Open AccessPsychosocial factors at work and musculoskeletal disease.
Author(s) -
P.M. Bongers,
C R de Winter,
Michiel A. J. Kompier,
V.H. Hildebrandt
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of work, environment and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.621
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1795-990X
pISSN - 0355-3140
DOI - 10.5271/sjweh.1470
Subject(s) - psychosocial , disease , musculoskeletal disease , job control , social support , medicine , job stress , clinical psychology , psychology , work (physics) , physical therapy , gerontology , job satisfaction , psychiatry , social psychology , pathology , mechanical engineering , engineering
The objective of this review is to establish whether the epidemiologic literature presents evidence of an association between psychosocial work factors and musculoskeletal disease. In a hypothetical model it is suggested that individual characteristics and stress symptoms can modify this relationship. The reviewed studies do not present conclusive evidence due to high correlations between psychosocial factors and physical load and to difficulties in measuring dependent and independent variables. Nevertheless, it is concluded that monotonous work, high perceived work load, and time pressure are related to musculoskeletal symptoms. The data also suggest that low control on the job and lack of social support by colleagues are positively associated with musculoskeletal disease. Perceived stress may be an intermediary in this process. In addition, stress symptoms are often associated with musculoskeletal disease, and some studies indicate that stress symptoms contribute to the development of this disease.