8222436 Study of dose-response associations between psychosocial work factors and psychological distress among French workers

<h3>Objective</h3> The objective was to explore dose-response associations between the frequency and number of psychosocial work factors and psychological distress. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> The ESPS survey (Enquête Santé et Protection Sociale) was a periodical French national survey among the general population in which households were selected randomly and all individuals of these households were surveyed. This study had a cross-sectional design and included 11,018 workers surveyed in 2010 or 2012. Psychological distress was assessed using MHI-5 and defined by a score below 52. Ten psychosocial work factors (quantitative demands, tensions with the public, freedom, possibilities for learning new things, colleague support, recognition, salary satisfaction, job insecurity, temporary contract, and redundancy plan) were studied using frequency categories and dichotomized into exposed/non-exposed. The associations between psychosocial work factors and psychological distress were studied using modified Poisson regression models with cluster-robust standard errors. All analyses were stratified by gender and adjusted for age, marital status, employee/self-employed worker, public/private sector, occupation, full/part-time work, and survey wave. Gender-related interactions were tested. <h3>Results</h3> The prevalence of psychological distress was higher in women (20.7%) than in men (13.3%). Studied as binary variables, all psychosocial work factors, except temporary contract, were associated with psychological distress. There were linear trends between the frequency and number of psychosocial work factors and psychological distress. The associations with psychological distress were stronger in men than in women for the frequency of half of psychosocial work factors. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Our study showed dose-response associations between psychosocial work factors and psychological distress. Reducing the frequency and number of psychosocial work factors could help to improve mental health at work. <h3>Funding</h3> The French National Research Program for Environmental and Occupational Health of Anses (ANSES-23-EST-041).