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The role of work stress as a moderating variable in the chronic pain and depression association
Sarah E P Munce1, Iris Weller, Emma K Robertson Blackmore
1Women's Health Program, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. sarah.munce@uhn.on.ca
Objective:
This article aims to examine the role of work stress as a moderating variable in the chronic pain-depression association, as well as sex differences in this link.
Methods:
The analyses were carried out using the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.1. Key variables were chronic pain conditions (fibromyalgia, arthritis/rheumatism, back problems, and migraine headaches), work stress, and depression. The total sample comprises 78,593 working individuals.
Results:
In this working sample, 7.6% met criteria for major depression, but the prevalence increased to 12% in those also reporting chronic pain. Both depression and comorbid chronic pain and depression were twice as prevalent in women as in men. Having a chronic pain condition and overall work stress emerged as the strongest predictors of depression. Unexpectedly, however, none of the work stress domains moderated the chronic pain and depression association.
Conclusion:
The impact of work stress should be considered in the etiology and management of major depression.
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