Precarious employment and stress: any differences between objective or subjective measures of stress?

Abstract Background Precarious employment is an emerging social determinant of health and health inequalities. It is known that it has an impact on health and could be a potential stressor. This study aims to examine the association between precarious employment and stress measured in two different ways: subjectively (questionnaire) and objectively (cortisol and its metabolites concentrations in hair, considered biomarkers of chronic stress). Methods Cross-sectional study in a sample of 256 workers of Barcelona, Spain, aged 25-60. We conducted a survey including questions on multidimensional precarious employment assessed by EPRES (Precarious Employment Scale), and perceived stress (measured through the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)). We also collected hair samples to measure cortisol and metabolites concentrations. The associations between precarious employment and stress were assessed using lineal regression models, stratified by sex and adjusted for age and BMI. Results Preliminary analyses show an association between precarious employment and perceived stress for both men and women (B = 5.4,CI95%:3.8-7.1 and B = 5.4,CI95%:3.2-7.7 respectively). While we did not find significant association between precarious employment and Cortisol, we did in several biomarkers of the Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis for the case of women: 20α-Dihydrocortisol (B = 2.4;CI95%:0.1-4.6), 20β-Dihydrocortisol (B = 1.6;CI95%:-0.4-2.7) and 11-Dehydrocorticosterone (B = 0.6;CI95%:0.0-1.2). Conclusions This study found evidence of association between precarious employment and stress. The results were more robust when stress is measured by means of subjective self-reports than by objective measures of cortisol metabolites, implying that precarious employment has a clearer impact on wellbeing and mental health than in physical and hormonal responses. Further research is needed to validate and understand differences among outcomes, as well as differences between men and women. Key messages Some evidence of association between precarious employment and stress, measured both by subjective self-reported measures and by objective measures of cortisol metabolites existed. More research is needed to understand the differences between objective and subjective stress on the impact of precarious employment and differences among indicators for men and women.

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Reported Growth Following Mountaineering Expeditions: The Role of Personality and Perceived Stress

Environment and Behavior ◽

10.1177/0013916516670447 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 49 (8) ◽

pp. 933-955 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

N. Smith ◽

F. Kinnafick ◽

S. J. Cooley ◽

G. M. Sandal

Keyword(s):

Psychological Adjustment ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Psychological Resilience ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Present Cross Sectional Study ◽

The Impact

Results from previous studies suggest that stressful environmental conditions such as those faced on expedition may result in psychological growth. Building on previous research, the present cross-sectional study examined the role of personality and perceived stress in relation to post-expedition growth. Eighty-three participants who had completed a mountaineering expedition responded to measures of stress, personality, growth, well-being, and resilience. Findings implicate perceived stress, and personality dimensions of agreeableness and openness, in post-expedition growth. Growth was associated with well-being but distinct from psychological resilience, highlighting the need to consider growth and resilience independently. Present findings support the proposition that stressful expedition environments may promote positive psychological adjustment and identify factors that may influence this change. Research is needed to delineate the impact of other variables, such as coping, on changes that occurs during the post-expedition phase. Such research holds relevance for maintaining health following immersion in extreme and unusual environments.

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Employment Precariousness and Poor Mental Health: Evidence from Spain on a New Social Determinant of Health

Journal of Environmental and Public Health ◽

10.1155/2013/978656 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

Alejandra Vives ◽

Marcelo Amable ◽

Montserrat Ferrer ◽

Salvador Moncada ◽

Clara Llorens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Social Determinant ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Precarious Employment ◽

Prevalence Proportion ◽

Permanent Workers

Background.Evidence on the health-damaging effects of precarious employment is limited by the use of one-dimensional approaches focused on employment instability. This study assesses the association between precarious employment and poor mental health using the multidimensional Employment Precariousness Scale.Methods.Cross-sectional study of 5679 temporary and permanent workers from the population-based Psychosocial Factors Survey was carried out in 2004-2005 in Spain. Poor mental health was defined as SF-36 mental health scores below the 25th percentile of the Spanish reference for each respondent’s sex and age. Prevalence proportion ratios (PPRs) of poor mental health across quintiles of employment precariousness (reference: 1st quintile) were calculated with log-binomial regressions, separately for women and men.Results.Crude PPRs showed a gradient association with poor mental health and remained generally unchanged after adjustments for age, immigrant status, socioeconomic position, and previous unemployment. Fully adjusted PPRs for the 5th quintile were 2.54 (95% CI: 1.95–3.31) for women and 2.23 (95% CI: 1.86–2.68) for men.Conclusion.The study finds a gradient association between employment precariousness and poor mental health, which was somewhat stronger among women, suggesting an interaction with gender-related power asymmetries. Further research is needed to strengthen the epidemiological evidence base and to inform labour market policy-making.

