Is There a Two-Way Relationship Between Cynicism and Job Strain? Evidence From a Prospective Population-Based Study. Issue 5 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Törnroos, Maria; Elovainio, Marko; Keltikangas-Järvinen, Liisa; Hintsa, Taina; Pulkki-Råback, Laura; Hakulinen, Christian; Merjonen, Päivi; Theorell, Töres; Kivimäki, Mika; Raitakari, Olli T.; Hintsanen, Mirka
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 57:Issue 5(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000430
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Objective:</title> <p>To examine the bidirectional relationship between job strain and cynicism.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>The study sample was obtained from the Young Finns study and comprised 757 participants (399 women, 53%). The bidirectional association between cynicism and job strain over a 6-year-follow-up was examined with a cross-lagged structural equation model, controlling for a number of demographic variables.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>High job strain (β = 0.08; <italic>P</italic> = 0.007) was associated with higher baseline-adjusted cynicism 6 years later. Nevertheless, cynicism was not associated with baseline-adjusted job strain. The additional analysis showed that cynicism mediated 21.5% of the relationship between job strain and depression.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>Perceptions of having a highly strenuous job may elicit mistrustful and cynical attitudes in employees, which in turn may lead to mental health problems.</p> </sec> </abstract>