International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health最新文献

{"title":"Predicting prolonged work absence due to musculoskeletal disorders: development, validation, and clinical usefulness of prognostic prediction models.","authors":"Tarjei Rysstad, Margreth Grotle, Adrian C Traeger, Lene Aasdahl, Ørjan Nesse Vigdal, Fiona Aanesen, Britt Elin Øiestad, Are Hugo Pripp, Gwenllian Wynne-Jones, Kate M Dunn, Egil A Fors, Steven J Linton, Anne Therese Tveter","doi":"10.1007/s00420-025-02129-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-025-02129-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Given the lack of robust prognostic models for early identification of individuals at risk of work disability, this study aimed to develop and externally validate three models for prolonged work absence among individuals on sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We developed three multivariable logistic regression models using data from 934 individuals on sick leave for 4-12 weeks due to musculoskeletal disorders, recruited through the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration. The models predicted three outcomes: (1) > 90 consecutive sick days, (2) > 180 consecutive sick days, and (3) any new or increased work assessment allowance or disability pension within 12 months. Each model was externally validated in a separate cohort of participants (8-12 weeks of sick leave) from a different geographical region in Norway. We evaluated model performance using discrimination (c-statistic), calibration, and assessed clinical usefulness using decision curve analysis (net benefit). Bootstrapping was used to adjust for overoptimism.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All three models showed good predictive performance in the external validation sample, with c-statistics exceeding 0.76. The model predicting > 180 days performed best, demonstrating good calibration and discrimination (c-statistic 0.79 (95% CI 0.73-0.85), and providing net benefit across a range of decision thresholds from 0.10 to 0.80.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These models, particularly the one predicting > 180 days, may facilitate secondary prevention strategies and guide future clinical trials. Further validation and refinement are necessary to optimise the models and to test their performance in larger samples.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143811270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unfitness for a job among construction workers.","authors":"Elodie Bossi, Sylvie Cassadou, Adeline Beaumont, François-Xavier Lesage","doi":"10.1007/s00420-025-02139-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-025-02139-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The aim of this study is to assess the incidence of job loss related to health issues (fitness for work) over one year within the population of construction trades, to analyze the medical diagnoses associated with these unfitness for work situations, and to define the demographic and professional characteristics associated with them at the regional level in France (Occitania).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective multicenter study was conducted between September 2019 and September 2020 and included employees monitored by 23 inter-company occupational health services in Occitania, France.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 71,772 employees from the construction sector were followed. The incidence of work unfitness during this period was estimated at 6.69 per thousand (95% CI [6.11; 7.32]). The two main causes of work unfitness were related to mental pathologies or musculoskeletal disorders. The identified risk factors, considering all causes, notably included age, particularly within the age intervals of 56-60 years (adjusted OR = 3.78, 95% CI [2.94-4.85]) and 61-62 years (adjusted OR = 6.17, 95% CI [4.17-8.91]) (reference 14-40 years), as well as the nature of the occupation, especially if it involved higher physical demands.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the personal and professional determinants associated with job loss for medical reasons among workers in the construction sector. These findings provide further insights into the risk factors leading to work unfitness and thus enable the development of targeted preventive actions aimed at promoting workers' health and retention in employment.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143772273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Psychosocial work exposures as risk factors for skin problems in a general working population: cross-sectional and prospective associations.","authors":"Randi Hovden Borge, Håkon A Johannessen, Jose Hernán Alfonso","doi":"10.1007/s00420-025-02135-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-025-02135-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The potential contribution of psychosocial work exposures to skin problems is largely overlooked in the occupational health literature. To address this knowledge gap, we examined cross-sectional and prospective associations between six psychosocial work exposures (i.e., quantitative demands, job control, social support, emotional demands, role conflict, and interpersonal conflict) and self-reported skin problems.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data came from a probability sample of the general working population in Norway surveyed in 2016 (N = 7833) and 2019 (N = 8038). The prospective sample comprised 3430 participants. Data were analysed with ordered logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, occupation, and exposure to cleaning products, water, and dry indoor air.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Cross-sectional analyses indicated statistically significant associations with skin problems for emotional demands, role conflict, and interpersonal conflict in 2016 and 2019, and for social support in 2019. In prospective analyses, emotional demands (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01-1.23), role conflict (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.00-1.29), and interpersonal conflict (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.52) significantly predicted subsequent skin problems. Interpersonal conflict (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.01-1.57) was a significant predictor above and beyond baseline levels of skin problems. Quantitative demands and job control was generally non-significant, except for a significant interaction in the 2019 sample.