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Papers by Ellen Ek

Research paper thumbnail of Cloninger’s Temperament and

The aim of this study was to assess the association between temperament and metabolic syndrome ma... more The aim of this study was to assess the association between temperament and metabolic syndrome markers.

Research paper thumbnail of Social and Developmental Predictors of Optimism from Infancy to Early Adulthood

Social Indicators Research, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Stress-Related Eating and Drinking Behavior and Body Mass Index and Predictors of This Behavior

Preventive Medicine, 2002

Background. Earlier studies on stress and obesity have not considered coping in situations involv... more Background. Earlier studies on stress and obesity have not considered coping in situations involving Stress and emotions have been found to affect food stress. This study examines the associations between intake and body weight [1-5]. Stress can be defined as stress-related eating and drinking and obesity and the an unpleasant nonspecific arousal state [6,7]. It is not factors predicting this behavior. Predictive factors stress itself that has unfavorable consequences for the include risk factors for adult obesity, longitudinal individual, but failure to cope effectively in stressful socioeconomic status, and perceived social support. situations, i.e., to manage stress successfully [8]. Ways Methods. A longitudinal, population-based study of of coping in stressful situations have been taken into 2,359 men and 2,791 women born in 1966 in Northern account in only a few studies on obesity [1]. Stress-Finland was conducted. related eating and drinking occur when people attempt Results. The body mass index at 31 years was highest to make themselves feel better by eating or drinking among stress-driven eaters and drinkers, especially in stressful situations [1,5,9,10] and they may thus be among women. Stress-driven eaters tended to eat connected to the development of obesity. It has been sausages, hamburgers and pizza, and chocolate more suggested that coping in stressful situations is associfrequently than other people. Stress-driven eaters conated with eating disorders [2], especially with binges, sumed more alcohol than other people. The best prei.e., times of uninhibited or excessive eating and drinkdictors of stress-related eating and drinking among ing [11,12], and that this can be related to obesity [13]. men age 31 years were being single or divorced, a long Trying to reduce stress by such activities as eating, history of unemployment, an academic degree, and a drinking, or exercising can be considered so-called low level of occupational education. Among women, emotion-focused coping, which means trying to avoid the best predictor was a lack of emotional support. the problem causing stress and/or the emotions con-Conclusion. Programs aimed at preventing and treatnected to it (e.g., "I went on as if nothing had haping obesity should cover the way in which people deal pened"). with emotions, ways of achieving greater emotional The predictors of stress-related eating or drinking support, and strategies for handling stress caused by are still unknown despite the fact that the development unemployment or work. ᭧ 2002 American Health Foundation and of eating disorders has been studied quite intensively Elsevier Science

Research paper thumbnail of Long-Term Unemployment Is Associated with Short Telomeres in 31-Year-Old Men: An Observational Study in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966

PLoS ONE, 2013

Objective: Life stress resulting from early-life experiences and domestic stress is linked with s... more Objective: Life stress resulting from early-life experiences and domestic stress is linked with shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL), but evidence on employment-related stress is scarce. We explored whether unemployment in early adulthood is associated with shorter LTL, a potential biomarker of premature aging. Methods: We used data from 5620 men and women belonging to the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. Individually registered unemployment days in 1995-97 were compared with data on biological, behavioral and socioeconomic health predictors and existing medical conditions obtained by surveys and clinical examinations at follow-up in 1997-98. Mean LTL at follow-up was measured by multiplex quantitative real-time PCR. We calculated odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) of belonging to the sex-stratified shortest decile of standardized relative mean LTL according to the categories of: 0, ,260, ,500 and over 500 unemployment days, representing 0, ,1, ,2 and over 2 calendar years. Results: Among men, unemployment exceeding 500 days during three years was associated with having shorter LTL at follow-up, compared to being continuously employed. The corresponding odds ratio was 2.61 (95% CI 1.16 to 5.85) in the fully adjusted model. Such an association was not found among women in this study. Conclusions: Long-term unemployment in early adulthood is associated with shorter LTL among men.

Research paper thumbnail of Classification of Work Ability Index among young employees

Occupational Medicine, 2005

Background The reference values of the Work Ability Index (WAI) are best known for people aged ov... more Background The reference values of the Work Ability Index (WAI) are best known for people aged over 45 years. However, the WAI score is highly dependent on age and population-based reference values for young employees are needed.

