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DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1586558
Associations between work stress and suicidal ideation: pooled findings from six cross-sectional studies
Purpose: There is epidemiological evidence to suggest that work stress is associated with suicidal ideation (SI). However, only few studies in this field have drawn on well-established theoretical work stress models (i.e., the job-demand-control [JDC] model, the effort-reward-imbalance [ERI] model, and the model of organizational injustice [OJ]). Utilization of such models allows though for theory-based assessments and workplace interventions. Since evidence on those models' relationship with suicide-related outcomes is currently inconclusive (JDC), markedly sparse (OJ) or lacking (ERI), we aimed to provide additional or initial evidence.
Methods: We drew on data from six cross-sectional studies, which were conducted in four countries (i.e., South Korea, China, Australia, and Germany). Work stress was measured by established questionnaires and was categorized into tertiles. In each study, SI was assessed by either one or two items taken from validated scales. Associations of work stress with SI were estimated for each study and were pooled across studies using multivariate random-effects logistic modelling.
Results: In the pooled analyses (n = 12,422) all three work stress models were significantly associated with SI with odds ratios mostly ranging between 2 and 3. Patterns of associations were largely consistent across the individual studies.
Conclusions: Our study provides robust evidence of a positive association between work stress and SI. Workplace interventions to reduce work stress, as conceptualized by theory-based models, may contribute to the prevention of SI provided that our observations are confirmed by longitudinal studies.