Job stress in young adults is associated with a range of poorer health behaviours in the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health (CDAH) study

Objective: To examine job stress and health behaviours, including their co-occurrence, in Australians aged 31-41 year assessed in 2009-11.

Methods: Cross-sectional analyses using multivariable regression models of the association between the Effort Reward Imbalance (ERI) scale and health behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity and BMI) both individually and co-occurring (0-3 versus 4-5 behaviours) were undertaken. Covariates included sociodemographics, personality and life events.

Results: Greater ERI was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of having co-occurring healthy behaviours and poorer diets in both sexes. Higher ERI was also associated greater physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour in men and smoking, high alcohol consumption and more pedometer-measured physical activity in women.

Conclusion: Job stress at work was associated with a range of unhealthy behaviours, which may explain the higher chronic disease associated with job stress.