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Vleeshouwers J, Fløvik L, Christensen JO, Johannessen HA, Bakke Finne L, Mohr B, Jørgensen IL, Lunde LK. The relationship between telework from home and the psychosocial work environment: a systematic review. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2022. [PMID: 35829741 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01901-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Telework from home (TWFH) has become routine for many, yet research on how this may affect the psychosocial work environment is sparse. To understand the effects that TWFH may have on the psychosocial work environment, this systematic literature review identified, evaluated, and summarized findings on the association of TWFH with factors of the psychosocial work environment. METHODS Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Amed, PsycINFO, and PubMed. The topic of the study reflected TWFH, and subjects should be office workers employed at a company. Outcomes should reflect psychosocial work environment factors. Inclusion criteria stated that studies should be primary, quantitative, and published in a peer-reviewed journal. English language publications dating from January 2010 to February 2021 were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) and quality of overall evidence using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS Searches resulted in 3354 publications, and after screening rounds 43 peer-reviewed original studies satisfying predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. Fourteen individual psychosocial work environment outcome categories were studied. Limited overall evidence to support effects of TWFH on the included work environment outcomes, with evidence being rated either of low or very low quality. Flexibility and autonomy are discussed as potential mediating variables in the relationship between TWFH and the psychosocial work environment. CONCLUSION There is a lack of high-quality research investigating effects of TWFH on the psychosocial work environment. To suggest TWFH guidelines or recommendations, there is a need for research with high-quality longitudinal designs, precise measures of time use and location of work, and validated measures of factors known to be of importance. PROSPERO registration number CRD42021233796.
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Guillemin MP. New Avenues for Prevention of Work-Related Diseases Linked to Psychosocial Risks. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:11354. [PMID: 34769869 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The epidemic of psychosocial risks continues to increase and the COVID-19 pandemic has even worsened this threat on workers’ health. This inexorable and evidence-based rise seems to be impervious to the preventive strategies proposed for more than 40 years. Hypotheses are proposed to explain this serious problem that drastically impacts public health and the economy. The objectives of this paper are to present, in this broad context of societal and cultural changes, how the present shift in management paradigms may represent opportunities to reduce work-related diseases. In the first part of this paper, we will summarize the situation on three main issues and their relation with psychosocial risks: (1) evolution of the occupational safety and health field, (2) change in the nature of work, and (3) emerging models of governance. In the second part, we will describe, through a few examples (among many others), how emerging models of corporate governance may reduce and prevent stress and burnout. Work is changing fundamentally, and this impacts workers’ (and managers’) health and well-being; that is why approaches in line with these changes are necessary. The COVID-19 pandemic has produced major changes in work organization. This may offer promising opportunities to reanalyze working conditions for a better control of occupational diseases and stress with all the benefits these improvements will bring for society and for individuals.
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Leino-Arjas P, Seitsamo J, Nygård CH, K.C. P, Neupane S. Process of Work Disability: From Determinants of Sickness Absence Trajectories to Disability Retirement in A Long-Term Follow-Up of Municipal Employees. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18052614. [PMID: 33807823 PMCID: PMC7967364 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Work disability may originate early during work history and involve sickness absences (SA) and eventually permanent disability. We studied this process over 15 years. Questionnaire data collected in 1981 on health, working conditions, and lifestyle of Finnish municipal employees aged 44-58 years (n = 6257) were linked with registers on SA (≥10 workdays), disability pension, and death from the period 1986-1995. Trajectory analysis was used to assess development in SA (days/year) over 5 years (1981-1985). We analyzed determinants of the trajectories with multinomial regression, while trajectory membership was used as a predictor of disability pension (DP) during the subsequent 10 years in survival analysis. Three SA trajectories emerged: increasing (women: 6.8%; men: 10.2%), moderate (21.2%; 22.7%), and low. In a mutually adjusted model, the increasing trajectory in women was associated with baseline musculoskeletal (MSD), mental and respiratory disorders, injuries, obesity, sleep problems, and low exercise (effect sizes OR > 2), and in men with MSD, sleep problems, smoking, low exercise, and non-satisfaction with management. The moderate trajectory associated with MSD, 'other somatic disorders', sleep problems, and awkward work postures in both genders; in women, also overweight, cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity, and (inversely) knowledge-intensive work, and in men, smoking and mental disorders were thus associated. Ten-year risks of DP contrasting increasing vs. low SA were more than 10-fold in both genders and contrasting moderate vs. low SA 3-fold in women and 2-fold in men. These findings emphasize the need for early identification of workers with short-term problems of work ability and interventions regarding lifestyle, health, and working conditions, to help prevent permanent disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Päivi Leino-Arjas
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, FI-00250 Helsinki, Finland; (P.L.-A.); (J.S.)
| | - Jorma Seitsamo
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, FI-00250 Helsinki, Finland; (P.L.-A.); (J.S.)
| | - Clas-Håkan Nygård
- Unit of Health Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland; (C.-H.N.); (P.K.C.)
