Physical and psychosocial prerequisites of functioning in relation to work ability and general subjective well-being among office workers.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to investigate the physical and psychological prerequisites of functioning, as well as the social environment at work and personal factors, in relation to work ability and general subjective well-being in a group of office workers.


METHODS
The study was a descriptive cross-sectional investigation, using path analysis, of office workers. The subjects comprised 88 volunteers, 24 men and 64 women, from the same workplace [mean age 45.7 (SD 8.6) years]. The independent variables were measured using psychosocial and physical questionnaires and physical measurements. The first dependent variable, work ability, was measured by a work ability index. The second dependent variable, general subjective well-being, was assessed by life satisfaction and meaning of life. The variables were structured according to a modified version of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.


RESULTS
Forward flexion of the spine, intensity of musculoskeletal symptoms, self-confidence, and mental stress at work explained 58% of work ability and had indirect effects on general subjective well-being. Self-confidence, mood, and work ability had a direct effect on general subjective well-being. The model developed explained 68% of general subjective well-being. Age played a significant role in this study population.


CONCLUSIONS
The prerequisites of physical functioning are important in maintaining work ability, particularly among aging workers, and psychological prerequisites of functioning are of even greater importance in maintaining general subjective well-being.
Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. tuuronka@maila.jyu.fi
Tuulikki
T
Sjögren-Rönkä
Markku T
MT
Ojanen
Esko K
EK
Leskinen
Sirpa
S
Tmustalampi
Esko A
EA
Mälkiä
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009817:Office Management / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011584:Psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D017132:Workplace