Stress and Health Outcomes: Do Meaningful Work and Physical Activity Help?

an article by Suzanne H. Lease and Emily L. Brown (The University of Memphis, TN, USA) and Christina L. Ingram (Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA) published in Journal of Career Development Volume 46 Issue 3 (June 2019): June 1, 2019

Abstract

The negative effects of stress and burnout on mental and physical health are widely known, as are the beneficial effects of physical activity.

While the organizational literature emphasizes the value of meaningful work for employers and employees alike, the stress-buffering role of meaningful work in combination with physical activity is not known.

The present study examined the

1. mediating role of burnout in the relationships between perceived stress and health risk behaviors (i.e., poor diet, tobacco use, and alcohol use) and depressive symptoms and
2. moderating roles of meaningful work and physical activity on the relationships between perceived stress and health outcomes.

Participants were 229 employed adults. Perceived stress predicted physical health risk behaviors and depressive symptoms, but the direct and indirect negative effects of stress were stronger when meaningful work scores were lower. Findings offer support for the development of interventions that include enhancing work meaningfulness.

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