Changes in self-rated health and subjective social status over time in a cohort of healthcare personnel. (September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thompson, Mark G; Gaglani, Manjusha J; Naleway, Allison; Thaker, Swathi; Ball, Sarah
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 19:Number 9(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 1185
• Page End: 1196
• Publication Date: 2014-09
• Subjects: fatigue -- headache -- healthcare personnel -- self-rated health status -- socioeconomic status -- subjective social status; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105313485486
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

As part of a prospective cohort study of 1354 female and 347 male healthcare personnel, we examined the stability of subjective social status over ~7 months and the prospective association between subjective social status and self-rated health status. Most (82%) subjective social status ratings were stable (within ±1 point). Lower baseline subjective social status among healthcare personnel was associated with more subsequent reports of fatigue and headache and worsening global self-rated health status. Healthcare personnel who placed themselves on the bottom half of the subjective social status ladder were four times more likely to experience a decline in global self-rated health status and half as likely to improve to excellent self-rated health status.