Psychological Job Demands (psychological + job_demand)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


The incidence of anxiety and depression among employees,the role of psychosocial work characteristics

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 11 2009
Helene Andrea Ph.D.
Abstract Background: Anxiety and depression are prevalent among employees and are associated with functional disability and work impairment. To date, little is known about the incidence and possible risk factors for developing anxiety and depression in the working population. Study aims were to (a) determine the incidence of subclinical anxiety and depression in a general working population and (b) identify the psychosocial work characteristics associated with the onset of subclinical anxiety and depression. Methods: This prospective study is based on 3,707 employees participating in the Maastricht Cohort Study on Fatigue at Work. Psychosocial work characteristics were measured in May 2000; anxiety and depression were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in April 2002. Results: The cumulative 23-month incidence for subclinical anxiety and depression was 4.6 and 3.3%, respectively. High psychological job demands increased the risk for both subsequent anxiety and depression. Moreover, low social support was predictive for the onset of anxiety, whereas job insecurity increased the risk for the onset of depression. These prospective associations were independent of potential confounding variables and the other psychosocial work characteristics. Conclusions: Adverse psychosocial work characteristics are significant predictors for the onset of subclinical anxiety and depression in the general working population. These findings encourage intervention studies testing whether modifying the psychosocial work environment reduces both anxiety and depressive symptoms among employees. Depression and Anxiety 26:1040,1048, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Work stress and physical assault of nursing aides in rural nursing homes with and without dementia special care units

JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 3 2005
D. G. MORGAN phd rn
Purpose:, This study compared nursing aides (NAs) employed in rural nursing homes with and without dementia special care units (SCUs) on (1) exposure to and distress from disruptive behaviours exhibited by residents, (2) job strain and (3) physical assault. Design and methods:, The data were drawn from a larger study conducted in Saskatchewan, Canada, in which all rural nursing homes of ,,100 beds that had an SCU were matched to same-sized rural facilities with no SCU. Nursing aides (n = 355) completed a mailed survey questionnaire. Results:, Nursing aides employed in nursing homes with an SCU reported significantly less frequent exposure to disruptive behaviours (including aggressive and aversive behaviours) than NAs in non-SCU facilities, less distress when these behaviours were directed toward them, less exposure to aggressive behaviour during caregiving, lower job demands and lower job strain. There was a trend toward increased risk of being assaulted in the last year associated with being in a non-SCU facility. Having a permanent position, increased job strain, and feeling inadequately prepared for dementia care were significantly associated with higher risk of being assaulted. In the SCU facilities, NAs who worked more time on the SCU reported more assaults but less distress from disruptive behaviour, lower psychological job demands, lower job strain and greater work autonomy. Implications:, Providing more dementia care training and reducing job demands and job strain may help to reduce work-related stress and physical assault of nursing aides employed in nursing homes. [source]


Job control, substantive complexity, and risk for low birth weight and preterm delivery: An analysis from a state birth registry

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 9 2007
John D. Meyer MD
Abstract Background Indices of job strain have demonstrated a variable relationship to low birth weight (LBW) and prematurity, with conflicting study results. This study sought to examine the associations of psychosocial work environment characteristics with adverse pregnancy outcomes using and comparing the demand-control model and job attributes derived from the O*NET. Methods Job characteristics were imputed to maternal occupation recorded in the 2000 Connecticut state birth registry for 26,408 singleton births, using scores for psychological job demands, control, and physical demands derived from the Job Content Questionnaire, and for substantive complexity of work and physical demands using variables derived from O*NET job attributes. Odds ratios for LBW and preterm delivery were estimated while controlling for relevant covariates. Results High psychological demands were not associated with pregnancy outcomes, while high physical demand scores from the O*NET were associated with LBW. Associations of term- and all-LBW with both low control and low substantive complexity were attenuated by adjustment for educational and demographic covariates. A gradient with lower scores was seen for term LBW and substantive complexity, and for prematurity and control. Both constructs were correlated with maternal education. Conclusions These results suggest that low maternal job control and substantive complexity may be modestly associated with LBW and, to a lesser extent, prematurity. A greater association with control may explain why a weak link of birth outcomes to high-strain work has been noted in past studies. Observed associations with occupational are reduced after adjustment for relevant confounding variables, in particular educational level and race/ethnicity. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:664,675, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


The prevalence of and risk factors for back pain among home care nursing personnel in Hong Kong,

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2006
Kin Cheung RN
Abstract Background There is a large gap in research with regard to back pain (BP) among home care nursing personnel (HCNP); only seven studies have been conducted worldwide. There is a need to identify the magnitude of and risk factors for BP that are unique to Hong Kong (HK) HCNP. Methods A total population sampling technique was employed in this cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Hierarchical multiple logistic regression analyses were used to control for potentially confounding variables. Results The 12-month prevalence of upper and lower BP was 71.2% (n,=,265). Three predictors were identified: physical risk factors in the office (OR,=,3.57, 95% CI,=,1.55,8.24), static postures (OR,=,1.41, 95% CI,=,1.04,1.90), and psychological job demands (OR,=,1.11, 95% CI,=,1.01,1.22). Conclusion HCNP in HK have a high prevalence of BP. BP in HK HCNP is independently attributable to physical work factors in the office, static postures, and psychological job demands, and is not primarily associated with patient lifting and transferring which are traditionally identified as risk factors for BP in hospital nursing personnel. Am. J. Ind. Med. 49:14,22, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]