Huuhtanen P, Nygård C H, Tuomi K, Martikainen R
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Scand J Work Environ Health. 1997;23 Suppl 1:36-48.
This study evaluated perceived changes in stress symptoms and the relationship of these changes to work during an 11-year period.
The sample consisted of municipal workers in different occupational groups who had remained in the same occupation during 1981-1992 (N = 924, 350 men and 574 women, 14.8% of the original sample in 1981). The age range was 44-51 years in 1981. Changes in the physical and mental stress symptoms and changes at work were analyzed with the aid of a structured questionnaire in 1981 and 1992.
The questionnaire surveys revealed that stress symptoms were markedly increased, especially aches and pain in the upper and lower limbs, but also respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms. Avoidance reactions, including sense of apathy in general and desire to stay at home in the morning, were the most increased psychological symptoms. The women experienced a greater increase in symptoms than the men. Changes in symptoms were associated with changes at work in that, in general, the more symptoms had increased, the more the work had also been changed.
The results suggest that the impact of work on the functional capacity and symptoms of workers might start even earlier than the age of 45 years. This finding is of crucial importance when preventive measures and policies are being planned in regard to stress and physical and mental load at work. Results on the relationship of changes in cardiorespiratory symptoms and work tentatively suggest that, by developing job content and social support, even a positive impact on physical symptoms is possible.
本研究评估了11年间压力症状的感知变化以及这些变化与工作的关系。
样本包括不同职业群体的市政工人，他们在1981年至1992年期间一直从事相同职业（N = 924，350名男性和574名女性，占1981年原始样本的14.8%）。1981年年龄范围为44 - 51岁。1981年和1992年借助结构化问卷分析了身体和心理压力症状的变化以及工作方面的变化。
问卷调查显示压力症状显著增加，尤其是上肢和下肢的疼痛，还有呼吸和心血管症状。回避反应，包括总体上的冷漠感和早上想待在家里的欲望，是增加最多的心理症状。女性症状的增加幅度大于男性。症状变化与工作变化相关，总体而言，症状增加越多，工作变化也越大。
结果表明工作对工人功能能力和症状的影响可能甚至在45岁之前就开始了。在规划针对工作压力及身心负荷的预防措施和政策时，这一发现至关重要。关于心肺症状变化与工作关系的结果初步表明，通过改进工作内容和社会支持，甚至有可能对身体症状产生积极影响。