Research paper thumbnail of Social predictors of unsuccessful entrance into the labour market—A socialization process perspective

Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2005

Social determinants over the life course, including childhood family characteristics, were studie... more Social determinants over the life course, including childhood family characteristics, were studied in predicting unsuccessful entrance into the labour market at the age of 31 years. Among men, unsuccessful entrance into the labour market was predicted prospectively by the ...

Research paper thumbnail of Cloninger’s Temperament Dimensions, Socio-economic and Lifestyle Factors and Metabolic Syndrome Markers at Age 31 Years in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966

Journal of Health Psychology, 2007

The aim of this study was to assess the association between temperament and metabolic syndrome ma... more The aim of this study was to assess the association between temperament and metabolic syndrome markers. Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory and clinical examination were carried out in 1997 in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 ( N = 4364 respondents). Novelty seeking was positively associated with waist circumference in both genders. Systolic blood pressure was highest in men with high harm avoidance and low persistence scores and lowest in women with high reward dependence and high persistence scores. Childhood socio-economic status did not confound these associations. Smoking and alcohol consumption were associated with higher novelty seeking. Our results suggest that temperament is associated with metabolic syndrome markers and this association may be partly mediated by lifestyle factors and socio-economic status in adulthood.

Research paper thumbnail of Coping and optimism in relation to dental health behaviour - a study among Finnish young adults

European Journal of Oral Sciences, 2003

Our aim in this paper was to investigate active coping in relation to optimism, dental health beh... more Our aim in this paper was to investigate active coping in relation to optimism, dental health behavior and self-reported dental health among 31-yr-old men and women born in Northern Finland in 1966. Connecting coping strategies and optimism with health behavior is an unexplored approach in dentistry, even though both coping strategies and optimism are known to be associated with many health outcomes. The data were based on a postal questionnaire, which was sent to the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort at age 31 yr (n = 11 541). The number of replies was 8690, with a 75.3% response rate. Active coping was measured using the Ways of Coping Checklist and optimism using a revised Life Orientation Test. Prevalence proportion ratios were estimated by applying a log-binomial regression models. The results showed a correlation between active coping and optimism. Both active coping and optimism were related to different dental health behaviors. The effect of active coping on dental health behavior disappeared by adjusting for optimism, education and gender. The results support the previous findings that active coping acts as a mediator between optimism and health. Optimism was also related to self-reported dental health, which supports the comprehensiveness of optimism as a determinant for health.

Research paper thumbnail of Optimism, dietary habits, body mass index and smoking among young Finnish adults

Appetite, 2005

The association between optimism and health habits was evaluated among 31-year-old men and women ... more The association between optimism and health habits was evaluated among 31-year-old men and women (nZ8690) born in Northern Finland in 1966. Both women and men above the upper quartile for optimism more often ate fresh vegetables and salads (women 76%/men 57%), berries (23%/9%), fruit (67%/42%), low-fat cheese (25%/16%) and salad dressing (15%/17%) than those below the lower quartile (56%/31%, 14%/5%, 52%/26%, 18%/10% and 10%/5%, respectively) with women in higher proportion than in men in each case. Pessimism was associated with infrequent consumption of foods rich in fiber and salad dressing and the proportions of high consumers of alcohol. Proportion of subjects with BMI of 30.0 kg/m 2 and above and that of current smokers were higher among the pessimists than among the optimists. Thus lack of optimism is associated with a cluster of unhealthy dietary and other habits. This may at least partly explain the positive association of optimism with health found in previous studies.

Research paper thumbnail of Optimism, dietary habits, body mass index and smoking among young Finnish adults

Appetite, 2005

The association between optimism and health habits was evaluated among 31-year-old men and women ... more The association between optimism and health habits was evaluated among 31-year-old men and women (nZ8690) born in Northern Finland in 1966. Both women and men above the upper quartile for optimism more often ate fresh vegetables and salads (women 76%/men 57%), berries (23%/9%), fruit (67%/42%), low-fat cheese (25%/16%) and salad dressing (15%/17%) than those below the lower quartile (56%/31%, 14%/5%, 52%/26%, 18%/10% and 10%/5%, respectively) with women in higher proportion than in men in each case. Pessimism was associated with infrequent consumption of foods rich in fiber and salad dressing and the proportions of high consumers of alcohol. Proportion of subjects with BMI of 30.0 kg/m 2 and above and that of current smokers were higher among the pessimists than among the optimists. Thus lack of optimism is associated with a cluster of unhealthy dietary and other habits. This may at least partly explain the positive association of optimism with health found in previous studies.

