Exploring relationship between quality of life,life habits and occupational stress Brazilian public prosecutors: A cluster analysis approach

Abstract

Background:

The quality of life (QoL) of Prosecutors can be impacted by their own work.

Objective:

To examine the relationship between sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, and QoL in public prosecutors (PP).

Methods:

Information on life habits, sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment abbreviated version (WHOQOL-bref), and Job Stress Scale (JSS) of 355 Brazilian PP were collected by email survey. The cluster analysis used the Gower method to form groups with similar characteristics. Chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and Kruskal-Wallis tests verified differences in clusters. A multiple linear regression identified predictors of QoL in clusters.

Results:

The analysis founded 3 distinct groups. In the cluster with highest QoL, the variables explained 48.3% of the total variance (F(4, 91) = 21.235; p < 0.000; R²= 0.483). Length of employment β^sc= 0.288; t = 3.770; p < 0.000), sedentary lifestyle (β^sc= −0.274; t = −3.494; p < 0.001), sleep quality (β^sc= 0.402; t = 5.212; p < 0.001), and social support (β^sc= 0.296; t = 3.772; p < 0.001) were QoL predictors. In the cluster with worst QoL, sleep quality (β^sc= 0.307; t = 3.798; p < 0.001), social support (β^sc= 0.452; t = 5.140; p < 0.001), and occupational stress (β^sc= −0.210; t = −2.481; p < 0.05) were QoL predictors and explained 54.4% of total QoL variance (F(3, 79) = 31.364; p < 0.001; R²= 0.544). In the intermediate QoL cluster, religiosity (β^sc= 0.161; t = 2.144; p < 0.05), sleep quality (β^sc= 0.419; t = 5.541; p < 0.001), social support (β^sc= 0.214; t = 2.743; p < 0.05), and occupational stress (β^sc= −0.218; t = −2.727; p < 0.05) contributed for the model, explaining 45.2% of total QoL variance (F(5, 104) = 17.173; p < 0.001; R²= 0.452).

Conclusion:

The QoL of Brazilian PP is related with their life habits, social support at work, and occupational stress, showing the need of Occupational Health Service (OHS) support to ensure individual and organizational strategies to promote better QoL in PP.