Employment trajectories until midlife associate with early social role investments and current work-related well-being.

Applying social investment theory (SIT), we examined whether employment trajectories until midlife, with differential investments in education and employment, are associated with social investments during early life and with work-related well-being in midlife, with a special reference to potential differences between self-employment and paid work. In the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (n = 6496; 2963 men, 3533 women), life-history calendars from age 16-45 were used to determine the respondents' yearly employment statuses (student, full-time employee, part-time employee, self-employed, unemployed, on parental leave, on sabbatical leave or otherwise not working). Latent class analysis was used to identify the employment trajectories. The associations of these trajectories with indicators of social investments in early life (mother's attitude to financial self-reliance, father's socioeconomic status, own success at school) and work-related well-being at age 46 (job satisfaction, life satisfaction, absence of retirement thoughts, work engagement, work favoring attitude and perceived job control) were studied using regression models and analyses of variance, adjusting for life situation at age 46. We identified five employment trajectories for both genders: 1) traditional full-time, 2) highly educated, 3) self-employed, 4) delayed full-time and 5) floundering employees. In early life, a mother emphasizing self-reliance in earning one's living was associated with both highly educated and self-employed trajectories. A white-collar father and own success at school preceded a highly educated trajectory. A farmer family background preceded self-employed trajectory. At age 46, highly educated and self-employed trajectories were associated with highest well-being at work, while those floundering perceived their work most negatively. Men in the delayed full-time employment trajectory reported better well-being at age 46 than those constantly floundering. Overall, the macroeconomic employment rates were unevenly reflected in the five trajectories. Our findings support SIT by showing that the employment trajectories most favorable for work-related well-being in midlife are long rooted in social investments during early life and characterized by further social investments in employment, such as higher education and self-employment.

Personal meaning of work and perceived work ability among middle-aged workers with physically strenuous work: a Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between personal meaning of work and perceived work ability among middle-aged workers with physically strenuous or light work. We evaluated the course of perceived work ability from 31 to 46 years and examined the possible differences in the association between personal meaning of work and perceived work ability at the age of 46 depending on physical workload. METHODS: The study population consisted of participants of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (n = 4420). Data were collected through questionnaires at 31 and 46 years. The main outcome was perceived work ability (0-7 = poor, 8-10 = good) and the main explanatory measures were physically strenuous work and personal meaning of work. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were adjusted for unhealthy habits, number of diseases, job strain, social support at work, employment history and gender. They were also stratified for the strenuousness of work. RESULTS: Perceived work ability decreased during the 15-year follow-up in both the strenuous and light work groups, and was lowest among workers with strenuous work. Perceived work ability remained poor or decreased in 22% of men and 21% of women in the strenuous work group vs. 14% and 13% in the light work group, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, the participants in both groups who reported low personal meaning of work were at approximately a twofold risk of having poor perceived work ability at 46 years compared to the participants who reported high personal meaning of work. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived work ability was significantly lower and deteriorated more during the follow-up among participants with strenuous work. High personal meaning of work was important for good work ability, irrespective of the strenuousness of work.

Temperament and Early Intentions to Retire: A Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between temperament traits and early retirement intentions. METHODS: In the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, we analyzed early retirement intentions at the age 46 according to Cloninger temperament traits at the age 46 (n = 4409) and at the age 31 (n = 3226). Ordinal logistic regression analyses were used. Adjustments were made for marital status, education, work type, job satisfaction, perceived health, and mental health problems. RESULTS: 11% of men and 9% of women had strong retirement intentions. Especially higher harm avoidance was associated with higher early retirement intentions in both sexes at the age of 46. A similar pattern of results, although with weaker associations, was found for temperament assessed at the age of 31. CONCLUSIONS: Temperament and especially harm avoidance is related to early retirement intentions.

