Self-reported work ability of Norwegian women in relation to physical and mental health, and to the work environment

Exploring work ability, psychosocial job demands and resources of employees in low-skilled jobs: a German cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Extending working lives due to labour market and pension regulations makes maintaining and promoting work ability necessary. The coronavirus pandemic has shown that employees in low-skilled jobs (no qualification required) contribute significantly to society and the economy. Research on these employees has been neglected in Germany for many decades despite demanding working conditions. Therefore, we investigate the relationship between low-skilled jobs and work ability. Moreover, we explore this relationship's variation by psychosocial work demands and resources.

METHODS

We use two waves of the German Study on Mental Health at Work (S-MGA). We calculate Ordinary-Least-Squares (OLS) regression models with pooled data (n = 6,050) to analyse the relationship between job requirement level and work ability. We also explore the contribution of job demands and resources on this relationship with interaction models. We use the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ), to assess psychosocial work demands and resources.

RESULTS

Employees performing low-skilled jobs report significantly less work ability than those in medium- or high-skilled jobs. Interaction models show significantly greater work ability for employees in medium- and high-skilled jobs with high influence on their work (amount or tasks). Unexpectedly, employees in low-skilled jobs have lower work ability with more influence on their work. Furthermore, high role clarity, describing responsibility, authority and work goals, is associated with lower levels of work ability among employees in low-skilled jobs.

CONCLUSIONS

The moderating effect of role clarity on the work ability of employees in low-skilled jobs can possibly be attributed to skills mismatch and limited responsibility, as well as a lack of self-perceived collective purpose of the job. The moderation of the influence on work dimension supports results of previous studies. Too much job autonomy can have negative effects under certain circumstances and is therefore perceived as a job demand in some studies. Consequently, mechanisms concerning psychosocial work demands and resources must be investigated in further studies with different theoretical approaches. The imbalance of job demands and resources shows that employers should invest in preserving the work ability to prevent early exit from the labour market in an aging society.

Work Ability after Breast Cancer: Study of Healthcare Personnel Operating in a Hospital of South Italy

Breast cancer (BrC) treatment can produce disabilities that often impact the quality of daily life and impact the social and working relationships of the patient. This paper looked into the remaining work ability in a group of female healthcare personnel (HCPs) with BrC in Southern Italy. Each HCP was subjected to a medical check, routine blood tests, and a questionnaire on the work ability index (WAI). Of 980 (100%) HCWs undergoing health control, 6% (n = 54) had experienced BRC, and only 66.6% (n = 36) agreed to take part in the study. A total of 28 (78%) were on night shifts. The WAI score was quite low in 5 (13.8%) cases, moderate in 10 (27.7%) cases, good in 14 (38.8%) cases, and excellent in 7 (19.5%) HCWs. Among all health figures, in nurses as well as technical staff, lower WAI scores were observed. HCWs reported various comorbidities, which affected WAI score, such as limited mobility in the upper limbs, arm/shoulder pain, numbness, and lymphoedema. The main complication that negatively affects any work activity is the morbidity in the upper limbs. This seems to affect the ability to perform tasks, and the re-entry to work is highlighted on sick leave days.

The impact of musculoskeletal pain and strenuous work on self-reported physical work ability: a cohort study of Swedish men and women

Objective

We investigated the separate and combined effects of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) and strenuous work (heavy physical workload (PWL)/low-decision authority) on poor physical work ability (WA).

Methods

This study uses baseline data from the 2010 Stockholm Public Health Questionnaire (SPHQ) including 9419 workers with good physical WA. Exposure to PWL and decision authority were estimated using sex-specific job-exposure matrices linked to occupations. Exposures (high/low) were combined with the presence of MSP. Follow-up data on physical WA were taken from the 2014 SPHQ and dichotomised (the responses: “moderate”, “rather poor” and “very poor” indicated poor WA). Logistic regression models calculated sex-specific odds ratios adjusting for age, education and health and lifestyle factors. Interaction between MSP and strenuous work was examined using the synergy index (SI). Analyses were conducted using SPSS.27.

Results

MSP, heavy PWL and low-decision authority were separately associated with poor WA. MSP was associated with higher odds of poor WA than strenuous work for women, the opposite for men. Combinations of MSP and strenuous work often resulted in higher risks of poor WA than when adding the effects of the single exposures (e.g., MSP and heavy PWL men: AOR 4.04 95% CI 2.00–8.15, women: AOR: 3.25 95% CI 1.81–5.83). The SI was non-significant for both sexes.

