Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 5/2006

01-05-2006 | Original Article

Factors associated with changes in perceived strain at work among fire-fighters: a 3-year follow-up study

Authors: Sirpa Lusa, Anne Punakallio, Ritva Luukkonen, Veikko Louhevaara

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 5/2006

Login to get access

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate individual and work-related psychosocial factors associated with changes in the perceived physical and mental strain among fire-fighters. Methods: The 3-year follow-up study, done by a questionnaire, was based on data on 632 fire-fighters. The associations were investigated mainly by logistic regression modelling. Results: Accidents were associated with increased perceived physical as well as mental strain (OR 1.4–2.6). Unfair distribution of work tasks was associated with increased perceived physical strain (OR 8.5, CI 1.5–49.6). Frequent differences of opinion disturbing work (OR 2.7, CI 1.2–6.1) and lack of possibilities for career advancement (OR 4.6, CI=1.0–22.5) were associated with perceived increased mental strain at work. Conclusions: The results suggest that measures to reduce the perceived physical and mental strain of fire-fighters should be multi-factorial. However, to determine the content of the measures needs further intervention studies.
Literature
go back to reference Bos J, Mol E, Visser B, Frings-Dresen MHW (2004) The physical demands upon (Dutch) fire-fighters in relation to the maximum acceptable energetic workload. Ergonomics 47:446–460CrossRefPubMed Bos J, Mol E, Visser B, Frings-Dresen MHW (2004) The physical demands upon (Dutch) fire-fighters in relation to the maximum acceptable energetic workload. Ergonomics 47:446–460CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Collins SM, Karasek RA, Costas K (2005) Job strain and autonomic indices of cardiovascular disease risk. Am J Ind Med 48:182–193CrossRefPubMed Collins SM, Karasek RA, Costas K (2005) Job strain and autonomic indices of cardiovascular disease risk. Am J Ind Med 48:182–193CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Corneil W, Beaton RD, Murphy SA, Johnson LC, Pike K (1999) Exposure to traumatic incidents and prevalence of posttraumatic stress symptomatology in urban fire fighters in two countries. J Occupat Health Psychol 4:131–141CrossRef Corneil W, Beaton RD, Murphy SA, Johnson LC, Pike K (1999) Exposure to traumatic incidents and prevalence of posttraumatic stress symptomatology in urban fire fighters in two countries. J Occupat Health Psychol 4:131–141CrossRef
go back to reference DeJoy DM, Wilson MG (2003) Orgazational health promotion: broadening the horizon of workpalce health promotion. Am J Health Promot 17: 337–241PubMed DeJoy DM, Wilson MG (2003) Orgazational health promotion: broadening the horizon of workpalce health promotion. Am J Health Promot 17: 337–241PubMed
go back to reference DeZwart BCH, Frings-Dresen MHW, Van Duivenbooden JC (2002) Test-retest reliability of the work ability index questionnaire. Occup Med 52:177–181CrossRef DeZwart BCH, Frings-Dresen MHW, Van Duivenbooden JC (2002) Test-retest reliability of the work ability index questionnaire. Occup Med 52:177–181CrossRef
go back to reference Elo A-L, Leppänen A, Lindström K, Ropponen T (1992) OSQ occupational stress questionnaire: user’s instructions. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health Elo A-L, Leppänen A, Lindström K, Ropponen T (1992) OSQ occupational stress questionnaire: user’s instructions. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
go back to reference Elo A-L, Leppänen A, Jahkola A (2003) Validity of a single-item measure of stress symptoms. Scand J Work Environ Health 29:444–451PubMed Elo A-L, Leppänen A, Jahkola A (2003) Validity of a single-item measure of stress symptoms. Scand J Work Environ Health 29:444–451PubMed
