Affiliations: Health and Prevention Social Research Group (GRASP),
University of Montreal, Montreal (Qc) Canada, H3C 3J7 | School of Industrial Relations, University of
Montreal, Montreal (Qc) Canada, H3C 3J7 | Department of Sociology, University of Montreal,
Montreal (Qc) Canada, H3C 3J7 | Department of Sociology-Anthropology, Concordia
University, Montreal (Qc) Canada, H36 1M8
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Alain Marchand, GRASP, University of
Montreal, P.O.Box 6128, Downtown Station, Montreal (Qc) Canada, H3C 3J7. Tel.:
+1 514 343 6111 ext. 0978; Fax: +1 514 343 6993; E-mail:
alain.marchand@umontreal.ca
Abstract: This study examines the distribution of psychological distress in
twelve occupational groups over the decade 1987–1998 in the Quebec
workforce. Cross-sectional data from the three phases of the Quebec Health and
Social Survey are used with n = 9,450 in 1987, n = 10,947 in 1992 and n =
10,960 in 1998, totalling 31,357 workers aged 15 and over. Occupations are
classified according to the Canadian Socio-economic Classification of
Occupations. Prevalence estimates for occupational groups are computed and
logistic regression analyses are conducted controlling for gender, age and
marital status. The results show that the prevalence of workers with psychological
distress increased sharply between 1987 and 1992 and declined back in 1998 but
still increased compared to 1987. However, only non-qualified white collars,
semi-qualified blue collars and male non-qualified blue collars show a
significant increment in psychological distress over time. Analysis of the
differentials in the prevalence of psychological distress gives greater odds of
distress for supervisors, semi-qualified white and blue collar workers compared
to upper managers. The odds for occupations are stable over time, gender, age
and marital status. The odds of female workers significantly decreased in the
three phases. It appears that the restructuring of the work environment and the
perturbations in the larger society promoted an increase of psychological
distress within definite segments of the workforce. The specific contribution
of occupation is limited but supervisors and occupations requiring lower
qualifications are more at risk regarding mental health at work.