Conclusion

Workers with MSP and strenuous work often had higher risks of poor WA than would be expected from adding the effects of the single exposures. To decrease poor WA in this group, strenuous work should be lowered, and MSP addressed in workplaces.

A Combined Multidisciplinary Intervention for Health Promotion in the Workplace: A Pilot Study

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a joint health promotion intervention on a cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs) who had at least one cardiovascular risk factor. The HCWs were assessed at three different times, i.e., time zero (T0), after 6 months (T6), and after 12 months (T12). The following parameters were measured at a medical examination: physical activity, blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), routine laboratory tests, plicometric analysis, work ability index (WAI), and body image dissatisfaction (BID). Among the 447 HCWs, 38 HCWs were included in the study; 45% (n = 17) were male. At T12, the average blood pressure, waist/hip ratio (WHR) index, BMI, total cholesterol, triglyceride level, and blood glucose values were reduced. The levels of physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet had progressively increased. The WAI showed a significant shift from low to good work performance at T12, as well as BID score. This is the first study that has analyzed work performance in relation to a workplace health promotion through a multidisciplinary approach. This health promotion intervention that combined diet and sport activity has led to a significant change in HCWs’ lifestyles and body perceptions, as well as their ability to work. This project highlights the importance of using a multidisciplinary approach and the workplace setting in health promotion programs.

The Impact of Work Ability on Work Motivation and Health: A Longitudinal Study Based on Older Employees

OBJECTIVE

Work participation is determined by work motivation and work ability with health as a significant component. Within the lidA-study, we explore the impact of work ability on work motivation and health with consideration of further influencing factors.

METHODS

Four thousand one hundred nine older employees were interviewed two times (t0 = 2011, t1 = 2014). Two multivariate analyses were performed regarding the influence of work ability on work motivation (Model 1) and health (Model 2).

RESULTS

Within the multivariate analysis, of all the influencing factors, work ability has the strongest effect on work motivation (F = 37.761) and health (F = 76.402). It appears as a decisive determinant for both dimensions.

CONCLUSION

Regarding the results, it is useful to focus on the work ability of older employees in order to maintain and boost their work motivation and health.

Estimation of work capacity and work ability among plantation workers in South India

Background:

Work capacity is the ability to perform real physical work, and work ability is a result of interaction of worker to his or her work that is how good a worker is at present, in near future, and how able is he or she to do his or her work with respect to work demands and health and mental resources.

Objective:

To assess the work capacity and work ability and to study the factors associated with work capacity and work ability of workers at a tea plantation in South India.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tea plantation in Annamalai, South India, from March to May 2015. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule comprising of three parts as follows: sociodemographic data, work ability questionnaire, and work capacity assessment.

Results:

Of the 199 subjects participated in the study, majority [90 (45.3%)] were in the age group of 46–55 years, and 128 (64.3%) were females. Of the 199 workers, 12.6% had poor aerobic capacity (by Harvard Step test), 88.4% had an endurance of more than 1 h, 70.9% had better work productivity and energetic efficiency, and the voluntary activity workers spent most time on household chores. Of the 199 workers assessed, only 9.6% had good work ability. There is negative correlation between work ability and body mass index (BMI).

Conclusion:

Our study found 12.6% workers with poor aerobic capacity and 9.6% of workers with good work ability. Periodic health examinations and other screening procedures should be made as routine in workplace to improve work ability and capacity.

Socioeconomic disparities in health among older adults and the implications for the retirement age debate: a brief report

OBJECTIVE

Policy debates about raising the full retirement age often neglect socioeconomic health disparities among U.S. workers. In response to this gap, we analyzed educational differentials in health among middle-age and older adults and translated the findings into age equivalents.

METHOD

We used the nationally representative 1997-2010 National Health Interview Surveys data on white and black adults aged 40-74 (N = 341,060). Using nonparametric regression (locally weighted scatterplot smoother) stratified by sex, race, and three educational levels, we determined age-specific prevalence of fair or poor self-rated health and any activity limitation, and compared the ages at which different demographic groups experienced a specific level of these two outcomes.

RESULTS

Results varied slightly across health outcomes and demographic groups but generally showed that college-educated white men reported a level of limitations at age 70 that is equivalent to the levels reported by high school graduates at age 40-55. High school dropouts reported worse health at age 40 than the college educated at age 70, a gap of more than 30 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings revealed enormous health inequalities in self-reported health, using a powerful and intuitive age-equivalence formulation. They highlighted the importance of considering health disparities in discussions about raising the retirement age, both in terms of fairness and feasibility.

