Background: The effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model by Siegrist encouraged numerous scientific investigations that reported particular ties between psychosocial risks and poor self-reported health (SRH), while psychosocial work-related stress has also been linked to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The aim of this study was to examine the health status and the perceived levels of occupational stress of university employees and to analyse the findings according to the employees’ effort and reward structure of work, perceived overall stress, SRH and the presence of MSDs.  Design and methods: 398 employees – including healthcare professionals, academic personnel and workers with administrative or other jobs – employed at the University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine were investigated with a self-administered questionnaire including the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (ERI-Q) and Perceived Stress Scale 4 (PSS-4).Results: More than half of the investigated subjects (54.8%) reported some forms of MSDs. Low self-reported health (p<0.001) and presence of MSDs (p=0.015) were significantly associated with the level of perceived stress and effort-reward imbalance (ERI), moreover increased level of perceived stress was independently associated with the likelihood of MSDs (AOR=1.13) and low self-reported health (AOR=1.30). ERI well predicted low self-reported health (AOR=2.05) as well. Increased level of perceived stress positively correlated with high work-related effort (r=0.247, p<0.001) and over-commitment (r=0.387, p<0.001) while with work-related reward (r=−0.181, p=0.011) perceived stress showed a negative connection.Conclusion: Our results suggest that addressing the burden of effort-reward imbalance and MSDs would likely lessen employees’ perceived level of overall stress and affect their self-reported overall state of health.

IntroductionNational and international research results have highlighted the fact that workplace stress causes mental and somatic problems. The aim of the present paper is to define exposure to workplace-related risk factors, with special focus on psychosocial risk factors, and the way they interconnect with workplace conditions, relationships with superiors and colleagues, and moral, professional and financial appreciation.MethodsCross-sectional research with the help of an anonymous online self-administered questionnaire was carried out among 261 higher education employees (67% women, 33% men, mean age 43.4 years) from 12 faculties of the University of Szeged, Hungary. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 22.0.ResultsThe primary workplace stress factors for university employees were strict deadlines (80.4%), frequent overwork (64.2%) and difficulty in meeting requirements (56.7%). Communication problems with colleagues and superiors were also highlighted (47.5%). Job strain was higher for women than for men. With regard to low financial, professional, and moral appreciation, employees were characterised by the existence of work requirements impossible to meet, as well as by low autonomy. Experience of anxiety and aggression came along with low financial and moral appreciation (p<0.001).ConclusionsOur data suggests that employees at the university were subject to several psychosocial risk factors, and worked under considerable mental stress, leading to a higher prevalence of mental health problems. The results highlight the need for a health-focused policy-making in higher education to reduce health expenditure and increase efficiency at work.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract