OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of affectivity trait on relationships between occupational stress and subjective physical health and job satisfaction.

METHODSSelf-reports for psychosocial work conditions and health and well-being in a sample of 878 workers from a thermal power plant in China were conducted using the job demand-control model, the effort-reward imbalance model, job satisfaction, depression symptom, and physical health complaints questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was used by controlling for age, sex, and educational level.

RESULTSNegative and positive affectivity were correlated with occupational stressors or strains (P<0.01). In the most equation of job dissatisfaction, psychosomatic complaints and depressive symptoms as dependent variables respectively, odds ratios decreased greatly when negative affectivity or positive affectivity was controlled; Odds ratios decreased greater when negative affectivity and positive affectivity were controlled simultaneously. Furthermore in some equation no variable entered.

CONCLUSIONAffectivity trait has effect on relationships between occupational stress and subjective physical health and job satisfaction. According to the outcome category of study, the possible confounding role of affectivity should be controlled in the study of the relationships between occupational stress and health self-reports.