Work-related psychosocial,physical and individual factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in computer users

The aim of this study was to study associations between psychosocial, physical and individual factors, and musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, shoulder and hand/wrist regions of computer users. Questionnaires were distributed to 5033 employees in 11 Danish companies; these employees all used computers for at least some of their work time. The response rate was 69% ( n = 3475). The analyses were based on employees working 32-41 h/week ( n = 2579). Symptomatic respondents reported symptoms for at least 8 days within the previous year. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used. Gender (female), age and duration of employment in the same job were associated with an increased prevalence of symptoms. High quantitative job demands and low possibilities for development at work were predictors of neck and hand/wrist symptoms. A high degree of repetitiveness and disturbing reflections on the computer screen were associated with symptoms in all three body regions. Repetitive movements were defined as the same finger, hand or arm movements performed many times per minute for at least 75% of their work time. Repetitiveness was the only factor that could partly explain associations between symptoms and duration of computer use, i.e. respondents who used the computer almost all the time at work reported more repetitive movements than those who used it less. Thus, long hours of computer use may be associated with musculoskeletal symptoms, due to physical factors such as repetitive movements, whereas psychosocial factors appeared to be associated with the symptoms independently of the duration of computer use.     

The impact of VDU use and psychosocial factors at work on musculoskeletal shoulder symptoms among white-collar workers

This investigation of white-collar workers ( n = 201) in Swedish industrial environments focused on an empirical examination of the relationships between work with visual display units (VDUs), psychosocial factors (skill discretion, appraised work load, job satisfaction), physical work load and musculoskeletal shoulder symptoms. This cross-sectional study was based upon questionnaire surveys carried out at industrial companies. The prevalence of shoulder symptoms during the previous year was 39%. Nearly one-half of the participants reported that they used a VDU for at least 4 h/day ('high VDU use'). High VDU use was related to increased Prevalence Odds Ratio (POR) for shoulder symptoms. After adjustment for physical work load, significant PORs were found in groups with high VDU use in combination with low job satisfaction (POR = 4.8) or high appraised work load (POR = 3.5), compared to groups with low VDU use in combination with high job satisfaction or low work load (reference groups).     

How the psychosocial work environment of motor vehicle mechanics may influence coping with musculoskeletal symptoms

A number of studies have shown that musculoskeletal symptoms are related to the physical and psychosocial work environments. Workers with musculoskeletal symptoms are often advised to cope by such measures as changing working technique, using lifting equipment and discussing health and environmental problems with supervisors and colleagues. Intervention studies at the individual level, however, have shown that such advice has limited effects in reducing the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. The hypothesis for this study was that negative social and organizational factors may prevent workers from implementing such coping strategies. All 103 motor vehicle mechanics surveyed in 12 different garages responded to a questionnaire on coping with musculoskeletal symptoms and the psychosocial work environment. Positive and significant relationships were shown between how mechanics coped with their musculoskeletal symptoms and such psychosocial factors as work demands, social support, control, manager's involvement in health and safety work, and whether the garages had regular meetings between management and workers. Achieving positive results from preventive work through back schools and other ergonomic interventions seems to require that an organization with positive attitudes towards health and safety work be created before such interventions are implemented.     

Are psychosocial factors associated with low-back pain among nursing personnel?

The aim of this study was to investigate whether psychosocial factors at work are related to low-back pain among nursing personnel. It was conducted as a short-term follow-up study of 200 Danish female nursing personnel, providing care for the elderly. Self-reported measures of psychosocial factors such as time pressure, emotional demands of clients, control and social support were obtained by questionnaire at baseline, while stress, physical exertion and low-back pain were reported by diary records made in two, three-day periods in the subsequent 6 months. The study examines the possible influence of psychosocial factors preceding low-back pain as well as stress and physical exertion reported simultaneously with low-back pain. Only stress was associated with low-back pain (Odds Ratio (OR)=2.3; Confidence Interval (CI)=1.3-3.9) while neither physical exertion or any of the psychosocial factors were related to low-back pain. A possible pathway connecting emotional demands of clients to low-back pain through the mediation of stress was suggested.     

