阅读理解
Being the boss might mean more money and challenging work but it can also cause damage to
physical and mental well－being, according to a Canadian study.
For years studies have shown people in lower－status jobs generally have higher rates of heart
disease and other illnesses and die earlier than those in higher－status positions while job authority
has shown no relationship with workers' health.
But University of Toronto researchers, using data from 1,800 US workers, found the health of
people in higher positions is affected by work as they are more likely to report conflicts with co－
workers and say work disturbs their home life.
However the positive aspects of having a power position at work, such as higher status, more
pay and greater independence, seemed to cancel out the negative aspects when it came to people's
physical and psychological health.
These latest findings, reported in the journal Social Science & Medicine, suggest that the advantages
and disadvantages authority positions basically cancel each other out, giving the general impression that
job authority has no health effects.
For the study, the researchers surveyed participants about various aspects of their work, life and
well－being.Job authority was judged based on whether a person managed other employees and had
power over hiring, firing and pay.
Physical health complaints included problems like headaches, bodyaches, heartburn and tiredness.
Psychological complaints included sleep problems, difficulty concentrating and feelings of sadness,
worry and anxiety.
"This isn't to suggest that having authority is 'bad'-in fact, we show it has benefits...but it is important
to identify the negative sides and deal with them." researcher Scott Schieman said.
Schieman said conflicts with co－workers or involvement of work into home life may destroy physical
and mental well－being by creating stress.
"These are key stressors that can tax individuals' ability to function effectively, " Schieman said.
1. Work will have a negative effect on job authority's health probably because __________.
A. they are not fit for their work
B. they have power over hiring and pay
C. they are faced with severe competition
D. they don't get on well with their co－workers
2. Most people don't see that bosses have health effects because __________.
A. their health problems are not serious enough to see
B. they have enough money to keep themselves healthy
C. their problems are quite different from those of workers
D. the advantages and disadvantages of their status work against each other
3. From the passage we can infer that the study aims to __________.
A. warn people not to be a boss for ever
B. remind the boss to deal with bad effects of their work
C. show that having authority is harmful to one's health
D. prove that being a boss can benefit a lot
4. The best title for this passage might be __________.
A. Lower－status can affect health
B. Authority can affect health
C. Positive aspects of a power position
D. Disadvantages of being a boss
