The Risk of Neck, Shoulder and Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Disorders due to Interactions between Physical and Psychosocial Work Risk Factors

Objectives - To investigate the possible interactions between physical and psychosocial risk factors in the workplace that may be associated with self-reported neck and upper-limb musculoskeletal disorder symptoms. Methods - 891 of 1514 manual handlers, delivery drivers, technicians, customer services computer operators and general office staff reported physical and psychosocial working conditions and neck and upper-limb disorder symptoms using a self-administered questionnaire (59% return rate). Of the 869 valid questionnaire respondents, 564 individual workers were classified in to one of four exposure groups: high physical - high psychosocial, high physical - low psychosocial, low physical - high psychosocial and low physical - low psychosocial. Results - The highest increase in risk was found in the high physical - high psychosocial exposure group for upper limb disorders. In the analyses, a departure from an additive risk model was observed for the upper-limb outcome definitions but not for those of the neck. Conclusions - This study suggests that an interaction effect between physical and psychosocial risk factors in the workplace may exist to increase the risk of self-reported upper-limb disorders.

Download Full-text

Self-administered Questionnaire for Structured Psychosocial Screening in Pediatrics

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.89.3.433 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 89 (3) ◽

pp. 433-436

Author(s):

Kathi J. Kemper

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Substance Abuse ◽

Medical Record ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Psychosocial Risk Factors ◽

Psychosocial Risk ◽

Parental History ◽

Psychosocial Screening ◽

History Of ◽

Self Administered Questionnaire

Screening for psychosocial risk factors has been limited by lack of a structured approach. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of a self-administered questionnaire compared with routine history as recorded in the medical record in screening for risk factors for dysfunctional parenting in an urban pediatric clinic. English-speaking parents were offered questionnaires in the waiting room. In addition to routine demographic and medical questions, the questionnaries contained standard screening instruments for substance abuse, depression, self-esteem, and social support, as well as questions about domestic violence, homelessness, and parental history of abuse as a child. Medical records were reviewed separately. Of the 114 mothers who returned questionnaires, the response rate for sensitive questions such as income was ≥85%. Compared with the medical record, the questionnaire identified significantly more mothers with possible substance abuse, depression, low self-esteem, and/or history of abuse as a child (P < .01 for each). Compared with what is usually recorded in the medical record, self-administered questionnaires yield substantial additional information regarding psychosocial risk factors for dysfunctional parenting. Such questionnaires should be considered for routine psychosocial screening in clinics serving high-risk populations.

Download Full-text

Suicide Attempts Among Depressed Inpatients with Depressive Disorder in a Malaysian Sample

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000088 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 283-287 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

L. F. Chan ◽

T. Maniam ◽

A. S. Shamsul

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Suicide Attempt ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Psychosocial Risk Factors ◽

Psychosocial Risk ◽

Life Event ◽

Axis I ◽

A Current

Background: Depressed inpatients constitute a high-risk population for suicide attempts. Aims: To describe the interactions of clinical and psychosocial risk factors influencing suicide attempts among a Malaysian sample of depressed inpatients. Methods: Seventy-five subjects were diagnosed with a depressive disorder according to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders-Clinical Version (SCID-CV). Data on suicide attempts, suicidal ideation (Scale for Suicidal Ideation, SSI), depression severity (Beck’s Depression Inventory, BDI), recent life-event changes (Social Readjustment Rating Scale, SRRS), sociodemographic and other relevant clinical factors were collected. Results: A third of the subjects presented after a current suicide attempt. Significant factors for a current suicide attempt were race, religion, recent life-event changes, suicidal ideation, and alcohol use disorder. Independent predictive risk factors for a current suicide attempt were Chinese race, recent marital separation, major mortgage or loans, and being newly diagnosed with depression. Any recent change in personal habits was shown to be a protective factor against current suicide attempt. Age and gender were nonsignificant factors. Conclusions: The findings are generally consistent with existing studies and highlight the role of psychosocial risk factors.

Download Full-text