Musculoskeletal symptoms, psychosocial factors and work ability in Brazilian labor justice workers

Work. 2021;69(3):917-926. doi: 10.3233/WOR-213524.

Abstract

Background: The implementation of the electronic judicial process (PJe) in recent years is associated with an increase in workload and stricter control through productivity targets in the Brazilian labor judiciary.

Objectives: To evaluate the relations between musculoskeletal symptoms, psychosocial factors and work ability in civil servants of a labor justice body in the context of the PJe.

Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory study with a quantitative approach involving 449 workers. Sociodemographic, occupational and related data were collected through questionnaires validated in the Brazilian context. Data analysis was conducted by descriptive and inferential statistics: Mann-Whitney test, Spearman's correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression.

Results: There was a correlation between musculoskeletal symptoms and psychosocial factors (p < 0.05), as well as between both musculoskeletal symptoms and psychosocial factors with reduced work ability (p < 0.05). The multiple linear regression model pointed to the female gender and the dimensions "demands", "control" and "peer support" as related to the musculoskeletal symptoms.

Conclusion: We highlight the importance of a broader approach, involving psychosocial factors in preventive actions related to musculoskeletal disorders considering the important relationship with work ability.

Keywords: Occupational health; musculoskeletal pain; occupational stress; work performance.

MeSH terms

  • Brazil
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases* / etiology
  • Occupational Diseases*
  • Risk Factors
  • Social Justice
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Work Capacity Evaluation
  • Workload