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Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies in Relation to Body Mass Index: Cross-Sectional Study of 12,045 Japanese Men and Women

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0118105 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. e0118105 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Chisato Shimanoe ◽

Megumi Hara ◽

Yuichiro Nishida ◽

Hinako Nanri ◽

Yasuko Otsuka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Stress And Coping ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Japanese Men ◽

Men And Women ◽

And Coping

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An evaluation of the effectiveness of the flour iron fortification programme in Brazil

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980014002055 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 1670-1674 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Quenia dos Santos ◽

Eduardo AF Nilson ◽

Eliseu Verly Junior ◽

Rosely Sichieri

Keyword(s):

Folic Acid ◽

Nationwide Survey ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Iron Fortification ◽

Present Communication ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Men And Women ◽

Dietary Record ◽

Usual Intake ◽

The Impact

AbstractObjectiveThe present communication reports a strategy to calculate the intake of Fe based on data available for folic acid and evaluate the programme of flour fortification in Brazil.DesignCross-sectional study conducted in Brazil during 2008 and 2009. A 2d dietary record of individuals was used. The usual intake of folic acid by sex and age group was estimated using the National Cancer Institute method. The quantity of folic acid and Fe established by mandatory food fortification in Brazil was used, and based on that quantity we calculated the amount of flour consumed and the intake of Fe from fortification and Fe from food. Then, the absorption of each nutrient was calculated.SettingBrazilian households (n 16 764).SubjectsIndividuals (men and women, n 34 003, aged 10 to 60+ years) from a Brazilian nationwide survey.ResultsMean intake and absorption of Fe from fortification (electrolytic Fe) was low in men and women.ConclusionsThe impact from the consumption of fortified products is small in relation to Fe intake in Brazil. The strategy proposed to estimate Fe intake from the fortification programme indicates that the amount of flour intake observed in Brazil does not justify the current ranges of mandatory flour fortification and the form of Fe that is mainly used (electrolytic Fe).

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Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies in Relation to Body Mass Index: Cross-Sectional Study of 12,045 Japanese Men and Women.

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dyv096.069 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 44 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. i109-i110

Author(s):

C. Shimanoe ◽

M. Hara ◽

Y. Nishida ◽

H. Nanri ◽

Y. Otsuka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Stress And Coping ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Japanese Men ◽

Men And Women ◽

And Coping

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Economic fluctuations and long-term trends in depression: a repeated cross-sectional study in Estonia 2004–2016

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech-2018-211939 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 73 (11) ◽

pp. 1026-1032 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mall Leinsalu ◽

Rainer Reile ◽

Andrew Stickley

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Job Insecurity ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Income Group ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Yearly Variation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Men And Women ◽

Population Mental Health ◽

The Impact

BackgroundIn the 2000s, the Baltic countries experienced unprecedented credit-driven economic growth that was followed by a deep recession. This study examined the impact of profound macroeconomic changes on population mental health in Estonia in 2004–2016.MethodsData on 17 794 individuals in the 20–64 age group were obtained from seven nationally representative cross-sectional surveys. The prevalence of past 30-day depression was calculated for men and women further stratified by sociodemographic characteristics. Multivariable regression analysis was used to assess whether these characteristics were associated with the yearly variation in depression.ResultsIn 2006, the adjusted prevalence ratio for depression was 0.77 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.93) for men and 0.85 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.97) for women as compared with 2004; in 2010, the prevalence ratio as compared with 2008 for both men and women was 1.22 (95% CIs 1.04 to 1.43 and 1.09 to 1.37, respectively). Among men, the increase in the prevalence of depression in 2008–2010 was statistically significant for 35–64 year olds, ethnic Estonians, those who were married, mid-educated or were employed, whereas among women, a significant increase was observed in 50–64 year olds, Estonians and non-Estonians, those who were not-married, were highly educated or mid-educated, in the mid-income group or were employed.ConclusionsPopulation mental health is responsive to macroeconomic changes. In less wealthy high-income countries, the greater impact of recession on depression among advantaged groups may relate to a higher debt burden coupled with job insecurity.

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Perceived Stress Levels and Associated Factors Among SARS-CoV-2-Affected Young Adults Under Home Isolation—A Cross-Sectional Study From Kerala, India

Indian Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.1177/26339447211058643 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 263394472110586

Author(s):

Anjana Nalina Kumari Kesavan Nair ◽

Jisharaj Vijayakumari Rajasekharan Nair ◽

Siji Vincent Swarnabai ◽

Reshma Rajan Sudha ◽

Alice Metilda Mendez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Stress Levels ◽

