title: Occupational imbalance and the role of perceived stress in predicting stress-related disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stress-related disorders are the main reason for sick leave in many European countries. The aim of the present study was to explore whether perceived occupational imbalance predicts stress-related disorders, potential gender differences, and to explore the mediating role of perceived stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal data on 2223 employees in a public organization in Sweden were collected by surveys, and analyzed by logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Occupational imbalance predicted stress-related disorders among both women and men. However, what aspects of occupational imbalance which predicted stress-related disorders differ by gender. Perceived stress was not a mediator in these associations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  How women and men perceived their occupational balance affected the risk of stress-related disorders. The results may be used to develop effective strategies to decrease stress-related disorders.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine , Lund University , Lund , Sweden.
authors.forename: Carita
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3660-3079
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Håkansson
authors.affiliation: b Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine , Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, and Institute of Stress Medicine , Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ahlborg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D018582:Sick Leave; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D000072358:Work-Life Balance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Burnout; exhaustion disorder; human activities; psychological stress