Occupational Stress Research Articles

The Relationship Between Schoolwork ‎Stress and Teachers’ Job satisfaction: A ‎study In the Context of Omani Schools

The study aimed to reveal the relationship between occupational stress and job satisfaction ‎among Omani school teachers. The study population consisted of 680 teachers randomly ‎selected from various schools in the Omani governorates for the academic year 2023-2024. ‎Descriptive statistical analysis was used as a methodology to analyse the study sample data. ‎Two tools were used to collect data: the first to measure school stress and the second to ‎measure schoolwork satisfaction. The results of the study showed a high level of school stress ‎suffered by schoolteachers. It also showed an average level of teachers' satisfaction with the ‎school tasks they perform. There was a strong statistically significant inverse relationship ‎between school stress and schoolwork satisfaction. The results showed differences in school ‎stress among teachers according to the variable of years of professional experience. The ‎results also showed no statistically significant differences in teachers' satisfaction according to ‎their different academic qualifications.‎

Leisure education and parks programming to address stress, burnout, and coping in law enforcement officers: an exploratory study

ABSTRACT Law enforcement officers (LEOs) frequently experience occupational stress, which may lead to burnout. Without positive coping strategies, LEOs are at risk of a myriad of negative health-related issues. This exploratory study evaluated the impact of a leisure education and parks programme offered in the workplace on stress, burnout, and coping in LEOs. Ten LEOs enrolled in the six-week programme that offered group leisure education sessions supplemented by individual time spent in parks. Scores on the Operational Police Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-Op) and Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) revealed lower stress and burnout scores for participants following the program, but the changes were not statistically significant. One subscale of the COPE Inventory, suppression of competing activities, revealed significantly higher scores post-programme (p =.04). The majority (77.78%) of the participants reported that they valued and were satisfied with the program. Findings provide initial support for leisure education and parks programming provided to LEOs in an effort to address their occupational health needs including stress, burnout, and coping.

Plasma Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Levels and BDNF Promoters’ DNA Methylation in Workers Exposed to Occupational Stress and Suffering from Psychiatric Disorders

Introduction: Decreased plasma BDNF (pBDNF) levels have been proposed as a biomarker in the illness phases of mood disorders. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the pBDNF and BDNF promoters’ DNA methylation levels in workers exposed to occupational stress and suffering from work-related stress disorders. Methods: the pBDNF and BDNF exon I and IV promoters’ methylation levels were measured by specific immunoassays and methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) in 62 patients with adjustment disorders (AD), 79 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 44 healthy controls. Occupational stress was evaluated in the patients and controls using the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ). Results: the pBDNF levels were significantly higher in the MDD (p < 0.001) and AD (p < 0.0001) patients than in the controls. The MDD patients showed significantly lower pBDNF levels than the AD ones (p = 0.01). The BDNF exon I and IV promoters’ methylation levels were significantly higher in the MDD patients than in the AD ones (exon I promoter: p = 0.0001, exon IV promoter: p < 0.0001) and controls (exon I promoter: p = 0.0001, exon IV promoter: p < 0.0001). In the patients, but not in the controls, the BDNF promoters’ methylation levels showed significant negative correlations with occupational stress. Conclusions: BDNF could play a key role in the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders and the peripheral elevation of it observed in patients exposed to occupational stress could suggest a protective mechanism for neurons from stress-mediated damage. The elevation of the pBDNF levels, even in MDD, may characterize a “reactive” subtype of depressive episode, while the significant elevation of the BDNF promoters’ methylation levels in depressed patients could indicate a predisposition to more severe illness under stress. Further research is needed, focusing on biomarkers for stress-related disorders as a potential tool for the diagnosis and prevention of occupational diseases.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Effect of Stress on Short-Term Heart Rate Variability and Muscle Strength Among Construction Site Workers

