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Published in: International Journal of Public Health 5/2012

01-10-2012 | Original Article

Adverse effects of effort–reward imbalance on work ability: longitudinal findings from the German Sociomedical Panel of Employees

Authors: Matthias Bethge, Friedrich Michael Radoschewski

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 5/2012

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Abstract

Objective

The aim of this paper was to analyse the longitudinal effects of effort–reward imbalance (ERI) on work ability, mental health and physical functioning.

Methods

A total of 603 men and women aged 30–59 years participating in the first two waves of the German Sociomedical Panel of Employees were included in the analyses. Work ability was assessed using the Work Ability Index. Mental health and physical functioning were assessed using scales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey.

Results

Our longitudinal analysis showed that high ERI-related work stress exposure at baseline was associated with a decrease in work ability, mental health and physical functioning over time. In case of work ability (b = −0.512; 95% CI −1.018 to −0.006) and mental health (b = −2.026; 95% CI −3.483 to −0.568), this also held true after adjusting for other factors of the work environment (physical demands, job control and psychological job demands).

Conclusions

Work stress by ERI has an impact on work ability independent of and above that of other known explanatory variables.
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Metadata
Title
Adverse effects of effort–reward imbalance on work ability: longitudinal findings from the German Sociomedical Panel of Employees
Authors
Matthias Bethge
Friedrich Michael Radoschewski
Publication date
01-10-2012
Publisher
SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-011-0304-2

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