A two-year follow-up study of risk of depression according to work-unit measures of psychological demands and decision latitude

TY - JOUR

T1 - A two-year follow-up study of risk of depression according to work-unit measures of psychological demands and decision latitude

AU - Grynderup, Matias Brødsgaard

AU - Mors, Ole

AU - Hansen, Åse Marie

AU - Andersen, Johan Hviid

AU - Bonde, Jens Peter

AU - Kærgaard, Anette

AU - Kærlev, Linda

AU - Mikkelsen, Sigurd

AU - Rugulies, Reiner

AU - Thomsen, Jane Frølund

AU - Kolstad, Henrik Albert

PY - 2012/11

Y1 - 2012/11

N2 - Objectives The aim of this study was to examine if high psychological demands and low decision latitude at work increase the risk of depression. Methods In 2007, 4237 non-depressed Danish public employees within 378 different work units were enrolled in the study. Mean levels of psychological demands and decision latitude were computed for each work unit to obtain exposure measures that were robust to reporting bias. In 2009, 3046 (72%) participated at follow-up, and those reporting high levels of depressive, burnout or stress symptoms went through a psychiatric interview by which 58 cases of new onset depression were diagnosed. Odds ratios (OR) of depression for different levels of work unit mean psychological demands and decision latitude were estimated by logistic regression taking established risk factors into account. Results The OR for depression according to psychological demands was 1.07 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.42-2.49] for every unit of change on a 5-point scale. The corresponding OR for decision latitude was 1.85 (95% CI 0.55-6.26). No interactive effects of psychological demands and decision latitude were observed. Conclusion These findings suggest that low decision latitude may predict depression, but confidence intervals are wide and findings are also compatible with no increased risk.

AB - Objectives The aim of this study was to examine if high psychological demands and low decision latitude at work increase the risk of depression. Methods In 2007, 4237 non-depressed Danish public employees within 378 different work units were enrolled in the study. Mean levels of psychological demands and decision latitude were computed for each work unit to obtain exposure measures that were robust to reporting bias. In 2009, 3046 (72%) participated at follow-up, and those reporting high levels of depressive, burnout or stress symptoms went through a psychiatric interview by which 58 cases of new onset depression were diagnosed. Odds ratios (OR) of depression for different levels of work unit mean psychological demands and decision latitude were estimated by logistic regression taking established risk factors into account. Results The OR for depression according to psychological demands was 1.07 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.42-2.49] for every unit of change on a 5-point scale. The corresponding OR for decision latitude was 1.85 (95% CI 0.55-6.26). No interactive effects of psychological demands and decision latitude were observed. Conclusion These findings suggest that low decision latitude may predict depression, but confidence intervals are wide and findings are also compatible with no increased risk.

KW - Det Sundhedsvidenskabelige Fakultet

KW - depression

KW - psychosocial factors

KW - Health

U2 - 10.5271/sjweh.3316

DO - 10.5271/sjweh.3316

M3 - Tidsskriftartikel

C2 - 22885721

SN - 0355-3140

VL - 38

SP - 527

EP - 536

JO - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health

JF - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health

IS - 6

ER -