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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Open Access 01-08-2019 | Original Article

The association of vertical and horizontal workplace social capital with employees’ job satisfaction, exhaustion and sleep disturbances: a prospective study

Authors: Elisabeth Framke, Ole Henning Sørensen, Jacob Pedersen, Thomas Clausen, Vilhelm Borg, Reiner Rugulies

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 6/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Workplace social capital (WSC) may be beneficial for employees’ health and well-being; however, most studies have analyzed WSC on the individual and not the workplace level. We test whether higher compared to lower levels of vertical WSC (WSC between employees and superiors) and horizontal WSC (WSC between employees), measured at the workplace level, is prospectively associated with higher levels of employees’ well-being.

Methods

Using data from an intervention study, we analyzed associations between workplace aggregated vertical and horizontal WSC at baseline with job satisfaction, exhaustion and sleep disturbances at 24-months follow-up. The sample included 606 municipal pre-school employees (71 workplaces). We adjusted for individual and workplace characteristics, baseline scores of outcomes, intervention status, and the interaction of exposure with intervention status. We used the Genmod procedure in SAS with a repeated statement to account for correlation of individuals within workplaces. We repeated analyses using individual-level WSC measurements.

Results

Higher levels of vertical and horizontal WSC at baseline predicted a higher level of job satisfaction (0.20, p = 0.01 and 0.24, p = 0.01, respectively) and a lower level of exhaustion (− 0.33, p = 0.04 and − 0.43, p = 0.04) at follow-up in the most adjusted model. Analyses with individual-level measures yielded similar results and further showed an association of a higher level of horizontal WSC with a lower level of sleep disturbances.

Conclusions

Higher levels of vertical and horizontal WSC were prospectively associated with better well-being of employees in municipal pre-schools. Workplaces may thus consider focusing on improving WSC as a means for ensuring or improving employees’ well-being.

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Title: The association of vertical and horizontal workplace social capital with employees’ job satisfaction, exhaustion and sleep disturbances: a prospective study
Authors: Elisabeth Framke
Ole Henning Sørensen
Jacob Pedersen
Thomas Clausen
Vilhelm Borg
Reiner Rugulies
Publication date: 01-08-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 6/2019
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-019-01432-5

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

The association of vertical and horizontal workplace social capital with employees’ job satisfaction, exhaustion and sleep disturbances: a prospective study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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