This cross-sectional study investigates the immediate impact of occupational stress on short-term heart rate variability (HRV) and muscle strength among 200 construction workers in Chennai. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was employed to assess stress levels, while HRV was measured using a portable ECG device, focusing on time-domain (RMSSD) and frequency-domain (HF Power) parameters. Muscle strength was evaluated using a MicroFET 2 dynamometer. Pearson correlation and multivariate regression analyses were applied to determine the associations between stress, HRV, and muscle strength, adjusting for confounding factors such as age, body mass index (BMI), and work duration. Results revealed a significant negative correlation between perceived stress and both HRV indices (RMSSD: r=-0.45, p<0.01; HF Power: r=-0.50, p<0.01) as well as muscle strength (r=-0.40, p<0.01). Higher stress levels were associated with reduced HRV and diminished muscle strength. Regression analyses confirmed that stress independently predicted lower HRV (RMSSD: ?=-0.35, p<0.01; HF Power: ?=-0.42, p<0.01) and decreased muscle strength (?=-0.32, p<0.01). These findings suggest that elevated stress negatively impacts both cardiovascular and muscular functioning, potentially increasing the health risks among construction workers. The study highlights the importance of implementing stress management interventions to improve both the physical well-being and productivity of workers in the construction industry.

Exploring the relationship between occupational stress, physical activity and sedentary behavior using the Job-Demand-Control Model.

To study the relationship between the occupational stress model, specifically the Job Demand-Control Model of Karasek, physical activity level and sedentary behavior. This is a cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 100 volunteers working at Clermont Auvergne University. The questionnaire included the Karasek questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The results reveal that occupational characteristics play a significant role, with individuals exhibiting high job control showing reduced sitting time and increased physical activity compared to those with low job control. Job strain was associated with increased sitting time and decreased physical activity. Further analysis revealed that being in a state of job strain significantly predicted sitting for more than 7 h per day. Similarly, job strain and isostrain were explanatory factors for having a low to moderate physical activity level. Logistic regression quantified the risks, indicating that sitting for more than 7 h per day increased the risk of job strain by 4.80 times, while high physical activity levels and being male reduced the risk by 79 and 84%, respectively. Job strain also increased the risk of prolonged sitting by 5.06 times and low to moderate physical activity levels by 5.15 times. Additionally, mediation analysis revealed that a substantial portion of the association between sitting time and job strain was mediated by physical activity, and vice versa, emphasizing the interconnected nature of sedentary behavior and physical activity in influencing occupational stress. The study highlights the impact of sedentary behavior on occupational stress, assessed using Karasek's Job-Demand-Control Model. Despite being less studied, sedentary behavior appears to be a relevant contributor to occupational stress. Furthermore, the results emphasize the significant role of physical activity levels, suggesting that it plays a substantial part in the relationship between sedentary behavior and occupational stress.

Occupational Stress, Psychological Distress, and Coping Strategies of First-Level Judges in the Philippines: Examining the Influence of Demographics and Caseloads

Judges worldwide face intense pressure from heavy workloads, emotionally charged cases, and limited resources, leading to burnout and decreased public trust in the justice system. While individual coping is important, systemic change is crucial. This descriptive-correlational study investigated occupational stress, psychological distress, and coping strategies among 357 first-level judges in the Philippines. The study employed three standardized instruments: the Occupational Stress Scale, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and the Filipino Coping Strategies Scale (FCSS). This study revealed that first-level judges in the Philippines experience high levels of occupational stress and psychological distress. However, they also utilize a range of coping strategies to manage these challenges. The study found no significant relationship between occupational stress, psychological distress, and coping strategies and the demographic profile of the first-level judges. This suggests that these challenges are inherent to the judicial role itself rather than influenced by individual differences. The study concludes that interventions and support systems tailored to the specific demands of the profession are needed to address these challenges. The findings served as the basis for the Wellness Program for the first-level court judges in the Philippines.