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Exposure to certain psychosocial work stressors may be a risk factor for experiencing skin problems, particularly if you are exposed to interpersonal conflict. Preventive efforts to reduce the occurrence of skin problems in work settings should also target psychosocial stressors.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"309-319"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11972187/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143604791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of risk mitigation strategies on non-fatal injuries in the construction sector in qatar: a retrospective analysis.","authors":"Lama Soubra, Alreem Al-Mohannadi, Yasser Berzan, Rafael Consunji, Ayman El-Menyar, Hassan Al-Thani, Mohammed Ali Al-Marri, Hamad Saed Al-Hajri","doi":"10.1007/s00420-025-02126-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-025-02126-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The construction sector has the highest risk of fatal and non-fatal injuries worldwide. This study examined the impact of risk mitigation strategies implemented in Qatar's construction sector between 2013 and 2021 on non-fatal injuries.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study employed quantitative and qualitative methods. Data on implemented strategies were gathered through a systematic website search and structured interviews with Safety and Occupational Health officers. Retrospective injury data were obtained from Hamad Trauma Center medical records. Systematic website search identified key legislation and guidelines. Interview transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Injury data were categorized into pre- and post-implementation data. Differences were assessed using means, standard deviations, percentages, effect sizes, and confidence intervals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eight safety legislation/policies and guidelines were issued. Interview analysis identified technical, behavioral, and organizational measures as key themes in risk mitigation strategies. Comparing pre- and post-implementation data, non-fatal injury incidence (effect size (ES): 0.21, 95% CI 0.19-0.28) and severity (ES: 0.32, 95% CI 0.25-0.40) were reduced. Hospital and ICU stays were shorter post-implementation (ES: 0.2, 95% CI 0.12-0.27 and 0.014, 95% CI 0.010-0.021). Injury reductions were observed across major affected areas, except for the chest and skin. Non-fatal injuries remained more common among general laborers (ES: - 0.26, 95% CI - 0.34, 0.18) and those wearing protective devices (ES; - 0.1, CI - 0.12, - 0.07).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Implemented risk mitigation strategies collectively reduced non-fatal injury incidence and severity and improved outcomes in the construction sector. Future research should explore observed trends through prospective studies and job hazard analysis.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"283-296"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11972227/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143523451","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of long-term exposure to air pollutants with benign prostatic hyperplasia among middle-aged and older men in China.","authors":"Wenming Shi, Jie V Zhao","doi":"10.1007/s00420-025-02127-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-025-02127-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Air pollution has been an important risk factor for human health. However, little is known about the impacts of air pollutants on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men. We aimed to explore the association of long-term exposure to air pollutants with BPH among men.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We leveraged the nationally representative data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, a total of 8,826 participants aged 45 years and above from 125 Chinese cities were enrolled in 2015. Annual fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), coarse particles (PM_2.5-10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone were estimated using satellite-based models. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the risk of BPH associated with air pollutants. The restricted cubic spline model was performed to explore the exposure-response relationships with BPH.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 8,826 participants (mean age: 60.3 years), the prevalence of BPH was 14.5%. Each 10 µg/m³ rise in PM_2.5 (odds ratio 1.04, 95% confidence intervals: 1.01-1.07) and PM_2.5-10 (1.06, 1.02-1.10) were associated with prevalent BPH. Compared with the lowest quartile levels, higher PM_2.5 and PM_2.5-10 exposure were related to an increased risk of BPH. There were non-linear relationship between PM_2.5-10 and NO₂ exposure with prevalent BPH. The association with BPH was more pronounced in participants who were overweight/obesity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study suggests that long-term air pollutants exposure, especially for PM_2.5 and PM_2.5-10, is associated with BPH among middle-aged and older men. Our findings provide epidemiological evidence for policymakers and researchers to improve prostate health by reducing air pollution.