[Association between work exposure to neurotoxic substances with workers' relationships with their social network].
BACKGROUND
This study explored the impact on family life and social relations that may result from symptoms associated with exposure to neurotoxic substances in the workplace. We assessed the associations between exposure to neurotoxic substances in the workplace, workers'mental health, and workers'relationships with their social network.


METHODS
A sample of 53 workers and their spouse completed a series of questionnaires, an interview on work history, and a structured interview assessing their personal relationships. Exposure to neurotoxic substances in the workplace were assessed by an interview, using a semiquantitative classification system. Mental health was measured with the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and marital satisfaction with the Marital Adjustment Test (MAT). The social network's characteristics were assessed with the Northern California Community Study Interview Schedule (NCCS). The associations between exposure and social networks were assessed with regression analyses.


RESULTS
There were no associations between exposure and marital satisfaction. However, we found a negative association between workers'exposure and degrees of overlap between husbands' and wives' social networks (Pearson's correlation r=-0.27; p<0.05) and a positive association between exposure and workers' dependency on their support network (r=0.46; p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The results are discussed in terms of variables potentially linking exposure to social relationships as well as in terms of couples' vulnerability to marital distress among exposed workers.
Giguère
J
J
Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Montréal C.P. 8888, Succ. A, Montréal (Québec), Canada, H3C 3P8.
Julien
D
D
Mergler
D
D
Baldwin
M
M
Chartrand
E
E
D000328:Adult; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D008603:Mental Health; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D009790:Occupations; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires