Documents Ropponen, Annina 4 results

"Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate associations between psychosocial working conditions, occupational groups defined by sector, and disability pension (DP) with mental diagnoses while accounting for familial confounding. Methods A prospective population-based cohort study was conducted, including all Swedish twins who, in January 1993, were living and working in Sweden and not on old-age pension or DP (N=42 715). The twins were followed from 1993–2008 regarding DP. Data on DP, exposures, and covariates were obtained from national registries. Cox proportional hazards regression models with hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were constructed for the whole cohort, and for discordant twin pairs.Results The associations for the whole cohort between DP with mental diagnoses and (i) job demands (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.06–1.43), (ii) job control (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83–0.99), (iii) healthcare and social work (HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.04–1.92), and (iv) service and military work (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.37–3.14) remained after accounting for possible confounders, including familial factors, while the associations between DP and (i) social support, (ii) type of jobs, and (iii) some of the occupational groups were attenuated, becoming non-significant. In the discordant twin pair analyses, commercial work was significantly associated with lower risk of DP (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.32–0.95).Conclusions One unit increase in job demands and working in the occupational groups healthcare and social work or service and military work seem to be risk factors of DP with mental diagnoses, independent from various background factors including familial ones. However, one unit increase in job control or working in commercial work seem to be protective factors of such DP, accounting for confounding factors of this study."

"Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of work-related risk factors for future disability pension (DP) due to musculoskeletal diagnoses and for a subgroup of these, namely, DP due to osteoarthritis.Methods For this prospective study of 16 028 Finnish twins born in 1911–1957 and employed at baseline, a postal questionnaire collected information in 1975 on work-related factors; follow-up data on DP was gathered through register linkages up to 2004. A series of proportional hazards (Cox) regression models were used to analyze the associations between work-related factors and the incidence of DP. Results During the 30-year follow-up, 1297 participants (8%) were granted DP due to musculoskeletal diagnoses, 376 of which were due to osteoarthritis. High stress of daily activities, monotonous work, physical workload (namely work including lifting and carrying or physically heavy work), several workplace changes, and unemployment displayed a strong association with DP due to musculoskeletal diagnoses that was not affected by familial factors, including genetics and shared environment. Additionally, standing work increased the risk for DP due to osteoarthritis.Conclusions Uninfluenced by family background or other confounding factors, several work-related factors were identified as being strong and direct risk factors for DP due to musculoskeletal diagnoses."

"Objective
In this discussion paper, we close our 2024 series reflecting on the successes, failures, and promises of occupational health and safety research in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health (SJWEH). This paper aims to elaborate on the future of our research field.
Methods
We conducted a narrative review of lessons learned in the series, examining insights gained and key takeaways. Additionally, we explored the current and anticipated agendas of major institutions, including the World Health Organization and the European Union, on occupational health and safety, as well as potential developments in the academic publishing industry.
Results
Occupational health and safety research has significantly evolved over the last 50 years, emphasizing longitudinal study designs, enriching observational data with registry-based information, and expanding the scope of hazardous determinants impacting workers` health. Novel statistical approaches have further enabled researchers to address complex associations, such as mediation effects, and to strengthen causal inference in observational studies. At the same time, the publishing business is changing rapidly, with artificial intelligence poised to reshape both research practices and the landscape of academic publishing.
Conclusion
In the changing landscape of research and academic publishing, our goal is for SJWEH to continue to be a leading source of high-quality research dedicated to protecting and improving workers' health. We are curious and excited to see where all these current and anticipated changes will lead in the years to come."

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