From Resume to Risk Factor: The Connections Between Occupation, Chronic Disease, and Mental Health in the United States

From Resume to Risk Factor: The Connections Between Occupation, Chronic Disease, and Mental Health in the United States

Alvin Sherman Library

Mental health affects various aspects of overall health, including physical, emotional, and social well-being, which influences behavior and management of disease. Furthermore, occupational types (blue-collar, white-collar, and grey-collar) can influence how individuals manage stress. This can be due to the various responsibilities an individual has or the work environment that one is consistently exposed to, which can lead to detrimental mental health outcomes. This study examined the relationship between occupational type and the occurrence of individuals' self-reported levels of distress, anxiety, hopelessness, restlessness, sadness, and worthlessness. The data from this study was obtained from the IPUMS NHIS 2024 surveys, a nationally representative source of health outcomes, social determinants, and health disparities. Logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios, controlling for sociodemographic and behavioral factors. Gray-collar workers had significantly higher odds of serious psychological distress (AOR = 1.37, 95% CI [1.05, 1.79]) and feelings of worthlessness (AOR = 1.22, 95% CI [1.04, 1.43]) compared to white-collar workers. Additionally, female and younger age demographics were consistently associated with differences in mental health risk and highlight the need for targeted workplace interventions to support psychological well-being across occupational groups.