1. Predictors of Health-Related Quality of Life Among Operating Engineers
Seung Hee Choi, PhD, RN 1 Richard W. Redman, PhD 1
Jeffrey E. Terrell, MD 1
Joanne M. Pohl, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN, FAANP 1
Sonia A. Duffy, PhD, RN 1, 2
1 University of Michigan; 2 VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System

2. BACKGROUND
Health-related quality of life in working populations predicts absenteeism, presenteeism, work ability and productivity, morbidity, and subsequent mortality.
Blue collar workers are more likely to have depressive symptoms and engage in poor health behaviors such as smoking, problem drinking, unhealthy diet, and low physical activity level, all of which deteriorate health-related quality of life.
Health-related quality of life among blue collar workers has not been well studied.

3. OBJECTIVE
To determine personal and behavioral factors associated with health- related quality of life among one group of blue collar workers, namely Operating Engineers (responsible for the operation and maintenance of heavy earthmoving equipment used in the construction of buildings, bridges, roads, and other facilities).

4. METHODS DESIGN: Cross-sectional correlational design MEASURES:
Dependent variables: SF-36 health-related quality of life scales
Independent variables: Personal (demographic, depressive symptoms, number of medical comorbidities) and health behavioral factors (smoking, alcohol problems, diet, physical activity, BMI, and sleep quality)
SAMPLE: A convenience sample of 498 Operating Engineers was recruited from approximately 16,000 Operating Engineers from entire State of Michigan in 2008.
ANALYSIS: Multivariate linear regression was used to determine factors associated with health-related quality of life.

5. RESULTS PF RP BP GH VT SF RE MH PCS MCS Age -.18** -.16* -.13* -.12*
-.15*
Marital status (Married)
-.10*
-.09*
-.11*
Depressed
-.17*
-.24**
# Medical Comorbidities
-.29**
-.22**
-.14*
Smoking
-.15**
-.120
Fruit intake
0 to 2-4/wk
1/day or more
Physical activity
.10*
BMI
-.088
Sleep quality
.14*
.23**
.26**
.36**
.50**
.44**
.41**
.55**
.15*
.57** R2
.21
.20
.25
.36
.39
.24
.44
.23
.42
*: p <.05; **: p <.00; PF: physical functioning; RP: role physical; BP: bodily pain; GH: general health perception; VT: vitality; SF: social functioning; RE: role emotional; MH: mental health index; PCS: physical component score: MCS: mental component score

6. DISCUSSION
Age was associated with worse physical and mental QOL(PF, RP, BP, RE, PCS).
Being married was associated with decreased physical & mental QOL (BP, GH, VT, MH, PCS).
Being depressed was associated with lower physical QOL(PF, RP, BP).
Medical comorbidities were associated with lower physical and mental QOL(PF, RP, BP, GH, VT, MH, PCS, MCS).
Smoking was associated with lower physical QOL(PF, GH).
Fruit intake was associated with increases in mental QOL(GH, VT, RE, MH, MCS).
Physical activity was associated with better physical QOL(PF).
BMI was associate with lower physical QOL(PF, PCS), but higher mental QOL(MCS).
Poor sleep quality was associated with decreases in all 10 of the QOL scales.

7. CONCLUSIONS
Operating Engineers are at risk for poor health-related quality of life. While not changeable easily, depressive symptoms and medical comorbidities should be well-managed.
Worksite wellness programs targeting changeable health behaviors that negatively influence health-related quality of life (smoking, diet, physical activity, and sleep quality) may be beneficial.