title: A cohort study of psychosocial work stressors on work ability among Brazilian hospital workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hospital work is characterized by stressors that can influence work ability. The present study aims to assess the association between psychosocial work stressors and changes in work ability in a group of Brazilian hospital employees.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1,022 workers included in a 3-year cohort started in 2009, 423 (41.4%) returned the applied questionnaires in 2012. Changes in work ability were considered as the dependent variable and the investigated psychosocial work stressors as independent variables. Logistic regression models adjusted for potential con-founders (demographic, occupational features, social support, overcommitment, and situations liable to cause pain/injury).
  
  
  RESULTS
  High levels of exposure to psychosocial work stressors were significantly associated with decreased work ability: job strain (OR = 2.81), effort-reward imbalance (OR = 3.21).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strategies to reduce psychosocial work stressors should be considered to maintain hospital employees' work ability. Such strategies have implications for institutional and social policies and might be included in quality management programs.
authors.affiliation: Samaritano Hospital of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Department, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: do Rosário Dias de Oliveira Latorre
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Department, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Frida Marina
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Fischer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D012201:Reward; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000066477:Work Performance; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: aging; health care workers; psychosocial work environment; work ability; work organization; work strain; work stress; workers’ health; workload