Mediating Factors for the Relationship between Stress and Work Ability over Time in Young Adults.

Art Van Schaaijk,Sara Thomée,Mats Hagberg,Monique Frings-Dresen,Adnan Noor Baloch,Karen Nieuwenhuijsen

doi:10.3390/ijerph17072530

Abstract

Stress can affect work ability. The aim of this study was to identify how this pathway is mediated over time in young adults. Participants of the Work Ability in Young Adults cohort were selected. A theoretical framework was built, which lead to a statistical model. Selected dimensions of mediators were recovery, work demands affecting private life, feelings of control over private life, and physical activity in leisure time. A quadruple serial mediation model was built with four mediators. The total effect of stress on work ability was −0.3955, 95% CI [−0.4764, −0.3146]. The total indirect effect amounted to 81% with an effect of −0.3182, 95% CI [−0.3750, −0.2642]. The relationship between stress and Work Ability Score five years later in young adults was mediated by stress five years later, work demands affecting private life, feelings of control over private life and feeling well-rested upon waking. These results indicate that work demands affecting private life and feelings of control over private life are important mediators of the relationship between stress and work ability in young adults. A well-balanced relationship between work and private life can counteract the influence of stress on work ability in this age group.

Highlights

Work ability is the extent to which people can do their job satisfactorily without doing harm to their mental and physical health and is an important indicator of sustainable employability of workers [1].Low work ability has been known to be a predictor of absenteeism and early retirement [2,3,4,5]
The relationship between stress in 2012 and Work Ability Score five years later, i.e., 2017, in young adults was mediated by stress in 2017, work demands affecting private life in 2017, feelings of control over private life in 2017, and feeling well-rested upon waking in 2017, which accounted for 81% of this relationship
This indicates that events at work that affect private life and feelings of control over private life are important for maintaining work ability in young adults with stress complaints

Summary

Introduction

Work ability is the extent to which people can do their job satisfactorily without doing harm to their mental and physical health and is an important indicator of sustainable employability of workers [1]. Low work ability has been known to be a predictor of absenteeism and early retirement [2,3,4,5]. Stress is one of the most common occupational health problems that influences work ability. Workloads have increased, which has been accompanied by a growing number of workers reporting severe stress complaints. In Europe, the prevalence of men and women reporting to have work-related stress “always” or “most of the time” is 26% and 27%, respectively [6]. Ilmarinen (2009) stated that young adults need special attention when it comes to work ability

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