Research paper thumbnail of Dispositional optimism and pessimism in association with cognitive abilities in early and middle adulthood

Personality and Individual Differences

Research paper thumbnail of Psychological resources, their social antecedents, and association with well-being and health behaviour in early adulthood

5 TIIVISTELMA 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 9. LIST.OF.ORIGINAL.PAPERS 11 1..INTRODUCTION 12. . 1.1..Psychol... more 5 TIIVISTELMA 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 9. LIST.OF.ORIGINAL.PAPERS 11 1..INTRODUCTION 12. . 1.1..Psychological.resources.as.a.link.between.social.. . . structure.and.well-being 13. . 1.2..Life-span.approach.to.entrance.to.work.life 16. . 1.3..Regional.differences.and.psychosocial.resources. . . for.well-being 18. . 1.4. Psychological.resources.for.well-being,.. . . and.their.social.antecedents 20. . . 1.4.1.Dispositional.optimism 21. . . 1.4.2.Personal.meaning.of.work 22. . . 1.4.3.Coping.with.stress 23. . 1.5..Summary.of.the.theoretical.framework.. . . of.this.study 24. . 2..AIMS.OF.THE.STUDY 25. . . . 3..SUBJECTS.AND.METHODS 27. . 3.1..Subjects 27. . 3.2..Operationalisations.of.explanatory,.confounding.. . . and.outcome.variables 29. . . 3.2.1.Early.adulthood.variables 29. . . 3.2.2.Adolescence.variables 36. . . 3.2.3.Early.infancy.variables 37. . . 3.2.4.Register.data 38. . . 3.2.5.Statistical.analyses 38. . . 3.2.6.Ethical.considerations 39. . .

Research paper thumbnail of Employment trajectories until midlife associate with early social role investments and current work-related well-being

Advances in Life Course Research

Research paper thumbnail of Personal meaning of work and perceived work ability among middle-aged workers with physically strenuous work: a Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Purpose To investigate the association between personal meaning of work and perceived work abilit... more Purpose To investigate the association between personal meaning of work and perceived work ability among middle-aged workers with physically strenuous or light work. We evaluated the course of perceived work ability from 31 to 46 years and examined the possible differences in the association between personal meaning of work and perceived work ability at the age of 46 depending on physical workload. Methods The study population consisted of participants of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (n = 4420). Data were collected through questionnaires at 31 and 46 years. The main outcome was perceived work ability (0-7 = poor, 8-10 = good) and the main explanatory measures were physically strenuous work and personal meaning of work. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were adjusted for unhealthy habits, number of diseases, job strain, social support at work, employment history and gender. They were also stratified for the strenuousness of work. Results Perceived work ability decreased during the 15-year follow-up in both the strenuous and light work groups, and was lowest among workers with strenuous work. Perceived work ability remained poor or decreased in 22% of men and 21% of women in the strenuous work group vs. 14% and 13% in the light work group, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, the participants in both groups who reported low personal meaning of work were at approximately a twofold risk of having poor perceived work ability at 46 years compared to the participants who reported high personal meaning of work. Conclusions Perceived work ability was significantly lower and deteriorated more during the follow-up among participants with strenuous work. High personal meaning of work was important for good work ability, irrespective of the strenuousness of work.

Research paper thumbnail of Temperament and Early Intentions to Retire

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Objective: To examine associations between temperament traits and early retirement intentions. Me... more Objective: To examine associations between temperament traits and early retirement intentions. Methods: In the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, we analyzed early retirement intentions at the age 46 according to Cloninger temperament traits at the age 46 (n = 4409) and at the age 31 (n = 3226). Ordinal logistic regression analyses were used. Adjustments were made for marital status, education, work type, job satisfaction, perceived health, and mental health problems. Results: 11% of men and 9% of women had strong retirement intentions. Especially higher harm avoidance was associated with higher early retirement intentions in both sexes at the age of 46. A similar pattern of results, although with weaker associations, was found for temperament assessed at the age of 31. Conclusions: Temperament and especially harm avoidance is related to early retirement intentions.

