Gender Differences in Job Stress, Tedium and Social Support in the Workplace

Abstract

The amount of tedium, job stress, and home and work social support, were compared for men and women employed by four northeast Ohio employers. The differential effects of each source of support (i.e. supervisor, co-worker and partner) on tedium and job stress were also assessed. A sample of 116 individuals (61 males and 55 females), participated. Women and men reported similar amounts of job stress and similar amounts of work support. As predicted, women reported the experience of more tedium than men, and men reported the receipt of more household assistance than women. Also as predicted, workplace support was found to be more effective for men than for women. The data revealed that for men, household assistance was related to lower tedium, but for women, household assistance was related to greater tedium. The differential influence of home and work support for men and women was discussed.