Repeated job strain and the risk of depression: longitudinal analyses from the Whitehall II study

We addressed whether repeated job strain and low work social support increase the risk of major depressive disorder (MDD). We used work characteristics from Karasek's Job Strain model, measured on 3 occasions over 10 years in a cohort of 7732 British civil servants, to predict subsequent onset...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of public health (1971) 2012-12, Vol.102 (12), p.2360-2366
Main Authors: Stansfeld, Stephen A, Shipley, Martin J, Head, Jenny, Fuhrer, Rebecca
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Civil service
Depressive Disorder, Major - epidemiology
Depressive Disorder, Major - etiology
Education
Educational Status
Employment
Employment - psychology
Employment interviews
Female
Gender
Health Behavior
Humans
Interview, Psychological
Logistic Models
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Mental health
Middle Aged
Occupational stress
Prevalence
Public health
Questionnaires
Research and Practice
Response rates
Risk Factors
Social Support
Stress
Stress, Psychological - complications
Stress, Psychological - epidemiology
Stress, Psychological - etiology
Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires
United Kingdom - epidemiology
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Summary:We addressed whether repeated job strain and low work social support increase the risk of major depressive disorder (MDD). We used work characteristics from Karasek's Job Strain model, measured on 3 occasions over 10 years in a cohort of 7732 British civil servants, to predict subsequent onset of MDD with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Repeated job strain was associated with increased risk of MDD (odds ratio [OR] = 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.48, 3.26; high job strain on 2 of 3 occasions vs none) in a fully adjusted model. Repeated low work social support was associated with MDD (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.10, 2.37; low work social support on 2 of 3 occasions vs none). Repeated job strain remained associated with MDD after adjustment for earlier psychological distress. Demonstration of an increased association for repeated job strain adds to the evidence that job strain is a risk factor for depression. Recognition and alleviation of job strain through work reorganization and staff training could reduce depression in employees.
ISSN:0090-0036
1541-0048
DOI:10.2105/AJPH.2011.300589