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"321-329"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11972197/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143630372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The association between particulate matter 2.5 and thyroid function and thyroid cancer: a meta-analysis.","authors":"Haihong Wang, Jing Xu, Caizhu Huang, Lichao Chen, Xiandan Zhang, Wenjun Tian","doi":"10.1007/s00420-025-02133-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-025-02133-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Recent studies indicate a potential link between exposure to atmospheric particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and thyroid function, though epidemiological conclusions remain inconsistent. This comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis aims to clarify the connection between PM2.5 levels and the risks of thyroid function and thyroid cancer.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using the medical subject headings \"PM2.5\" and \"thyroid hormones\" along with their associated free words, publications from the Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and PubMed up to April 2024 were searched. The study protocol has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024554220).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1322 articles were collected from databases, of which 27 studies were included in the analysis. The findings indicated that exposure to PM2.5 was a significant risk factor for hypothyroidism, increasing the incidence risk by 0.15 (95% CI 1.08, 1.23, P < 0.001). PM2.5 exposure levels were significantly higher in Asian populations than in European populations; each incremental increase in PM2.5 exposure resulted in a rise in TSH by 0.27 mIU/L (95% CI 0.07, 0.47, P = 0.008) and a decrease in FT4 by 0.21 pmol/L (95% CI - .35, - 0.07, P = 0.004). Additionally, in susceptible pregnant women, each incremental increase in PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy was associated with a rise in TSH levels by 0.08 mIU/L (95% CI - 0.02, 0.17, P < 0.001) and a decrease in FT4 levels by 0.09 pmol/L (95% CI - 0.23, 0.05, P = 0.210).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our research establishes PM2.5 exposure as a risk factor for diminished thyroid function. In Asian populations, the average level of PM2.5 exposure is high, significantly affecting thyroid hormones (TSH, FT4). Particular attention to PM2.5 exposure levels during pregnancy is essential to reduce the risk of thyroid dysfunction.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"267-282"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143673244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The association between occupational lead exposure and serum levels of vitamin D3 and a bone turnover biomarker in smelter workers.","authors":"Rateba Said Mohammed, Basma Hussein Mourad","doi":"10.1007/s00420-025-02125-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-025-02125-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Bone tissue is the chief target for lead (Pb) in chronic exposure. This study aimed to demonstrate the relation between the blood lead levels (BLL) and serum levels of 1,25 dihydroxy cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and type I collagen cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX-1) as a biomarker of bone turnover among some Egyptian workers occupationally exposed to Pb in the smelting process. The study also targeted to identify any clinical manifestations indicative of skeletal system affection and their association with the performed investigations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 48 smelter workers and 48 administrative controls participated in the study. All subjects underwent comprehensive medical and occupational history taking and detailed clinical examinations, with a particular focus on symptoms indicative of skeletal system involvement. These symptoms included generalized bony aches, low back pain, joint pain, restricted joint movement, a history of fractures from minor trauma, and delayed fracture healing. BLL, as well as serum levels of vitamin D3 and CTX-1, were measured in all participants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Smelter workers exhibited significantly higher prevalence of bony aches, low back pain, joint pain, and past fractures from minor trauma compared to controls. The BLL and serum CTX-1 levels were significantly elevated in the exposed group, while serum vitamin D3 levels were notably lower. Logistic regression analysis revealed that BLL significantly predicted bony aches and low back pain. Additionally, serum vitamin D3 and CTX-1 levels were significant predictors of low back pain and joint pain, respectively, among exposed workers. The measured parameters were significantly correlated with one another and with the duration of employment in the exposed group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Significant associations between manifestations of skeletal system affection, BLL, and serum levels of vitamin D3 and CTX-1 were detected among smelter workers with chronic occupational exposure to Pb.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"297-307"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11972219/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143582298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Low back pain and work-related factors among home health care workers with self-governing or conventional team structure - a natural experiment with a cross-sectional design.","authors":"Kathrine Greby Schmidt, Laura Grace Downs Tuck, Anders Bruun Nielsen, Charlotte Diana Nørregaard Rasmussen","doi":"10.1007/s00420-025-02134-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00420-025-02134-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Compare home health care (HHC) with self-governing and conventional team structure regarding self-reported low back pain (LBP) and work-related factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A natural experiment was assessed using a cross-sectional design. Primary outcome was LBP intensity; secondary outcomes included LBP duration and work limitations as well as intensity, duration and work limitations of neck/shoulder pain, stress, productivity, influence at work, meaning at work, sickness absence, interpersonal collaboration, and variation in physical behaviour. Home health care (HHC) workers in the self-governing teams were surveyed about their appraisal of the self-governing