Stress in Factory Workers in Italy

Abstract

The ethnicity and work-related stress model (EWS; Capasso, Zurlo, & Smith, 2018, British Journal of Education, Society & Behavioural Science, 15, 1–20) integrated EWS dimensions in a multidimensional perspective combining demographic (sex, education) and individual characteristics (coping styles, Type A and Type D), cultural dimensions (acculturation strategies, perceived racial discrimination), work characteristics (work demands, work resources, rewards) and appraisals (job stress/satisfaction), in the prediction of psychophysical health conditions in migrant workers. The current research aimed to test the application of the EWS in a sample of Moroccan factory workers and hypothesised significant and specific profiles of associations between individual, ethnic and work characteristics, with psychophysical health outcomes. A questionnaire consisting of five sections measuring sociodemographics and individual differences (coping styles/personality), cultural dimensions (acculturation strategies), work characteristics, appraisals (job satisfaction/stress) and subjectives reports of health was administered to 250 Moroccan factory workers in Italy. Data were analysed using logistic regression to evaluate the independent and combined effects of all dimensions reported on the risk of suffering health problems. Data revealed specific and significant associations of individual characteristics, cultural dimensions and job characteristics with health outcomes. Findings will be useful in defining psychological interventions to promote well-being in specific workplaces supporting the dimensions suggested by the model applied.