title: Stressful life events and the onset of chronic diseases among Australian adults: findings from a longitudinal survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article examines the link between stressful life events and illness by considering both onset and reoccurrence of chronic illnesses. Using longitudinal data, we estimate the extent to which life events increase the likelihood of depression or anxiety, type 2 diabetes, cancer, coronary heart disease, circulatory disease, asthma and emphysema among Australian adults aged ≥21 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal data were obtained from the nationally representative Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia panel survey collected at waves 3 (2003), 7 (2007) and 9 (2009). Participants (N = 9222) answered life events questions relating to the preceding 12 months and chronic illnesses lasting (or expected to last for) 6 months. Weighted pooled and random effects logistic regressions were performed, controlling for confounders and previous illness, and also performed on subsamples delineated by reported illnesses in wave 3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Work-related stress [odds ratio (OR) = 1.54, P < 0.001] was positively associated with the onset of depression or anxiety. Personal stress increased the likelihood of the onset of depression or anxiety (OR = 1.70, P < 0.001), type 2 diabetes (OR = 1.47, P < 0.05) and circulatory diseases (OR = 1.72, P < 0.05), while family-related stress increased the likelihood of the onset of heart (OR = 1.32, P < 0.01) and circulatory diseases (OR = 1.32, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Independent of personal characteristics and key health measures (body mass index, hypertension and disability), these findings suggest that work-related, personal and family-related stressful life events contribute to the development and/or course of chronic diseases.
authors: 1 International Public Health Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Andre M N
authors: AM
authors: Renzaho
authors: Brendan
authors: B
authors: Houng
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Oldroyd
authors: Jan M
authors: JM
authors: Nicholson
authors: Fabrizio
authors: F
authors: D'Esposito
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Oldenburg
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D004646:Emphysema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012008:Recurrence; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology