Runeson-Broberg R, du Prel JB, Westerholm P, Nordin M, Knutsson A, Alfredsson L, Fahlén G, Peter R. Age-related associations between work over-commitment and zest for work among Swedish employees from a cross-sectional and longitudinal perspective.
Work 2017;
57:269-279. [PMID:
28582947 DOI:
10.3233/wor-172555]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND
In aging societies, zest for work may be pivotal when deciding to stay occupationally active longer. Psychosocial work stress is a prevalent public health problem and may have an impact on zest for work. Work over-commitment (WOC) is a personal coping strategy for work stress with excessive striving and a health risk. However, the long-term effect of WOC on zest for work is poorly understood.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the age-related associations of work over-commitment with zest for work.
METHODS
During 1996-1998 and 2000-2003, predominantly industrial workers (n = 2940) participated in the WOLF-Norrland study and responded to a questionnaire referring to socio-demographics, WOC, zest for work, effort-reward imbalance proxies, and mental health. Age-adjusted multiple logistic regressions were performed with original and imputed datasets.
RESULTS
Cross-sectionally, work overcommitted middle-aged employees had an increased prevalence of poor zest for work compared to their contemporaries without WOC (OR: 3.74 [95%-CI 2.19; 6.40]). However, in a longitudinal analysis associations between onset of 'poor zest for work' and the WOC subscales 'need for approval' (OR: 3.29 [95%-CI 1.04; 10.37]) and 'inability to withdraw from work' (OR: 5.14 [95%-CI 1.32; 20.03]) were observed.
CONCLUSION
The longitudinal findings among older employees could be relevant regarding the expected need to remain occupationally active longer.
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