Overcommitment Research Articles

Work ability and psychosocial work stress - predictors of retirement intention among older teachers.

Many teachers worldwide retire early for health or personal reasons. Predictors could help to identify teachers at risk in order to counteract this development. The study therefore investigates whether the intention to retire can be predicted by work ability, psychosocial work stress and work behaviour. The data came from a representative cross-sectional study of German secondary school teachers (N = 18 971). The analyses included 1496 full-time teachers aged ≥50 years (58% female). Teachers were assigned to 1 of 2 groups based on their intention to take early or regular retirement. A binomial regression model was used to analyze the predictive power of the intention to retire for the following factors: work ability index (WAI) - factor 1, effort-reward ratio (ER ratio), overcommitment (OC), age and gender. In addition, a qualitative analysis of the teachers' suggestions was carried out regarding which measures would make the regular retirement age attainable. Half (49%) of the teachers intended to retire early, with the proportion of women being around twice as high (67%) as men (33%) (d = 0.37). The analyzed predictors explained a total of 22% of the variance. The WAI factor 1 proved to be the most important predictor (variance explanation: 14%). Effort-reward ratio and OC each contributed around 10% to the variance explanation of the retirement intention. The probability of taking early retirement increased with decreasing work ability, increasing ER ratio and a high tendency to overcommit; age and gender were of secondary importance. Teachers suggested a reduction in compulsory hours (46%), relief from extracurricular tasks (45%) and smaller classes (29%) as decisive measures for achieving regular retirement. Work ability index factor 1, ER ratio and OC could be used as part of occupational health prevention programmes to identify and advise older teachers at risk who need support. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(5).

Overcommitment, Work-Related Behavior, and Cognitive and Emotional Irritation in Veterinarians: A Comparison of Different Veterinary Working Fields.

Mental health is a serious problem among veterinarians. The aim of this study was to analyze work-related behaviors and experience (AVEM), overcommitment (OC), and cognitive and emotional irritation (IS) in different veterinary working fields. The survey included 724 German veterinarians (average age 41.0 ± 9.72 years). Validated questionnaires were used to assess overcommitment, work-related behavior and experience patterns (health-promoting pattern G or S; health-hazardous risk pattern A or B), and irritation in several working fields. A correlation analysis and a multivariate test were performed. Increased OC was observed in 35.8% of veterinarians (mixed animals vs. inspectors, p = 0.042; small vs. mixed animals, p = 0.001). A total of 66% of veterinarians exhibited AVEM risk pattern A or B. There was no significant association of AVEM risk patterns and veterinary specialty. Only the AVEM dimension "tendency toward resignation in the face of failure" differed among working fields (p = 0.04). Regardless of direct animal contact, German veterinarians showed increased psychological stress. Inadequate compensation and prolonged stress are significant factors that can lead to burnout or depression. These risks should be considered in the context of occupational healthcare.

Association of Work Stress With Anxiety and Depression Among Adults in Wuhan, China: The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction.

This study aimed to explore the relationship of work stress with anxiety and depression and the mediation of job satisfaction. We conducted a survey among gas station workers in Wuhan, China. Multivariate and bootstrap mediating analyses were conducted. The rate of effort-reward imbalance, overcommitment (OC), anxiety, and depression were 22.9%, 29.2%, 20.1%, and 19.9%. Work stress was positively associated with anxiety ( β = 0.213 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.156-0.270] for logarithmic effort-reward ratio [LgERR] and β = 0.563 [95% CI, 0.505-0.621] for OC) and depression ( β = 0.291 [95% CI, 0.227-0.356] for LgERR and β = 0.417 [95% CI, 0.351-0.483] for OC). The mediation of job satisfaction from LgERR and OC to anxiety and depression were 14.93%, 9.05%, 24.34%, and 19.85%. We should concern the anxiety and depression, and work stress status of workers and improve the situation by improving job satisfaction.

