. Evidence indicated that job stresses clustered together and had identifiable effects on responses among miners. When compared with a national occupational sample in which a cluster of stressors among low status jobs have been identified, miners reported no greater job stress, but indicated significantly more affective strains - anxiety, depression, irritation, somatic complaints - than workers in a number of other blue collar jobs. Among miners, perceived stressors and work load features were reflected in the relationship between conflicting role demands and relations with supervisory personnel. Poor relations with foremen and conflicting role demands fed dissatisfaction and encouraged worker discontentment. Results also showed that underground coal miners reported a substantial amount of strain, and those who did were more likely to report problems with their health.