Monica E Walters, Kiana A Scambray, Jordan D Palms, Robrielle M Pierce, Ketlyne Sol, Laura B Zahodne
Five profiles emerged. Black participants were more likely to show higher-stress profiles; this difference was explained by education. The profile with low job control/limited other stressors had the lowest initial cognition, especially among Black participants. The profile with high emotional labor/job demands had the fastest cognitive decline.
INTRODUCTION: Little research has assessed detailed occupational exposures in relation to the dementia exposome. We characterized patterns of multidimensional workplace stressors in relation to cognitive trajectories and racial disparities.
METHODS: We included 704 participants from the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project (MageT1 = 63.32 ± 2.99). Main lifetime occupations were linked to 26 Occupational Information Network-measured workplace stressors. Latent profile analysis identified stressor profiles. Global cognition was measured with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Latent growth curve models assessed how stressor profiles related to cognitive trajectories. We examined racial differences in profile membership and profile-cognition associations.
RESULTS: Five profiles emerged. Black participants were more likely to show higher-stress profiles; this difference was explained by education. The profile with low job control/limited other stressors had the lowest initial cognition, especially among Black participants. The profile with high emotional labor/job demands had the fastest cognitive decline.
DISCUSSION: Workplace stress is a relevant, under-recognized aspect of the dementia exposome.