Abstract
Purpose
To analyze the distribution of depressive, anxiety, and somatization symptoms across different occupational positions in a random sample of Danish residents.
Methods
The study sample consisted of 591 Danish residents (50% women), aged 20–65, drawn from an age- and gender-stratified random sample of the Danish population. Participants filled out a survey that included the 92 item version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-92). We categorized occupational position into seven groups: high- and low-grade non-manual workers, skilled and unskilled manual workers, high- and low-grade self-employed, and unemployed.
Results
Compared to the reference group of high-grade non-manual workers, the depressive symptom score was statistically significantly elevated among unskilled manual workers (P = 0.043) and the unemployed (P < 0.001), after adjustment for age, gender, cohabitation, life events, and low household income. The anxiety symptom score was elevated only among the unemployed (P = 0.004). The somatization symptom score was elevated among unskilled manual workers (P = 0.002), the low-grade self-employed (P = 0.023), and the unemployed (P = 0.001). When we analyzed caseness of severe symptoms, we found that unskilled manual workers (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 1.06–10.04) and the unemployed (OR = 6.20, 95% CI = 1.98–19.42) had a higher prevalence of severe depressive symptoms, compared to the reference group of high-grade non-manual workers. The unemployed also had a higher prevalence of severe somatization symptoms (OR = 6.28, 95% CI = 1.39–28.46).
Conclusions
Unskilled manual workers, the unemployed, and, to a lesser extent, the low-grade self-employed showed an increased level of mental distress. Activities to promote mental health in the Danish population should be directed toward these groups.
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Acknowledgments
The analyses of this study were partly funded by a grant of the Danish Work Environment Research Fund (Grant Number: 5-2006-04).
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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Rugulies, R., Madsen, I.E.H., Nielsen, M.B.D. et al. Occupational position and its relation to mental distress in a random sample of Danish residents. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 83, 625–629 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-009-0492-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-009-0492-8