structure. Data were collected through a questionnaire, except for physical behaviour, which was obtained via accelerometry. Differences between groups were analyzed using t-tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 10 HHC-teams across four municipalities, 125 HHC-workers completed the questionnaire (self-governing n = 60; conventional n = 65). LBP intensity was similar among HHC-workers in the two team structures (self-governing = 4.1; conventional = 4.0, 0-10 scale). Self-governing teams experienced significantly higher levels of (i) meaning at work (5.8 points, 0-100 scale), (ii) improved collaboration with manager (7.5 points, 0-100 scale) and (iii) improved collaboration with needs assessors (11.9 points, 0-100 scale) compared to conventional teams. No significant differences were found in the other outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The higher scores for self-governing teams in meaning at work, collaboration with manager and collaboration with needs assessors are positive. The lack of a lower report in LBP and neck/shoulder pain calls for more focused efforts to enhance HHC-workers' health in addition to the reorganization into the self-governing structure.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":"331-341"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11972207/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143648594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between exposure to air pollution and risk of Dyssomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Zhiqiu Cao, Xintao Shi, Li Sun, Zhanhong Fan, Akinyemi Lydia Idowu, Feng Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s00420-025-02137-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-025-02137-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Typically affecting people's quality of life, dyssomnia is among the most prevalent chronic illnesses worldwide. A positive correlation between air pollution and dyssomnia has been demonstrated by epidemiological research. However, no meta-analyses evaluating the relationship between the prevalence of dyssomnia in people of all ages and air pollutants (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, NO₂, SO₂, and O₃) were found.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Conduct a meta-analysis utilizing data from current studies (until 2024) to provide reliable insights into the relationship between air pollution exposure and the likelihood of dyssomnia prevalence.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We systematically searched three databases for studies on air pollution and dyssomnia up to January 15, 2024. Random-effects models were used to estimate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Subgroup analyses, funnel plots, and meta-regression analyses were also performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 11 studies from 4 different nations that involved 3,328,183 participants in total. The odds ratios (ORs) for PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were 1.29 (1.16-1.44) and 1.13 (1.03-1.23) per 10 µg/m³ increase in pollutants, respectively. The OR per 10 µg/m³ increment of gaseous pollutants were 1.06 (1.00-1.12) for NO₂ and 1.16 (1.04-1.31) for O₃. No significant association was observed between SO₂ and dyssomnia. Adults are more sensitive to air pollution than children or adolescents for that the effects of PM_2.5、PM₁₀ and SO₂ were significantly stronger in adults than children or adolescents. The effect of air pollution on dyssomnia was more significant in developed countries than in developing countries. There was a difference in the subgroup test for PM₁₀ between developed and developing countries.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This meta-analysis implies the relationship between the air pollution and dyssomnia. Economic status and age may influence the effect. It was suggested to provide guidance for disease prevention and explored potential avenues for further research.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143718752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hybrid work and mental distress: a cross-sectional study of 24,763 office workers in the Norwegian public sector.","authors":"Lorena Edith Trevino Garcia, Jan Olav Christensen","doi":"10.1007/s00420-025-02136-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-025-02136-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Few studies have investigated the relationship between post-pandemic hybrid work-from-home (WFH), mental health, and work-life balance. We examined the association between hybrid WFH, mental distress, availability demands, work-life conflict, and life-work conflict.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data from 24,763 office workers in the public sector in Norway were analyzed by linear and logistic regressions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Employees practicing flexible hybrid WFH (i.e., when needed/desired) were less likely to report mental distress (measured by the Hopkins Symptom-Checklist; HSCL-5) than those not practicing WFH. WFH being self-chosen was associated with less distress. Flexible WFH was also associated with availability demands, work-life conflict, and life-work conflict, which were, in turn, linked to distress. The risk of distress increased with the number of weekly days of flexible WFH. Workers with fixed agreements to regularly WFH did not report significantly less distress than those with no WFH. However, fixed WFH was associated with lower availability demands, not with work-life conflict, and was more often self-chosen than flexible WFH.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Flexible WFH may alleviate distress but may also indicate attempts to cope with taxing availability demands, and may even introduce stressors that could reverse beneficial effects. Our results should motivate nuanced, multifactorial assessments of WFH in organizational practice and research.</p>","PeriodicalId":13761,"journal":{"name":"International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143709414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}