Work-based social networks and health status among Japanese employees.
J Epidemiol Community Health
; 63(9): 692-6, 2009 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19286690
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Despite the worldwide trend towards more time being spent at work by employed people, few studies have examined the independent influences of work-based versus home-based social networks on employees' health. We examined the association between work-based social networks and health status by controlling for home-based social networks in a cross-sectional study.METHODS:
By employing a two-stage stratified random sampling procedure, 1105 employees were identified from 46 companies in Okayama, Japan, in 2007. Work-based social networks were assessed by asking the number of co-workers whom they consult with ease on personal issues. The outcome was self-rated health; the adjusted OR for poor health compared employees with no network with those who have larger networks.RESULTS:
Although a clear (and inverse) dose-response relationship was found between the size of work-based social networks and poor health (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.27, comparing those with the lowest versus highest level of social network), the association was attenuated to statistical non-significance after we controlled for the size of home-based social networks. In further analyses stratified on age groups, in older workers (> or =50 years) work-based social networks were apparently associated with better health status, whereas home-based networks were not. The reverse was true among middle-aged workers (30-49 years). No associations were found among younger workers (<30 years).CONCLUSIONS:
The present study suggests a differential association of alternative sources of social support on health according to age groups. We hypothesise that these patterns reflect generational differences in workers' commitment to their workplace.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Apoio Social
/
Nível de Saúde
/
Local de Trabalho
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Qualitative_research
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Risk_factors_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
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Patient_preference
Limite:
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Epidemiol Community Health
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Japão