OBJECTIVETo compare of strain of mental workers by characteristics.

METHOD851 participants were sampled with stratified cluster random methods from various kinds of occupations, including teachers in primary and middle schools, doctors, bankers and environmental protection officers. The psychological strain was measured with SCL-90 and General Well-being Schedule (GWB). The physiological strain were assessed by Plasma sugar, TG, HDL, VLDL, LDL, CHOL, cortisol and ACTH level, neurobehavioral reaction function.

RESULTSThe subjects at age of 40-years exhibited the highest scores of SCL-90 significantly among three groups. Likewise, 20-years service group were higher than 10- and under 10 years groups. However females' GWB scores were higher than males'. It tended to be higher in postgraduate and undergraduate teachers than others groups, indicating the greater psychological strain increased, the higher age and service were. Plasma sugar, LDL, TG and CHOL level were compared; Subjects 40- years group were higher than 30- and 20 age groups, as well as senior versus minor. Female teachers were lower than males. Meanwhile single subjects were lower than married. As HDL level, 30-age group were lower decreased than 40-years group; 10-service group were responsible for lower HDL level than 20-years group; Divorced and spouse-lost teachers were higher concentration than single and married. VLDL level in under 10 years service were lower than 10-years group; The senior was the highest level of VLDL among three groups and the minor was the lowest. The tendency was equal to increased professional title; Married and spouse-lost groups were higher than single groups. It had no individual difference in plasma cortisol and ACTH. But reaction sensitivity in 40- and 30-age groups were lower than 20-age group. Likewise, 20- years service teachers had lower reaction and action sensitivity than 10- and under 10 years groups; Senior group was lowest among three groups; However 40- years old group were lower than 20- years group, postgraduate and undergraduate teachers were higher than others groups in muscle endurance. It indicated that reaction and action sensitivity had descent tendency with increased age and service length.

CONCLUSIONPsychological strain is higher with increased age, length of service and education career. The trend is the same as plasma sugar, TG, CHOL, HDL, LDL and VLDL, but neurobehavioral reaction function is decreased. In addition general well-being feeling of females is lower than males.