{"title":"Assessing the link between occupational risk factors, work-related musculoskeletal disorders and quality of work life: An analysis using PLS-SEM","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.ergon.2024.103658","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article aimed to test the hypotheses of a complex model considering the chain relationship between occupational risk factors, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) symptoms, and Quality of Work Life (QWL) perceived by workers. We assessed psychosocial risk factors utilizing items from the Job Content Questionnaire, the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, and the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II. The biomechanical factors analyzed included poor trunk and upper limb postures, excessive lifting, and prolonged standing. Organizational factors evaluated were monotonous work, tight deadlines, and low stimulation for teamwork. Using the Nordic and Walton Questionnaires, we assessed workers’ perceptions of WMSD symptoms and QWL. We constructed the model using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The measurement model assessed reliability (composite reliability) and validity tests (average variance extracted, Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio of correlations method, and Fornell-Larcker criterion). The structural model analyzed direct and indirect paths between factors and tested the hypotheses (bootstrapping method). Results indicate that most biomechanical factors affect WMSDs mediated by physical work demands. Physical work demands have a direct impact on WMSDs and stress. Good psychosocial conditions alleviate stress, reduce WMSD symptoms, and increase QWL. Harmful organizational factors acted indirectly on WRMSDs, amplifying stress perception. Finally, WMSDs worsen QWL. We concluded that the model is valid with satisfactory psychometrics for measuring and relating risk factors, WMSDs, and QWL, providing insights that can guide professionals and researchers in planning and implementing actions to prevent risks and WMSD symptoms and improve QWL.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50317,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169814124001148","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, INDUSTRIAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This article aimed to test the hypotheses of a complex model considering the chain relationship between occupational risk factors, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) symptoms, and Quality of Work Life (QWL) perceived by workers. We assessed psychosocial risk factors utilizing items from the Job Content Questionnaire, the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, and the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II. The biomechanical factors analyzed included poor trunk and upper limb postures, excessive lifting, and prolonged standing. Organizational factors evaluated were monotonous work, tight deadlines, and low stimulation for teamwork. Using the Nordic and Walton Questionnaires, we assessed workers’ perceptions of WMSD symptoms and QWL. We constructed the model using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The measurement model assessed reliability (composite reliability) and validity tests (average variance extracted, Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio of correlations method, and Fornell-Larcker criterion). The structural model analyzed direct and indirect paths between factors and tested the hypotheses (bootstrapping method). Results indicate that most biomechanical factors affect WMSDs mediated by physical work demands. Physical work demands have a direct impact on WMSDs and stress. Good psychosocial conditions alleviate stress, reduce WMSD symptoms, and increase QWL. Harmful organizational factors acted indirectly on WRMSDs, amplifying stress perception. Finally, WMSDs worsen QWL. We concluded that the model is valid with satisfactory psychometrics for measuring and relating risk factors, WMSDs, and QWL, providing insights that can guide professionals and researchers in planning and implementing actions to prevent risks and WMSD symptoms and improve QWL.
期刊介绍:
The journal publishes original contributions that add to our understanding of the role of humans in today systems and the interactions thereof with various system components. The journal typically covers the following areas: industrial and occupational ergonomics, design of systems, tools and equipment, human performance measurement and modeling, human productivity, humans in technologically complex systems, and safety. The focus of the articles includes basic theoretical advances, applications, case studies, new methodologies and procedures; and empirical studies.