Research paper thumbnail of Association of stress and depression with chronic facial pain: A case-control study based on the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort

CRANIO®, 2016

The aim was to study the association between stress level and chronic facial pain, while controll... more The aim was to study the association between stress level and chronic facial pain, while controlling for the effect of depression on this association, during a three-year follow-up in a general population-based birth cohort. In the general population-based Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort, information about stress level, depression and facial pain were collected using questionnaires at the age of 31 years. Stress level was measured using the Work Ability Index. Depression was assessed using the 13-item depression subscale in the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25. Three years later, a subsample of 52 subjects (42 women) with chronic facial pain and 52 pain-free controls (42 women) was formed. Of the subjects having high stress level at baseline, 73.3% had chronic facial pain, and 26.7% were pain-free three years later. The univariate logistic regression analysis showed that high stress level at 31 years increased the risk for chronic facial pain (crude OR 6.1, 95%, CI 1.3-28.7) three years later. When including depression in a multivariate model, depression associated statistically significantly with chronic facial pain (adjusted OR 2.5, 95%, CI 1.0-5.8), whereas stress level did not (adjusted OR 2.3, 95%, CI 0.6-8.4). High stress level is connected with increased risk for chronic facial pain. This association seems to mediate through depression.

Research paper thumbnail of Role configurations in young adulthood, antecedents, and later wellbeing among Finns born in 1966

The aim of this study was to identify latent classes of role configurations among Finnish cohort ... more The aim of this study was to identify latent classes of role configurations among Finnish cohort members born in 1966, based on education, employment, housing, marital status, and parenthood, and to investigate their antecedents and individual psychosocial wellbeing outcomes. Data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC66) (N= 11,825) were used to identify the latent classes at the age of 25-26, together with register data on education, employment, partnership, and parenthood from official registers, and data from a postal questionnaire on living arrangements, administered at age 31, and used as proxies for the 25 to 26 year old situation. Four classes were identified by latent class analysis. Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the classes' association with their antecedent conditions and logistic/ordered logistic regression with their wellbeing outcomes.

Research paper thumbnail of Association of stress level with facial pain: the role of coping

Cranio : the journal of craniomandibular practice, 2008

It has been noted that stress factors, including coping with stress, are involved in pain problem... more It has been noted that stress factors, including coping with stress, are involved in pain problems. The aim of the present study was, firstly, to investigate the association of stress level with facial pain, and secondly, to assess the influence of coping strategies on this association. The study was part of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 project. The original material consisted of all people born in 1966 in Northern Finland. Of these, 5,696 participated in a follow-up study at the age of 31. As part of the study, data on facial pain, stress level of the subjects (measured with three items from the Work Ability Index), coping strategies in stressful situations (measured using the Ways of Coping Checklist) and sociodemographic background data were collected using questionnaires in 1997-98. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using generalized linear models. After adjustment for gender, education, and work history, facial pain was associated with ...

Research paper thumbnail of Work ability of young adults

International journal of circumpolar health, 1998

This paper reviews the themes related to work ability of young adults. Premature working discapac... more This paper reviews the themes related to work ability of young adults. Premature working discapacity causes significant economical and social costs in Finland compared to other Nordic countries and has for that reason been studied most intensively there. Work ability is an interaction of social, environmental and individual factors such as physical fitness, coping skills, social support behaviour and health behaviour. Environmental factors influencing work ability can be concrete, like physical and chemical exposures or more abstract like unemployment. The work ability of ageing people has been studied intensively, while work ability of young adults has not been properly evaluated so far. The worsened economic situation in Finland has meant an excessive work load for those who still have work. At the same time the risk of permanent unemployment is increasing. This polarizationing affects especially the young because they may fail to enter the working life. Also factors related to ch...

Research paper thumbnail of Psychosocial factors as mediators between migration and subjective well-being among young Finnish adults

Social Science & Medicine, 2008

This study examined the role of socioeconomic factors (such as education and employment) and psyc... more This study examined the role of socioeconomic factors (such as education and employment) and psychosocial factors (such as social support, coping and attitude towards the future), in the relationship between migration, self-reported health and life satisfaction among young adults in a 31-year follow-up study of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 conducted in 1997e1998. The associations between these outcomes and socioeconomic and psychosocial factors were first examined, stratified by gender and migration, for sample members at 23 and at 31 years of age. Regression modelling was then used to study the association between migration and the outcomes after adjusting for specific socioeconomic and psychosocial factors. Results of binary logistic regression models showed that, although there was more dissatisfaction with life and more poor self-reported health in rural areas, the association was derived mostly from the mediation of unemployment, poorer education, lack of social support, passive coping strategies and greater pessimism among people living in rural areas. It is concluded that special attention should be paid to improving living conditions (educational and vocational opportunities) and enhancing the psychosocial resources of young adults in rural and remote areas.

