J Occup Environ Med. 2011 Feb;53(2):139-45. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e318203f220.

Association of self-rated physical health and incident hypertension with O*NET factors: validation using a representative national survey.

Author information

1: Department of Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University Health Center; HSC 3-103, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA. john.meyer.2@stonybrook.edu

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the predictive validity of Occupational Information Network (O*NET)-based constructs with health outcomes.

METHODS:

Data from the National Survey of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) surveys were used to examine associations of self-rated health and incident hypertension with work characteristics. Job control and substantive complexity (SC) scores derived from the O*NET were imputed to occupation in the MIDUS surveys. Validity was assessed through variance partitioning and regression models contrasting O*NET and survey-based constructs.

RESULTS:

Congruence between control scores derived from O*NET and from self-rated scores from MIDUS was good. Shared variance between SC scores and survey-based control was less. All constructs were modest predictors of self-rated health. Substantive complexity was a stronger predictor of incident hypertension (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 1.87).

CONCLUSIONS:

Occupational characteristics derived from O*NET variables performed as well as or better than survey-based job control in describing associations with self-rated health and incident hypertension.