go back to reference Elovainio M, Forma P, Kivimäki M, Sinervo T, Sutinen R, Laine M (2005) Job demands and job control as correlates of early retirement thoughts in Finnish social and health care employees. Work Stress 19:84–92CrossRef Elovainio M, Forma P, Kivimäki M, Sinervo T, Sutinen R, Laine M (2005) Job demands and job control as correlates of early retirement thoughts in Finnish social and health care employees. Work Stress 19:84–92CrossRef
go back to reference Eskelinen L, Kohvakka A, Merisalo T, Hurri H, Wäger G (1991) Relationship between the self assessment and clinical assessment of health status and work ability. Scand J Work Environ Health 17 (Suppl 1):40–44PubMed Eskelinen L, Kohvakka A, Merisalo T, Hurri H, Wäger G (1991) Relationship between the self assessment and clinical assessment of health status and work ability. Scand J Work Environ Health 17 (Suppl 1):40–44PubMed
go back to reference Ferrie JE (1999) Health consequences of job insecurity. WHO Reg Publ Eur Ser 81:59–99PubMed Ferrie JE (1999) Health consequences of job insecurity. WHO Reg Publ Eur Ser 81:59–99PubMed
go back to reference Hemingway H, Marmot M (1999) Evidence based cardiology. Psychosocial factors in the aetiology and prognosis of coronary heart disease: a systematic review of prospective cohort studies. BMJ 318:460–467 Hemingway H, Marmot M (1999) Evidence based cardiology. Psychosocial factors in the aetiology and prognosis of coronary heart disease: a systematic review of prospective cohort studies. BMJ 318:460–467
go back to reference Ilmarinen J, Tuomi K (2004) Past, present and future of work ability. People Work Res Rep 65:1–15 Ilmarinen J, Tuomi K (2004) Past, present and future of work ability. People Work Res Rep 65:1–15
go back to reference Johnson JV, Hall EM (1988) Job strain, work place, social support and cardiovascular disease. Am J Public health 78:1336PubMedCrossRef Johnson JV, Hall EM (1988) Job strain, work place, social support and cardiovascular disease. Am J Public health 78:1336PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Karasek RA (1979) Job demands, job decision latitude, and mental strain: implications for job redesign. Adm Sci Q 24:258–308CrossRef Karasek RA (1979) Job demands, job decision latitude, and mental strain: implications for job redesign. Adm Sci Q 24:258–308CrossRef
go back to reference Kuper H, Marmot M (2003) Job strain, job demands, decision latitude, and risk of coronary heart disease within the Whitehall II study. J Epidemiol Community Health 57:147–153CrossRefPubMed Kuper H, Marmot M (2003) Job strain, job demands, decision latitude, and risk of coronary heart disease within the Whitehall II study. J Epidemiol Community Health 57:147–153CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Lusa S, Häkkänen M, Luukkonen R, Viikari-Juntura E (2002) Perceived physical work capacity, stress, sleep disturbances and occupational accidents among firefighters working during a strike. Work Stress 16:264–274CrossRef Lusa S, Häkkänen M, Luukkonen R, Viikari-Juntura E (2002) Perceived physical work capacity, stress, sleep disturbances and occupational accidents among firefighters working during a strike. Work Stress 16:264–274CrossRef
go back to reference Lusa S, Punakallio A, Luukkonen R (2004) Factors predicting the perceived work ability of Finnish fire fighters: a three-year follow-up study. In: Ilmarinen J, Lehtinen S (eds) Proceedings of the 1st international symposium on work ability. Past, present and Future of work ability. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, People and work–research reports 65:96–105 Lusa S, Punakallio A, Luukkonen R (2004) Factors predicting the perceived work ability of Finnish fire fighters: a three-year follow-up study. In: Ilmarinen J, Lehtinen S (eds) Proceedings of the 1st international symposium on work ability. Past, present and Future of work ability. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, People and work–research reports 65:96–105
go back to reference Melius J (2001) Occupational health for fire fighters. Occup Med 16:101–108PubMed Melius J (2001) Occupational health for fire fighters. Occup Med 16:101–108PubMed
