Title
Can favorable psychosocial work conditions and high work dedication protect against the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders?
Author
Joling, C.I.
Blatter, B.M.
Ybema, J.F.
Bongers, P.M.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2008
Abstract
Objectives. This study investigated whether work dedication and job resources are longitudinally related to work-related musculoskeletal disorders and whether job resources buffer the impact of job demands on these disorders? Methods. Data were used from a longitudinal three-phase study (2004, 2005, 2006) on health at work among a sample of Dutch workers. The first survey was sent in 2004 by e-mall to 3100 members of an existing panel. For the analyses, 1522 participants were included with full longitudinal data. The analyses were performed using an autoregressive model with generalized estimating equations. Results. The job-resource quality of communication was found to predict the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders over time. This effect was not mediated by work dedication. A high quality of communication was also found to buffer the negative effects of a high physical workload on the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Furthermore, a low level of social support by colleagues was found to buffer the negative effect of a medium physical workload on work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusions. This study shows that job resources are not only important for promoting work dedication, but may also moderate the negative impact of high job demands on the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. With respect to social support, the question is raised of whether this can also work negatively. The results of this study imply that, besides avoiding or reducing risks to health in the workplace and lowering job demands strengthening job resources may additionally buffer harmful effects of job demands on musculoskeletal health. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Subject
Workplace
Veilig en Gezond Werken
Health outcome
Job resource
Working conditions
Controlled study
Data analysis
E-mail
Employee attitude
Interpersonal communication
Netherlands
Psychological aspect
Risk reduction
Social aspect
Social support
Statistical analysis
Work environment
Workload
Adult
Confidence Intervals
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Models, Statistical
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Occupational Diseases
Occupational Health
Odds Ratio
Psychological Tests
Psychometrics
Questionnaires
Regression Analysis
Severity of Illness Index
Work
Workplace
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TNO identifier
241042
ISSN
0355-3140
Source
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, 34 (5), 345-355
Document type
article