Premium
Self‐reported musculoskeletal disorder pain: The role of job hazards and work‐life interaction
Author(s) -
Weale Victoria P.,
Wells Yvonne,
Oakman Jodi
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22793
Subject(s) - musculoskeletal disorder , medicine , work (physics) , work–family conflict , affect (linguistics) , musculoskeletal pain , occupational safety and health , human factors and ergonomics , gerontology , physical therapy , psychology , poison control , environmental health , mechanical engineering , communication , engineering , pathology
Background Previous research identified an association between work‐family conflict and musculoskeletal pain. This study explores how the work‐life interface might affect pain experienced by residential aged care staff. Methods A cross‐sectional survey of 426 employees in residential aged care was analyzed to assess the impacts of workplace hazards, work‐family conflict, and work‐life balance on self‐reported musculoskeletal pain. Results Work‐family conflict acts as a mediator of the relationships between workplace hazards and the total number of body regions at which musculoskeletal pain was experienced. Work‐life balance only acts as a mediator for particular hazards and only if work‐family conflict is not taken into account. Conclusions Addressing work‐life interaction, and in particular work‐family conflict, warrants further investigation as a legitimate means through which musculoskeletal disorder risk can be reduced. Policies and practices to improve work‐life interaction and reduce work‐family conflict should be considered as integral components of musculoskeletal disorder risk management strategies.