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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Open Access 01-11-2019 | Original Article

Job requirement level, work demands, and health: a prospective study among older workers

Authors: Karolin Hiesinger, Silke Tophoven

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 8/2019

Abstract

Purpose

Persons in lower occupational positions experience higher rates of morbidity compared to workers in higher advantaged positions. Working conditions may explain this occupational health gradient. Most studies consider either psychosocial or physical work demands at one point in time. In our study, we examine both physical and psychosocial work demands and their association with health status differentiated by job requirement level. We further distinguish between constant and changing work demands.

Methods

Using data from the first two waves of the German cohort study on work, age and health, we analyse a sample of 3644 older workers born in 1959 and 1965. We test direct and mediating effects of high physical and psychosocial work demands on functional physical and mental health. For this, we estimate a prospective path model using multiple linear regression models.

Results

Our results show that (1) constant high physical and psychosocial work demands affect physical and mental health negatively and (2) high physical workload partly mediates the relationship between job requirement level and physical health. Moreover, at least for men, a reduction of physical and psychosocial workload improves mental health status.

Conclusions

Research and prevention measures currently focus particularly on psychosocial work demands. Our study shows that high physical workload is still present among older workers. Its negative health effect refers to occupational safety and health measures that take into account both the physical and psychosocial work environment as well as workers’ occupational positions.

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In our data, most employees’ vocational training matches their current job requirement level.

The choice of items is based on a factor analysis.

Accordingly, the workload rises the less often the employees sit at their workplace (Kroll 2011).

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Title: Job requirement level, work demands, and health: a prospective study among older workers
Authors: Karolin Hiesinger
Silke Tophoven
Publication date: 01-11-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 8/2019
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-019-01451-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Job requirement level, work demands, and health: a prospective study among older workers

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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