Work Characteristics Associated with Physical Functioning in Women

Aimee J Palumbo; Anneclaire J De Roos; Carolyn Cannuscio; Lucy Robinson; Jana Mossey; Julie Weitlauf; Lorena Garcia; Robert Wallace; Yvonne Michael

doi:10.3390/ijerph14040424

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Work Characteristics Associated with Physical Functioning in Women

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Work Characteristics Associated with Physical Functioning in Women

Aimee J Palumbo, Anneclaire J De Roos, Carolyn Cannuscio, Lucy Robinson, Jana Mossey, Julie Weitlauf, Lorena Garcia, Robert Wallace and Yvonne Michael

International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.14(4), p.424

04/15/2017

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14040424

PMCID: PMC5409625

PMID: 28420131

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Abstract

Women make up almost half of the labor force with older women becoming a growing segment of the population. Work characteristics influence physical functioning and women are at particular risk for physical limitations. However, little research has explored the effects of work characteristics on women's physical functioning. U.S. women between the ages of 50 and 79 were enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study between 1993 and 1998. Women provided job titles and years worked at their three longest-held jobs ( = 79,147). Jobs were linked to characteristics in the Occupational Information Network. Three categories of job characteristics related to substantive complexity, physical demand, and social collaboration emerged. The association between job characteristics and physical limitations in later life, measured using a SF-36 Physical Functioning score <25th percentile, was examined using modified Poisson regression. After controlling for confounding variables, high physical demand was positively associated with physical limitations (RR = 1.09 CI: 1.06-1.12) and substantively complex work was negatively associated (RR = 0.94, CI: 0.91-0.96). Jobs requiring complex problem solving, active learning, and critical thinking were associated with better physical functioning. Employers should explore opportunities to reduce strain from physically demanding jobs and incorporate substantively complex tasks into women's work to improve long-term health.

Aged

Employment

Factor Analysis, Statistical

Female

Health Status

Health Surveys

Humans

Middle Aged

Occupational Health

Social Environment

Women's Health

Details

Title: Subtitle: Work Characteristics Associated with Physical Functioning in Women
Creators: Aimee J Palumbo - Drexel University
Anneclaire J De Roos - Drexel University
Carolyn Cannuscio - University of Pennsylvania
Lucy Robinson - Drexel University
Jana Mossey - Drexel University
Julie Weitlauf - VA Palo Alto Health Care System
Lorena Garcia - University of California, Davis
Robert Wallace - University of Iowa
Yvonne Michael - Drexel University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: International journal of environmental research and public health, Vol.14(4), p.424
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14040424
PMID: 28420131
PMCID: PMC5409625
NLM abbreviation: Int J Environ Res Public Health
ISSN: 1661-7827
eISSN: 1660-4601
Grant note: HHSN268201100046C / NHLBI NIH HHS HHSN268201100002I / NHLBI NIH HHS HHSN271201100004C / NIA NIH HHS HHSN268201100001C / WHI NIH HHS HHSN268201100004I / NHLBI NIH HHS HHSN268201100002C / WHI NIH HHS HHSN268201100001I / NHLBI NIH HHS HHSN268201100003C / WHI NIH HHS HHSN268201100004C / WHI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 04/15/2017
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Injury Prevention Research Center; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984364432502771

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