The culture, policies, expectations, and social attitude of the business all influence workplace psychosocial variables, which are a component of the workplace. Based on their analysis of empirical data from national and international best practices, researchers at Simon Fraser University have identified thirteen psychological risk factors. The CSA Standard ""Z1003-13 (R2018) - Psychological health and safety in the workplace - Prevention, promotion, and direction to phased implementation"" is accessible for free viewing on their website and uses the same 13 elements. The OSH Answers on Mental Health - Psychological Risk Factors in the Workplace provides a summary of these elements. The worker may have stress-induced reactions that might lead to poor mental, psychological, or physical health if the demands of the job and the support systems in place to help the individual achieve those needs are not compatible. Musculoskeletal diseases may also be brought on by the stress response.
What are some instances of psychosocial workplace factors?
The following are some instances of workplace psychosocial factors: Time constraints, work tempo, rest breaks, burden, and work surges are a few examples of job demands. Job control includes things like the degree of influence you have on your work and the results of your efforts. Examples of job satisfaction include task variety and unpredictability against boredom, developmental chances, or challenges versus ineffective skill use. Support: Emotional and social support from family, coworkers, and the employer. Workers suffer stress when the demands placed on them by workplace psychosocial elements are higher than their capacity to handle them. Numerous different physiological, psychological, and behavioral reactions are brought on by stress in an individual.
""Behavioral responses"" to psychosocial factors – what does that mean?
Behaviors are actions made by a person in reaction to psychosocial circumstances that they are unaware of or that they believe would help them with the stress being put on them. Unfortunately, these reactions frequently drive people to become more physically and psychologically exposed to some MSD risk factors, which can actually increase their risk of acquiring MSDs. Here are a few instances: When engaging in a certain activity that causes them pain, people adjust their posture to compensate. Their chance of developing an MSD is increased by their new position. When completing chores, people may use excessive force because they are frustrated. When doing painful tasks, workers may utilize drugs with potential adverse effects or use alcohol or other substances in an uncontrolled way. An employee who experiences negative psychosocial stress may adopt a sedentary lifestyle. There is less time away from work for the body to heal since the employee believes they must forgo breaks or work longer hours to meet employment demands. In order to complete the work more quickly, it may be done in a hurried way or with greater weight carried at once, although doing so puts additional pressure on the body. Tension in the muscles, especially in the upper torso and shoulders, is a frequent stress reaction.
What psychological alterations occur in an individual as a result of workplace psychosocial factors?
The general stress response depends on how the individual interprets the stress. Despite the fact that there are numerous hypotheses, the two main types of stress responses are positive and negative. A positive stress reaction is one that is linked to stressors that can be overcome or accomplished. They are difficulties we think we can overcome, and as a result, we feel generally engaged, determined, and interested. Challenges that we feel we can't overcome are linked to negative stress reactions. They are linked to emotions including doubt, boredom, apathy, and anxiety. The psychological factors—lack of job control, excessive job demands, low job satisfaction, and a lack of social support—mentioned above are connected to these negative workplace pressures. The physiological changes brought on by stress are designed to get a person physiologically ready to deal with threats, issues, or challenges in the near future. The body's stress response ends once the problem has been remedied. Similar to how they persist when a problem is not overcome, these physiological modifications keep the body in ""stress mode."" When workplace psychosocial elements are the source of stress, these problems typically cannot be remedied by the body's one-time stress reaction. In these situations, workplace psychosocial elements will result in a ""stress mode"" body that cannot be shifted out of. During a stress response, three main hormones are released into the bloodstream. These include cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. The body's response to stress involves the production of these hormones in varying amounts, depending on whether the stress is perceived as positive or negative, to cause the physiological reactions listed below: Increases blood flow, heart rate, and contraction strength. increases the bronchioli's size, increasing the available oxygen (breathing easier). prevents the release of histamines, which inhibits immunological responses (which is why epinephrine is used as an initial treatment to anaphylactic reactions and severe allergies in Epi pens). encourages the breakdown of fat reserves that have been accumulated, giving the blood an immediate source of glucose. initiates the breakdown of skeletal muscle glycogen reserves as an additional rapid energy source. raises the tone of the skeletal muscles by sending more blood to them. prevents non-essential systems like the digestive, reproductive, and immunological systems from receiving blood or other resources. slows or stops non-essential processes, like as growth and repair. reduces blood flow to the skin to reduce the risk of bleeding if there is an injury. expands the pupils to improve vision. increases the amount of fluid in the body's edges (skin). reduced pain sensitivity.
How does a person's chance of acquiring a musculoskeletal condition rise as a result of physiological changes brought on by stress?
Directly attributing workplace psychosocial factors as a cause of workplace musculoskeletal disorders is difficult because of the number of other factors (biomechanical) that also contribute to the development of musculoskeletal disorders. However, there is general agreement that workplace psychosocial factors can contribute a significant risk to workers. Some of the main theories linking stress induced physiological changes to musculoskeletal disorders is presented in the table below. Physiological Change How MSD risk has increased Increased blood pressure In joints where space is at a premium (example - carpal tunnel), a consistent increase in blood pressure could lead to increased pressure in the joint specifically on tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Increased fluid pressure When fluid pressure is increased for a prolonged period of time, increased pressure may be placed in joints, and on tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Reduction of growth functions Reduction of the production of collagen (a growth function) means reduced ability for the body to heal or recover after performing work functions. Decreased sensitivity to pain When pain is not sensed as clearly, workers may work beyond and above their body's physical capacity. Dilation of pupils Increased sensitivity to light. Increase in muscle tension Causes increase in pressure on and around joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and may cause excessive use of force during certain activities and movements. Body remains at a heightened state of sensitivity Because of heightened sensitivity and alertness, person may overburden their musculoskeletal system (lift more, work faster, etc.)""" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/