The effect of sleep disorder on the work ability of workers in a car accessories manufacturing plant

BACKGROUND

Work ability assessment and its affecting factors are important in the field of occupational health. One of the factors affecting work ability is sleep disorder, which is very common among workers. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess work ability and its relationship with sleep disorder in workers of a manufacturing plant.

METHODS

This cross- sectional study was conducted in a manufacturing plant in Tehran in 2013. All the 931 male workers of this plant were enrolled in the study, and their work ability was assessed using the Work Ability Index (WAI). The scores of this index range from 7 to 49, and the higher work ability score indicates a better work ability status. In this study, sleep disorder was assessed using the MUSIC-Norrtalje Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The average score of WAI was 42.81, ranging from 22 to 49. This score was significantly lower in the group with sleep disorder (41.28) than in the group without sleep disorder (44.10) (p< 0.001). The results of the logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between work ability and sleep disorder even after adjustment for the confounding variables (OR= 2.52, 95% CI= 1.07 - 5.93, p= 0.033).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study found a relationship between sleep disorder and work ability. Therefore, it is recommended to identify workers with sleep disorder and attend to their problem in order to increase their work ability.

A comparison of the relationships between psychosocial factors, occupational strain, and work ability among 4 ethnic teacher groups in China

The present study compared the level of occupational strain and work ability among Han, Hui, Uygur, Hui, and Kazakh teachers, and explored ethnic differences based on the associations of psychosocial factors at work, occupational strain, and work ability. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,941 teachers in primary and secondary schools in Xinjiang Province, China. Psychosocial factors, occupational strain, and work ability were measured using the Occupation Stress Inventory-Revised Edition (OSI-R) and Work Ability Index. Han and Hui teachers experienced reduced work ability compared with Uygur and Kazakh teachers, and this finding was caused, in part, by exposure to psychosocial factors at work. The vocational and psychological strains caused by these factors play an important role in reduced work ability among all ethnic teacher groups. The findings indicate the importance of taking action to reduce occupational strain for promoting teachers' work ability in multiethnic workplaces.

A four-year follow-up study of physical working conditions and perceived mental and physical strain among food industry workers

This study hypothesized that in a longitudinal setting deteriorating physical working conditions increases the perceived physical and mental strain among food processing employees. The study was conducted in 2003 and 2007. It examined 248 blue-collar workers, all of whom were in the same occupation throughout the entire follow-up period. The data were obtained through a structural questionnaire distributed to the employees at the workplace. Mental strain had increased (7%) significantly among younger employees during the follow-up. The changes in mental strain for the younger employees were positively associated with the changes in physical strain. The changes in physical strain were also significantly associated with the changes in physical working conditions among both younger and the older workers. The results of this study partly support the study hypothesis, namely that deteriorating physical working condition increases physical strain and also increases mental strain, especially among younger employees.

The predictive value of mental health for long-term sickness absence: the Major Depression Inventory (MDI) and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) compared

Background

Questionnaires are valuable for population surveys of mental health. Different survey instruments may however give different results. The present study compares two mental health instruments, the Major Depression Inventory (MDI) and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5), in regard to their prediction of long-term sickness absence.

Method

Questionnaire data was collected from N = 4153 Danish employees. The questionnaire included the MDI and the MHI-5. The information of long-term sickness absence was obtained from a register. We used Cox regression to calculate covariance adjusted hazard ratios for long-term sickness absence for both measures.

Results

Both the MDI and the MHI-5 had a highly significant prediction of long-term sickness absence. A one standard deviation change in score was associated with an increased risk of long-term sickness absence of 27% for the MDI and 37% for the MHI-5. When both measures were included in the same analysis, the MHI-5 performed best.

Conclusion

In general population surveys, the MHI-5 is a better predictor of long-term sickness absence than the MDI.

Chronic health conditions and work ability in the ageing workforce: the impact of work conditions, psychosocial factors and perceived health

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of work conditions, psychosocial factors and perceived health on the association between the presence of a chronic health condition and (single-item) work ability among workers aged 45 years and older. In addition, we aimed to examine variables associated with work ability for workers with and without a chronic health condition separately.

METHODS

The data of this cross-sectional study were obtained from 5,247 workers aged 45 years and older in five different work sectors. Work ability was assessed with the first item of the Work Ability Index. The presence of a chronic health condition was assessed by self-report. Independent variables in the multivariable linear regression analysis were work conditions, psychosocial factors and perceived health status.