0153 Overcommitment to work impacts the relationship between effort-reward imbalance and insomnia differently for physicians and nurses

Abstract Introduction Occupational stress is a predictor of sleep problems. Recovery from it by detaching yourself from work-related issues outside of work hours is crucial for sleep health. Shift workers, especially in healthcare, are at a higher risk of sleep problems, which may lead to fatigue and errors at work, impacting patient care. The aim of the study was to 1) verify whether overcommitment to work is a moderator of the relationship between occupational stress and insomnia symptoms, and 2) check if this moderation is impacted by an individual’s occupation – whether overcommitment impacts the relationship of occupational stress and insomnia symptoms the same way for the two biggest occupational groups in healthcare in Poland - physicians and nurses. Methods Participants provided information on their occupation and filled in the Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire (ERI) with the Overcommitment (OC) scale, and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Using the PROCESS macro for SPSS, we conducted a moderated regression analysis to test a multiple moderation (Model 3). Results We gathered responses from 281 participants – 178 physicians and 103 nurses. The interaction of ERI and OC was not significant, but a three-way interaction (ERI*OC*occupation) was significant in predicting ISI score. The relationship between ERI and ISI was moderated by OC depending on a respondent’s occupation. For physicians as OC increased the relationship between ERI and ISI increased as well. For nurses as OC increased the relationship between ERI and ISI decreased. Conclusion This study showed that stress at work has the strongest relationship with insomnia when physicians ruminate over work problems, are easily overwhelmed with time pressure and are unable to unwind in their free time. However, when nurses obtain high scores on an overcommitment measure, they will experience sleep problems regardless of the level of occupational stress. Support (if any) This work was supported by the National Science Center in Poland under Grant 2019/33/N/HS6/02572.

Psychosocial Work Stress and Occupational Stressors in Emergency Medical Services

Emergency medical service (EMS) professionals often experience work stress, which escalated during COVID-19. High job demand in the EMS profession may lead to progressive decline in physical and mental health. We investigated the prevalence of psychosocial job stress in the three levels of EMS: basic, advanced, and paramedic, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. EMS professionals (n = 36) were recruited from EMS agencies following the Institutional Review Board approval. Participants took surveys on demographics, personal characteristics, chronic diseases, and work schedules. Job stress indicators, namely the effort-reward ratio (ERR) and overcommitment (OC), were evaluated from survey questionnaires using the effort-reward imbalance model. Associations of job stress indicators with age, sex, body mass index, and working conditions were measured by logistic regression. Psychosocial work stress was prevalent with effort reward ratio > 1 in 83% of participants and overcommitment scores > 13 in 89% of participants. Age, body mass index, and work hours showed strong associations with ERR and OC scores. The investigation findings suggested that a psychosocial work environment is prevalent among EMS, as revealed by high ERR, OC, and their correlation with sleep apnea in rotating shift employees. Appropriate interventions may be helpful in reducing psychosocial work stress in EMS professionals.

Understanding socio-labor inclusion among young adults with autism spectrum and mental disorders: preliminary findings

