Overview

• The study followed about 3 million Swedes aged 30–60 from 2006 to 2020 and recorded 216,640 new cases of type 2 diabetes.
• High emotional demands were associated with a 20% increased risk of type 2 diabetes in men and a 24% increase in women, while frequent confrontation carried respective increases of 15% and 20%.
• Workers reporting low social support from managers and colleagues faced up to a 47% greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes under high emotional demands.
• Researchers suggest chronic workplace stress may disrupt the neuroendocrine system, triggering excess cortisol production and heightened insulin resistance.
• Healthcare, education, social work, hospitality, law enforcement and transport featured among the occupations with the highest exposure to emotional demands and confrontation.