Documents Christensen, Ulla 2 results

"Background Few studies have examined the relationship between stressful social relations in private life and all-cause mortality. Objective To evaluate the association between stressful social relations (with partner, children, other family, friends and neighbours, respectively) and all-cause mortality in a large population-based study of middle-aged men and women. Further, to investigate the possible modification of this association by labour force participation and gender. Methods We used baseline data (2000) from The Danish Longitudinal Study on Work, Unemployment and Health, including 9875 men and women aged 36–52?years, linked to the Danish Cause of Death Registry for information on all-cause mortality until 31 December 2011. Associations between stressful social relations with partner, children, other family, friends and neighbours, respectively, and all-cause mortality were examined using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, gender, cohabitation status, occupational social class, hospitalisation with chronic disorder 1980–baseline, depressive symptoms and perceived emotional support. Modification by gender and labour force participation was investigated by an additive hazards model. Results Frequent worries/demands from partner or children were associated with 50–100% increased mortality risk. Frequent conflicts with any type of social relation were associated with 2–3 times increased mortality risk. Interaction between labour force participation and worries/demands (462 additional cases per 100?000 person-years, p=0.05) and conflicts with partner (830 additional cases per 100?000 person-years, p<0.01) was suggested. Being male and experiencing frequent worries/demands from partner produced 135 extra cases per 100?000 person-years, p=0.05 due to interaction. Conclusions Stressful social relations are associated with increased mortality risk among middle-aged men and women for a variety of different social roles. Those outside the labour force and men seem especially vulnerable to exposure."

"Small enterprises have limited resources to prioritise occupational health and safety (OHS) so regulators and other stakeholders have developed programmes to support them. The present study analysed the factors influencing active participation of small construction and auto repair enterprises to engage in a Danish national OHS programme focusing on the prevention of wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system. The programme provided the enterprises with financial support and support from a facilitator. The study was a qualitative case study supplemented with selected survey data from the enterprises and qualitative data from stakeholders involved in the implementation of the programme. The results showed that the way the programme was introduced through labour inspectors, employer associations, or networks influenced the motivation of the enterprises to engage in the programme. The motivation for active participation also depended on the content of the prevention package, the economic support and the possibility for facilitation. The decision to start the implementation process depended on whether the owner-managers acknowledged the need for the new OHS approach and whether they found the process meaningful. Contextual factors, as experienced by the owner-managers, influenced the motivation for active participation. These included inter alia general attitude towards authorities and procedures, access to relevant projects and technical equipment, the characteristics of the manager, and the workplace culture. It is concluded that contextual factors can limit the efficacy of programme mechanisms and should be taken into account when designing programmes."