Research paper thumbnail of Cloninger’s Temperament and

The aim of this study was to assess the association between temperament and metabolic syndrome ma... more The aim of this study was to assess the association between temperament and metabolic syndrome markers.

Research paper thumbnail of Social and Developmental Predictors of Optimism from Infancy to Early Adulthood

Social Indicators Research, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Stress-Related Eating and Drinking Behavior and Body Mass Index and Predictors of This Behavior

Preventive Medicine, 2002

Background. Earlier studies on stress and obesity have not considered coping in situations involv... more Background. Earlier studies on stress and obesity have not considered coping in situations involving Stress and emotions have been found to affect food stress. This study examines the associations between intake and body weight [1-5]. Stress can be defined as stress-related eating and drinking and obesity and the an unpleasant nonspecific arousal state [6,7]. It is not factors predicting this behavior. Predictive factors stress itself that has unfavorable consequences for the include risk factors for adult obesity, longitudinal individual, but failure to cope effectively in stressful socioeconomic status, and perceived social support. situations, i.e., to manage stress successfully [8]. Ways Methods. A longitudinal, population-based study of of coping in stressful situations have been taken into 2,359 men and 2,791 women born in 1966 in Northern account in only a few studies on obesity [1]. Stress-Finland was conducted. related eating and drinking occur when people attempt Results. The body mass index at 31 years was highest to make themselves feel better by eating or drinking among stress-driven eaters and drinkers, especially in stressful situations [1,5,9,10] and they may thus be among women. Stress-driven eaters tended to eat connected to the development of obesity. It has been sausages, hamburgers and pizza, and chocolate more suggested that coping in stressful situations is associfrequently than other people. Stress-driven eaters conated with eating disorders [2], especially with binges, sumed more alcohol than other people. The best prei.e., times of uninhibited or excessive eating and drinkdictors of stress-related eating and drinking among ing [11,12], and that this can be related to obesity [13]. men age 31 years were being single or divorced, a long Trying to reduce stress by such activities as eating, history of unemployment, an academic degree, and a drinking, or exercising can be considered so-called low level of occupational education. Among women, emotion-focused coping, which means trying to avoid the best predictor was a lack of emotional support. the problem causing stress and/or the emotions con-Conclusion. Programs aimed at preventing and treatnected to it (e.g., "I went on as if nothing had haping obesity should cover the way in which people deal pened"). with emotions, ways of achieving greater emotional The predictors of stress-related eating or drinking support, and strategies for handling stress caused by are still unknown despite the fact that the development unemployment or work. ᭧ 2002 American Health Foundation and of eating disorders has been studied quite intensively Elsevier Science

Research paper thumbnail of Long-Term Unemployment Is Associated with Short Telomeres in 31-Year-Old Men: An Observational Study in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966

PLoS ONE, 2013

Objective: Life stress resulting from early-life experiences and domestic stress is linked with s... more Objective: Life stress resulting from early-life experiences and domestic stress is linked with shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL), but evidence on employment-related stress is scarce. We explored whether unemployment in early adulthood is associated with shorter LTL, a potential biomarker of premature aging. Methods: We used data from 5620 men and women belonging to the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. Individually registered unemployment days in 1995-97 were compared with data on biological, behavioral and socioeconomic health predictors and existing medical conditions obtained by surveys and clinical examinations at follow-up in 1997-98. Mean LTL at follow-up was measured by multiplex quantitative real-time PCR. We calculated odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) of belonging to the sex-stratified shortest decile of standardized relative mean LTL according to the categories of: 0, ,260, ,500 and over 500 unemployment days, representing 0, ,1, ,2 and over 2 calendar years. Results: Among men, unemployment exceeding 500 days during three years was associated with having shorter LTL at follow-up, compared to being continuously employed. The corresponding odds ratio was 2.61 (95% CI 1.16 to 5.85) in the fully adjusted model. Such an association was not found among women in this study. Conclusions: Long-term unemployment in early adulthood is associated with shorter LTL among men.

Research paper thumbnail of Classification of Work Ability Index among young employees

Occupational Medicine, 2005

Background The reference values of the Work Ability Index (WAI) are best known for people aged ov... more Background The reference values of the Work Ability Index (WAI) are best known for people aged over 45 years. However, the WAI score is highly dependent on age and population-based reference values for young employees are needed.

