RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Work-family life courses and metabolic markers in mid-life: evidence from the British National Child Development Study
JF Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
JO J Epidemiol Community Health
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 481
OP 487
DO 10.1136/jech-2015-206036
VO 70
IS 5
A1 Anne McMunn
A1 Rebecca E Lacey
A1 Meena Kumari
A1 Diana Worts
A1 Peggy McDonough
A1 Amanda Sacker
YR 2016
UL http://jech.bmj.com/content/70/5/481.abstract
AB Background Previous studies have found generally better health among those who combine employment and family responsibilities; however, most research excludes men, and relies on subjective measures of health and information on work and family activities from only 1 or 2 time points in the life course. This study investigated associations between work-family life course types (LCTs) and markers of metabolic risk in a British birth cohort study.Methods Multichannel sequence analysis was used to generate work-family LCTs, combining annual information on work, partnership and parenthood between 16 and 42 years for men and women in the British National Child Development Study (NCDS, followed since their birth in 1958). Associations between work-family LCTs and metabolic risk factors in mid-life (age 44–45) were tested using multivariate linear regression in multiply imputed data.Results Life courses characterised by earlier transitions into parenthood were associated with significantly increased metabolic risk, regardless of attachment to paid work or marital stability over the life course. These associations were only partially attenuated by educational qualifications, early life circumstances and adult mediators. The positive association between weak labour markets ties and metabolic risk was weaker than might be expected from previous studies. Associations between work-family LCTs and metabolic risk factors did not differ significantly by gender.Conclusions Earlier transitions to parenthood are linked to metabolic risk in mid-life.