Evaluating the Association of Workplace Psychosocial Stressors with Occupational Injury, Illness, and Assault

Abstract

This research project characterizes occupational injuries, illnesses, and assaults (OIIAs) as a negative outcome associated with worker exposure to generalized workplace abuse/harassment, sexual harassment, and job threat and pressure. Data were collected in a nationwide random-digit-dial telephone survey conducted during 2003–2004. There were 2151 study interviews conducted in English and Spanish. Analyses included cross tabulation with Pearson's Chi-Square and logistic regression analyses. Three hundred and fifty-one study participants reported having an OIIA during the 12 months preceding the study. Occurrences of generalized workplace harassment (OR = 1.53; CI = 1.33–1.75, p ⩽ 0.05); sexual harassment (OR = 1. 18; CI = 1.04–.34, p ⩽ 0.05); and job pressure and threat (OR = 1.26; CI = 1.10–1.45, p ⩽ 0.05) were significantly associated with reporting an OIIA. The psychosocial environment is significantly associated with an increased risk of OIIA. Further research is needed to understand causal pathways and to explore potential interventions.

Keywords:

• generalized workplace harassment
• job pressure and threat
• occupational injuries
• occupational illnesses
• psychosocial stress
• sexual harassment

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank Dr. Peter Scheff for reading and providing feedback on this article. This research was funded in part by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Training Program Grant #T42/CCT522954-02, the Illinois Public Health Research Fellowship Program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Grant #1T01CD000189-01, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Grant #AA013332.