Associations of perceived work strain with nicotine dependence in a community sample.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about work strain and smoking, and even less about work strain and nicotine dependence.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relations of perceived work strain with nicotine dependence among an adult general population sample.


METHODS
Cross sectional survey with a probability sample of residents of a northern German area with 4075 participants, aged 18-64 years (participation rate 70.2%). The current study is based on 2549 participants who were working 15 or more hours per week. Face to face at-home computer aided interviews (World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview) were carried out. Work strain, defined as high work demand and low work control, was assessed with a questionnaire. Nicotine dependence was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) of the American Psychiatric Association. In addition, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was used.


RESULTS
Subjects with work strain had an odds ratio of 1.6 (95% CI 1.2 to 2.3) for nicotine dependence compared to those who had no work strain. In a general linear model, higher work strain was associated with a stronger relation between work demand and work control and the FTND. The findings were adjusted for alcohol use disorders, occupational status, age, and sex.


CONCLUSIONS
Perceived work strain is related to nicotine dependence in this general adult population.
University of Greifswald, Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, Greifswald, Germany. ujohn@uni-greifswald.de
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John
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Riedel
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Rumpf
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Hapke
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Meyer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012923:Social Class; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*