- Gerontology Research Center, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Prakash K.C.
- Unit of Health Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland; (C.-H.N.); (P.K.C.)
- Gerontology Research Center, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Subas Neupane
- Unit of Health Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland; (C.-H.N.); (P.K.C.)
- Gerontology Research Center, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
- Tampere University Hospital, 33521 Tampere, Finland
- Correspondence:
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Kuczynski I, Mädler M, Taibi Y, Lang J. The Assessment of Psychosocial Work Conditions and Their Relationship to Well-Being: A Multi-Study Report. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E1654. [PMID: 32143337 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17051654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this multi-study report is to present a questionnaire that enables researchers and practitioners to assess and evaluate psychosocial risks related to well-being. In Study 1, we conducted a cross-sectional online-survey in 15 German companies from 2016 to 2017 to verify factor- and criterion-related validity. Data consisted of 1151 employee self-ratings. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses resulted in an eight-factor structure (CFI = 0.902, RMSEA = 0.058, and SRMR = 0.070). All scales held to excellent internal consistency values (α = 0.65–0.90) and were related significantly to well-being (r = 0.17–0.35, p < 0.001). A second, longitudinal study in 2018 showed satisfying convergent and discriminant validity (N = 293) to scales from KFZA and COPSOQ. Test-retest reliability (N = 73; α = 0.65–0.88, p < 0.05) was also good. The instrument provides incremental validity above existing instruments since it explains additional variance in well-being.
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Muschalla B, Henning A, Haake TW, Cornetz K, Olbrich D. Mental health problem or workplace problem or something else: what contributes to work perception? Disabil Rehabil 2018; 42:502-509. [PMID: 30451011 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1501099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Work perception is an important predictor for work ability and, therefore, of interest for rehabilitation. Until now it is unclear to which extent different psychological aspects explain work perception. This study investigates in which way workplace problems on the one hand, and mental health and coping on the other hand, contribute to work perception.Methods: A heterogeneous sample of 384 persons in working age with and without mental health problems was recruited. Participants gave self-reports on workplace problems, mental health problems, work-coping, work-anxiety, and work perception.Results: Persons with mental health problems and workplace problems (M + W) perceive the highest degree of work demands, followed by persons with workplace problems but without mental health problems (NM + W). Work-anxiety appeared as the strongest factor explaining perception of high work demands, whereas general mental health problems did not contribute significantly to variance explanation.Conclusions: Persons with specific mental health problems in terms of work-anxiety may be expected to perceive higher work demands. They may be detected when asking for work perception, e.g., within the frame of return-to-work interventions in rehabilitation, or in occupational health settings by mental hazard analysis.Implications for rehabilitationWork perception is an important predictor for work ability. Work-anxiety plays a key role for work perception. Thus, work perception and work anxiety should be explored in the diagnostic phase of rehabilitation treatments.Work-anxiety should be considered not only in rehabilitation diagnostics and interventions in clinical settings, but considered in preventive activities at work: Self-ratings on work-anxiety and work perception (instead of general wellbeing) may be included in assessments for workplace exploration, or mental hazard analysis. They give hints concerning concrete work-related health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Muschalla
- Department of Psychology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Anne Henning
- Department of Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tim Woody Haake
- Department of Psychology, University Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Kathrin Cornetz
- Department of Psychology, University Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Dieter Olbrich
- Department Psychosomatic, Rehabilitation Center Bad Salzuflen, Bad Salzuflen, Germany
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Abstract
Despite the large body of research and literature on the health and mental health of farmers, we should not assume that research findings necessarily apply to the organic farmer. The limited literature on the mental health of the organic farmer points to potential differences. Research has found that workers on organic farms may be happier than their counterparts; others have identified added sources of stress related to the perceived need of organic farmers to embrace concepts linked to the organic movement. However, further research is needed to identify both risk and protective factors for mental health among organic farmers. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the psychosocial and contextual factors that may relate to the mental health of the organic farmer. Key informant interviews were conducted with 10 farm producers and 20 farm workers. The findings indicated that respondents recognized mental health as influential in the workplace and the future of organic practices (e.g., the mental, financial, physical stress). Some of the risk factors mentioned by participants reflected those experienced by conventional, nonorganic farmers. Participants also reported contentment with farming as an occupation, the benefits of being connected to the land, feelings of social and environmental responsibility, and engagement in social activities that may promote human and social capital. These feelings and activities ultimately benefit the farmer, contribute to social cohesion, and may have positive implications for mental health. Results suggest that there may be protective mental health factors unique to the organic farmer.
