Citation

Kivimaki M, Vahtera J, Pentti J, Thomson L, Griffiths A, Cox T. Anxiety Stress Coping 2001; 14(1): 59-73.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10615800108248348

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The question of whether changes in work and interpersonal relationships mediate the adverse effects of downsizing on health of employees was explored. Longitudinal data from a 7-year study of 550 municipal workers in a variety of jobs was collected before, immediately after, and 4 years after downsizing. The degree of downsizing for each job category was assessed using organizational records of contracted days worked. Downsizing predicted adverse changes in work characteristics and a long-lasting decline in self-rated health. Decreased job control, high job insecurity and increased physical demands, in combination, appeared to be the linking mechanism between downsizing and general health. Interestingly, social conflict did not play a role in the mediation process.