RESULTS

The presence of a chronic health condition was negatively associated with work ability (B = -0.848). The strength of this association slightly attenuated after subsequently adding individual characteristics (B = -0.824), work conditions (B = -0.805) and more so after adding psychosocial factors (B = -0.704) and especially perceived health variables (B = -0.049) to the model. Variables associated with work ability for workers with and without a chronic health condition were similar.

CONCLUSION

Perceived health and psychosocial factors, rather than work conditions, explained the association between the presence of a chronic health condition and work ability. Substantial differences in variables associated with work ability for workers with and without a chronic health condition were not found. Based on the lower mean scores for workers with a chronic health condition and work ability as well for predictors, these workers might have the most benefit by a policy focussing on enhancing these associated variables.

A one-item workability measure mediates work demands, individual resources and health in the prediction of sickness absence

OBJECTIVES

The study tested the hypothesis that a one-item workability measure represented an assessment of the fit between resources (the individuals' physical and mental health and functioning) and workplace demands and that this resource/demand fit was a mediator in the prediction of sickness absence. We also estimated the relative importance of health and work environment for workability and sickness absence.

METHODS

Baseline data were collected within a Danish work and health survey (3,214 men and 3,529 women) and followed up in a register of sickness absence. Probit regression analysis with workability as mediator was performed for a binary outcome of sickness absence. The predictors in the analysis were as follows: age, social class, physical health, mental health, number of diagnoses, ergonomic exposures, occupational noise, exposure to risks, social support from supervisor, job control and quantitative demands.

RESULTS

High age, poor health and ergonomic exposures were associated with low workability and mediated by workability to sickness absence for both genders. Low social class and low quantitative demands were associated with low workability and mediated to sickness absence among men. The mediated part was from 11 to 63 % of the total effect for the significant predictors.

CONCLUSION

Workability mediated health, age, social class and ergonomic exposures in the prediction of sickness absence. The health predictors had the highest association with both workability and sickness absence; physical work environment was higher associated with the outcomes than psychosocial work environment. However, the explanatory value of the predictors for the variance in the model was low.

Multi-site pain and working conditions as predictors of work ability in a 4-year follow-up among food industry employees

BACKGROUND

We investigated the separate and joint effects of multi-site musculoskeletal pain and physical and psychosocial exposures at work on future work ability.

METHODS

A survey was conducted among employees of a Finnish food industry company in 2005 (n = 1201) and a follow-up survey in 2009 (n = 734). Information on self-assessed work ability (current work ability on a scale from 0 to 10; 7 = poor work ability), multi-site musculoskeletal pain (pain in at least two anatomical areas of four), leisure-time physical activity, body mass index and physical and psychosocial exposures was obtained by questionnaire. The separate and joint effects of multi-site pain and work exposures on work ability at follow-up, among subjects with good work ability at baseline, were assessed by logistic regression, and p-values for the interaction derived.

RESULTS

Compared with subjects with neither multi-site pain nor adverse work exposure, multi-site pain at baseline increased the risk of poor work ability at follow-up, allowing for age, gender, occupational class, body mass index and leisure-time physical activity. The separate effects of the work exposures on work ability were somewhat smaller than those of multi-site pain. Multi-site pain had an interactive effect with work environment and awkward postures, such that no association of multi-site pain with poor work ability was seen when work environment was poor or awkward postures present.

CONCLUSIONS

The decline in work ability connected with multi-site pain was not increased by exposure to adverse physical or psychosocial factors at work.

Perceived Working Conditions and Sickness Absence - A Four-year Follow-up in the Food Industry

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the association between changes in perceived physical and psychosocial working conditions and change of sickness absence days in younger and older (< 50 and ≥ 50 years) food industry employees.

METHODS

This was a follow up study of 679 employees, who completed working conditions survey questionnaires in 2005 and 2009 and for whom the requisite sickness absence data were available for the years 2004 and 2008.

RESULTS

Sickness absence increased and working conditions improved during follow-up. However, the change of increased sickness absence days were associated with the change of increased poor working postures and the change of deteriorated team spirit and reactivity (especially among < 50 years). No other changes in working conditions were associated with the changes in sickness absence.

CONCLUSION

Sickness absence is affected by many factors other than working conditions. Nevertheless, according to this study improving team spirit and reactivity and preventing poor working postures are important in decreasing sickness absence.