Editorial: Cognitive science,occupational stress and organizational health

A number of studies have shown that musculoskeletal symptoms are related to the physical and psychosocial work environments. Workers with musculoskeletal symptoms are often advised to cope by such measures as changing working technique, using lifting equipment and discussing health and environmental problems with supervisors and colleagues. Intervention studies at the individual level, however, have shown that such advice has limited effects in reducing the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. The hypothesis for this study was that negative social and organizational factors may prevent workers from implementing such coping strategies. All 103 motor vehicle mechanics surveyed in 12 different garages responded to a questionnaire on coping with musculoskeletal symptoms and the psychosocial work environment. Positive and significant relationships were shown between how mechanics coped with their musculoskeletal symptoms and such psychosocial factors as work demands, social support, control, manager's involvement in health and safety work, and whether the garages had regular meetings between management and workers. Achieving positive results from preventive work through back schools and other ergonomic interventions seems to require that an organization with positive attitudes towards health and safety work be created before such interventions are implemented.     

Psychosocial safety climate,psychosocial and physical factors in the aetiology of musculoskeletal disorder symptoms and workplace injury compensation claims

Causal agents for workers' compensation claims and physical injury have largely been identified as physical demands. We proposed an integrated theory of physical injury (i.e. musculoskeletal disorder symptoms [MSDs]) and workers' compensation claims, which combined psychosocial and physical mechanisms. A random, population-based sample of 1095 Australian workers completed a telephone interview on two occasions 12 months apart. As expected, the physical mechanism was confirmed; physical demands were related to MSDs, which in turn predicted workers' compensation claims. Further, a novel psychosocial mechanism was confirmed. Psychosocial safety climate (PSC; perceptions about the organisation's climate for psychological health) was a precursor to psychosocial risks (e.g. harassment, violence, bullying and work pressure). In turn, these psychosocial risks were related to emotional exhaustion, MSDs and then workers' compensation claims. Evidence was therefore provided for psychosocial-physical processes in explaining MSDs and workers' compensation for claims for physical injury. Occupational health and safety legislators and policy makers should be aware that, beyond physical demands, factors usually associated with risk for mental stress claims (e.g. harassment, bullying, and violence) may additionally manifest in physical health problems and workers' compensation injury claims. Focusing on modifying the PSC in an organisation, “the cause of the causes”, may be an effective injury prevention and intervention strategy.     

Endocrinological and immunological variables sensitive to psychosocial factors of possible relevance to work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Research has indicated that energy mobilization in the body is associated with lowered anabolism, which promotes the repair and restoration of damaged or worn out tissues. Problems may arise when adversity requires energy mobilization for a long period of time. Increased tissue vulnerability can be anticipated. There is evidence that growth hormone has anabolic activity, as do the male and female hormones testosterone and oestradiol and a precursor of both these anabolic steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-s). The levels of these in serum/plasma may be lowered during periods of adversity. It can therefore be hypothesized that due to the lowering of anabolic activity, tissues are at risk during periods of stress (part of the 'anabolic hypothesis') and that this will be reflected in musculoskeletal symptoms. Furthermore, low anabolic activity predicts more long-lasting illness/disability. In the present study, blood samples were drawn from representative groups of men and women with musculoskeletal disorders. The participants, who were engaged in various occupations in the Norrtälje area of Stockholm, Sweden, were followed up at 3 and 6 months, and development with regard to disability and pain was related to the hormone levels at the acute phase. Results indicated that a low level of DHEA-s was associated with persistent disability in women with acute low-back pain, which partially supports the hypothesis that low anabolic activity predicts more long-lasting illness (the second part of the 'anabolic hypothesis'). Also, a low concentration of g endorphin, which indicates activity of the pain regulation system, was found to be associated with long-lasting disability in this group.     

The Danish psychosocial work environment and symptoms of stress: The main,mediating and moderating role of sense of coherence

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the main, mediating and moderating role of sense of coherence (SOC) on stress symptoms and on the association between perceived psychosocial work environment and stress symptoms. The sample includes 2053 Danish employees from 52 workplaces. Hierarchical regression models were applied for each measure of stress. The results strongly supported the presence of a main effect for SOC. People with high levels of SOC experienced fewer stress symptoms. A mediating effect of SOC was also supported. Thus, SOC in part explained the association between work environment and stress symptoms. In addition, some support for a moderating effect of SOC was found, suggesting that people with higher SOC coped more efficiently with work environmental strain that people with lower SOC. Taken together the regression models explained 11–32% of the variance in stress symptoms. The results suggest that measures of individual factors such as SOC should be included in analyses of the effects of work environmental factors on stress and well-being.     