IntroductionPrevious studies suggest that adults with mental disorders (MD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are more likely to be unemployed than those without MD. However, it is unclear whether working adults with MD or ASD perceive the same effort-reward balance as their counterparts without MD or ASD.ObjectivesTo analyze labor conditions and to identify factors associated with effort-reward imbalance among young adults with ASD, MD and those from the general population (GP).MethodsA qualitative and quantitative study design is being conducted to analyze the rates of employment among young adults with ASD, and to identify factors associated with employment rates (Fondecyt ID11201028.). As part of this study, we conducted a quantitative analysis in young adults 16 to 30 years of age in two regions of Chile between August and October, 2022. Young adults with MD and ASD were compared with adults of similar age recruited from the GP. We applied a questionnaire to collect data on participant’s sociodemographic information, autonomy level and employment status. We applied the short Spanish version of the effort–reward imbalance (ERI) and overcommitment (OC) questionnaire, which has been widely used in Latin American countries.Chi-square test was used and the Kruskal Wallis H Test was applied to compare among groups. The statistical significance was set at P<0.05.ResultsOverall, 422 participants were included in the analysis (mean age 22±3.2, 64.2% women, 65.2% students, and 4.4% unemployed). Of the total respondents, 22% of young adults from GP, 17.8% with MD, and 4.8% with ASD were working at the moment of the survey. Regarding autonomy level, a higher proportion of participants with ASD needed support (36.4%), compared with 9.7% and 0.8% of young adults with MD and GP, respectively. Of the population who reported working (n=125), about 56.0% have a permanent job, and 44% a seasonal or occasional job. The median value for the effort–reward ratio was 0.96 (range 0.4–1.8), with no significant differences between the groups. Of those participants working, 44.3% showed an ERI ratio higher than 1, which was higher in participants with ASD (60%). ERI-esteem was significantly different (P=0.01) among ASD (7.0; range 5-8), MD (6.0; range 2-8) and PG (6.0; range 2-8). In the OC questionnaire, young adults with ASD were more likely to think about work (P=0.01) and having trouble sleeping at night due to work issues (P=0.03) than GP and MD groups.ConclusionsThe ASD group showed higher overcommitment and a considerable proportion of subjects at risk of effort-reward imbalance at work, were more likely to think about work at home, and had trouble sleeping thinking about work. Our preliminary results highlight the importance of considering the working conditions of young adults diagnosed with ASD and the need to provide them with enough support to promote labor inclusion.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Berufliche Gratifikationskrisen, Verausgabungsneigung und Burnout bei ukrainischen Anästhesisten und Intensivmedizinern während der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie

ZusammenfassungHintergrundPsychische Belastungen von Anästhesisten und Intensivmedizinern sind vielfältig und komplex. Overcommitment (OC) ist durch eine übersteigerte berufliche Verausgabungsneigung gekennzeichnet, die zu psychischen Beanspruchungsfolgen wie z. B. Burnout führen kann. Die Prävalenz von Burnout bei Intensivmedizinern ist international weit gestreut. Ziel der Studie war es, Verausgabungen und Gratifikationen bei ukrainischen Ärzten der Anästhesie und Intensivmedizin während der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie zu ermitteln und zu analysieren, wie hoch das Burnout-Risiko in dieser Berufsgruppe ist und welche Assoziationen zwischen der intrinsischen Komponente und der extrinsischen Komponente des Modells der beruflichen Gratifikationskrise und dem Burnout bestehen.MethodikAn der Querschnittsstudie mit der konfirmatorischen Fragestellung im März 2021 nahmen 73 ukrainische intensivmedizinisch tätige Ärzte (47,9 %) und Ärztinnen (52,1 %) teil. Das mittlere Alter lag bei 39,8 ± 10,94 Jahren (Range: 23–78 Jahre). Neben soziodemografischen und berufsbezogenen Daten wurden die berufliche Gratifikation mittels Effort-reward-Imbalance-Fragebogen (ERI) einschließlich der OC-Fragen und das Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) erhoben. Die Teilnehmenden der Befragung wurden in Gruppen mit unterschiedlichem OC (< 16 Punkte) und (≥ 16 Punkte) eingestuft und verglichen.ErgebnisseIn die Gruppe mit OC < 16 Punkte konnten 75 % (55) Teilnehmende eingestuft werden, 18 boten ein erhöhtes OC. Zwischen diesen beiden Gruppen fand sich eine signifikante Differenz im Effort (13,9 ± 4,1 vs. 17,2 ± 3,6 Punkte; p = 0,003) und in der ERI-Ratio (0,58 ± 0,2 vs. 0,77 ± 0,2; p = 0,006). In der Gruppe mit OC ≥ 16 waren 50 % der Teilnehmenden mit einer hohen emotionalen Erschöpfung (vs. 12,7 % bei OC < 16; p = 0,002), aber auch 61,1 % mit einer hohen Leistungsfähigkeit (61,1 % vs. 32,7 %; p = 0,005). Insgesamt konnte eine Burnout-Prävalenz von 2,7 % in der Gesamtstichprobe festgestellt werden, wobei die beiden Probanden bei der Gruppe mit OC < 16 vertreten waren. Die höhere emotionale Erschöpfung war mit einer höheren Verausgabungsneigung und Verausgabung (Effort) sowie einer geringeren Belohnung (Reward) assoziiert.DiskussionDie Studienergebnisse zeigten hohe emotionale Erschöpfung bei Personen mit hohem Overcommitment. Drei Viertel der Befragten zeigten Burnout-Symptome. Aus diesem Grund sollten Gesundheitsförderungsmaßnahmen und Prävention angeboten werden, um den hohen Belastungen während der Pandemie entgegenzuwirken. Diese sollten Verhältnis- und Verhaltensprävention einschließen.

