Occup Environ Med. 2014 Oct;71(10):730-6. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2013-101891. Epub 2014 Feb 20.

Health effects of employment: a systematic review of prospective studies.

van der Noordt M¹, IJzelenberg H², Droomers M³, Proper KI⁴.

Author information

1: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Health and Society, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
2: Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, The EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
3: Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
4: Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Nutrition, Bilthoven, The Netherlands Department of Public and Occupational Health, The EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of this review was to systematically summarise the literature on the health effects of employment.

METHODS:

A search for prospective studies investigating the effect of employment on health was executed in several electronic databases, and references of selected publications were checked. Subsequently, the methodological quality of each study was assessed by predefined criteria. To draw conclusions about the health effect of employment, a best evidence synthesis was used, and if possible, data were pooled.

RESULTS:

33 prospective studies were included, of which 23 were of high quality. Strong evidence was found for a protective effect of employment on depression and general mental health. Pooled effect sizes showed favourable effects on depression (OR=0.52; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.83) and psychological distress (OR=0.79; 95% CI 0.72 to 0.86). Insufficient evidence was found for general health, physical health and mortality due to lack of studies or inconsistent findings.

CONCLUSIONS:

This systematic review indicates that employment is beneficial for health, particularly for depression and general mental health. There is a need for more research on the effects of employment on specific physical health effects and mortality to fill the knowledge gaps.

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