Mc Carthy V J C, Cronly J, Perry I J
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, University College Cork, College Road, Cork T12 AK54, Ireland.
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Room 4.18, College Road, Cork T12 XF62, Ireland.
Occup Med (Lond). 2017 Jul 1;67(5):394-400. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqx066.
Adverse job characteristics have been linked with increased incidence of depression and anxiety in working populations. However, the association between job characteristics and mental health, in an older working population while controlling for personality traits, is less well known.
To examine the association between job characteristics (job demands and job control) and mental health (depression and anxiety) for older workers while controlling for personality traits.
A sample of workers aged 50-69 years were recruited from a primary health care clinic in Southern Ireland. Job characteristics were measured using the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire; demands (quantitative and cognitive) and control (influence at work and possibilities for development). Personality traits were measured using the Ten-Item Personality Inventory, depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale and anxiety was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Descriptive analysis, simple and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted.
The final sample size was 1025 with an initial 67% response rate. Multiple linear regression analysis showed job characteristics (in particular, job demands) to be significant positive predictors of symptoms of depression and anxiety. The inverse was true for job control variables and symptoms of depression. Neither possibilities for development nor influence at work were associated with symptoms of anxiety.
Our findings indicate that despite potential confounders, higher demands at work can impact the worker's mental health negatively. Reducing job demands and encouraging role development may benefit the mental health of older workers.
不良的工作特征与在职人群中抑郁症和焦虑症发病率的增加有关。然而，在控制人格特质的情况下，工作特征与老年在职人群心理健康之间的关联鲜为人知。
在控制人格特质的情况下，研究老年工作者的工作特征（工作要求和工作控制）与心理健康（抑郁和焦虑）之间的关联。
从爱尔兰南部的一家初级保健诊所招募了50 - 69岁的工作者样本。使用哥本哈根心理社会问卷测量工作特征；要求（数量和认知方面）和控制（工作中的影响力和发展可能性）。使用十项人格量表测量人格特质，使用流行病学研究中心抑郁量表测量抑郁，使用医院焦虑抑郁量表测量焦虑。进行了描述性分析、简单和多元线性回归分析。
最终样本量为1025，初始应答率为67%。多元线性回归分析表明，工作特征（特别是工作要求）是抑郁和焦虑症状的显著正向预测因素。工作控制变量与抑郁症状的情况则相反。发展可能性和工作中的影响力均与焦虑症状无关。
我们的研究结果表明，尽管存在潜在的混杂因素，但工作中更高的要求会对工作者的心理健康产生负面影响。降低工作要求并鼓励角色发展可能有益于老年工作者的心理健康。