O desequilíbrio esforço-recompensa está associado à hipertensão arterial entre servidores públicos brasileiros? Resultados do ELSA-Brasil

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate the association between job stress, according to the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model, and hypertension (HTN), as well as to investigate the effect modifier role of overcommitment (OC) and sex. Methods: cross-sectional analysis of data from active workers who participated in the second data collection wave (2012-2014) of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Job stress was measured by the ERI scale - Brazilian version, comprising three dimensions: effort, reward, and OC. HTN was defined as systolic or diastolic blood pressure levels ≥ 140/90 mmHg or antihypertensive medication use. Associations were estimated by logistic regression, crude and adjusted for potential confounding factors. Multiplicative interactions were investigated. Results: a total of 9,465 civil servants participated in the study, 51.9% females. HTN prevalence was 34.9%. The adjusted model identified borderline associations between ERI (ratio &gt; 1) and higher OC with higher odds of HTN (OR = 1.11, 95%CI = 1.00; 1.24; and OR = 1.13; 95%CI = 1.01; 1.26, respectively). Interaction analysis indicated no differences in associations according to sex and OC. Conclusion: results show that ERI and OC are associated with higher odds of HTN after adjustment. Sex and OC were not effect modifiers.

Work stress, overcommitment personality and alcohol consumption based on the Effort–Reward Imbalance model: A population–based cohort study

Work stress has been extensively supported to predict health outcomes like health behaviors. Evidence has linked work stress and personality independently to health, but the interrelationships between work stress and personality and their joint effects on health might deserve more attention in research. This study attempts to integrate recent developments in psychological research (diverse roles of personality in stress processes) into the well–established Effort–Reward Imbalance (ERI) model for work stress. Based on the ERI model, this population–based cohort study aims to investigate the relationships between work stress, personality and alcohol consumption; it particularly focuses on potential roles of overcommitment (OC) personality in ERI–drinking relations, including modifying, antecedent, mediator or direct effects. This two–wave cohort study was conducted in population samples of 3782 men and 3731 women (aged 45–69 years) from Czech Republic, Poland and Russia. Alcohol consumption was assessed by three drinking outcomes: binge drinking, heavy drinking and problem drinking. To assess modifying effect of OC in ERI–drinking relations, logistic regression was used. To assess antecedent or mediator role of OC in ERI–drinking relations, path analysis with the autoregressive and cross–lagged model was conducted. The results showed that OC had no significantly modifying effect in ERI–drinking relations. OC and ERI might have bidirectional relationships in the average follow–up period of 3.5 years; the effect of OC on ERI was remarkably stronger than the reversed causation. Antecedent role of OC in ERI–drinking relationship was significant, but mediator role of OC was not. In conclusion, our findings imply that “antecedent role” of OC in ERI–drinking relations is significant and promising as a potential target for individual intervention; future interventions are suggested to identify and target potential cognitive–behavioral mechanisms via which personality might influence work stress and subsequently health behaviors.

Effort-reward imbalance and job strain index associated with health-related quality of life for civil servants in a national survey: the mediation effect of job support and over-commitment.