The Mean ◽

Study Participants ◽

The Impact

Introduction The impact of SARS-CoV-2 is not only on physical health but also on mental health. This pandemic raised concerns of fear, anxiety, and stress among patients affected with the disease. Quarantine and home isolation might have created psychological distress and helplessness in patients due to social and economic reasons. This study aimed in assessing the level of perceived stress and factors associated with it among SARS-CoV-2-affected young adults who were under home isolation. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among 147 SARS-CoV-2-affected young adults who were under home isolation during June 2021 to August 2021. A semi-structured proforma was created using KoBo Toolbox for humanitarian response for data collection. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) was used for measurement of stress among COVID-19 patients. The questionnaire was shared in online platform. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0. Significance of association was tested using chi square test and independent sample t test. Logistic regression was done to predict the factors associated with perceived stress. Results Out of the 147 study participants, 56.5% were females and 43.5% were males. Symptoms were present in 94 (63.9%) of patients. The mean age of the study participants was 26 (10.5) years. The mean PSS score was 17.5 (6.4). Among the cases under home isolation, 24.5% had low stress levels, 68% had moderate stress levels, and 7.5% had severe stress levels. Feeling of loneliness during home isolation (odds ratio [OR]: 4.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.9-11.63], P = .008), presence of elderly or under-5 children in the same house (OR: 15.45, 95% CI [2.03-117.5], P = .001), and presence of cough ( P = .05) were found to be significantly associated with higher PSS scores. Age and sleep were negatively correlated with stress score. Conclusion One-third of the study participants had moderate to severe levels of perceived stress. Age, sleep hours, presence of cough, presence of under-5 children or elderly in the same house, and feeling of loneliness during home isolation were found to be significantly associated with high perceived stress level scores.

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Evaluation of foot health related quality of life in individuals with foot problems by gender: a cross-sectional comparative analysis study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023980 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. e023980 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Daniel López-López ◽

Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo ◽

Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias ◽

Patricia Palomo-López ◽

David Rodríguez-Sanz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Foot Health ◽

Men And Women ◽

Health Differences ◽

Foot Problems ◽

The Impact

ObjectiveFoot problems (FP) may be considered to be a prevalent conditions in people but there is limited evidence of their effect on the quality of life (QoL) related to foot health in men and women. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of FPs on both overall foot health and QoL, stratified by gender.DesignA cross sectional study.SettingClinic of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at University of A Coruña in the city of Ferrol (Spain).SubjectsThe sample consisted of 1647 participants with FP; the total population of the sample had a mean age of 43.24±19.89 years, with mean ages 44.09±21.36 years and 42.94±19.34 years for men and women, respectively.MethodsMeasurement of sociodemographic characteristics include age, sex and body mass index. The Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) was used to evaluate the general health and foot health. Differences between groups were evaluated by means of a t-test for independent samples.ResultsWomen with FP showed significantly lower scores in the domains of Foot Pain, Foot Function, Footwear, General Foot Health, Physical Activity and Vigour, and there was no difference compared with men in the domains of Overall Health and Social Capacity.ConclusionsWomen with FP present a negative impact on QoL related to foot health as compared with men except in the domains of Overall Health and Social Capacity, which appears to be associated with the presence of foot conditions.

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Perceived stress and depressive symptoms in undergraduate students: The effect of emotional eating

Journal of Student Research ◽

10.47611/jsr.v10i3.1281 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Maya Amestoy ◽

Alexandra Fiocco

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Emotional Eating ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Moderation Effect ◽

Modifiable Factors ◽

The Impact

With a rise in the prevalence of depression among undergraduate students, it is important to identify potential antecedents and modifiable factors in illness development. One of the most well studied etiological predictors of depression among youth and among young adults is the experience of real or perceived stress. However, research further suggests that the impact of stress on health outcomes may largely depend on the coping strategies employed. Emotional eating is an emotion-focused coping strategy that may be used to minimize negative affect stemming from perceived stress. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the moderating role of emotional eating in the relationship between perceived stress and depressive symptoms among undergraduate students. A total of 100 undergraduate students (mean age = 20.2 years, 83% female) completed questionnaires that tapped into perceived stress, emotional eating behaviour, and depressive symptoms. Moderation analyses revealed a significant moderation effect (b = .016, t(91) = 2.728, p = .008). Simple slopes showed that the magnitude of the association between perceived stress and depressive symptoms increased from low (b = .092) to moderate (b = .147) to high (b = .201) emotional eating tendencies. Findings suggest that perceived stress and emotional eating may have a synergist association with depressive symptoms among undergraduate students.

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A multi-factor model of panic disorder: Results of a preliminary study integrating the role of perfectionism, stress, physiological anxiety and anxiety sensitivity

Anales de Psicología ◽

10.6018/analesps.31.2.184241 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 481 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Cristina Mae Wood ◽

Antonio Cano-Vindel ◽

José Martín Salguero

Keyword(s):

Panic Disorder ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Anxiety Sensitivity ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Factor Model ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

Background: Panic disorder (PD) is a highly prevalent and disabling mental health problem associated with different factors including perfectionism, stress, physiological anxiety, and anxiety sensitivity regarding physical concerns; however, no studies have analyzed the joint relationship between these factors and PD in a multi-factor model using structural equation modeling. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out to collect data on these factors and self-reported DSM-IV past-year PD symptoms in a large sample of the general population (N=936). Results: Perceived stress had a significant effect in increasing physiological anxiety, which in turn had an important association with physical concerns. Perfectionism and perceived stress had an indirect relation with past year PD via the mediator role of physiological anxiety and physical concerns. Physical concerns, on one hand, seemed to mediate the impact between perfectionism and PD and, on the other, partially mediated the role between physiological anxiety and PD. Conclusions: Although there is considerable evidence on the association between each of these factors and PD, this model can be considered a broader and productive framework of research on the nature and treatment of PD.

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