Relationships between bullying,psychosocial work environment and individual stress reactions

It is frequently assumed that a poor psychosocial working environment will create conditions that encourage bullying. However, few studies have examined this assumption while comparing work environment ratings of bullied and non-bullied employees who work in the same organization and/or department. The objectives of this study were therefore, first, to investigate relationships between bullying and other psychosocial work environment factors within a particular organizational setting and, second, to investigate if bullied employees reported higher levels of stress than non-bullied employees. A total of 186 blue-collar employees from a Danish manufacturing company participated in the study (response rate of 93%). Results showed significant differences in bullied and non-bullied employees’ ratings of psychosocial factors such as job control, management style, role clarity, social climate, social contact and work centrality. In order to investigate assumptions that a poor psychosocial work environment creates conditions that encourage bullying, a number of analyses compared the company's manufacturing departments with either high, medium or low levels of bullying. Results showed significant departmental differences. Yet, when bullied employees were removed from the statistical analyses, with regard to the perceived psychosocial environment these same departments could be differentiated only on the basis of rated job demands and management style. The results therefore bring into question the assumption that a generally poor work environment contributes to bullying. None the less, they do suggest that management style may directly or indirectly have contributed to a higher level of bullying. Also, bullied employees reported significantly more symptoms of psychological stress and mental fatigue than non-bullied employees.     

Relationships between bullying, psychosocial work environment and individual stress reactions

It is frequently assumed that a poor psychosocial working environment will create conditions that encourage bullying. However, few studies have examined this assumption while comparing work environment ratings of bullied and non-bullied employees who work in the same organization and/or department. The objectives of this study were therefore, first, to investigate relationships between bullying and other psychosocial work environment factors within a particular organizational setting and, second, to investigate if bullied employees reported higher levels of stress than non-bullied employees. A total of 186 blue-collar employees from a Danish manufacturing company participated in the study (response rate of 93%). Results showed significant differences in bullied and non-bullied employees' ratings of psychosocial factors such as job control, management style, role clarity, social climate, social contact and work centrality. In order to investigate assumptions that a poor psychosocial work environment creates conditions that encourage bullying, a number of analyses compared the company's manufacturing departments with either high, medium or low levels of bullying. Results showed significant departmental differences. Yet, when bullied employees were removed from the statistical analyses, with regard to the perceived psychosocial environment these same departments could be differentiated only on the basis of rated job demands and management style. The results therefore bring into question the assumption that a generally poor work environment contributes to bullying. None the less, they do suggest that management style may directly or indirectly have contributed to a higher level of bullying. Also, bullied employees reported significantly more symptoms of psychological stress and mental fatigue than non-bullied employees.     

The Danish psychosocial work environment and symptoms of stress: the main, mediating and moderating role of sense of coherence

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the main, mediating and moderating role of sense of coherence (SOC) on stress symptoms and on the association between perceived psychosocial work environment and stress symptoms. The sample includes 2053 Danish employees from 52 workplaces. Hierarchical regression models were applied for each measure of stress. The results strongly supported the presence of a main effect for SOC. People with high levels of SOC experienced fewer stress symptoms. A mediating effect of SOC was also supported. Thus, SOC in part explained the association between work environment and stress symptoms. In addition, some support for a moderating effect of SOC was found, suggesting that people with higher SOC coped more efficiently with work environmental strain that people with lower SOC. Taken together the regression models explained 11-32% of the variance in stress symptoms. The results suggest that measures of individual factors such as SOC should be included in analyses of the effects of work environmental factors on stress and well-being.     

Risk factors for neck and back pain in a working population in Sweden

The relationship between lifestyle, ergonomie and psychosocial workplace factors and musculo-skeletal pain was examined in this cross-sectional study. A total of 22180 employees undergoing screening examinations at their occupational health-care service filled in a series of questionnaires concerning their health, lifestyle and working situation. Of these 31% reported having had neck pain and 18% had seen a health professional for such pain during the previous year. Similarly, 39% reported having had back pain and 16% had seen a professional during the year. Odds ratios were calculated to estimate the relative risk of the various exposure factors. Although not eating regularly and smoking increased the risk for both neck and back pain somewhat, not exercising and consuming alcohol did not increase the risk for these musculoskeletal pains. Lifting, monotonous work tasks, vibration and uncomfortable work postures were the most important ergonomie factors (odds ratios from 1.01 to 2.95). Sitting, however, did not increase the risk for either neck or back pain. A 'poor' psychosocial work environment, as compared to a 'good' one, increased the risk for both neck and back pain (odds ratios from 1.62 to 3.01). Work content and social support were of particular relevance. Finally, a combination of a 'poor' psychosocial work environment and exposure to one of the ergonomic variables produced the highest risk factors (odds ratios from 2.42 to 3.61). Although the conclusions that may be drawn are limited by the cross-sectional nature of this study, the results seem to underscore the complex aetiology of musculoskeletal pain and especially the importance of psychosocial variables. Prevention programmes should therefore be broad-based and include psychosocial as well as ergonomic measures.     