Person-environment fit, turnover intention and satisfaction with life. The role of seniority

BackgroundBased on the person-environment fit model, we examined how occupational stress and job satisfaction are correlated with an intention to leave the current workplace or profession and life satisfaction in two groups of midwives with low and high experience.Participants and procedureData were collected between March and December 2022 using a set of psychological questionnaires. Low-experienced mid-wives (n = 152) and high-experienced midwives (n = 174) participated in the study. Multigroup path analysis was used to analyze the data.ResultsResearch has shown that midwives of varying levels of seniority experience similar levels of general occupational stress, job satisfaction, intentions to leave their current workplace or profession, and life satisfaction. The study found a negative corre-lation between occupational stress and job satisfaction and life satisfaction in both groups. The correlation between job satisfaction and the intention to leave the current workplace or profession was significantly negative only among low-experienced midwives. In high-experienced midwives, the relationship between stress and the intention to leave the current workplace or profession was direct. In the group of low-experienced midwives, links between occupational stress and all outcome variables were completely mediated by job satisfaction.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that degree of person-environment fit accurately predicts the positive and negative consequences of working conditions for behavior both at work and outside of work. The correlations between stress at work, thoughts of leaving work, and the assessment of well-being differ between low- and high-experienced employees.

IMPACTO DA SÍNDROME DE BURNOUT EM PROFISSIONAIS DE ENFERMAGEM: ESTRATÉGIAS DE PREVENÇÃO E INTERVENÇÃO

ABSTRACTBurnout Syndrome manifests itself from emotional exhaustion resulting from the work environment, associated with a set of individual characteristics of the professional. The case of nurses stands out, who are dedicated to caring for patients, dealing with various conditions and problems, in addition to needing to adapt daily to better serve them. Internal demands, emotional exhaustion and occupational stress contribute to the development of this syndrome. The objective of the research is to describe the impacts caused by Burnout Syndrome on nursing professionals, highlighting the importance of developing prevention and intervention strategies. The methodology used was a literature review, searching for articles and journals that addressed Burnout syndrome in nurses, using specific descriptors to facilitate analysis. The results indicated that work overload, long working hours and constant contact with suffering contribute to the development of professional burnout among nurses. It was concluded that the adoto of effective measures is essential to reduce the impacts of Burnout, promoting balance between professional and personal life, ensuring humanized and highly relevant care for patients.

Thirty-five years of personalized promotion. The contribution of medicine in the workplace

Abstract Issue/problem Occupational medicine has always had the task of identifying and solving problems caused by exposure to occupational risks and improving the health conditions of workers. This traditional prevention task can be advantageously associated with promotional activities to reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases. Description of the problem Since the end of the 1980s we have conducted health promotion interventions in the workplace, integrated into the company’s occupational prevention plan. The results, discussed internationally, have allowed the improvement of projects such as the one presented here, aimed at the prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic risks. Results Workers carry out a clinical check integrated with blood chemistry tests, actigraphic measurement of physical activity and sleep, bioimpedance measurement and plicometry, to objectify the data of interest. Furthermore, they keep a food diary and answer questionnaires on lifestyle, stress, and sleep. They receive personalized non-pharmacological treatment aimed at making salutogenic changes to diet, sleep, physical activity, and relaxation methods. They are monitored monthly and carry out a follow-up after six months. The pilot study, conducted on 20 healthcare workers with previously undiagnosed metabolic problems, indicates a significant improvement in abdominal circumference, systolic blood pressure and sleep duration in the third month. Workers report a high level of satisfaction with the initiative, a lower level of occupational stress and a higher quality of sleep. Lessons Accumulated experience demonstrates that projects of this type are feasible, sustainable, and advantageous and can be applied to companies of all sizes, regardless of the quantity of resources available. Key messages • Health promotion in the workplace can contribute to the reduction of chronic non-communicable diseases. • The active participation of workers in health promotion activities contributes to improving job engagement and satisfaction derived from work.

