Work-life conflict and musculoskeletal disorders: a cross-sectional study of an unexplored association

Abstract Background Telework satisfaction is a Public Health concern, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its determinant factors may be related with the negative health effects of teleworking. However, there is still little research exploring this issue. This study aimed to characterize telework during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Portugal and to identify the major predictors of telework satisfaction. Methods This is a cross-sectional study aimed at all teleworkers working in Portugal, during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic. Data were collected through a Google Forms platform online questionnaire distributed by a snowball method on social networks. Descriptive statistics included crude and relative frequency data. The associations between sociodemographic characteristics, self-perceived health, organization of working time, concentration at work, work-life balance, work disconnection, working conditions, and organizational demands (flexibility and organizational trust based on E-work Life Scale) with telework satisfaction were estimated through logistic regression. Results This study included 1004 participants. Teleworkers satisfaction levels were high (69%). Better concentration at work (OR = 1.54; 95%CI 1.01–2.34); the satisfaction with the balance between work life and extra work when teleworking (OR = 1.79; 95%CI 1.17–2.74); and higher work flexibility (OR = 2.26; 95%CI 1.46–3.49) were good predictors of greater levels of satisfaction with telework. However, its major predictors were the company’s trust in teleworkers (OR = 4.50; 95%CI 2.89–7.02) and feeling good in the workspace at home (OR = 3.72; 95%CI 1.46–9.49). Conclusions Our findings point that work environment and organizational culture play a crucial role in affecting telework satisfaction. More studies are needed to monitor telework satisfaction and its effects on physical and mental health, so that Public and Occupational Health (and Safety) can be able to identify and implement the best interventions that allow promoting individual health and foster a healthy work environment for teleworkers.

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Quality of Work Life of Teaching Staff Working at a Higher Education Institution in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study

Journal of Social Service Research ◽

10.1080/01488376.2018.1481173 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

pp. 530-542 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Arun Vijay Subbarayalu ◽

Ahmed Al Kuwaiti

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Education Institution ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Work Life ◽

Quality Of Work Life ◽

Teaching Staff ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Quality Of Work

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Physical activity is associated with a low prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the Royal Norwegian Navy: a cross sectional study

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/1471-2474-8-56 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Tone Morken ◽

Nils Magerøy ◽

Bente E Moen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Low Prevalence

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Determinants of occupational multisite musculoskeletal disorders: a cross sectional study among 254 patients

Reumatismo ◽

10.4081/reumatismo.2018.1047 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. 92 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Mahfoudh ◽

K. Fennani ◽

M. Akrout ◽

K. Taoufik

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Rest Period ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Individual Risk ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dependent Children

The aim was to describe the profile of workers with occupational multi-site musculoskeletal disorders (MSMSD) and study the relationship between these lesions and socio-professional factors. This is a cross-sectional study involving 254 subjects with occupational musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), identified in the Department of Occupational Medicine at the University Hospital of Mahdia, in Tunisia, over a period of 10 years from 2005 to 2014. The study population was subdivided into two groups; mono-site MSD and multi-site (≥2 sites) groups. Data collection was based on a questionnaire prepared beforehand and covered the description of sociodemographic and professional characteristics. To study psychosocial constraints at work, we have used the Karasek questionnaire. MS-MSD was correlated to the number of dependent children (p=0.02), job/place of work (p=0.00), qualification (p=0.02), taking a rest period (p=0.03), decision latitude (p=0.00), mental demands (p=0.002), social support (p=0.00) and job stress (p=0.04). After binary logistic regression, MS-MSD depended significantly on the number of dependent children (p=0.013; OR=0,33; IC=0,17-0,83), working spouse (p=0.05; OR=0.35; IC=0.12-0.99), job/place of work (p=0.00; OR=4.16; IC=1.95-8.88), qualification (p=0.008; OR=0.28; IC=0.11-0.72), taking a break during work (p=0.04; OR=3.10; IC=1.04-9.22) and social support (p=0.00; OR=7,1; IC=1,9-25,3). When individual risk factors are fixed, the prevention of MS-MSD must target modifiable levers, related to the professional environment of the employees.

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Prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and ergonomic risk assessment among readymade garment workers of Bangladesh: A cross sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0200122 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. e0200122 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Mohammad Didar Hossain ◽

Afzal Aftab ◽

Mahmudul Hassan Al Imam ◽

Ilias Mahmud ◽

Imran Ahmed Chowdhury ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Related ◽

Garment Workers ◽

Ergonomic Risk Assessment ◽

Ergonomic Risk

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Musculoskeletal Complaints in Occupational Therapists Compared to the General Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in Germany

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17144916 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (14) ◽

pp. 4916

Author(s):

Ronny Zenker ◽

Maria Girbig ◽

Janice Hegewald ◽

Irina Gilewitsch ◽

Mandy Wagner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

Occupational Therapists ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Physical Factors ◽

Musculoskeletal Complaints ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lower Back ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Impact

Occupational therapists (OTs) are exposed to physical factors at work, which can lead to an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Most studies examining musculoskeletal complaints in OT report that the neck, shoulders, and lower back are most often afflicted. The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of work as an OT (focusing on specific work tasks) on specific musculoskeletal complaints compared to the general working population. A cross-sectional study involving a self-administered standardized questionnaire was conducted from January until October 2015 in Germany. In OT and the comparison group, the highest 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders were observed for the lower back, the neck, and the shoulders. In contrast, elevated prevalence ratios (PR) were found for OT in the thumbs (PR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.9–3.8), the wrists (PR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.1–1.8), and the elbows (PR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.0–2.2). OTs were particularly exposed to high exertion hand activity and several stressful postures at work. In conclusion, OTs seem to be at risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal complaints in the thumbs, wrists, and elbows. Preventive measures should help to reduce the exposures caused by highly repetitive and forceful hand activities.

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