The impact of adjustment latitude on self-assessed work ability in regard to gender and occupational type

OBJECTIVE

Adjustment latitude describes opportunities to change demands at work when ill and may affect work ability. The aim here is to study the association between adjustment latitude and self-assessed work ability among men and women and employees from different occupational sectors.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used data from a questionnaire sent to 3020 employees in three occupational sectors in Sweden; 1430 responded. Subjects were divided into: full, moderately reduced, and greatly reduced work ability. Presence of nine adjustment opportunities was requested and subjects were divided into three groups. Each specific opportunity was also analyzed in relation to work ability. Multinomial logistic regression was used for analyses.

RESULTS

Number of opportunities to adjust was associated with work ability among men and employees in health care. "Shortening the working day" was associated with work ability in most groups. For men and industrial employees, "postponing work", "going home and working later", and "working without disturbance" were associated with work ability. "To work from home" was associated with work ability among women and employees in insurance.

CONCLUSIONS

The assumption that adjustment latitude affects work ability is supported. Associations differ with regard to gender and occupational sectors. Further studies with longitudinal design and alternative samples are needed.

Is an expert diagnosis enough for assessment of sick leave for employees with musculoskeletal and mental disorders?

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to determine differences in self-reported work ability, work conditions, health and function between ICD-10 groups with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), mental disorders (MDs) and MSD + MD and to determine which variables are associated with sick leave.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study of 210 employees was conducted at an occupational health service unit. Physiotherapists and physicians classified the employees' health problems according to ICD-10 and the employees answered a questionnaire with questions on demographic variables, health, functioning, work ability and work conditions.

RESULTS

Forty-four per cent of the employees had MSD, 22% had MD and 34% had a MSD + MD. The group on sick leave had worse results for all health and work measures. Belonging to the MD group, belonging to the MSD + MD group, having poor work ability and functioning were associated with being on sick leave. The value for the model explaining being on sick leave was 0.63 (Nagelkerke R²).

CONCLUSIONS

Having a diagnosis of MD based on a professional opinion and having poor work ability and functioning based on self-reports are associated with being on sick leave. The results suggest that self-reported data could be used to complement the expert-based diagnosis.

Examining the dimensions and correlates of workplace stress among Australian veterinarians

Background

Although stress is known to be a common occupational health issue in the veterinary profession, few studies have investigated its broad domains or the internal validity of the survey instrument used for assessment.

Methods

We analysed data from over 500 veterinarians in Queensland, Australia, who were surveyed during 2006-07.

Results

The most common causes of stress were reported to be long hours worked per day, not having enough holidays per year, not having enough rest breaks per day, the attitude of customers, lack of recognition from the public and not having enough time per patient. Age, gender and practice type were statistically associated with various aspects of work-related stress. Strong correlations were found between having too many patients per day and not having enough time per patient; between not having enough holidays and long working hours; and also between not enough rest breaks per day and long working hours. Factor analysis revealed four dimensions of stress comprising a mixture of career, professional and practice-related items. The internal validity of our stress questionnaire was shown to be high during statistical analysis.

Conclusion

Overall, this study suggests that workplace stress is fairly common among Australian veterinarians and represents an issue that occupies several distinct areas within their professional life.

Occupational stress is associated with impaired work ability and reduced quality of life in patients with chronic kidney failure

BACKGROUND

About 300,000 patients in the United States with Chronic Kidney Failure (CKF) are of working age, but up to 70% lose their job within the first year of renal replacement therapy .No study has examined how work ability and perceived health are influenced by the subjects' adjustment to their job. We assessed the association of occupational stress (Effort-Reward Imbalance, ERI),work ability (WAI) and health-related quality of life (QoL) in hemodialysis.

METHODS

40 employed hemodialysis patients completed a self-administered questionnaire. Associations between ERI, short Form 12 (sF-12), short Form - 6 Dimensions (sF-6D), Kidney Disease QOL- 36 (KDQOL-36) and WAI were tested with partial Spearman's correlation adjusted for age, income, and comorbidity burden.

RESULTS

Study subjects were mainly low-income (82%), african-american (73%), men (75%); 16 were manual laborers and 9 worked in the industrial sector. Study subjects reported low levels of Occupational Stress: ERI scores indicated an imbalance between Job Efforts and Rewards in only 3 subjects. Nevertheless, ERI scores were inversely and strongly associated with WAI (rho=-0.41, p<0.012) and all QoL scales even after adjustment for known confounders.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that psychosocial workplace factors may play a substantial role in modulating patients' health perception and ability to continue working. The causal relationship between Occupational stress, perceived health, and work ability should be further investigated. Occupational Health professionals and nephrologists should closely collaborate to meet the needs of occupationally active hemodialysis patients.