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PSYCHOLOGICAL HAZARDS

Dr. Ardini S Raksanagara,dr.,MPH.

Public Health Department

Faculty of Medicine

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SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVE

The student will be able : to underline psychological hazards in the

workplace environment (C2)

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References

Suma’mur, Higene Perusahaan dan Kesehatan Kerja, CV Haji Masagung, Jakarta, 1994. page 207-211

Levy & Wegman, Occupational Health, Recognizing and Preventing Work Related Disease. Third Edition. Little Broan and Company, Boston / NewYork/Toronto/London,2006. Chapter : 19, 20 . page 381-415, 407

Harrington, Occupational Heath , Pocket Consultant, Blackwell Scientific Publications,1987. page 117-120

Rosenstock, Textbook of Clinical Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Second Edition, Saunders, 2005. Chapter : 28

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Occupational Psychology

Definition :

the study of man as a worker and the study of working environment in relation to man.

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Occupational Psychology deal with

      Training      Morale      Work study technique      Fatigue      Communication and consultation      Attitude      Opinion surveys

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Risk factors for behavioral and psychosomatic disorders

1. Environmental psychosocial risk factor Work overload and under load, shift work, low wages, job

turnover

2. Physical stressor Thermal environment, noise, vibration, radiation, poor

lighting

3. Environmental chemical stressor Carbon monoxide, carbon disulfide, alcohol,,solvents

4. Social support system Support from family, work community, community

5. Individual psychosocial factors Age, sex, personality type, inter individual relationship at work

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Stress

Stress is not just another word for anxiety, it also implies a range of behavioral changes

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Job Stress

Harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirement of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker

Occupational stress, job stress, work stress

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Definition related to stressTerm Definition

Stress A (perceived) substantial imbalance between demand and response capability under conditions where failure to meet demand has important (perceived) consequencesAs the sequence from stressor to stress reaction and long term consequences

Stressor Environmental event or condition that results in stress

Stressful Pertaining to an environment that has many stressor

Strain (stress

reaction

Short term physiological, psychological or behavioral manifestations of stress

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Stress related symptoms

        unusual or misguide aggression        day-dreaming        paranoia        disinterestedness        illogicality        irrational or impulsive behavior        narrow mindedness        indecision        procrastination        inability to relax

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Stress is causes by variety of factors which may be related to :

o           tasko           roleo           intrinsic environmental factors at worko           social factorso           physical factors

Stress has multiple causes

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Manifestations of stress :

1.     Mental illness2.    Disease (Cardiovascular Disease,

Gastrointestinal Disease, Diabetes,Headaches, asthma)

3.      Accidents4.     Sickness, Absence & Productivity

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Work Stress

Effect of work stress Sources of work stress

Working conditions play a primary role in causing job stress

Exposure to stressful working conditions direct influence on worker and safety and health

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Effects of work stressPhysical Psychological Behavioral Occupational

Aches and pain Depression Smoking Absenteeism

Tense feeling Anxiety/worry Drinking Decreased productivity

Headaches Fear Recklessness Low morale

Stomach pain Hysterical over reaction

Absent mindedness

Increased accident and errors

More infection Irritability Over eating Increased turnover

Poor sleep Distrust Aggression Sabotage and violence

Tiredness Lack of concentration

Compulsions Dissatisfaction

Hair loss Loss of balance Social withdrawal More sick leave

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Sources of work stressSources of work stress example

Work environment and Ergonomic Factors

Air quality,

Repetitive work

Type of works Factors Shiftwork

Long hours

Dangerous work

Demands and control/resources factors Work overload

Work underload

Role Factors Ambiguity

Uncertainty

Role conflict

Non participation

Career development, termination, transition, expectation and entitlement factors

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Sources of work stress example

Interpersonal Factors Relationship factors

Home : work interface Family interface

Dual careers status

Self : work interface Support of employees to engage of personal interest

Organisation structure, culture and climate

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Common workplace stressorsStressor Example

Organizational Change, inadequate communication, interpersonal conflict,

conflict with organizational goal

Career development Lack of promotional opportunity,

New responsibilities beyond level,

unemployment

Role Role conflict, role ambiguity,

Inadequate resources to accomplish job

Inadequate authority to accomplish job

Task Quantitative and qualitative overrload/underload

Responsibilities for the lives and well being of other, low decision making lat

Work environment Physical exposure, ergonomic problem

Noise, odors, safety hazards

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Work stressor/job stressor

3 categories :1. job/task demand : workload, shift work2. Organizational factors : role conflict, role

ambiguity, management style, career related concern (job insecurity, under/overpromotion, career development)

3. Physical conditions : excessive noise, temperature extreme, poor ventilation, inadequate lighting, ergonomic design

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Moderating factors

Several personal and situational characteristics can modify the way individual workers exposed to work environment perceive and to react it

These characteristics known as moderators1. Individual factors : personal characteristics,

personality style2. Non work factors : family, interpersonal,

financial, environmental factors (living condition)

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Buffer factors

Factors that reduce or eliminate the effects of job stressor

1. Social support an individual worker from work or non work sources

2. Lifestyle Factors : physical fitness, exercise, nutrition habits, stress management

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Manifestation of work stress

Personal well being Outcomes of organizational productivity

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Components of the stress process

Stressor Time demands, work schedule Psychosocial task structure Physical condition Organization Extra organizational Non work sources

Outcomes Physiologic Psychological Behavioral

Modifiers Individual Social support

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Pathophysiological correlates of job stress

Mechanisms that underlie the relationship between stress and disease

1. The direct pathway

2. An indirect pathway

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The direct pathway

Role of disregulations of the neurohormonal system (pituitary-adrenocortical axist), autonomic nervous system, immune system

Influenced by genetic factors

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An indirect pathway

Job –non job adverse health effect Rotating shift work directly influences the

circadian rhythm , with resulting changes in the autonomic nervous system and the immune system

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Health effects of stress

Acute stress Elevates catecholamine level

Increased heart rate and blood pressure, Decreased plasma volume, coronary constriction Increased lipid levels Platelet activity, coagulation, inflammation

Chronic stress Autonomic imbalances

Decreased cardiovascular reactivity Neurohormonal changes Increased lipid levels

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A process model of job stress and health

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PREVENTION & MANAGEMENT OF STRESS

1.      Individual Approaches2.      Organizational Approaches

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Prevention and control of stress

Individual Approaches Organizational Approaches

Medical treatment

(hypertension, backache,

depression) Counseling service Employee assistant programs

exp. Smoking, alcohol, drugs Training programmes

relaxation, medication General support

exercise, recreation

Develop flexible and responsive

management style Improve internal communication Variable work schedule Job restructuring

enlargement, enrichment,

increased control Supervisor training and

management development

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Individual approach

To educate employee about stress and its effects

To increase awareness of stress in their lives and job

To teach skill for managing or reducing the problem

stress management technique (relaxation, meditation, physical activity) The role of social support : spouses, friends,

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Prevention Intervention

The aim of prevention

1. Primary To reduce risk factors or job stressor

(Psychosocial, Sociotechnical)

2. Secondary To alter the ways that individual respond to risks or job stressor

3. Tertiary To heal those who have been traumatized

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Mental health issues in the workplace

Mental disorders Depression Anxiety, five related disorders

generalised anxietypanic disorderphobiasobsessive compulsive disorderstraumatic stress disorders

Alcohol abuse Schizophrenis

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Psychosomatic problems Sleep problems Personality disorders

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