PURPOSE: To examine the mediating role of occupational stress on the relationship of anger expression to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk using Framingham risk score equation in Korean adults with metabolic syndrome.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was a secondary analysis of baseline data from a longitudinal study conducted in 91 Korean male workers. Psychological variables were assessed using structured questionnaires.
RESULTS: Occupational stress was significantly predictive of CVD risk (beta=.278, p=.008). The inclusion of occupational stress non-significantly decreased the standardized beta by 33.6% for anger expression as a predictor of CVD risk (beta=.152, p=.163). The Sobel test showed a significant mediating effect between occupational stress and CVD risk (p<:0.01).
CONCLUSION: This mediating role of occupational stress has important clinical implications as interventions designed to manage anger expression to reduce CVD risk in this population.