Work-related stress (WRS) is significantly associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but the amounts of evidence on differences of effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and job strain index (JSI) remain sparse and have limited generalizability. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association between ERI and JSI with HRQoL and assess the mediation effect of social support (JS) and over-commitment (OC) on this association in Taiwan's civil servants. A cross-sectional national survey was given to registered civil servants in Taiwan - 20 046 civil servants from 647 institutions were enrolled using multistage stratified random cluster sampling. A web-questionnaire collected demographic information, job characteristics, and different indexes of ERI and job-control-demand-support (JCDS) models. Structural equation model (SEM) was used to examine the association between ERI and JSI with HRQoL, and the mediation effect of JS and OC on the associations. In the ERI model, ERI and OC were consistently negatively associated with the mental component score (MCS) (r = -0.46 and r = -0.37) and physical component score (PCS) (r = -0.45 and r = -0.34), which were higher than job demand (r = -0.28 and r = -0.22) and JSI (r = -0.38 and r = -0.29). Using hierarchical multiple regression analyses, ERI was significantly correlated with MCS and PCS, which was consistently higher than JSI. The ERI and JSI were significantly correlated with MCS (β = -0.170 and β = -0.140) and PCS (β = -0.150 and β = -0.082) using SEM analysis, whereas ERI was considerably higher than in JSI. In addition, OC and JS mediated the association between The ERI and JSI with HRQoL. We found the ERI index is significantly correlated with HRQoL superior to JSI, in particular among Taiwan civil servants. Further longitudinal studies are needed to determine the causality and spatiotemporal relation of these differences. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(4):425-36.

Psychosocial Work Stress and Health Risks - A Cross-Sectional Study of Shift Workers From the Hotel and Catering Industry and the Food Industry.

PurposePsychosocial work stress, and shift and night work are considered risk indicators for impaired health. Using the effort-reward (ER) model, it was possible to examine which relationships exist for shift workers between clusters (CL) of different levels of psychosocial work stress and overcommitment (OC) and cardiovascular or psychological health indicators, and which predictive value is evident in individual health indicators to explain the clusters.MethodsThe data were collected as part of an occupational health prevention program. The analysis sample consisted of 199 shift workers from alternating shift systems with and without night work (43%) (average age: 40 ± 12 years, men: 47%). Psychosocial work stress was recorded using the ER imbalance (ERI) questionnaire. To determine the clusters, ERI and OC were entered into a cluster analysis. Blood pressure, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, PROCAM score (risk of a heart attack within the next 10 years), sporting activity, and smoking were included as cardiovascular indicators, psychological wellbeing (GHQ-12) and inability to recovery (IR) (FABA) as psychological health indicators. Shift system, sex, and age were entered into the statistical analyses as control variables. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify health-related predictors to explain the ER-OC clusters.ResultsThree different ER-OC clusters emerged: low-stress: 36%, normal: 44%, risk: 20%. While normal psychosocial work stress is present in the low-stress and the normal CL, in the risk CL 28% of the shift workers show a health-endangering ERI and 48% show an excessive OC. No significant cluster-specific differences were determined for the cardiovascular health indicators. Rather, the known sex and age effects were confirmed and the shift system had no significant effect. Significantly more shift workers in the risk CL had impaired psychological health (18 vs. 1/6%) and an IR (52 vs. 0/12%) than in the low-stress and normal CL. IR turned out to be the strongest predictor of the explanation for the ER-OC clusters (49%).ConclusionIR could be assigned an independent diagnostic value for the assessment of psychosocial work stresses and discussed as a new component of occupational health screening concepts for shift workers. Independently of this, the health indicators signal an urgent need for occupational health prevention and care.

Moderating and Mediating Effects of Over-Commitment on the Association Between Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) with Upper Back and Hand/Wrist Disorders in Municipal Solid Waste Collectors.

