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 βsc = 0.288; t = 3.770; p < 0.000), sedentary lifestyle ( βsc = −0.274; t = −3.494; p < 0.001), sleep quality ( βsc = 0.402; t = 5.212; p < 0.001), and social support ( βsc = 0.296; t = 3.772; p < 0.001) were QoL predictors. In the cluster with worst QoL, sleep quality ( βsc = 0.307; t = 3.798; p < 0.001), social support ( βsc = 0.452; t = 5.140; p < 0.001), and occupational stress ( βsc = −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 ( βsc = 0.161; t = 2.144; p < 0.05), sleep quality ( βsc = 0.419; t = 5.541; p < 0.001), social support ( βsc = 0.214; t = 2.743; p < 0.05), and occupational stress ( βsc = −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.