title: Associations between Distal Upper Extremity Job Physical Factors and Psychosocial Measures in a Pooled Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is an increasing body of literature relating musculoskeletal diseases to both job physical exposures and psychosocial outcomes. Relationships between job physical exposure measures and psychosocial factors have not been well examined or quantified. These exploratory analyses evaluate relationships between quantified exposures and psychosocial outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individualized quantification of duration, repetition, and force and composite scores of the Strain Index (SI) and the Threshold Limit Value for Hand Activity Level (TLV for HAL) were compared to 10 psychosocial measures. Relationships and predicted probabilities were assessed using ordered logistic regression. Analyses were adjusted for age, BMI, and gender.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among 1834 study participants there were multiple statistically significant relationships. In general, as duration, repetition, and force increased, psychosocial factors worsened. However, general health and mental exhaustion improved with increasing job exposures. Depression was most strongly associated with increased repetition, while physical exhaustion was most strongly associated with increased force. SI and TLV for HAL were significantly related to multiple psychosocial factors. These relationships persisted after adjustment for strong confounders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study quantified multiple associations between job physical exposures and occupational and nonoccupational psychosocial factors. Further research is needed to quantify the impacts on occupational health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Thiese
authors.affiliation: Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
authors.forename: Kurt T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Hegmann
authors.affiliation: Center for Ergonomics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA.
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kapellusch
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merryweather
authors.affiliation: Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) Program, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Olympia, WA 98504, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.affiliation: Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) Program, Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Olympia, WA 98504, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Silverstein
authors.affiliation: Center for Ergonomics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA.
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011584:Psychology / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult