Citation

Baker NA, Jacobs K, Tickle-Degnen L. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics 2003; 31(4): 235-247.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This exploratory study was conducted to see if there was an association between the meaning of working and musculoskeletal discomfort and if that association was predictive of the severity of discomfort. Each of 170 telecommunication personnel at two sites completed a Meaning of Working Survey form and a Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire. Seven component composites of the meaning of working (work centrality, obligation, entitlement, comfort, promotion/power, expressive, and social support) were entered into a linear multiple regression model. The results suggested that there was a moderate, significant association (R2=0.19,p=0.0002) between overall musculoskeletal discomfort and promotion/power as well as the control variables age, gender, job satisfaction, average hours worked, and site. A logistic linear regression found that these composites, along with social support, could accurately identify who was in a none/mild discomfort category or a moderate/severe discomfort category 72% of the time. The overall pattern suggested that females who worked longer hours, valued promotion and power and disliked social support were most likely to develop moderate to severe musculoskeletal discomfort. This study provides a preliminary exploration of the association between meaning and MSD in the workplace and provides one hypothesis why meaning may be associated with MSD.Relevance to industryThe causes of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in the workplace are diverse and poorly understood. The meaning that working has to an individual may help to explain why certain psychosocial factors are associated with musculoskeletal discomfort and may eventually provide one way to intervene to reduce MSD.