title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Illinois State University, College of Applied Science and Technology, Health Sciences Department, Normal, Illinois 61761, USA. Lezah.Brown@ilstu.edu
authors.forename: Lezah P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rospenda
authors.forename: Rosemary K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Sokas
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Conroy
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Freels
authors.forename: Naomi G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Swanson
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016272:Occupational Health; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017406:Sexual Harassment / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014754:Violence; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology