Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Mayerl, H.
Work, Stress and Health
Doktoratsstudium der Medizinischen Wissenschaft; Humanmedizin; [ Dissertation ] Graz Medical University; 2018. pp.
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Mayerl Hannes
- Betreuer*innen:
- Freidl Wolfgang
- Greimel Elfriede Renate
- Rasky Eva
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- Abstract:
- There is extensive evidence that demonstrates the adverse effects of a stressful working environment on both mental and somatic health, yet to date the underlying mechanisms have not been clarified in detail. Prominent work-related stress theories suggest that work-related health problems can be predicted by the combined effects of both positive and negative aspects of the working environment. This thesis aims to shed new light on these processes in order to better understand the role of both job demands and different dimensions of resources in explaining workplace health. This main objective is tackled from three different perspectives: first of all, it is examined whether different dimensions of person- and job-related resources buffer the negative impact of job demands on health. Second, an alternative stress model explaining the pathways between job demands, person and job-related resources, and mental and somatic health is established and tested. Third, this thesis explores the differential effects of different constellations of job demands on health. This thesis analyses secondary data provided by a cross-sectional survey of a sample of Austrian employees (N=17,941). In a preliminary step, confirmatory factor analysis is conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the used scales. Next, moderated linear regression analysis, structural equation modelling, and latent class cluster analysis are performed to investigate the research questions. The results of the moderated regression analysis reveal extensive job demands to be associated with poor mental and somatic health, whereas a rich pool of person- and job-related resources is accompanied by a good state of health. However, the buffering effects of the different resource dimensions in the relationship between job demands and health are very weak and the practical implications are negligible. Structural equation modelling further demonstrates that the proposed stress model is fully able to explain the relationships between job demands, resources, and health. More specifically, it was found that different dimensions of person- and job-related resources can be considered as domains of an underlying resources factor, which allows an even better prediction of mental and somatic health than the single resource dimensions separately. Moreover, the findings confirm the assumption that job demands exert their negative effects on somatic health via an indirect pathway through mental strain. In the latent class analysis, different subgroups of employees are revealed, each of which demonstrates a typological response pattern in terms of both the perceived burden due to job demands (representing the job demand profiles) and the vulnerability of exhibiting signs of poor health (representing the symptom clusters). The job demand profiles are found to be significantly related to the symptom clusters, although the strength of association varies depending on the nature of the job demands that an employee experiences. In conclusion, the results converge in supporting the assumption that extensive job demands adversely affect mental and somatic health. Synchronous exposure to several demands of different nature (e.g. physical, psychosocial, and organizational) was found to be most critical with regard to the seriousness of reported health problems. However, good physical fitness, a global confidence in one’s own capabilities, a supporting circle of friends, and a resourceful working environment seem to have a beneficial health effect. The findings suggest that workplace health interventions may take action on three levels: (1) the prevention of overwhelming job demands; (2) the prevention of work-related mental strain; and (3) the increase of resources to better cope with stress.