Relations between Self-reported Symptoms of Industrial Workers' Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Psychosocial Factors

Abstract

This study aims to identify the relations between self-reported symptoms of industrial workers work-related musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial factors. The subjects of the study were 120 male workers who were using the rehabilitation center of K company and they were voluntarily interviewed with a use of organized questionnaire. Except the responses from eighteen subjects whose responses were insincere and who had disorders in musculoskeletal areas, the responses of 102 ones were decided for the final analysis. The results showed that there were significant differences in self-reported symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders between the subjects according to smoking, physical burden and self-efficacy. To prevent and control work-related musculoskeletal disorders, multi-characteristic aspects of how the disorders appeared and psychological factors, in particular, self-efficacy, should be carefully considered. Then, as psychosocial factors affect musculoskeletal disorders, relations between the disorders and factors should be analysed through long-term follow-up studies, psychosocial factors should be actively intervened, and the effect should be evaluated.