Research paper thumbnail of Social predictors of unsuccessful entrance into the labour market—A socialization process perspective

Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2005

Social determinants over the life course, including childhood family characteristics, were studie... more Social determinants over the life course, including childhood family characteristics, were studied in predicting unsuccessful entrance into the labour market at the age of 31 years. Among men, unsuccessful entrance into the labour market was predicted prospectively by the ...

Research paper thumbnail of Cloninger’s Temperament Dimensions, Socio-economic and Lifestyle Factors and Metabolic Syndrome Markers at Age 31 Years in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966

Journal of Health Psychology, 2007

The aim of this study was to assess the association between temperament and metabolic syndrome ma... more The aim of this study was to assess the association between temperament and metabolic syndrome markers. Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory and clinical examination were carried out in 1997 in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 ( N = 4364 respondents). Novelty seeking was positively associated with waist circumference in both genders. Systolic blood pressure was highest in men with high harm avoidance and low persistence scores and lowest in women with high reward dependence and high persistence scores. Childhood socio-economic status did not confound these associations. Smoking and alcohol consumption were associated with higher novelty seeking. Our results suggest that temperament is associated with metabolic syndrome markers and this association may be partly mediated by lifestyle factors and socio-economic status in adulthood.

Research paper thumbnail of Coping and optimism in relation to dental health behaviour - a study among Finnish young adults

European Journal of Oral Sciences, 2003

Our aim in this paper was to investigate active coping in relation to optimism, dental health beh... more Our aim in this paper was to investigate active coping in relation to optimism, dental health behavior and self-reported dental health among 31-yr-old men and women born in Northern Finland in 1966. Connecting coping strategies and optimism with health behavior is an unexplored approach in dentistry, even though both coping strategies and optimism are known to be associated with many health outcomes. The data were based on a postal questionnaire, which was sent to the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort at age 31 yr (n = 11 541). The number of replies was 8690, with a 75.3% response rate. Active coping was measured using the Ways of Coping Checklist and optimism using a revised Life Orientation Test. Prevalence proportion ratios were estimated by applying a log-binomial regression models. The results showed a correlation between active coping and optimism. Both active coping and optimism were related to different dental health behaviors. The effect of active coping on dental health behavior disappeared by adjusting for optimism, education and gender. The results support the previous findings that active coping acts as a mediator between optimism and health. Optimism was also related to self-reported dental health, which supports the comprehensiveness of optimism as a determinant for health.

Research paper thumbnail of Optimism, dietary habits, body mass index and smoking among young Finnish adults

Appetite, 2005

The association between optimism and health habits was evaluated among 31-year-old men and women ... more The association between optimism and health habits was evaluated among 31-year-old men and women (nZ8690) born in Northern Finland in 1966. Both women and men above the upper quartile for optimism more often ate fresh vegetables and salads (women 76%/men 57%), berries (23%/9%), fruit (67%/42%), low-fat cheese (25%/16%) and salad dressing (15%/17%) than those below the lower quartile (56%/31%, 14%/5%, 52%/26%, 18%/10% and 10%/5%, respectively) with women in higher proportion than in men in each case. Pessimism was associated with infrequent consumption of foods rich in fiber and salad dressing and the proportions of high consumers of alcohol. Proportion of subjects with BMI of 30.0 kg/m 2 and above and that of current smokers were higher among the pessimists than among the optimists. Thus lack of optimism is associated with a cluster of unhealthy dietary and other habits. This may at least partly explain the positive association of optimism with health found in previous studies.

Research paper thumbnail of Optimism, dietary habits, body mass index and smoking among young Finnish adults

Appetite, 2005

The association between optimism and health habits was evaluated among 31-year-old men and women ... more The association between optimism and health habits was evaluated among 31-year-old men and women (nZ8690) born in Northern Finland in 1966. Both women and men above the upper quartile for optimism more often ate fresh vegetables and salads (women 76%/men 57%), berries (23%/9%), fruit (67%/42%), low-fat cheese (25%/16%) and salad dressing (15%/17%) than those below the lower quartile (56%/31%, 14%/5%, 52%/26%, 18%/10% and 10%/5%, respectively) with women in higher proportion than in men in each case. Pessimism was associated with infrequent consumption of foods rich in fiber and salad dressing and the proportions of high consumers of alcohol. Proportion of subjects with BMI of 30.0 kg/m 2 and above and that of current smokers were higher among the pessimists than among the optimists. Thus lack of optimism is associated with a cluster of unhealthy dietary and other habits. This may at least partly explain the positive association of optimism with health found in previous studies.

