A Longitudinal Test of the Demand–Control Model Using Specific Job Demands and Specific Job Control

BACKGROUND: Supportive studies of the demand–control (DC) model were more likely to measure specific demands combined with a corresponding aspect of control. PURPOSE: A longitudinal test of Karasek’s (Adm Sci Q. 24:285–308, 1) job strain hypothesis including specific measures of job demands and job control, and both self-report and objectively recorded well-being. METHOD: Job strain hypothesis was tested among 267 health care employees from a two-wave Dutch panel survey with a 2-year time lag. RESULTS: Significant demand/control interactions were found for mental and emotional demands, but not for physical demands. The association between job demands and job satisfaction was positive in case of high job control, whereas this association was negative in case of low job control. In addition, the relation between job demands and psychosomatic health symptoms/sickness absence was negative in case of high job control and positive in case of low control. CONCLUSION: Longitudinal support was found for the core assumption of the DC model with specific measures of job demands and job control as well as self-report and objectively recorded well-being.