Do sleep problems explain the association between work stress and the trajectories of work ability from midlife to pensionable age?

Objective
This study examined whether mid-life work stress, defined as job strain and effort-reward imbalance (ERI), predicts work ability trajectories observed 12 years preceding the individual pensionable age. In addition, the role of sleep problems as a mediator in these associations was examined.

Methods
Survey data were collected from 2707 Finnish municipal employees.

Results
Identified work ability trajectories were “stable excellent,” “stable good,” “moderate,” and “low decreasing.” Baseline job strain and ERI were associated with a greater likelihood of belonging to impaired work ability trajectories when compared with “stable good” trajectory. Baseline sleep problems explained the association of job strain by 38% and of ERI by 54%.

Conclusions
Mid-life work stress is associated with work ability in the last years preceding pensionable age. Sleep problems might be a potential mediator in these associations.