The role of immuno-mediated dysregulation in the progression of allergic pathology in military personnel under occupational stress

In order to identify clinical and immunological predictors of the progression of allergopathology in military personnel participating in special operations under conditions of professional stress, 43 military personnel participating in special operations divided into two groups were examined. Group 1 consisted of officers with allergopathology or who first debuted symptoms of allergic diseases during or within 6 months after participating in special operations (n = 13, average age 36.4±4.5 years). Group 2 included officers participating in special operations who did not have symptoms of allergic diseases (n = 13, average age 36.4±4.5 years). The analysis of complaints and medical documentation were carried out. Clinical and laboratory examination was performed without exacerbation of somatic pathology. The immune status was assessed by the expression of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD16+, CD19+, HLA-DR+, intracellular FoxP3 content in CD4+CD25+T cells, granzyme B in CD3-CD16+ and CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes using appropriate monoclonal antibodies (Beckman Coulter) and taking into account the results on the cytofluorometer “FC 500”. Immunological monitoring was performed before participation in hostilities and 6 months after return. A comparative assessment of the cellular and humoral state of military personnel of both comparison groups before leaving for an area with an unfavorable operational situation revealed the following differences. In the group of military personnel with allergic manifestations, significantly fewer CD4+ lymphocytes were noted, as well as significantly fewer CD3+CD4+CD25+FoxP3 regulatory lymphocytes and an increase in the number of circulating B lymphocytes were recorded. When dynamically monitoring the parameters of the cellular and humoral immune response in military personnel participating in hostilities, 6 months after returning from a business trip to areas with an unfavorable operational situation, unidirectional changes in the immune status were recorded in the form of a violation of the differentiation processes of the T cell link of the immune system. In the group of servicemen suffering from allergic diseases, the revealed changes were accompanied by a weakening of the processes of physiological immunosuppression in the form of a persistent decrease in the content of regulatory T lymphocytes in the dynamics of observation for 6 months.

Enhancing Sleep and Reducing Occupational Stress Through Forest Therapy: A Comparative Study Across Job Groups.

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic radically shifted occupational patterns, leading to increased telecommuting and related stressors. Healthcare providers, among the most impacted group, faced heightened risks and workplace changes. Our study examined the efficacy of forest therapy in alleviating work-induced stress across various professions, exploring the need for profession-specific stress-relief strategies in the post-pandemic workplace. To examine the impact of COVID-19 on professionals, 62 participants were recruited, consisting of 20 healthcare providers, 21 information technology (IT) specialists, and 21 teachers. Instruments such as Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, along with salivary tests for cortisol and melatonin, were used to assess the participants' sleep and stress levels. A specialized forest healing program was implemented among these participants. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS Win Ver. 22.0, utilizing paired t-tests and a repeated measures analysis of variance. Significant improvements were observed in the participants' sleep metrics, depression scales, and stress levels after the forest healing program. Physiological measures indicated an increase in melatonin and a decline in cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels, with only cortisol changes being statistically significant. Teachers, participating during school vacations, exhibited minimal stress-related physiological changes. Overall, the program demonstrated widespread health benefits regardless of occupation or gender. This study showed that forest therapy reduced stress equally across professions, including healthcare providers, IT specialists, and teachers. Individual physiological responses may play a greater role in stress relief than the specific occupation.

Occupational Stressors and Resources of Peer Workers in Social Psychiatry

Peer Support Workers (PW) were asked about stressors and resources and how stressful or relieving they perceived them to be. Questionnaire-based survey RESULTS: 175 PW were included in the data analysis and identified stressors and resources in their daily work. Psychological security and autonomy are the most frequently mentioned resources, while role clarity is the least frequently mentioned. Autonomy can also be more of a burden than a resource, especially in combination with a lack of role clarity. PW rarely feel stigmatized by their colleagues. However, when they do, they find it very stressful. Relevant stressors were uncertainty about decisions made, problems with the team culture, or perceived inadequate role fulfillment by the team. The lack of clarity about work processes and the roles of all participants is a significant stressor, despite the availability of relevant resources.

