Impact of stress during adolescence on general and work-related stress in early adulthood: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

High-stress levels during youth can negatively impact an individual's long-term physical and psychological health and overall well-being, potentially extending into adulthood and affecting their work life. Further investigation is required to deepen our understanding of how the stress experienced during adolescence correlates with stress in early adult work life. Furthermore, exploring how factors within the psychosocial work environment and temporary employment contribute to stressful experiences is crucial. This study followed a cohort of 1275 Danish working adults born in 1989, tracking them from age 15-28. Participants reported perceived stress levels at ages 15, 18, and 21, and the outcomes included perceived stress and work-related stress at age 28. Additional information on the psychosocial work environment and temporary employment was collected at age 28. The study consistently identified associations between perceived stress during adolescence and perceived stress or work-related stress in adulthood. The psychosocial work environment variables significantly contributed to work-related stress and partially explained general perceived stress, particularly among those with more work experience. Occupational health professionals should be aware that stress during adolescence can result in stress in future work life. It is important to understand that perceived stress and work-related stress are distinct facets, requiring different prevention approaches.

Keywords

Adolescents / Perceived stress / Work stress

Funding

This work was supported by the Velliv Foreningen under Grant Number 19-0170.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: All authors

Formal Analysis: Trine Nøhr Winding

Investigation: Trine Nøhr Winding, Regine Grytnes

Methodology: Trine Nøhr Winding, Regine Grytnes, Mette Lykke Nielsen

Writing - original draft: Trine Nøhr Winding

Writing - review & editing: Mette Lykke Nielsen, Regine Grytnes

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study was conducted in accordance with the 1975 Declaration of Helsinki (https://www.wma.net/ policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki-ethical-principles-for-medical-research-involving-humansubjects). The study was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency, which is an independent authority that supervises compliance with the rules on the protection of personal data. The participants were informed about the purpose of the project, and their return of the questionnaire was interpreted as informed consent and willingness to participate. This was in accordance with Danish regulations at the time of the data collection. According to Danish law, questionnaire and register-based studies require neither approval by ethical or scientific committees nor written informed consent (https:// en.nvk.dk/rules-and-guidelines/act-on-research-ethics-review-of-health-research-projects). It is not possible to apply for ethical approval of studies unless they involve clinical examinations or biological material. The Danish Research Ethics Committee specifically waived the need for consent before the collection of any data with the following statement, translated from Danish: "it can be hereby announced that in connection with a questionnaire survey of 15 year olds such as the one outlined, there is no requirement for informed consent (either oral or written) from parents/guardians."

Consent for publication

The participants were informed about the purpose of the project, and their returning of the questionnaire was interpreted as informed consent and willingness to participate. This was in accordance with Danish regulations at the time of data collection. According

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