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Rosário S, Azevedo LF, Fonseca JA, Nienhaus A, Nübling M, da Costa JT. The Portuguese long version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II (COPSOQ II) - a validation study. J Occup Med Toxicol 2017; 12:24. [PMID: 28808478 PMCID: PMC5550997 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-017-0170-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychosocial risks are now widely recognised as one of the biggest challenges for occupational safety and health (OSH) and a major public health concern. The aim of this paper is to investigate the Portuguese long version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II (COPSOQ II), in order to analyse the psychometric properties of the instrument and to validate it. METHODS The Portuguese COPSOQ II was issued to a total of 745 Portuguese employees from both private and public organisations across several economic sectors at a baseline and then 2 weeks later. Methodological quality appraisal was based on COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) recommendations. An analysis of the psychometric properties of the long version of COPSOQ II (internal consistency, intraclass correlation coefficient, floor and ceiling effects, response rate, missing values, mean and standard deviation, exploratory factor analysis) was performed to determine the validity and reliability of the instrument. RESULTS The COPSOQ II had a response rate of 60.6% (test) and a follow-up response rate of 59.5% (retest). In general, a Cronbach's alpha of the COPSOQ scales (test and retest) was above the conventional threshold of 0.70. The test-retest reliability estimated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed a higher reliability for most of the scales, above the conventional 0.7, except for eight scales. The proportion of the missing values was less than 1.3%, except for two scales. The average scores and standard deviations showed similar results to the original Danish study, except for eight scales. All of the scales had low floor and ceiling effects, with one exception. Overall, the exploratory factor analysis presented good results in 27 scales assuming a reflective measurement model. The hypothesized factor structure under a reflective model was not supported in 14 scales and for some but not all of these scales the explanation may be a formative measurement model. CONCLUSION The Portuguese long version of COPSOQ II is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing psychosocial risks in the workplace. Although the results are good for most of the scales, there are those that should be evaluated in greater depth in future studies. This instrument may contribute to the promotion of a healthy working environment and workforce, providing clear benefits for companies and employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susel Rosário
- Doctoral Programme in Occupational Safety and Health, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís F. Azevedo
- CINTESIS – Centre for Research in Health Technologies and Information Systems and Information and Decision Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, s/n 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Health Information and Decision Sciences (CIDES), Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, s/n 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- National Observatory of Pain – NOPain, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - João A. Fonseca
- Doctoral Programme in Occupational Safety and Health, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- CINTESIS – Centre for Research in Health Technologies and Information Systems and Information and Decision Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, s/n 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
- Allergy Unit, CUF Porto Institute & Hospital, Estrada da Circunvalação 14341, 4100-180; Rua Fonte das Sete Bicas 170, 4460-188 Porto, Portugal
| | - Albert Nienhaus
- Doctoral Programme in Occupational Safety and Health, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Centre of Excellence for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), Martinistraβe 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Principles of Prevention and Rehabilitation Department (GPR), Institute for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Nübling
- Freiburg Research Centre for Occupational Sciences (FFAW GmbH), Bertoldstr. 63, 79098 Freiburg, Germany
| | - José Torres da Costa
- Doctoral Programme in Occupational Safety and Health, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- LAETA – Associated Laboratory for Energy, Transport and Aeronautics, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
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Fernandez CA, Moore K, McClure LA, Caban-Martinez AJ, LeBlanc WG, Fleming LE, Cifuentes M, Lee DJ. Occupational Psychosocial Hazards Among the Emerging US Green Collar Workforce. J Occup Environ Med 2017; 59:1-5. [PMID: 28045790 PMCID: PMC5214345 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000000903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare occupational psychosocial hazards in green collar versus non-green collar workers. METHODS Standard Occupational Classification codes were used to link the 2010 National Health Interview Survey to the 2010 Occupational Information Network Database. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to predict job insecurity, work life imbalance, and workplace harassment in green versus non-green collar workers. RESULTS Most participants were white, non-Hispanic, 25 to 64 years of age, and obtained greater than a high school education. The majority of workers reported no job insecurity, work life imbalance, or workplace harassment. Relative to non-green collar workers (n = 12,217), green collar workers (n = 2,588) were more likely to report job insecurity (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02 to 1.26) and work life imbalance (1.19; 1.05 to 1.35), but less likely to experience workplace harassment (0.77; 0.62 to 0.95). CONCLUSIONS Continuous surveillance of occupational psychosocial hazards is recommended in this rapidly emerging workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin Moore
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
| | - Laura A. McClure
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
| | - Alberto J. Caban-Martinez
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health
| | - William G. LeBlanc
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
| | - Lora E. Fleming
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital
| | - Manuel Cifuentes
- Center for Health Policy and Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School
| | - David J. Lee
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
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