• Raphael M Herr, Jos A Bosch, Annelies E M van Vianen, Marc N Jarczok, Julian F Thayer, Jian Li, Burkhard Schmidt, Joachim E Fischer, and Adrian Loerbroks.
• Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
• Ann Behav Med. 2015 Jun 1; 49 (3): 434-48.

BackgroundPerceived injustice at work predicts coronary heart disease. Vagal dysregulation represents a potential psychobiological pathway.PurposeWe examined associations between organizational justice and heart rate variability (HRV) indicators. Grounded in social exchange and psychological contract theory, we tested predictions that these associations are more pronounced among white-collar than among blue-collar workers.MethodsCross-sectional data from 222 blue-collar and 179 white-collar men were used. Interactional and procedural justice were measured by questionnaire. Ambulatory HRV was assessed across 24 h. Standardized regression coefficients (β) were calculated.ResultsAmong white-collar workers, interactional justice showed positive relationships with 24-h HRV, which were strongest during sleeping time (adjusted βs≥0.26; p values≤0.01). No associations were found for blue-collar workers. A comparable but attenuated pattern was observed for procedural justice.ConclusionsBoth dimensions of organizational injustice were associated with lowered HRV among white-collar workers. The impact of justice and possibly its association with health seems to differ by occupational groups.

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