Research paper thumbnail of Dispositional optimism and pessimism in association with cognitive abilities in early and middle adulthood

Personality and Individual Differences

Research paper thumbnail of Psychological resources, their social antecedents, and association with well-being and health behaviour in early adulthood

5 TIIVISTELMA 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 9. LIST.OF.ORIGINAL.PAPERS 11 1..INTRODUCTION 12. . 1.1..Psychol... more 5 TIIVISTELMA 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 9. LIST.OF.ORIGINAL.PAPERS 11 1..INTRODUCTION 12. . 1.1..Psychological.resources.as.a.link.between.social.. . . structure.and.well-being 13. . 1.2..Life-span.approach.to.entrance.to.work.life 16. . 1.3..Regional.differences.and.psychosocial.resources. . . for.well-being 18. . 1.4. Psychological.resources.for.well-being,.. . . and.their.social.antecedents 20. . . 1.4.1.Dispositional.optimism 21. . . 1.4.2.Personal.meaning.of.work 22. . . 1.4.3.Coping.with.stress 23. . 1.5..Summary.of.the.theoretical.framework.. . . of.this.study 24. . 2..AIMS.OF.THE.STUDY 25. . . . 3..SUBJECTS.AND.METHODS 27. . 3.1..Subjects 27. . 3.2..Operationalisations.of.explanatory,.confounding.. . . and.outcome.variables 29. . . 3.2.1.Early.adulthood.variables 29. . . 3.2.2.Adolescence.variables 36. . . 3.2.3.Early.infancy.variables 37. . . 3.2.4.Register.data 38. . . 3.2.5.Statistical.analyses 38. . . 3.2.6.Ethical.considerations 39. . .

Research paper thumbnail of Employment trajectories until midlife associate with early social role investments and current work-related well-being

Advances in Life Course Research

Research paper thumbnail of Personal meaning of work and perceived work ability among middle-aged workers with physically strenuous work: a Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Purpose To investigate the association between personal meaning of work and perceived work abilit... more Purpose To investigate the association between personal meaning of work and perceived work ability among middle-aged workers with physically strenuous or light work. We evaluated the course of perceived work ability from 31 to 46 years and examined the possible differences in the association between personal meaning of work and perceived work ability at the age of 46 depending on physical workload. Methods The study population consisted of participants of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (n = 4420). Data were collected through questionnaires at 31 and 46 years. The main outcome was perceived work ability (0-7 = poor, 8-10 = good) and the main explanatory measures were physically strenuous work and personal meaning of work. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were adjusted for unhealthy habits, number of diseases, job strain, social support at work, employment history and gender. They were also stratified for the strenuousness of work. Results Perceived work ability decreased during the 15-year follow-up in both the strenuous and light work groups, and was lowest among workers with strenuous work. Perceived work ability remained poor or decreased in 22% of men and 21% of women in the strenuous work group vs. 14% and 13% in the light work group, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, the participants in both groups who reported low personal meaning of work were at approximately a twofold risk of having poor perceived work ability at 46 years compared to the participants who reported high personal meaning of work. Conclusions Perceived work ability was significantly lower and deteriorated more during the follow-up among participants with strenuous work. High personal meaning of work was important for good work ability, irrespective of the strenuousness of work.

Research paper thumbnail of Temperament and Early Intentions to Retire

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Objective: To examine associations between temperament traits and early retirement intentions. Me... more Objective: To examine associations between temperament traits and early retirement intentions. Methods: In the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, we analyzed early retirement intentions at the age 46 according to Cloninger temperament traits at the age 46 (n = 4409) and at the age 31 (n = 3226). Ordinal logistic regression analyses were used. Adjustments were made for marital status, education, work type, job satisfaction, perceived health, and mental health problems. Results: 11% of men and 9% of women had strong retirement intentions. Especially higher harm avoidance was associated with higher early retirement intentions in both sexes at the age of 46. A similar pattern of results, although with weaker associations, was found for temperament assessed at the age of 31. Conclusions: Temperament and especially harm avoidance is related to early retirement intentions.

