Predictors and consequences of unemployment among construction workers: prospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To study predictors and consequences of unemployment.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
11 construction companies in southern Finland.


METHODS
586 male employees, aged 40-59 years at baseline in 1991 and not retired during a 4 year follow up.


METHODS
Long term unemployment, stress symptoms, disease, alcohol consumption, exercise activity, and body mass index.


RESULTS
In a multiple logistic regression model, long term unemployment (>24 months v </=24 months) was predicted by age 50-54 years v 40-44 years (odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 3.7), </=3 years' employment in the present job (3.1, 1.9 to 5.1), previous unemployment (2.1, 1.2 to 3.8), being single (1.8, 1.1 to 3. 1), current smoking (2.6, 1.4 to 4.7), high alcohol consumption (2.1, 1.1 to 4.3), body mass index <23 kg/m(2 )v 23-29 kg/m(2 )(2.4, 1.3 to 4.4), frequent stress symptoms (2.0, 1.2 to 3.2), mental disorders (7.8, 1.5 to 40.0), and skin diseases (2.0, 1.0 to 3.9). Workers who were unemployed long term reported increased stress (2.1, 1.2 to 3.5) but fewer incident diseases (0.6, 0.4 to 0.9), decreased alcohol consumption (2.9, 1.6 to 5.2), increased exercise (1.9, 1.2 to 3.0), and increased body mass index (2.3, 1.3 to 4.0) compared with the rest of the cohort.


CONCLUSIONS
The workers' perceptions of work did not predict unemployment. Health based selection to long term unemployment was shown. Smoking and high alcohol consumption predated unemployment, but favourable lifestyle changes were observed among the unemployed workers. Stress predicted unemployment, which further increased the stress.
Leino-Arjas
P
P
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, FIN-00250 Helsinki, Finland. plei@occuphealth.fi
Liira
J
J
Mutanen
P
P
Malmivaara
A
A
Matikainen
E
E
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014478:Unemployment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*