[Work and worker reactions in homes for the aged].

This article describes an investigation of relationships between work characteristics and worker reactions in three elderly homes of a Dutch foundation. Moreover, main effects as well as moderating effects of some relevant individual variables were studied. Variables were measured by means of questionnaires; 144 subjects from the caring and household departments took part in the study. From the results it appeared that social support, growth opportunities and work pressure are related to work satisfaction, work motivation and health complaints. The individual variables need for autonomy and coping strategies showed main effects as well as moderating- (buffer-) effects. On the basis of the findings practical consequences for the management of personnel and work have been formulated.