Do sleep problems explain the association between work stress and the trajectories of work ability from midlife to pensionable age? - Centre for Population Health Research (POPC) - A joint centre by the University of Turku and the municipal authority of the Hospital District of Southwest Finland. The goal of Centre for Population Health Research is to promote health and well-being of society by enhancing research and development work on clinical-epidemiological population research.

J Occup Environ Med. 2023 Aug 28. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002954. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether mid-life work stress, defined as job strain and effort-reward imbalance (ERI), predicts work ability trajectories observed 12 years preceding the individual pensionable age. Additionally, the role of sleep problems as a mediator in these associations was examined.

METHODS: Survey data were collected from 2707 Finnish municipal employees.

RESULTS: Identified work ability trajectories were: ‘Stable Excellent’, ‘Stable Good’, ‘Moderate’ and ‘Low decreasing’. Baseline job strain and ERI were associated with a greater likelihood of belonging to impaired work ability trajectories when compared to ‘Stable Good’ trajectory. Baseline sleep problems explained the association of job strain by 38% and of ERI by 54%.

CONCLUSIONS: Mid-life work stress is associated with work ability in the last years preceding pensionable age. Sleep problems might be a potential mediator in these associations.

PMID:37641167 | DOI:10.1097/JOM.0000000000002954