Association of poor perceived work ability and psychosocial work-related factors in health and social service worker age groups: a cross-sectional study

Kirsikka Selander; Risto Nikunlaakso; Eveliina Korkiakangas; Timo Sinervo; Jaana Laitinen

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066506

Association of poor perceived work ability and psychosocial work-related factors in health and social service worker age groups: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open. 2023 Mar 6;13(3):e066506. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066506.

Authors

Kirsikka Selander¹, Risto Nikunlaakso², Eveliina Korkiakangas³, Timo Sinervo⁴, Jaana Laitinen³

Affiliations

¹ Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Kuopio, Finland kirsikka.selander@ttl.fi.
² Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
³ Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Oulu, Finland.
⁴ Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.

Abstract

Objective: Previous work ability studies have primarily focused on old workers and physical health. This study investigated how poor perceived work ability (PPWA) is associated with work-related factors in different health and social service (HSS) worker age groups.

Design: Cross-sectional survey in 2020.

Setting: HSS employees (general HSS and eldercare) in nine Finnish public sector organisations.

Participants: All employees who were employed in the organisation completed self-reported questionnaires. Of the original sample (N=24 459, response rate 67%), 22 528 gave consent for research use.

Primary and secondary outcome measures: Participants evaluated their psychosocial work environment and work ability. Lowest decile of work ability was categorised as poor. The association between psychosocial work-related factors and PPWA in different age-groups of HSS workers, adjusting for perceived health, was analysed with logistic regression.

Results: The proportion of PPWA was highest in shift workers, eldercare employees, practical nurses and registered nurses. Considerable variation between age groups exists in the work-related psychosocial factors associated with PPWA. Among young employees engaging leadership and working time and work task autonomy were statistically significant, whereas in middle-aged and old employees procedural justice and ethical strain were highlighted. The strength of the association with perceived health also differs in age groups (young: OR=3.77, 95% CI 3.30 to 4.30; middle-aged: OR=4.66, 95% CI 4.22 to 5.14; old: OR=6.16, 95% CI 5.20 to 7.18).

Conclusions: Young employees would benefit from engaging leadership and mentoring, and from more working time and work task autonomy. As employees get older they would benefit more from job modification and from ethical and just organisation culture.

Keywords: OCCUPATIONAL & INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE; PREVENTIVE MEDICINE; PUBLIC HEALTH.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Middle Aged
Social Group
Social Work*
Social Workers
Work Capacity Evaluation*