Psychosocial stressors at work, psychological stress and musculoskeletal symptoms in the care for the elderly

This study was conducted in order to determine how occupational stressors (psychosocial stressors and physical load) are related to psychological stress (symptoms) and musculoskeletal symptoms among staff of Finnish residential homes, nursing homes and home help services (n = 204). Data obtained from questionnaires was used to test two hypotheses: that psychosocial stressors (time pressure, troublesome patients with dementia) are associated with psychological stress, and that musculoskeletal disorders are associated with physical load. The authors also tested whether psychological stress has a mediating effect between psychosocial stressors and musculoskeletal symptoms. The findings supported the hypothesis regarding the mediating effect of psychological stress.     

Occupational overuse syndrome and the effects of psychosocial stressors on keyboard users in the newspaper industry

There is continuing concern about the incidence of occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) among workers using keyboards. Following results from research showing positive correlations between psychosocial factors in the workplace and the incidence of OOS symptoms, it was hypothesizcd that differences in rates of pain reporting by keyboard workers are related to job stress caused by different levels in thc quality of the psychosocial work environment. An interaction between autonomy and the impact of work pressure on pain reporting was also predicted. Data were used from a sample of 550 keyboard users in several different types of job, working in eight different newspaper offices of the same newspaper company. The results confirmed the hypotheses. Post hoc analysis showed that there were important differences between the types of stressors that predicted the reporting of pain between offices, and those that predicted pain reporting between types of job. These results confirm the importance of considering psychosocial factors in work and workplace design in connection with the prevention of OOS. Conclusions are also drawn about the situation specificity of such empirical research, and the need for more theoretical work in the search for the aetiology of OOS.     

Pre-employment antecedents of health resources, job factors and health risk behaviour in men and women

The role of individual factors in youth as predictors of adult health resources, job factors and health risk behaviour was studied in men and women. The studied health risk behaviours were smoking, use of alcohol and sedentary behaviour. Sense of coherence (SOC) was the used measure of adult health resources. The pre-employment data had been collected from a sample of 1084 subjects representative of Finnish youth at the mean age of 12 years. For this follow-up study, 345 women and 361 men, working in Finland, responded to a questionnaire at the mean age of 36 years. In the analyses of structural relationships, individual factors in youth were related to adult variables for both sexes, although only two consistent relationships were found for women: outgoing, social activities in youth predicted adult smoking and use of alcohol. Of the job factors, low job demands were related to smoking and lack of support at work was related to sedentary behaviour in women. The strong relationships of SOC with perceptions of social support and influence at work for both sexes characterized its role in health-promoting experiences at work, and supported its importance as a general health resource.     

Pre-employment antecedents of health resources,job factors and health risk behaviour in men and women

Abstract

The role of individual factors in youth as predictors of adult health resources, job factors and health risk behaviour was studied in men and women. The studied health risk behaviours were smoking, use of alcohol and sedentary behaviour. Sense of coherence (SOC) was the used measure of adult health resources. The pre-employment data had been collected from a sample of 1084 subjects representative of Finnish youth at the mean age of 12 years. For this follow-up study, 345 women and 361 men, working in Finland, responded to a questionnaire at the mean age of 36 years. In the analyses of structural relationships, individual factors in youth were related to adult variables for both sexes, although only two consistent relationships were found for women: outgoing, social activities in youth predicted adult smoking and use of alcohol. Of the job factors, low job demands were related to smoking and lack of support at work was related to sedentary behaviour in women. The strong relationships of SOC with perceptions of social support and influence at work for both sexes characterized its role in health-promoting experiences at work, and supported its importance as a general health resource.     

Assisting employees with drinking problems: Changes in mental health, job perceptions and work performance

A sample of 104 British transportation employees with alcohol-related problems were examined for changes in mental health and job perceptions before and after a company-based counselling programme. Data was mainly obtained by means of structured interviews. When clients were assessed at a 6-month follow-up, significant positive changes were found for the group as a whole in terms of context-free mental health, self- and supervisor ratings of work performance as well as measures of absenteeism. Small positive differences were observed for measures relating to perceived work demands. However, no significant differences were observed for the measures of job satisfaction and job commitment. The findings are discussed in relation to the expected client and organizational outcomes of workplace counselling interventions.