Authors
Johnston-J; Landsittel-D; Nelson-N; Gardner-L; Wassell-J
Source
Am J Ind Med 2003 Feb; 43(2):179-187
Abstract
Back pain is a major source of lost work time. Occupational physical activity only accounts for a fraction of low back pain; therefore, there is growing interest in investigating other possible causes of back pain including the psychosocial work environment. Material handlers (N = 6,311) in 160 newly opened stores were interviewed at study entry and approximately 6 months later. Factor analysis was used to reduce the 37 psychosocial questionnaire items to seven distinct factors. After adjusting for history of back problems and work-related lifting, risk of back pain was moderately increased among employees who reported high job intensity demands (odds ratio (OR) = 1.8), job dissatisfaction (OR = 1.7), and high job scheduling demands (OR = 1.6). Modification of the psychosocial work environment for material handlers in large retail stores may help reduce back pain among employees.
Keywords
Back-injuries; Occupational-psychology; Occupational-sociology; Stress; Musculoskeletal-system; Ergonomics; Materials-handling;
Author Keywords: back pain; psychosocial factors; occupational stress; musculoskeletal injury; ergonomic exposure
Contact
Janet M. Johnston, Epidemiology Data Center, University of Pittsburgh, GSPH, 127 Parran Hall, 130 DeSoto St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
johnston@edc.gsph.pitt.edu
Priority Area
Construction
Source Name
American Journal of Industrial Medicine