Association between Work Related Stress and Health Related Quality of Life: The Impact of Socio-Demographic Variables. A Cross Sectional Study in a Region of Central Italy.

Massimiliano De Paolis,Alice Mannocci,Giuseppe La Torre,Marco Barone,Laura Rapaccini,Cristina Sestili,Bruno Lojodice,Alessandra Sinopoli,Sabina Sernia,Sara De Francesco,Simone De Sio,Maria De Giusti,Valentina Iodice,Angela Del Cimmuto

doi:10.3390/ijerph15010159

Massimiliano De Paolis, Alice Mannocci + Show 12 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15010159

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Abstract

The aim of this work is investigate relationship between health-related quality of life and work-related stress and the impact of gender, education level, and age on this relationship. A cross-sectional study was conducted among workers of various setting in Rome and Frosinone. Work-related stress was measured with a demand–control questionnaire and health-related functioning by SF (short form)-12 health survey. There were 611 participants. Men reported high mental composite summary (MCS) and physical composite summary (PCS). In multivariate analysis age, gender (p < 0.001) and job demand (0.045) predicted low PCS. Low MCS predicted poor PCS. Job demand and educational level resulted negatively associated with MCS. In an analysis stratified for age, gender, and educational level, gender and age resulted effect modifier for MCS, gender and education level for PCS. In women increase of decision latitude predict (p = 0.001) an increase in MCS; a low job demand predict high MCS in male (p ≤ 0.001). In younger workers, a lower level of job demand predicted high MCS (<0.001). For PCS, gender and education level resulted effect modifier. In women, high decision latitude predicted higher PCS (p = 0.001) and lower level of job demand results in higher PCS (p ≤ 0.001). Higher educational level resulted predictor of low PCS. Management of risk about work-related stress should consider socio-demographic factors.

Highlights

Work-related stress is a serious occupational health problem and has been subject to a large amount of research and interest in recent years [1,2,3]
The aim of this study was to determine whether or not there is a relationship between health-related quality of life and work related stress and to explore if socio-demographic characteristics have an influence on this relationship
This study explored the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, type of work, and perceived risk for work related stress measured using validated version of questionnaire (SF12 and Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ))

Summary

Introduction

Work-related stress is a serious occupational health problem and has been subject to a large amount of research and interest in recent years [1,2,3]. Workplace stress is the physical and emotional response that occurs when job demands are in conflict with the ability, resources or needs of the worker [4]. People spend much of their time at work, and the work environment has a strong impact on psycho-physiological and social wellbeing. Work-related stress could have a negative impact on the health of employees and work organizations [5]. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 159; doi:10.3390/ijerph15010159 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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