Work

Job Quality as an Upstream Social Determinant of Health in Middle Age

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine whether the association between job quality and health can be explained by its effects on other social determinants of health (SDOH). METHODS: We ran hybrid path analyses using data from two waves of a national survey of middle-aged adults to test direct and indirect effects of T1 job quality on health outcomes at T2, through effects on T2 housing, health care, social, and money challenges. RESULTS: Poor job quality predicted housing, health care, social, and money challenges in all models. Indirect effects of T1 poor job quality emerged for T2 physical health-related quality of life via housing challenges, T2 drug misuse via housing and health care challenges, and T2 depressive symptoms via housing and social challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Results support job quality as an upstream issue that can affect health through its impact on other SDOH.

Source: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000003616

Authors: Tessa Bonney, Kristin L. Moilanen, Kathleen M. Rospenda

Institutions: University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Illinois Chicago, University of Chicago, National Opinion Research Center

Language: English

Topic: Employment and Welfare Studies

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism