Psychosocial Work Environment and Musculoskeletal Symptoms among 21-Year-Old Workers: A Population-Based Investigation (2011-2013)

Abstract

BackgroundThe current labour market is becoming more flexible and informal, with job insecurity selectively affecting young workers. However, the role of these increasing adverse psychosocial working conditions on health outcomes remains little known among newly employed workers.ObjectiveTo estimate the associations between psychosocial work environment and musculoskeletal outcomes (widespread pain syndrome features and regional pain) in a population-based sample of young workers.MethodsCross-sectional data from workers aged 21 years were collected during the third wave of the EPITeen cohort study (2011-2013; n=650). The Job Content Questionnaire was used to characterize the psychosocial work environment according to the demand-control-support model. Data on pain and non-pain dimensions of the widespread pain syndrome (Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire) as well as on regional musculoskeletal pain (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire) were also collected. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were computed using logistic regression and all estimates were adjusted for sex, education and occupational biomechanical demands.ResultsJob insecurity was significantly associated to the non-pain dimension of the widespread pain syndrome (adjusted OR [95% CI]=1.51 [1.08, 2.12]). Young workers with strain jobs were significantly more likely to report high levels of non-pain symptoms when compared with those with no-strain jobs and this effect was even stronger when social support was added to the main exposure: workers with strain jobs and low social support had twice the odds of reporting high levels of non-pain features than those with high strain but high social support jobs (adjusted OR=1.86, 95% CI: 1.04, 3.31). These significant associations were not observed when widespread pain or multisite regional pain were the outcomes.ConclusionIn the beginning of professional life, high strain jobs were associated to non-pain complaints, especially when the work environment provided also low social support.

The associations between work-related factors and temporomandibular disorders among female full-time employees: findings from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV (2007–2009)

“…There are few researches to directly show the association between long working hours and TMD. However, many studies revealed a correlation between long working hours and psychiatric and musculoskeletal problems [ 29 , 30 ]. Meanwhile, biologic (joint trauma), behavioral (psychiatric problems), environmental (head and cervical posture), and cognitive factors (pain threshold) all play a role in the development of TMD symptoms [ 31 ].…”

Chronic Stress in Young German Adults: Who Is Affected? A Prospective Cohort Study

“…Our findings contribute to the current literature on job-related well-being among young adults during their transition into work life. The few existing studies on stress among young workers showed that new psychological work environments and unfamiliar working conditions might lead to an elevated perception of chronic stress and musculoskeletal symptoms among job beginners [ 32 ]. Studies among college students indicated that they may become overwhelmed with feelings that there is not enough time to complete all their work adequately.…”

Applications of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire: A Review

“…Subramaniam y Murugesan (2015) [290] India Application of the NMQ in kitchen workers. Lourenco et al (2015) [291] Portugal Application of the NMQ in workers under 21 years of age. Lopes y Pinho (2016) [292] Portugal Application of the NMQ in workers in a recycling plant.…”

“…Meanwhile, Lourenco et al [291] related the psychosocial risks with MSD in a population of young workers. These researchers concluded that workers at the beginning of their careers are associated with responses of no pain.…”