Using an occupational perspective to understand behaviours fostering the prevention of work-related health problems: A proposed conceptual model

Abstract

Work is an occupation valued by billions of individuals across cultures and societies. As a determinant of health, work may have several positive effects on individuals' well-being.However, it may also have negative effects as accidents, physical illnesses or transient mental disorders may occur. Workers' preventive behaviours appear to be a lever of interest to foster the prevention of work-related health problems, but no clear definition does exist. The use of an occupational perspective (Njelesani, Tang, Jonsson, & Polatajko, 2014) seems a promising way to understand the characteristics defining preventive behaviours at work. This study aimed to define preventive behaviours at work, in order to understand their operational characteristics. To achieve this aim, secondary qualitative analysis based on data collected during three prior studies were conducted. Results identified six different types of preventive behaviours. Those are realized into a context, which involves several factors related to the person, occupation and environment. Finally, results also suggest those behaviours may lead to positive outcomes on different health indicators. Interpretation of results according to the five dimensions of the occupational perspective led to propose the Model of preventive behaviours at work. This study demonstrated how occupational science may help to understand the engagement of individuals in their actions, in relation to their context. It also shed light on how the doing may contribute to health and wellbeing, in an application related to the occupation of work.

Scientific, professional and experiential validation of the model of preventive behaviours at work: protocol of a modified Delphi Study

“…It will be possible to select experts in various disciplines such as industrial psychology, ergonomics, occupational therapy, occupational medicine or human resource management because the model of preventive behaviours at work was developed according to that literature. 16 …”

“…10 14 15 Considered as levers to promote workers’ health, safety and well-being, these preventive behaviours are complex, and the literature lacks a concrete definition of them. 16 To offer an in-depth understanding of preventive behaviours, recent theoretical and empirical studies have permitted proposing the model of preventive behaviours at work. 16 This model defines the behaviours workers may adopt to foster health, safety and well-being at work.…”

Échelle de fréquence des comportements préventifs au travail : Analyse des propriétés métrologiques.

“…Toutefois, aucun outil ne permet actuellement d'évaluer l'ensemble des six comportements avec une même échelle de mesure et ainsi fournir une interprétation des résultats uniforme. De plus, les propriétés métrologiques des outils existants sont peu documentées et la validation française est quasi inexistante (Lecours, 2020b). Ces lacunes peuvent rendre difficile la mesure des comportements préventifs, particulièrement dans un contexte francophone.…”

“…ex., exprimer ses limites) et (f) adopter un mode de vie sain (p. ex., utiliser des moyens pour gérer le stress; Lecours, 2020b). Le MCPT présente une conception systémique des comportements préventifs en reconnaissant qu’ils sont largement influencés par des facteurs contextuels liés au travailleur (p.…”

Worker Perspectives on Incorporating Artificial Intelligence into Office Workspaces: Implications for the Future of Office Work

“…Workplace wellness programs have also been developed to address health and performance issues; however, retention of positive change is difficult, and predictors of successful intervention are not yet well-understood [ 30 , 31 ]. Such interventions are difficult because the workplace environment, the individual, and other contextual factors all affect engagement in preventive behaviors in the workplace [ 32 ]. Furthermore, changing workplace behavior requires altering habits that people have developed in their workspaces over time.…”