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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Psychosocial work factors and social inequalities in psychological distress: a population-based study

Authors: Caroline S. Duchaine, Ruth Ndjaboué, Manon Levesque, Michel Vézina, Xavier Trudel, Mahée Gilbert-Ouimet, Clermont E. Dionne, Benoît Mâsse, Neil Pearce, Chantal Brisson

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Mental health problems (MHP) are the leading cause of disability worldwide. The inverse association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and MHP has been well documented. There is prospective evidence that factors from the work environment, including adverse psychosocial work factors, could contribute to the development of MHP including psychological distress. However, the contribution of psychosocial work factors to social inequalities in MHP remains unclear. This study evaluates the contribution of psychosocial work factors from two highly supported models, the Demand-Control-Support (DCS) and the Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) models to SEP inequalities of psychological distress in men and women from a population-based sample of Quebec workers.

Methods

Data were collected during a survey on working conditions, health and safety at work. SEP was evaluated using education, occupation and household income. Psychosocial work factors and psychological distress were assessed using validated instruments. Mean differences (MD) in the score of psychological distress were estimated separately for men and women.

Results

Low education level and low household income were associated with psychological distress among men (MD, 0.56 (95% CI 0.06; 1.05) and 1.26 (95% CI 0.79; 1.73) respectively). In men, the contribution of psychosocial work factors from the DCS and the ERI models to the association between household income and psychological distress ranged from 9% to 24%. No clear inequalities were observed among women.

Conclusions

These results suggest that psychosocial work factors from the DCS and the ERI models contribute to explain a part of social inequalities in psychological distress among men. Psychosocial factors at work are frequent and modifiable. The present study supports the relevance of targeting these factors for the primary prevention of MHP and for health policies aiming to reduce social inequalities in mental health.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Psychosocial work factors and social inequalities in psychological distress: a population-based study
Authors
Caroline S. Duchaine
Ruth Ndjaboué
Manon Levesque
Michel Vézina
Xavier Trudel
Mahée Gilbert-Ouimet
Clermont E. Dionne
Benoît Mâsse
Neil Pearce
Chantal Brisson
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4014-4

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