Work-privacy conflict and musculoskeletal pain: a population-based test of a stress-sleep-mediation model

Abstract

Previous research has shown that work-privacy conflict (WPC) is associated with musculoskeletal pain (MSP), but the processes involved are unclear. This study simultaneously tested strain and sleep problems as mediators in three mediation paths (WPC →strain→MSP; WPC →sleep problems→MSP; and WPC →strain→sleep problems→MSP). Total mediation (including all three mediation paths) was expected to be stronger in older compared to younger participants, in participants doing shift work compared to those with regular work time, and in women compared to men. In a representative sample of the Swiss working population (N = 3438), WPC, strain, sleep problems, and MSP were assessed by self-report. A set of linear regressions and bootstrapping were used to test the indirect path coefficients. All three mediation paths were significant (ps < .001). The total indirect effect was stronger in women compared to men (p = .036) but mediation did not differ based on working schedules or age. However, tests of higher order moderated mediation showed that mediation was significantly higher in women aged 45 or older who did shift work than in all other combinations (p = .036). A process model postulating strain and sleep problems to mediate the association between WPC and MSP was empirically supported. Work redesign should reduce WPC in order to reduce strain, prevent sleeping problems, and reduce work-related MSP. ARTICLE HISTORY

Perceived privacy in home office and musculoskeletal complaints: a test of family–work conflict, work–family conflict, and relaxation as mediators

“…The present study controlled for age (1 ≤ 20 years; 2 = 20–29 years; 3 = 30–39 years; 4 = 40–59 years, 5 = 60–65 years) and gender (0 = male; 1 = female) because past studies have shown that age and gender affect MSCs in employees (Baur et al 2018 ; Elfering et al 2016 ). To take individual requirements into account, this study also controlled for full- or part-time employment, as suggested by Elfering et al ( 2016 ).…”

Stressful Factors in the Working Environment, Lack of Adequate Sleep, and Musculoskeletal Pain among Nursing Unit Managers

“…Risk factors for neck pain include having a demanding job where people do not have much scope for activities [27]. A poor psychosocial work environment has been linked to musculoskeletal disorders [28,29] and is often related to time constraints [30].…”

“…The relationship among stress, sleep problems, and musculoskeletal pain has been shown [30], but given the importance of sleep, it is strange how often lack of adequate sleep is omitted when assessing the general health of individuals-especially when assessing their musculoskeletal system [37]. High demands at work and a high workload are known to cause sleep disturbances [38,39], but stressful factors in the work environment are the most common causes of sleep problems [40].…”

The Impact of a Change in Employment on Three Work-Related Diseases: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study of 10,530 Belgian Employees

“…The protective role of manual handling with loads for being on medication for MSD may well be due to “healthy worker effects” and uncontrolled confounding. Many authors believe that work strain mediates the association between work stressors and work-related musculoskeletal complaints, whereby the mental and physical mechanisms involved elicit muscle tension and induce musculoskeletal pain [ 25 ].…”