Occupational Stress Among Italian Postgraduate Medical Trainees: A Pilot Study for the Validation of the SCOPE Questionnaire

The occupational environment may affect one’s psychophysical health by leveraging both external workplace stressors and individual psychological responses. We developed a comprehensive questionnaire to assess occupational stress among postgraduate medical trainees, investigating both situational and personal aspects. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the constructs captured by the questionnaire, and reliability was assessed by estimating Cronbach’s alpha. Construct-specific scores were computed, and their correlation with established pre-validated scales (criterion validation) was assessed. Four factors—“stress”, “coping”, “empathy”, and “trauma”—explained 50% of data variability and demonstrated satisfactory overall internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.76). Significant correlations were found between the “stress” score and the “emotional exhaustion” component of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) (r = −0.76), the “coping” score and the “positive attitudes” component of the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE) (r = 0.46), and the “empathy” score with the “empathic concern” (r = 0.52), “fantasy” (r = 0.41), and “perspective taking” (r = 0.45) components of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). No significant differences in scores were found in terms of gender or medical specialization. This study suggests that the SCOPE questionnaire may be a promising tool for assessing workplace stress and psychological responses among medical residents.

Modeling Occupational Stress on Employee Performance with Mediating and Moderating Roles of Social Support: Structural Equation Modeling and Multivariate Analysis

Purpose: This empirical study investigated the relationship between occupational stress and employee performance and the mediating and moderating effects of social support on the relationship between occupational stress and the performance of IT sector employees in Bangalore city. Methodology: A quantitative methodology was used. The data were collected via a questionnaire to measure the three reflective constructs of the study: occupational stress, employee performance, and social support. Factor loadings > 0.5 for the items of all three constructs were considered for analysis. The questionnaire's internal consistency was measured by assessing Cronbach's alpha and the split-half correlation coefficient. SEM analysis was carried out on the valid responses of 500 responses via AMOS version 28. Findings: The results of the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality indicated normally distributed data. Excellent model fit was observed, as indicated by the model fit statistics. A statistically significant direct effect between occupational stress and employee performance and social support was observed, with both the variable performance of occupational stress and social support explaining 28% of the variance in the dependent variable. performance This study also examined the moderating role of social factors in the relationship between occupational stress and employee performance. Social support also moderated the performance of the IT sector employees. Positive and statistically significant moderating effects of social support on the relationship between occupational stress and employee performance were observed. The slope analysis revealed that social support strengthens the relationship between occupational stress and employee performance. The authors suggest that organizations adopt social support strategies, such as breaks, meditation, and yoga, to relieve stress and increase social support among employees. Originality: This study assessed the effects of modeling occupational stress on employee performance with mediating and moderating roles of social support via structural equation modeling analysis and multivariate analysis.

The relation between occupational stress, burnout and the work engagement among nurses

The relation between occupational stress, burnout and the work engagement among nurses

Understanding the effect of occupational stress on sleep quality in firefighters: the modulating role of depression and burnout.

Sleep quality of firefighters can be negatively affected by occupational stressors. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted to understand how work-related stress, post-traumatic stress, burnout and depression collectively contribute to sleep quality. Professional firefighters in Northern Iran completed a survey comprised of demographic information, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, HSE's Stress Indicator Tool, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, Maslach's Burnout Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory during a work rest break. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Mean age of the 2339 firefighters who completed the survey was 32.30 (5.74) years. Most experienced poor sleep quality, scoring above the established cut-off of 5. Levels of work-related stress, post-traumatic stress, burnout and depression were high. Fit indices of the final theoretical model were all adequate: the obtained and adjusted goodness-of-fit indices were 0.925 and 0.917 respectively. Comparative, and incremental fit indices were 0.946 and 0.948 respectively. Root mean squared error of approximation was 0.061. Post-traumatic stress was directly and indirectly related to sleep quality through eight paths, modulated by burnout variables and depression. Work-related stress was negatively related to sleep quality through four paths modulated, by burnout variables and depression. The findings illustrate the complex relationships of work-related stress and post-traumatic stress and sleep quality. High levels of poor sleep quality in this occupation emphasise the need to develop targeted and sustainable interventions to manage occupational stressors, burnout and depression to improve sleep quality in firefighters.

