Job strain, depressive symptoms, and drinking behavior among older adults: results from the health and retirement study.

TitleJob strain, depressive symptoms, and drinking behavior among older adults: results from the health and retirement study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsMezuk, B, Bohnert, ASB, Ratliff, SM, Zivin, K
JournalJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
Volume66
Issue4
Pagination426-34
Date Published2011 Jul
ISSN Number1758-5368
KeywordsAge Factors, Aged, Alcoholism, Cohort Studies, Depressive Disorder, Female, Health Behavior, Health Surveys, Humans, Job Satisfaction, Logistic Models, Male, Middle Aged, Multivariate Analysis, Prospective Studies, Retirement, Sex Factors, Statistics as Topic, Stress, Psychological, United States
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between job strain and two indicators of mental health, depression and alcohol misuse, among currently employed older adults.

METHOD: Data come from the 2004 and 2006 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 2,902). Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to determine the association between job strain, indicated by the imbalance of job stress and job satisfaction, with depression and alcohol misuse.

RESULTS: High job strain (indicated by high job stress combined with low job satisfaction) was associated with elevated depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 2.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.99-4.45) relative to low job strain after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, labor force status, and occupation. High job stress combined with high job satisfaction (OR = 1.93) and low job stress combined with low job satisfaction (OR = 1.94) were also associated with depressive symptoms to a lesser degree. Job strain was unrelated to either moderate or heavy drinking. These associations did not vary by gender or age.

DISCUSSION: Job strain is associated with elevated depressive symptoms among older workers. In contrast to results from investigations of younger workers, job strain was unrelated to alcohol misuse. These findings can inform the development and implementation of workplace health promotion programs that reflect the mental health needs of the aging workforce.

DOI10.1093/geronb/gbr021
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21427175?dopt=Abstract

Endnote Keywords

Occupational stress/Job satisfaction/Occupational health/Alcohol use/Older people

Endnote ID

62582

Alternate JournalJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
Citation Key7602
PubMed ID21427175
PubMed Central IDPMC3166196
Grant ListK12 HD055881 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
U01 AG009740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
UL1-RR031990 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States