Are Occupational Complexity and Socioeconomic Position Related to Psychological Distress 20 Years Later?
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2015
Keywords
psychological distress, occupational complexity, socioeconomic position, old age, population based
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264315580120
Abstract
Objective: To assess occupational complexity in midlife in relation to psychological distress in older adulthood (69+ years) and explore the role of socioeconomic position.
Method: Baseline data from the Swedish Level of Living Survey and follow-up data from the Swedish Longitudinal Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old were combined, resulting in 20+ years of follow-up. Data were analyzed using ordered logistic regressions.
Results: Higher occupational complexity was associated with less psychological distress 20 years later adjusted for age, sex, follow-up year, hours worked the year before baseline, and psychological distress at baseline. Higher socioeconomic position yielded the same pattern of results. Socioeconomic position partially accounted for the association between occupational complexity and psychological distress.
Discussion: With social gradient not easily amenable to modification, efforts to increase engagement at work may offer a viable option to attenuate the influence of work environment on psychological distress later in life.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Journal of Aging and Health, v. 27, issue 7, p. 1266-1285
Scholar Commons Citation
Darin-Mattsson, Alexander; Andel, Ross; Fors, Stefan; and Kåreholt, Ingemar, "Are Occupational Complexity and Socioeconomic Position Related to Psychological Distress 20 Years Later?" (2015). Aging Studies Faculty Publications. 64.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/gey_facpub/64