Association of stress and depression with chronic facial pain: A case-control study based on the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study the association between stress level and chronic facial pain, while controlling for the effect of depression on this association, during a three-year follow-up in a general population-based birth cohort. METHODS: In the general population-based Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort, information about stress level, depression and facial pain were collected using questionnaires at the age of 31 years. Stress level was measured using the Work Ability Index. Depression was assessed using the 13-item depression subscale in the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25. Three years later, a subsample of 52 subjects (42 women) with chronic facial pain and 52 pain-free controls (42 women) was formed. RESULTS: Of the subjects having high stress level at baseline, 73.3% had chronic facial pain, and 26.7% were pain-free three years later. The univariate logistic regression analysis showed that high stress level at 31 years increased the risk for chronic facial pain (crude OR 6.1, 95%, CI 1.3-28.7) three years later. When including depression in a multivariate model, depression associated statistically significantly with chronic facial pain (adjusted OR 2.5, 95%, CI 1.0-5.8), whereas stress level did not (adjusted OR 2.3, 95%, CI 0.6-8.4). CONCLUSION: High stress level is connected with increased risk for chronic facial pain. This association seems to mediate through depression.

Long-term unemployment is associated with short telomeres in 31-year-old men: an observational study in the northern Finland birth cohort 1966.

OBJECTIVE: Life stress resulting from early-life experiences and domestic stress is linked with shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL), but evidence on employment-related stress is scarce. We explored whether unemployment in early adulthood is associated with shorter LTL, a potential biomarker of premature aging. METHODS: We used data from 5620 men and women belonging to the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. Individually registered unemployment days in 1995-97 were compared with data on biological, behavioral and socioeconomic health predictors and existing medical conditions obtained by surveys and clinical examinations at follow-up in 1997-98. Mean LTL at follow-up was measured by multiplex quantitative real-time PCR. We calculated odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) of belonging to the sex-stratified shortest decile of standardized relative mean LTL according to the categories of: 0, <260, <500 and over 500 unemployment days, representing 0, <1, <2 and over 2 calendar years. RESULTS: Among men, unemployment exceeding 500 days during three years was associated with having shorter LTL at follow-up, compared to being continuously employed. The corresponding odds ratio was 2.61 (95% CI 1.16 to 5.85) in the fully adjusted model. Such an association was not found among women in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term unemployment in early adulthood is associated with shorter LTL among men.

Precariousness and discontinuous work history in association with health.

AIMS: Precarious type of employment may have a negative impact on health, notably on low psychological wellbeing. The basis of the former relationship is constructed by definition and operationalisation of precariousness. In this research, we first experimented with a construct of work history in the operationalisation of precariousness and second studied the relationship between precariousness and health. METHODS: The research data originated from a large population-based birth cohort (NFBC 1966). The study sample consists of 3449 respondents to the postal questionnaire at the age of 31 and the information supplemented by the register data of the Finnish Centre for Pensions. Health was measured by self-reports of doctor-diagnosed/treated illnesses and HSCL-25 for mental symptoms. RESULTS: Our operationalisation with a construct of discontinuous work history captured the precarious insecure relation to work. The precarious workers were found to have proportionally more mental symptoms in comparison with permanent workers. The perception of distress was stronger among precarious workers who perceived high job insecurity. However, there were no differences in doctor-diagnosed/treated illnesses between precarious and permanent workers. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that the construct of work history is a useful element in defining precariousness. The study also illustrates the association of precariousness, perceived job insecurity, and mental distress. The study suggests further research on disadvantages experienced by precarious workers.

Association of stress level with facial pain: the role of coping.

It has been noted that stress factors, including coping with stress, are involved in pain problems. The aim of the present study was, firstly, to investigate the association of stress level with facial pain, and secondly, to assess the influence of coping strategies on this association. The study was part of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 project. The original material consisted of all people born in 1966 in Northern Finland. Of these, 5,696 participated in a follow-up study at the age of 31. As part of the study, data on facial pain, stress level of the subjects (measured with three items from the Work Ability Index), coping strategies in stressful situations (measured using the Ways of Coping Checklist) and sociodemographic background data were collected using questionnaires in 1997-98. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using generalized linear models. After adjustment for gender, education, and work history, facial pain was associated with a high stress level (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.7-3.0). When coping strategies were added to the model, the strength of the association did not change essentially. The results emphasize the role of psychological stress in the background of facial pain. The association is independent of the coping strategy of the individual.

Psychosocial factors as mediators between migration and subjective well-being among young Finnish adults.

