Blood Pressure Changes in Men Undergoing Job Loss: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

A longitudinal study was made of blood pressure (BP) changes in married, stably employed men who lose their jobs because of a permanent plant shutdown. Some 150 men, including controls, were seen and followed up to 2 years. Major findings were as follows: (1) The controls showed no significant long-term trends, (2) BP levels during anticipation of job loss and unemployment or probationary re-employment were clearly higher than during later stabilization on new jobs, (3) Men whose BP levels remained high longer: (a) had more severe unemployment, (b) were lower on Ego Resilience, (c) reported longer-lasting subjective stress, and (d) failed to show much improvement in reported well-being, (4) Within the period of anticipation, there was a clear rise in BP which was correlated with subjective ratings of felt stress, and (5) These major BP changes were replicated in preliminary results from a second company.