Whitehall 1 & 2

Psychology, stress, IB, health psychology, health problems, study, Mormont et al.

Whitehall 1 and 2 can also be referred to as …

Mormot et al (1967) and Mormot et al (beginning 1985)

Aim of both studies

To investigate the relationship between position in the civil service hierarchy of the UK government, located in an area called Whitehall, and the likelihood of heart failure, which can be seen as a symptom of high stress.

Method for Whitehall 1

This study was a correlation. There were 20,000 male participants who had to answer a detailed questionnaire on their medical treatment, respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, and leisure activities. This data was also supplemented with physical exams. Data was collected for 10 years.

Results for Whitehall 1

Results showed an inverse social gradient for health, meaning those at the bottom of the social hierarchy were the most stressed and those at the top were the least stressed.

Strengths for Whitehall 1

Large sample, increasing generalisability.

Self report data was supplemented with physical exams, increasing its reliability.

Limitations for Whitehall 1

It’s a correlation so causation cannot be inferred.

Only men were researched, reducing generalisability.

Demand characteristics could still have been present in the survey.

Method for Whitehall 2

Began in 1985 and ended during the covid 19 pandemic. 7,000 participants were screened to make sure they had no pre existing heart conditions before the study, to be able to infer causation. Like the previous study the data was gathered through a detailed questionnaire which were also supplemented with physical exams.

Findings for Whitehall 2

Findings showed a significant inverse social gradient in health, with the lower grades in the hierarchy having a 50% higher chance develop heart disease.

Strengths for Whitehall 2

Causation could be investigated due to the screening of participants.

Large sample which increases generalisability.

Limitations for Whitehall 2

It is hard to generalise these findings to less hierarchal environments.

Demand characteristics and confounding variables could have influenced results.

Using these studies to discuss stress

These studies show how stress has a higher prevalence in lower grades of a hierarchy than the higher grades, shown by how the lower grades have a higher chance of developing heart disease, which is a symptom of stress.

These studies show a socio-cultural explanation of a health problem (stress), shown by how a social hierarchy causes lower grades have a higher chance of developing heart disease, which is a symptom of stress.

Biopsychosocial model link

Even though these studies focus on the social cause of stress, the way stress was measured was biological. This shows how stress has links to other psychological approaches, as shown by the biopsychosocial model. Therefore when discussing stress as a whole it is important to view it holistically, considering all the approaches.