Occupational position and its relation to mental distress in a random sample of Danish residents.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the distribution of depressive, anxiety, and somatization symptoms across different occupational positions in a random sample of Danish residents.


METHODS
The study sample consisted of 591 Danish residents (50% women), aged 20-65, drawn from an age- and gender-stratified random sample of the Danish population. Participants filled out a survey that included the 92 item version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-92). We categorized occupational position into seven groups: high- and low-grade non-manual workers, skilled and unskilled manual workers, high- and low-grade self-employed, and unemployed.


RESULTS
Compared to the reference group of high-grade non-manual workers, the depressive symptom score was statistically significantly elevated among unskilled manual workers (P = 0.043) and the unemployed (P < 0.001), after adjustment for age, gender, cohabitation, life events, and low household income. The anxiety symptom score was elevated only among the unemployed (P = 0.004). The somatization symptom score was elevated among unskilled manual workers (P = 0.002), the low-grade self-employed (P = 0.023), and the unemployed (P = 0.001). When we analyzed caseness of severe symptoms, we found that unskilled manual workers (OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 1.06-10.04) and the unemployed (OR = 6.20, 95% CI = 1.98-19.42) had a higher prevalence of severe depressive symptoms, compared to the reference group of high-grade non-manual workers. The unemployed also had a higher prevalence of severe somatization symptoms (OR = 6.28, 95% CI = 1.39-28.46).


CONCLUSIONS
Unskilled manual workers, the unemployed, and, to a lesser extent, the low-grade self-employed showed an increased level of mental distress. Activities to promote mental health in the Danish population should be directed toward these groups.
Rugulies
Reiner
R
National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. rer@nrcwe.dk
Madsen
Ida E H
IE
Nielsen
Maj Britt D
MB
Olsen
Lis R
LR
Mortensen
Erik L
EL
Bech
Per
P
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012923:Social Class; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult