Stressors, Resources, and Well-Being Among Latino and White Warehouse Workers in the United States

Background Social forces and cultural factors may contribute to Latino and White workers experiencing similar jobs differently. This study examines the psychosocial stressors and resources experienced by Latino and White workers in manual material handling jobs in the US and the effects of these stressors and resources on worker well-being. Methods Fifty-nine Latino warehouse workers were matched with White workers by job title, job tenure, and warehouse facility. Matched sample t tests and linear regression analyses models were conducted. Results Results reveal similar psychosocial stressors and resources for both groups. However Latino workers reported better well-being. For Latino workers, social resources at work such as management fairness and supervisor support have a stronger relationship with well-being. For White workers wage fairness is the most significant predictor for well-being. Conclusions These differential results challenge us to consider how cultural factors, expectations and the prior work history of Latino workers may influence their experience of work and the effect of work on health. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:252-263,2010. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.