This study examined the role of socioeconomic factors (such as education and employment) and psychosocial factors (such as social support, coping and attitude towards the future), in the relationship between migration, self-reported health and life satisfaction among young adults in a 31-year follow-up study of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 conducted in 1997-1998. The associations between these outcomes and socioeconomic and psychosocial factors were first examined, stratified by gender and migration, for sample members at 23 and at 31 years of age. Regression modelling was then used to study the association between migration and the outcomes after adjusting for specific socioeconomic and psychosocial factors. Results of binary logistic regression models showed that, although there was more dissatisfaction with life and more poor self-reported health in rural areas, the association was derived mostly from the mediation of unemployment, poorer education, lack of social support, passive coping strategies and greater pessimism among people living in rural areas. It is concluded that special attention should be paid to improving living conditions (educational and vocational opportunities) and enhancing the psychosocial resources of young adults in rural and remote areas.

The effect of pre-employment factors on job control, job strain and psychological distress: a 31-year longitudinal study.

This study examined the role of pre-employment factors, such as maternal antenatal depression, low birth weight, childhood socioeconomic position, early adolescence health risk behaviours and academic performance, in the relationship between work characteristics (low job control and high job demands, or job strain) and psychological distress at age 31. The data of 2062 women and 2231 men was derived from the prospective unselected population-based Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort study. Results of linear regression models showed that being female, father's low socioeconomic position, and poor academic achievement in adolescence were linked to low control and high job strain jobs at age 31, and that low control and high job strain were associated with psychological distress at age 31. Although having lower school grades, high absence rate from school, and moderate alcohol consumption at age 14 were significant predictors of psychological distress at age 31, the associations between job control, job strain and psychological distress remained after controlling for these and other pre-employment effects. As such, pre-employment factors do seem to link people to risky work environments, which in turn seem to relate strongly to psychological distress. However, the relationship between pre-employment factors and later psychological distress in adulthood is not completely explained by job environment.

Cloninger's Temperament dimensions, socio-economic and lifestyle factors and metabolic syndrome markers at age 31 years in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966.

The aim of this study was to assess the association between temperament and metabolic syndrome markers. Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory and clinical examination were carried out in 1997 in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (N = 4364 respondents). Novelty seeking was positively associated with waist circumference in both genders. Systolic blood pressure was highest in men with high harm avoidance and low persistence scores and lowest in women with high reward dependence and high persistence scores. Childhood socio-economic status did not confound these associations. Smoking and alcohol consumption were associated with higher novelty seeking. Our results suggest that temperament is associated with metabolic syndrome markers and this association may be partly mediated by lifestyle factors and socio-economic status in adulthood.

Association between optimism and self-reported facial pain.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the association between optimism and self-reported facial pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were obtained for 5,696 subjects born in 1966 in Northern Finland and included in the study of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort. Data on facial pain were collected using a questionnaire. Optimism was measured using the revised version of the Life Orientation Test. RESULTS: The data showed that optimism was inversely associated with facial pain. Associations were found only among non-depressive subjects. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that optimism is an independent psychosocial determinant of pain experience that should be taken into account in assessing the prognosis of facial pain and its treatment.

Work ability index of young employees and their sickness absence during the following year.

OBJECTIVES: The work ability index is widely used in occupational health care. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which a low index among young employees is predictive of sickness absence during the following year. METHODS: Altogether 3725 employees aged 31 years were followed from 1997 to 1999 as part of the northern Finland birth cohort 1966 study. The participants' self-administered questionnaires at baseline and a 1-year follow-up period with comprehensive sickness absence records was obtained from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. The records contained only medically certified long-term sickness absences (>9 days). A multivariable logistic regression was used to examine how the work ability index and covariates were associated with sickness absence during the following year. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated for the index and its covariates. RESULTS: In a comparison with an excellent index score (>44 points), a low score (<37 points) was associated with sickness absence for both the men (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.6-7.9) and the women (OR 6.2, 95% CI 2.9 to 13.5) after adjustment for occupation, control over work, social support at work, marital status, number of children at home, physical activity, body mass index, and alcohol consumption. Of the 518 participants with a low index, 90 had long-term sickness absence, giving a positive predictive value of 17.4% (95% CI 14.1-20.6). The negative predictive value was 93.1% (95% CI 92.3-94.0). CONCLUSIONS: For young employees, the work ability index is a practical tool for predicting long-term sickness absence, but it does not predict "no sickness absence".

