Psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal disease : A review of the literature
report
It is generally agreed that musculoskeletal disaese is of multifactorial origin and that mechanical load explains only part of this disease. Recently, the role of the psychosocial factors at work has received increasing attention. The objective of this review is to establish whether the epidemiological literature presents evidence for an association between psychosocial work factors and musculoskeletal disease. Based on a hypothetical model it is suggested that individual characteristics and stress may modify this relation. The reviewed studies do not present conclusive evidence because of high correlations between psychosocial factors and physical load and difficulties to measure dependent and independent variable. Nevertheless, it is concluded that monotonous work, high perceived workload and time pressure are related to musculoskeletal symptoms. In addition the data suggest that low control on the job and lack of social support by colleagues are positively associated with musculoskeletal disease. Perceived stress may be an intermediate in this process.
Topics
TNO Identifier
163348
Publisher
TNO
Collation
77 p.
Place of publication
Leiden