Need for recovery in ageing workers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore any differences in need for recovery between ageing workers and younger workers and explore its influencing factors in both age groups. 717 subjects younger than 45 and 383 subjects of 45 years or older employed in the public sector participated in a cross-sectional questionnaire study (84.3% participation rate). The need for recovery was assessed by ‘The Need for Recovery Scale’ questionnaire. Both occupational and non-occupational confounding variables were considered in the analysis. The ageing workers had a significantly higher need for recovery than the younger workers, within comparable occupational exposures. In both age groups negative affectivity and work pressure significantly increased the risk for a high need for recovery to a similar degree. In the younger group, support from colleagues and satisfactory relationships with close relatives significantly reduced the risk for a high need for recovery. In the older group monotonous work, presence of chronic musculoskeletal disorder and number of children at home significantly increased the risk for a high need for recovery, while satisfactory social contacts significantly reduced that risk. These results seemed to indicate that social factors have a positive effect on the need for recovery.