go back to reference Mohren DCL, Swaen GMH, van Amelsvoort LGPM, Borm PJA, Galama JMD (2003) Job insecurity as a risk factor for common infections and health complaints. J Occup Environ Med 45:123–129PubMedCrossRef Mohren DCL, Swaen GMH, van Amelsvoort LGPM, Borm PJA, Galama JMD (2003) Job insecurity as a risk factor for common infections and health complaints. J Occup Environ Med 45:123–129PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Murphy SA, Bond GE, Beaton RD, Murphy J, Johnson LC (2002) Lifestyle practices and stressors as predictors of health outcomes in urban firefighters. Int J Stress Manage 9:311–327CrossRef Murphy SA, Bond GE, Beaton RD, Murphy J, Johnson LC (2002) Lifestyle practices and stressors as predictors of health outcomes in urban firefighters. Int J Stress Manage 9:311–327CrossRef
go back to reference Punakallio A, Lusa-Moser S, Louhevaara V (2001) Fire-fighting and rescue work in emerge situations and ergonomics. In: Karwowski W, Marras W (eds) International encyclopedia of ergonomics and human factors, Vol I. Taylor & Francis, London and New York pp 449–453 Punakallio A, Lusa-Moser S, Louhevaara V (2001) Fire-fighting and rescue work in emerge situations and ergonomics. In: Karwowski W, Marras W (eds) International encyclopedia of ergonomics and human factors, Vol I. Taylor & Francis, London and New York pp 449–453
go back to reference SAS Institute (1989) SAS user’s guide, Version 6. 4th edn. SAS Institute, Cary SAS Institute (1989) SAS user’s guide, Version 6. 4th edn. SAS Institute, Cary
go back to reference Siegrist J, Peter R, Junge A, Cremer P, Seidel D (1990) Low status control, high effort at work and ischemic heart disease: prospective evidence from blue-collar men. Soc Sci med 31:1127–1134CrossRefPubMed Siegrist J, Peter R, Junge A, Cremer P, Seidel D (1990) Low status control, high effort at work and ischemic heart disease: prospective evidence from blue-collar men. Soc Sci med 31:1127–1134CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Statistics Finland (2003) Labour force survey. Helsinki, Finland Statistics Finland (2003) Labour force survey. Helsinki, Finland
go back to reference Szubert Z, Wojciech S (2002) Work-related injuries among firefighters:sites and circumstances of their occurrence. Int J Occup Med Environment Health 15:49–55 Szubert Z, Wojciech S (2002) Work-related injuries among firefighters:sites and circumstances of their occurrence. Int J Occup Med Environment Health 15:49–55
go back to reference Tuomi K, Ilmarinen J, Seitsamo J, Huuhtanen P, Martikainen R, Nygård CH, Klockars M (1997) Summary of the Finnish research project (1981–1992) to promote the health and work ability of aging workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 23:66–77PubMed Tuomi K, Ilmarinen J, Seitsamo J, Huuhtanen P, Martikainen R, Nygård CH, Klockars M (1997) Summary of the Finnish research project (1981–1992) to promote the health and work ability of aging workers. Scand J Work Environ Health 23:66–77PubMed
go back to reference Wu HC, Wang M-JJ (2001) Determining the maximum acceptable work duration for high-intensity work. Eur J Appl Physiol 85:339–344CrossRefPubMed Wu HC, Wang M-JJ (2001) Determining the maximum acceptable work duration for high-intensity work. Eur J Appl Physiol 85:339–344CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Wu HC, Wang M-JJ (2002) Relationship between maximum acceptable work time and physical workload. Ergonomics 45:280–289CrossRefPubMed Wu HC, Wang M-JJ (2002) Relationship between maximum acceptable work time and physical workload. Ergonomics 45:280–289CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Factors associated with changes in perceived strain at work among fire-fighters: a 3-year follow-up study
Authors
Sirpa Lusa
Anne Punakallio
Ritva Luukkonen
Veikko Louhevaara
Publication date
01-05-2006
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 5/2006
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-005-0059-2

Other articles of this Issue 5/2006

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 5/2006 Go to the issue