The Beneficial Role of Participation in Decision-Making on Workers' Health and Commitment: A Cross-Sectional Study in Belgium's Health and Homecare Sector.

Abstract

Objectives: To test the hypothesis of a beneficial role of worker participation in the decision-making process as a buffer against demanding work organisation on mental and physical health and commitment.

Methods: A cross-sectional study (N = 1134) was conducted among workers employed in the health and homecare sector. Multiple regressions and moderation analyses were performed to test whether worker participation in decision-making moderates the association between demanding work organisation and health and whether it directly predicts work commitment.

Results: As hypothesized, results show that demanding work organisation is negatively associated with the mental and physical health of workers and that participation in the decision-making moderates this negative association. Finally, participation in decision-making is directly related to work commitment.

Conclusions: Results are discussed in light of the recent evolution of work conditions in the health and homecare sector.