Psychosocial work conditions, unemployment, and generalized trust in other people: A population-based study of psychosocial health determinants

Abstract

The association between psychosocial work conditions, unemployment, and generalized trust was investigated. The health survey in Skåne is a cross-sectional postal questionnaire study with a 59% participation rate. A total of 5,180 persons that belonged to the work force and the unemployed were included. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations between psychosocial factors at work and unemployment, and trust. Psychosocial work conditions were defined by the Karasek–Theorell demand–control/decision latitudes into relaxed, active, passive, and jobstrain. Effects of length of unemployment on trust were analysed. A 38.4% of all men and 42.1% of all women in the workforce have low trust. Men and women in the passive, jobstrain and unemployed categories had significantly higher odds ratios of low trust compared to the relaxed reference group. After multivariate adjustments these patterns remained, except among “passive” men. Psychosocial work conditions and unemployment are associated with trust.