The Mediating Role of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders on the Link between Psychosocial Factors and Absenteeism among Administrative Workers

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the association between psychosocial factors (i.e., job demand, decision latitude, social support, physical environment, and personal risk factors), work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs), and productivity as measured by workers' perceived absenteeism. Data were collected from the selected administrative workers (administrative assistant) and analyzed using cross tabulation. The results indicate that all psychological factors are not significantly associated with WRMDs, except for the association between personal risk factors and hip/thigh disorders. Subsequently, WRMDs do not significantly contribute to explaining absenteeism. The managerial and research implications of this study are deliberately discussed.

Risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulder in the personnel of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

“…In explaining the cause, it can be said that the muscular system of men is stronger than women. This result is consistent with results of previous studies that revealed women are more at risk of shoulder pain (5, 7). Our results showed a significant relationship between marital status and shoulder pain; therefore, the occurrence risk of shoulder pain in married people was about 2 times more than single people and it may be because of the difficulties of married life and increasing individual responsibility.…”

“…Therefore, with 10 kilos increase of weight, the occurrence risk of neck pain will be increased 62%. The results of previous studies showed the significant impact of this factor on the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders, but none mentioned gave an explanation as clearly as that which was stated in this study (5, 6, 19). Although in this study it was shown that for each centimeter increase in height the risk of neck pain occurrence would be increased 1%, unlike some previous studies, this amount was not statistically significant (2, 5, 17).…”

“…The results also showed that there is a statistically significant relationship between right / left handedness and the occurrence of shoulder pain; therefore, the occurrence risk of shoulder disorders in left-handed is 58% less than right-handed people or in other words the occurrence risk of shoulder pain in right-handed people is approximately 1.72 times greater than left-handed. This issue has been studied in a number of previous studies, such as Othman’s study who only described that, and did not address the relationship between this factor and the occurrence of any complication in body (5). The findings of our study indicated that although the occurrence of shoulder pain had no significant relationship with the work place of office staff, the occurrence risk of shoulder pain in the personnel working in the educational deputy was 63% less than staff working in the research deputy.…”

“…In studies conducted in different countries, a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among office staff has been reported and the most affected areas have been neck and shoulders (4–9). Musculoskeletal disorders affect the performance of office staff in various forms, they affect, for example, the quality of the employee’s performance and skill, and sometimes undermines the respect and professional relationship between employees and clients (5). In America and Canada respectively 1.3% and 2.4% of revenue is spent annually on treatment costs of musculoskeletal disorders and diagnosis and treatment in the US alone comes to tens of billions of dollars (10), although, in Iran also, a huge amount is spent annually to treat patients with musculoskeletal disorders, precise knowledge of these costs is not available.…”

The Effect of Job Demands, Job Resources, and Musculoskeletal Complaints on Presenteeism Among the Dependent Self-employment Workers in Korea

“…35 In previous studies, MSCs played a role as mediators in the relationship between workload, psychological work-related factors, and presenteeism. 36 Consistent with our expectations, our results partially revealed that the relationship between job demands and presenteeism was mediated by MSCs and that job resources (in the form of job control) moderated the relationship between MSCs and presenteeism such that a high level of job resources attenuated the effects of MSCs on presenteeism.…”