Ethnic Differences Ethnic differences in the stress response may exist. Researchers have found that under mental stress, arteries in African Americans dilate to a lesser degree than those in whites. The finding may explain why hypertension and its complications are more prevalent in blacks. Stress experienced as a result of the job is particularly likely to become chronic because it is such a large part of daily life. And stress in turn reduces a worker's effectiveness by impairing concentration, causing sleeplessness, and increasing the risk for illness, back problems, accidents, and lost time.
Work stress can lead to harassment or even violence while on the job.
At its most extreme, it can place such a burden on the heart and circulation that it may even be fatal. Some studies indicate that people mostly likely to experience stress in the work place are those who feel they have no control over their circumstances. In this age of downsizing, lack of job security is also a major cause of stress. In one study, men were more apt to use alcohol or eat less healthily in response to stress, while women tended to have healthier ways of coping. Such stress may also have a domino effect.