Classification of Work Ability Index among young employees.

BACKGROUND: The reference values of the Work Ability Index (WAI) are best known for people aged over 45 years. However, the WAI score is highly dependent on age and population-based reference values for young employees are needed. AIM: To present WAI scores calculated for a population-based sample of employees in their early 30s. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire including the items of the WAI was used. The study included 3725 employees (2021 men and 1704 women) aged 31 from part of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study (NFBC-66) and who were working in a wide range of occupations in northern Finland or in the Helsinki region during 1997-1998. RESULTS: The WAI scores among young employees varied from 15 to 49 with a mean of 40.7 points (SD 4.2). The 15th percentile, median and 85th percentile of the WAI scores were 37, 41 and 45 points, respectively. The WAI scores were relatively high for both men and women. CONCLUSIONS: When classification of WAI scores into four work ability categories is used, the scores of employees in their early 30s should be evaluated separately from those of older age groups. For young employees work ability categories poor (7-36 points), moderate (37-40 points), good (41-44 points) and excellent (45-49 points) are suggested.

Optimism, dietary habits, body mass index and smoking among young Finnish adults.

The association between optimism and health habits was evaluated among 31-year-old men and women (n=8690) born in Northern Finland in 1966. Both women and men above the upper quartile for optimism more often ate fresh vegetables and salads (women 76%/men 57%), berries (23%/9%), fruit (67%/42%), low-fat cheese (25%/16%) and salad dressing (15%/17%) than those below the lower quartile (56%/31%, 14%/5%, 52%/26%, 18%/10% and 10%/5%, respectively) with women in higher proportion than in men in each case. Pessimism was associated with infrequent consumption of foods rich in fiber and salad dressing and the proportions of high consumers of alcohol. Proportion of subjects with BMI of 30.0 kg/m2 and above and that of current smokers were higher among the pessimists than among the optimists. Thus lack of optimism is associated with a cluster of unhealthy dietary and other habits. This may at least partly explain the positive association of optimism with health found in previous studies.

Coping and optimism in relation to dental health behaviour--a study among Finnish young adults.

Our aim in this paper was to investigate active coping in relation to optimism, dental health behavior and self-reported dental health among 31-yr-old men and women born in Northern Finland in 1966. Connecting coping strategies and optimism with health behavior is an unexplored approach in dentistry, even though both coping strategies and optimism are known to be associated with many health outcomes. The data were based on a postal questionnaire, which was sent to the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort at age 31 yr (n = 11 541). The number of replies was 8690, with a 75.3% response rate. Active coping was measured using the Ways of Coping Checklist and optimism using a revised Life Orientation Test. Prevalence proportion ratios were estimated by applying a log-binomial regression models. The results showed a correlation between active coping and optimism. Both active coping and optimism were related to different dental health behaviors. The effect of active coping on dental health behavior disappeared by adjusting for optimism, education and gender. The results support the previous findings that active coping acts as a mediator between optimism and health. Optimism was also related to self-reported dental health, which supports the comprehensiveness of optimism as a determinant for health.

Stress-related eating and drinking behavior and body mass index and predictors of this behavior.

BACKGROUND: Earlier studies on stress and obesity have not considered coping in situations involving stress. This study examines the associations between stress-related eating and drinking and obesity and the factors predicting this behavior. Predictive factors include risk factors for adult obesity, longitudinal socioeconomic status, and perceived social support. METHODS: A longitudinal, population-based study of 2,359 men and 2,791 women born in 1966 in Northern Finland was conducted. RESULTS: The body mass index at 31 years was highest among stress-driven eaters and drinkers, especially among women. Stress-driven eaters tended to eat sausages, hamburgers and pizza, and chocolate more frequently than other people. Stress-driven eaters consumed more alcohol than other people. The best predictors of stress-related eating and drinking among men age 31 years were being single or divorced, a long history of unemployment, an academic degree, and a low level of occupational education. Among women, the best predictor was a lack of emotional support. CONCLUSION: Programs aimed at preventing and treating obesity should cover the way in which people deal with emotions, ways of achieving greater emotional support, and strategies for handling stress caused by unemployment or work.