Disability Pension and Occupational Class: The Hordaland Health Study
Author Information
Author(s): Inger Haukenes, Arnstein Mykletun, Ann Kristin Knudsen, Hans-Tore Hansen, John Gunnar Mæland
Primary Institution: University of Bergen
Hypothesis
This study aims to examine the association between occupational class and subsequent disability pension among middle-aged men and women, and to what extent work-related factors account for this association.
Conclusion
Workers in the skilled and unskilled manual classes had a substantial unexplained risk of disability pension, with work-related factors having only a moderate impact on the disability risk.
Supporting Evidence
- Men were most likely to work as administrators and professionals, while women were more often in routine non-manual occupations.
- 2.9% of participants were awarded a disability pension during follow-up.
- Low job control and high physical demands were most often reported among skilled and unskilled manual workers.
Takeaway
People with jobs that require more physical work or less control over their tasks are more likely to get disability pensions, but there are still many reasons why this happens.
Methodology
The study used a subsample of the Hordaland Health Study, linking health survey data to national registries of disability pension, and employed Cox regression analysis adjusted for various factors.
Potential Biases
Non-participation may have biased the results, as individuals with lower education and income were less likely to participate.
Limitations
The study may have underestimated disability pension risk due to healthy worker selection and limited information on specific occupational exposures.
Participant Demographics
The study included 7,031 individuals, with 2,935 men and 4,096 women, aged 40-45 years at the time of the health study.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.84 to 3.95
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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