Research paper thumbnail of Association of stress and depression with chronic facial pain: A case-control study based on the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort

CRANIO®, 2016

The aim was to study the association between stress level and chronic facial pain, while controll... more The aim was to study the association between stress level and chronic facial pain, while controlling for the effect of depression on this association, during a three-year follow-up in a general population-based birth cohort. In the general population-based Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort, information about stress level, depression and facial pain were collected using questionnaires at the age of 31 years. Stress level was measured using the Work Ability Index. Depression was assessed using the 13-item depression subscale in the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25. Three years later, a subsample of 52 subjects (42 women) with chronic facial pain and 52 pain-free controls (42 women) was formed. Of the subjects having high stress level at baseline, 73.3% had chronic facial pain, and 26.7% were pain-free three years later. The univariate logistic regression analysis showed that high stress level at 31 years increased the risk for chronic facial pain (crude OR 6.1, 95%, CI 1.3-28.7) three years later. When including depression in a multivariate model, depression associated statistically significantly with chronic facial pain (adjusted OR 2.5, 95%, CI 1.0-5.8), whereas stress level did not (adjusted OR 2.3, 95%, CI 0.6-8.4). High stress level is connected with increased risk for chronic facial pain. This association seems to mediate through depression.

Research paper thumbnail of Role configurations in young adulthood, antecedents, and later wellbeing among Finns born in 1966

The aim of this study was to identify latent classes of role configurations among Finnish cohort ... more The aim of this study was to identify latent classes of role configurations among Finnish cohort members born in 1966, based on education, employment, housing, marital status, and parenthood, and to investigate their antecedents and individual psychosocial wellbeing outcomes. Data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC66) (N= 11,825) were used to identify the latent classes at the age of 25-26, together with register data on education, employment, partnership, and parenthood from official registers, and data from a postal questionnaire on living arrangements, administered at age 31, and used as proxies for the 25 to 26 year old situation. Four classes were identified by latent class analysis. Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the classes' association with their antecedent conditions and logistic/ordered logistic regression with their wellbeing outcomes.

Research paper thumbnail of Association of stress level with facial pain: the role of coping

Cranio : the journal of craniomandibular practice, 2008

It has been noted that stress factors, including coping with stress, are involved in pain problem... more It has been noted that stress factors, including coping with stress, are involved in pain problems. The aim of the present study was, firstly, to investigate the association of stress level with facial pain, and secondly, to assess the influence of coping strategies on this association. The study was part of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 project. The original material consisted of all people born in 1966 in Northern Finland. Of these, 5,696 participated in a follow-up study at the age of 31. As part of the study, data on facial pain, stress level of the subjects (measured with three items from the Work Ability Index), coping strategies in stressful situations (measured using the Ways of Coping Checklist) and sociodemographic background data were collected using questionnaires in 1997-98. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using generalized linear models. After adjustment for gender, education, and work history, facial pain was associated with ...

Research paper thumbnail of Work ability of young adults

International journal of circumpolar health, 1998

This paper reviews the themes related to work ability of young adults. Premature working discapac... more This paper reviews the themes related to work ability of young adults. Premature working discapacity causes significant economical and social costs in Finland compared to other Nordic countries and has for that reason been studied most intensively there. Work ability is an interaction of social, environmental and individual factors such as physical fitness, coping skills, social support behaviour and health behaviour. Environmental factors influencing work ability can be concrete, like physical and chemical exposures or more abstract like unemployment. The work ability of ageing people has been studied intensively, while work ability of young adults has not been properly evaluated so far. The worsened economic situation in Finland has meant an excessive work load for those who still have work. At the same time the risk of permanent unemployment is increasing. This polarizationing affects especially the young because they may fail to enter the working life. Also factors related to ch...

Research paper thumbnail of Psychosocial factors as mediators between migration and subjective well-being among young Finnish adults

Social Science & Medicine, 2008

This study examined the role of socioeconomic factors (such as education and employment) and psyc... more This study examined the role of socioeconomic factors (such as education and employment) and psychosocial factors (such as social support, coping and attitude towards the future), in the relationship between migration, self-reported health and life satisfaction among young adults in a 31-year follow-up study of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 conducted in 1997e1998. The associations between these outcomes and socioeconomic and psychosocial factors were first examined, stratified by gender and migration, for sample members at 23 and at 31 years of age. Regression modelling was then used to study the association between migration and the outcomes after adjusting for specific socioeconomic and psychosocial factors. Results of binary logistic regression models showed that, although there was more dissatisfaction with life and more poor self-reported health in rural areas, the association was derived mostly from the mediation of unemployment, poorer education, lack of social support, passive coping strategies and greater pessimism among people living in rural areas. It is concluded that special attention should be paid to improving living conditions (educational and vocational opportunities) and enhancing the psychosocial resources of young adults in rural and remote areas.