Burnout and turnover risks for healthcare workers in the United States: downstream effects from moral injury exposure

Moral injury has emerged as a construct of interest in healthcare workers’ (HCW) occupational stress and health. We conducted one of the first multidisciplinary, longitudinal studies evaluating the relationship between exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs), burnout, and turnover intentions. HCWs (N = 473) completed surveys in May of 2020 (T1) and again in May of 2021 (T2). Generalized Linear Models (robust Poisson regression) were used to test relative risk of turnover intentions, and burnout at T2 associated with PMIE exposure, controlling for T1 covariates. At T1, 17.67% reported they had participated in a PMIE, 41.44% reported they witnessed a PMIE and 76.61% reported feeling betrayed by healthcare or a public health organization. In models including all T1 PMIE exposures and covariates, T2 turnover intentions were increased for those who witnessed a PMIE at T1 (Relative Risk [RR] = 1.66, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.17–2.34) but not those that participated or felt betrayed. T2 burnout was increased for those who participated in PMIE at T1 (RR = 1.38, 95%CI 1.03–1.85) but not those that witnessed or felt betrayed. PMIE exposure is highly prevalent among HCWs, with specific PMIEs associated with turnover intentions and burnout. Organizational interventions to reduce and facilitate recovery from moral injury should account for differences in the type of PMIE exposures that occur in healthcare work environments.

Development and Validation of the Emergency Medical Technicians Occupational Stress Scale

Introduction. The population of interested workers for this study included Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in the United States. This group of workers was chosen because of the nature of their work, which requires their presence at the scenes of life and death situations. Certainly, their work conditions can have an effect on their psychological well-being. Yet, the work of these workers, with all of its stressors, has not been adequately studied through the use of appropriate measuring instruments. Emergency Medical Technicians are not unknown in occupational stress research. This report discusses previous studies on EMT workers and occupational stressors and explains the curative process through the development and validation of an EMT Occupational Stress Scale. The report also highlights the psychometric investigation of this scale. Paramedics/EMTs face increased risk of physical and psychological stress due to the nature of their work. It is crucial to understand the stressors affecting their well-being in order to develop appropriate management strategies. Research suggests that EMTs may lack preparation for their roles, requiring additional training in empathy and emotional intelligence. The relationship between stressors experienced and clinical service provided needs further investigation. Standardized measures of stress for paramedics/EMTs are lacking and more comprehensive instruments are needed. This report aims to develop a comprehensive stress scale specifically for EMTs/paramedics, addressing validation concerns and incorporating environmental stress within a larger theoretical framework. Methods. This study was This study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach to develop and validate the Emergency Medical Technicians Occupational Stress Scale. The scale was pilot tested with a sample of EMTs to ensure reliability and validity. by the ethics committee and is based on a literature review. The Canadian EMT Job Satisfaction Questionnaire was used to measure organizational stress levels of EMTs. The questionnaire was reviewed by professionals and academics, resulting in the inclusion of five new items. The final item list consisted of 58 questions. Permission was obtained. Results. The outcomes and findings obtained from the comprehensive study conducted on the Development and Validation of the Emergency Medical Technicians Occupational Stress Scale have shed light on significant discoveries pertaining to the intricate realm of stress levels experienced by our dedicated EMT professionals. Conclusion. The rapidly evolving scope of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) practice has placed increasing demands on the relatively small professional community that consists of EMTs and paramedics. An Occupational Stress model was developed to examine interpersonal work stressors unique to the EMT role, and a measure was developed to assess the construct. Initial results suggest that the OSM is an accurate, reliable, and potentially valuable assessment tool. High levels of interpersonal stress may influence the EMTs to cope with their daily activities by seeking outlets for tension and depression through increased use of alcohol, legal drugs, and caffeine. Alcohol is used more frequently than other legal drugs are to modify interpersonal stress symptoms. The EMTs are in a prime position to help each other identify these symptoms when arising and offer assistance. Staff stress management programs are essential in solving and preventing occupational stress. A move toward prevention rather than reaction to such stress, which for many results in alcoholism, drug addiction, or job related emotional illness, will serve to preserve the health of the EMTs. The medical community has a vested interest in the health of these dedicated professionals. Not only does such prevention attempt to manage the human tragedy of alcoholism, legal drug addiction, and job related emotional illness, but it also prevents the more tangible, but no less important cost factors to the EMT.

