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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-07-2020 | Opioids | Original Article

Opioid use disorder, job strain, and high physical job demands in US workers

Author: BongKyoo Choi

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 5/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Little is known about the work environmental risk factors for opioid use disorder (OUD) in working populations. The purpose of this study is to examine whether adverse physical and psychosocial working conditions are associated with OUD in a working population of the United States (US).

Methods

Among the participants of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) II Study (2004–2006), 2134 workers (1059 men and 1075 women; mean age, 51 years) were chosen for this study. OUD was measured with self-administered questions in line with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSD-5). Physical demands (physical efforts, heavy lifting, and crouching/stooping/kneeling) and psychosocial work stressors (skill discretion, decision authority, job control, psychological job demands, supervisor and coworker support at work, job insecurity, and work hours) were measured with a standard questionnaire.

Results

The prevalence of OUD was 3.8%. In multivariate analyses, low skill discretion, high psychological job demands, job strain (a combination of low control and high demands), and high physical job demands were significantly associated with OUD. The multivariate prevalence ratios for OUD by job strain and frequent heavy lifting were 1.98 (1.27–3.10) and 2.23 (1.22–4.10), respectively. Job strain was more strongly associated with OUD in men, while high physical job demands were more strongly associated with OUD in women.

Conclusion

This study implies that adverse physical and psychosocial working conditions may be important risk factors for OUD in US working populations. Future longitudinal and mechanistic studies are urgently warranted.

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Title: Opioid use disorder, job strain, and high physical job demands in US workers
Author: BongKyoo Choi
Publication date: 01-07-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Opioids
Opioids
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 5/2020
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-019-01514-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Opioid use disorder, job strain, and high physical job demands in US workers

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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