Table 4

Positive odds ratios (POR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for variables related to good QOL. Results from logistic regression modelling of variables showing a bivariate correlation to QOL in unemployed and in the reference group

Unemployed (n = 158)

Reference group (n = 355)

Health-related variables

POR^a)

CI

POR^a)

CI

Dizziness: no

0.46

(0.12–1.75)

1.81

(0.75–4.37)

Anxiety: no

4.10

(1.21–13.96)

2.05

(0.80–5.28)

Difficulty in relaxing: no

1.20

(0.44–3.33)

1.15

(0.48–2.78)

Overweight: no

1.80

(0.70–4.64)

1.38

(0.53–3.57)

Lack of appetite: no

1.75

(0.55–5.61)

2.31

(0.84–6.34)

Loss of weight. no

1.56

(0.28–8.79)

0.96

(0.23–4.08)

Abdominal pain: no

0.16

(0.05–0.53)

1.00

(0.41–2.42)

Headache: no

1.77

(0.66–4.77)

1.02

(0.45–2.33)

Backache: no

0.68

(0.23–2.00)

2.08

(0.91–4.74)

Myalgia/arthralgia: no

1.34

(0.46–3.93)

0.37

(0.14–0.95)

Mental health index: low

1.20

(0.41–3.51)

2.70

(1.00–7.34)

Subjective health:

not good (reference category)

1.00

1.00

rather good

2.76

(0.88–8.64)

4.32

(1.76–10.60)

good

11.46

(3.36–39.06)

11.91

(4.00–35.44)

(n = 149)

(n = 341)

Other variables

Relations to friends: satisfied

1.19

(0.37–3.76)

1.22

(0.50–3.16)

Close contacts with persons outside home: yes

1.50

(0.32–7.05)

0.86

(0.23–3.23)

Social contacts outside home: >8 persons

0.66

(0.22–1.93)

1.33

(0.58–3.07)

Feeling lonesome: no

1.95

(0.67–5.66)

1.87

(0.76–4.57)

Support from parents, partner, any friend or any relatives: very good

0.58

(0.14–2.34)

0.77

(0.22–2.62)

Self-esteem index: low (high self-esteem)

4.22

(1.26–14.05)

2.31

(0.70–7.59)

Economy: satisfied

2.10

(0.71–6.19)

3.80

(1.68–8.57)

Spare time:

not satisfied (reference category)

1.00

1.00

neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

4.76

(0.91–24.91)

1.86

(0.65–5.33)

satisfied

16.52

(3.03–90.12)

6.64

(2.27–19.43)

Dwelling: satisfied

1.51

(0.55–4.15)

1.70

(0.73–3.95)

Opportunities to make own decisions:

not good (reference category)

1.00

1.00

good

4.62

(1.47–14.61)

2.25

(0.88–5.78)

very good

11.62

(2.67–50.67)

1.98

(0.66–5.99)

Married/cohabiting: no

2.54

(0.65–9.98)

0.98

(0.37–2.61)

Living with parents: no

1.63

(0.55–4.83)

1.54

(0.55–4.36)

a) Positive Odds Ratios in bold when significant (p < 0.05).

Variables not showing a bivariate relation to QOL and therefore not included in the logistic regression models were: sex, education, living alone, living with children, immigration, exhaustion and breathlessness. The variables numbness/pricking in arms and legs and living with someone else consisted of too few individuals, and were therefore excluded from the logistic regression model.

Axelsson et al. International Journal for Equity in Health 2007 6:1   doi:10.1186/1475-9276-6-1