Page 22 - Petelin, Ana, Nejc Šarabon, Boštjan Žvanut, eds. 2017. Zdravje delovno aktivne populacije ▪︎ Health of the Working-Age Population. Proceedings. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 22
avje delovno aktivne populacije | health of the working-age population 20 supply and in cultural, entertainment and recreational activities report the
lowest levels of psychophysical risk.
Conclusions
Demographic variables are significantly linked to exposure to psychophysical
risks. We can conclude that education acts as a safety factor, as the results indi-
cate that more highly educated individuals less frequently report psychophys-
ical health complaints (feelings of depression, anxiety, social contact issues).
Age does not reveal any clear trends in relation to psychophysical health, but
there are specificities regarding a specific age group in relation to the dimen-
sion. Sex explains the differences between individuals only in one of the di-
mensions; therefore, we cannot support the assumption that women are a high-
er-risk group when it comes to an understanding of their own health.
Of the professional groups or activities in which participants are em-
ployed, the research shows that workers in construction are most often ex-
posed to psychophysical risks (they most commonly report physical health
complaints and depressive reactions). Psychophysical health problems are also
noted by workers in manufacturing (most commonly fear and anxiety), public
administration, defence and social security (frequently fatigue), and informa-
tion and communications (frequently social behavioural disorders).
Despite the suitably large sample, there were too few participants from
some sectors (mining, agriculture, real estate) to enable a proper analysis. If the
research were repeated, one could also ask participants about their status with-
in the organisation (management/non-management staff) and on the number
of days of sick leave per year. This information would provide us with an addi-
tional insight into the issue at hand.
The research has drawn attention to the large number of risks to which
individuals are exposed at work, and could be of value in informing employ-
ers of the potential consequences of exposure to various risks among their em-
ployees. At the same time, the results could raise the awareness of employers
in certain sectors: that the working environment is occasionally too demand-
ing and that solutions and measures should be sought in a systematic, planned
way (e.g. by adapting the workplace, providing psychological support, and ed-
ucation and training) to reduce psychophysical risks.
References
ALBREHT, T. in TURK, E., 2010. Ekonomsko breme duševnih bolezni. Zdra-
vstveni vestnik, 78(7/8), 531-536.
BORG, V., KRISTENSEN, T.S. in BURR, H., 2000.Work environment and
changes in self-rated health: A five year follow-up study. Stress and Health,
vol. 16, No 1, pp. 37–47.
lowest levels of psychophysical risk.
Conclusions
Demographic variables are significantly linked to exposure to psychophysical
risks. We can conclude that education acts as a safety factor, as the results indi-
cate that more highly educated individuals less frequently report psychophys-
ical health complaints (feelings of depression, anxiety, social contact issues).
Age does not reveal any clear trends in relation to psychophysical health, but
there are specificities regarding a specific age group in relation to the dimen-
sion. Sex explains the differences between individuals only in one of the di-
mensions; therefore, we cannot support the assumption that women are a high-
er-risk group when it comes to an understanding of their own health.
Of the professional groups or activities in which participants are em-
ployed, the research shows that workers in construction are most often ex-
posed to psychophysical risks (they most commonly report physical health
complaints and depressive reactions). Psychophysical health problems are also
noted by workers in manufacturing (most commonly fear and anxiety), public
administration, defence and social security (frequently fatigue), and informa-
tion and communications (frequently social behavioural disorders).
Despite the suitably large sample, there were too few participants from
some sectors (mining, agriculture, real estate) to enable a proper analysis. If the
research were repeated, one could also ask participants about their status with-
in the organisation (management/non-management staff) and on the number
of days of sick leave per year. This information would provide us with an addi-
tional insight into the issue at hand.
The research has drawn attention to the large number of risks to which
individuals are exposed at work, and could be of value in informing employ-
ers of the potential consequences of exposure to various risks among their em-
ployees. At the same time, the results could raise the awareness of employers
in certain sectors: that the working environment is occasionally too demand-
ing and that solutions and measures should be sought in a systematic, planned
way (e.g. by adapting the workplace, providing psychological support, and ed-
ucation and training) to reduce psychophysical risks.
References
ALBREHT, T. in TURK, E., 2010. Ekonomsko breme duševnih bolezni. Zdra-
vstveni vestnik, 78(7/8), 531-536.
BORG, V., KRISTENSEN, T.S. in BURR, H., 2000.Work environment and
changes in self-rated health: A five year follow-up study. Stress and Health,
vol. 16, No 1, pp. 37–47.
