Are Occupational Complexity and Socioeconomic Position Related to Psychological Distress 20 Years Later?
OBJECTIVE
To assess occupational complexity in midlife in relation to psychological distress in older adulthood (69+ years) and explore the role of socioeconomic position.


METHOD
Baseline data from the Swedish Level of Living Survey and follow-up data from the Swedish Longitudinal Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old were combined, resulting in 20+ years of follow-up. Data were analyzed using ordered logistic regressions.


RESULTS
Higher occupational complexity was associated with less psychological distress 20 years later adjusted for age, sex, follow-up year, hours worked the year before baseline, and psychological distress at baseline. Higher socioeconomic position yielded the same pattern of results. Socioeconomic position partially accounted for the association between occupational complexity and psychological distress.


DISCUSSION
With social gradient not easily amenable to modification, efforts to increase engagement at work may offer a viable option to attenuate the influence of work environment on psychological distress later in life.
['Darin-Mattsson|Alexander|A|', 'Andel|Ross|R|', 'Fors|Stefan|S|', 'Kåreholt|Ingemar|I|']
D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D005260:Female D005500:Follow-Up Studies D006801:Humans D008137:Longitudinal Studies D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009790:Occupations D012923:Social Class D013315:Stress, Psychological D013548:Sweden
occupational complexity socioeconomic position psychological distress old age population based