Psychosocial risk factors of lower urinary tract symptoms among working women.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are prevalent among women, affecting not only their physical well-being but also their quality of working life. This study aimed to assess the relationship between psychosocial factors at work and LUTS among working women. Additionally, we sought to investigate whether women with psychosocial risk factors at work reported reduced quality of life (QOL) and a higher degree of productivity loss from absenteeism and presenteeism. An online survey was conducted to collect the demographic characteristics, occupational risk factors, and LUTS among employed Korean women. Shift work, weekly working hours, occupational stress, and emotional labor were surveyed as psychosocial risk factors at work. The association between psychosocial risk factors and LUTS was assessed using adjusted logistic regression. The relationships between psychosocial risk factors and LUTS-related outcomes, such as were examined using a generalized linear model. Of the 1057 participants, 260 (24.6%) and 294 (27.81%) had overactive bladder and urinary incontinence, respectively. Job stress, emotional labor, and night-shift work are significantly associated with a higher prevalence of LUTS, which reduce workers' QOL and labor productivity through absenteeism and presenteeism due to urination symptoms. Psychosocial factors at work, particularly job stress, emotional labor, and night-shift work, were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of LUTS, leading to reduced QOL and labor productivity due to urination symptoms.

Assessment of the quality of life of GPs in situations of high epidemic risk

The purpose is to assess the characteristics of the decrease in the quality of life of GPs working in a specialized COVID-19 hospital, a multidisciplinary hospital, and a poly clinic during the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19, as well as early diagnosis, prediction, and prevention of a decrease in the quality of life in this category of medical workers. Material and research methods. The study was carried out on the basis of the Department of Occupational Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology named after honored scientist of the Russian Federation professor V. V. Kosarev, FSBEI HE Samara State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, and the Department of Occupational Pathology, Regional Center for Occupational Pathology of the Samara City Hospital No. 5. The study was carried out within the framework of a complex theme «Systematic ap proach to early diagnosis, prevention, and prediction of the impact of low-intensity pro duction factors on workers’ health» of the Department of Occupational Diseases and Clinical Pharmacology named after honored scientist of the Russian Federation profes sor V. V. Kosarev, FSBEI HE Samara State Medical University (state registration number AAAA-A18‑118122190069‑6, registration date — December 21, 2018). The study was approved by the local ethics committee of the FSBEI HE Samara State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation on November 23, 2021. The study included the following groups of examined medical workers: group 1 consisted of physicians of internal medicine working in a COVID hospital (in the «red zone») (n = 111); group 2 included GPs working in a multidisciplinary hospital (n = 106); group 3 consisted of GPs working in a polyclinic (n = 102); group 4 was the control group (n = 190) comprising employees of engineering, technical, and economic specialties not relat ed to work in medical organizations (healthy). To assess the psychophysiological state and quality of life of medical workers during the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19, the SF-36 questionnaire [J. E. Ware, 1993], designed to study all components of the quality of life, was used. The obtained data were processed using the Statistica package from StatSoft (USA). Results. The professional activities of GPs providing medical care in the «red zone», mul  tidisciplinary hospitals, and clinics are associated with the exposure of physicians to a number of risk factors in the working environment and the labor process, related to the provision of regular or occasional care to infected COVID-19 patients, which, under con ditions of exposure to an increased level of occupational stress, leads to a decrease in the quality of life in these categories of health workers. The decrease in the quality of life among medical workers in medical institutions of various profiles during the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19 is due to the fact that health workers faced many additional difficulties during this period: sleep deprivation, stress, strain, and chronic fa tigue. Chronic fatigue can affect behavior, communication, learning, and decision-making, which overall leads to a decrease in the qualit y of life of medical workers. Conclusion. Thus, the obtained data indicate that when identifying risk factors for a de crease in the quality of life in medical workers working in situations of high epidemic risk, there is the need to use specialized rehabilitation measures with relaxation techniques, art therapy, as well as professional adaptation programs, physiotherapeutic techniques, such as electrosleep and reflexology, and, if possible, resort treatment in health care centers, local sanatoriums, etc. with visits to psychotherapy offices, as well as psychopharmaco logical medications.