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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Open Access 25-03-2023 | Original Article

A longitudinal perspective on the interplay of job demands and destructive leadership on employees’ work ability in Germany

Authors: Carolin Kunz, Catrin Millhoff

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 5/2023

Abstract

Purpose

Work ability as a predictor of early retirement or lengthy/frequent sick leaves becomes more and more relevant due to the demographic change. Therefore, factors, which affect employees’ work ability, need to be further examined with a theoretical base. According to Karasek’s job demands–control (JDC) model, high job demands and low control are related to poor employee health. The subsequent job demands–control support (JDCS) model proposed that a lack of support, also from leaders, has a negative impact on health indicators. This article looked at whether destructive leadership reinforces the negative influence of high job demands on employees’ work ability.

Methods

We used the BAuA Working Time Survey waves 2015, 2017, and 2019 (BAuA-WTS), which are representative of employees in Germany. Our data set covers 2448 respondents, who took part in all three waves. Central to the analyses were the variables job demands, control, destructive leadership, and work ability.

Results

Results from pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) and fixed effect (FE) models revealed that job demands influenced work ability negatively, whereas neither control by the employee nor the interaction of job demands and control was significant regarding effecting work ability in the FE models. Destructive leadership exerted a negative effect on work ability and moderated job demands significantly in the FE models meaning a further decrease in work ability.

Conclusion

Leadership behavior should be further examined as an important factor for work ability.

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The interaction of demands and co-worker support was also not significant in the FE models. Concerning the interplay of job demands, control and support underlying the JDCS model, there was no significant effect found in the models.

A three-way interaction of job demands, control and destructive leadership in the sense of the JDCS model was not significant neither in the OLS nor in the FE models (results not shown). In summary, control only played and an inferior role in the explanation of differences in employees’ work ability.

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Title: A longitudinal perspective on the interplay of job demands and destructive leadership on employees’ work ability in Germany
Authors: Carolin Kunz
Catrin Millhoff
Publication date: 25-03-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 5/2023
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-023-01962-z

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A longitudinal perspective on the interplay of job demands and destructive leadership on employees’ work ability in Germany

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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