Stress is affected by a combination of work- and non-work-related stressors and social support

Abstract

Abstract Background Work-related stress has received much attention. However, the relative importance of work- and non-work-related stressors on stress level has received less attention. The present study aims to determine the relative importance of work- and non-work-related stressors and social support on stress level at population level. Methods The study used data from the population-based health survey 'How are you?' in 2017 in Central Denmark Region (N = 32,417). Stress level was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale. Stressors were measured in nine domains including work situation and non-work related stressors. Furthermore, perceived social support was assessed. The study used dominance analyses based upon regression models with perceived stress as the dependent variable and stressors and social support as independent variables for describing the variance in stress level. Analyses were adjusted for gender, age, education and ethnic background. Results Work-related and non-work related stressors along with social support explained 43% of the variance in stress level. The three most important contributors to the explained variance in stress level were 'disease', 'social support' and 'work situation'. Stratified by labour marked status, stressors and social support explained 38% (in work) and 46% (outside the labour marked) of the variance in stress level. Most important independent variables were 'work situation', 'social support' and 'disease' (in work), and 'disease', 'work situation' and 'financial circumstances' (outside the labour marked). Conclusions Stress was affected by work- and non-work-related stressors and social support. At populations-level 'disease' was the most important stressor. However, among respondents in work 'work situation' was the most important stressor, whereas 'disease' was the most important stressor outside the labour marked. Key messages Stress level is affected by a combination of work- and non-work-related stressors and social support. As a consequence stress prevention should not focus solely on work-related stressors.