Explaining the Occupational Class Gradient in Health Among Swedish Employees: Physical and Psychosocial Work-Related Stressors

Abstract: The work environment constitutes a key social determinant of health, yet previous research is relatively limited vis-à-vis the contribution of both physical and psychosocial work-related stressors on occupational class differences in health among Swedish employees. This study used cross-sectional data from the Swedish Level of Living Survey 2010 to assess the mediating effect of physical and psychosocial work-related stressors to occupational class differences in physical and mental ill health in Sweden. Disparities between gender were also considered. A sub-sample of 2,624 full- and part-time employed individuals aged 18-65 was analysed using logistic regression. Employees who belonged to higher occupational classes had a lower risk of physical ill health compared to employees from lower occupational classes when age, gender and part-time work is accounted for – but there was no evidence of an occupational class gradient in mental ill health. Similar results were observed among men and women. In line with previous research, differential exposure to physical work-related stressors explained most of the occupational class gradient in physical ill health, yet certain psychosocial work-related stressors were also influential. Future research should further examine what other work-related factors – or social determinants of health – can help explain the association between occupational class and mental health.