PurposeDespite repetitive activities and the frequency of high workload for municipal solid waste (MSW) collectors, the risks of work-related stress on upper extremity pain are inconclusive. The objective of this study is to assess the moderation and mediation effect of effort–reward imbalance (ERI) and over-commitment (OC) on upper back and hand/wrist disorders in MSW collectors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with MSW collectors from two cities in Taiwan. Each participant was asked to anonymously fill out a structured questionnaire. Work-related stress, including ERI and OC, was assessed by a Chinese version of the Job Content Questionnaire (C-JCL). Upper back and hand/wrist disorders were assessed using the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. Multivariate analysis was used to assess moderation and mediation effect of OC and ERI on upper extremity pain.ResultsThe moderation effect of ERI and OC on upper back and hand/wrist disorders in MSW collectors was found. Disorders were higher in the group with both ERI ≥1 and high OC (OR (odds ratio) = 3.25 and OR = 3.00) than in the group with ERI ≥1 and low OC (OR = 2.66 and OR = 1.87) and in the ERI <1 and high OC group (OR = 2.27 and OR = 1.26). Synergy indexes were 0.77 and 1.77, respectively. Using multivariate analysis after adjusting for covariates, the mediation effect of OC was significant for the association between ERI and upper back and hand/wrist pains. The indirect effects of OC for upper back and hand/wrist pains accounted for 35% and 42%, respectively, and OC appears to mediate the relationship between ERI and upper back and hand/wrist disorders in MSW collectors.ConclusionWork-related stress measured ERI and OC may play a role in moderating and mediating effects on upper extremity pain. Encouraging provisions of work modification and stress management is needed to mitigate the occurrence of upper extremities pain in MSW collectors.

Mobbing Among Hospital Physicians

Bullying in the workplace is considered an interpersonal stress factor. Occupational stress and mental health among physicians is increasingly becoming the focus of public attention. The extent to which mobbing plays a role in this has hardly been investigated yet. The aim of this study is to provide data on the prevalence of bullying among hospital physicians in Germany and possible correlations with occupational stress and mental health. Within the framework of two cross-sectional studies, 692 hospital physicians in the field of psychiatry/psychotherapy (P/PT) and 667 hospital physicians in intensive care (IM) were interviewed at conferences. Standardized questionnaires on mobbing experience, occupational stress and mental health (single item from COPSOQ, BDI-II, ERI, MBI) were used. Bullying was experienced by 4.6% (n=61) of the respondents. IM and women physicians were more often affected (not significant) and correlations with occupational stress (ERI), overcommitment (OC), emotional exhaustion (MBI) and depression (BDI-II) were found. Our data on a large cohort of physicians in specialties with different exposure profiles show that a relevant proportion is affected by bullying and that bullying is related to the experience of occupational stress as well as mental health impairments. From this, implications for institutional and individual prevention and support services can be derived.

Additive Interaction of Work-Related Stress and Sleep Duration on Arthritis Among Middle-Aged Civil Servants.

AimOccupational strain is recognized as a risk for arthritis, yet little is known about how psychological stress affects arthritis moderated by sleep duration. The objective of this study is to assess work-related stress using the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model and the job-demand-support (JDS) model on arthritis moderated by sleep duration.MethodsA nationwide cross-sectional study randomly collected a total of 11,875 middle-aged, employed civil servants from 647 registered governmental institutions. Each participant anonymously and voluntarily filled out a web-based questionnaire and informed consent at the time of the study. Psychosocial work stress was assessed by ERI and JDS measured by a Chinese version of the job content questionnaire.ResultsThere were significant odds ratios (ORs) of arthritis positively associated with high ERI (OR = 1.58), high overcommitment (OC) (OR = 1.57), and job demand (OR = 1.31) and negatively associated with job support (OR = 0.69) using multivariate analysis after being adjusted for covariates. For the short sleep duration group, there was an interaction effect of both high ERI and OC on arthritis, with a synergy index of 18.91 and 1.52, respectively. Similarly, there are high ORs of arthritis in both the high job demand and low job support groups.ConclusionWork-related stress related to arthritis moderated by sleep duration for civil servants. Civil servants with high job demand and low job support should use caution to reduce the risk of arthritis.

Overcommitment to work as a mediator of the association between effort-reward imbalance and insomnia among shift working nurses

IntroductionToday, approximately one fifth of employees in the European Union works in the shift system. Insomnia is one of the most common consequences of occupational stress and shift work. Identifying factors contributing to poor sleep quality among shift workers, especially in healthcare professions, is important because insomnia increases the risks for numerous health disorders and impacts work ability.ObjectivesThe aim of this research was to investigate to what extend does an inability to withdraw from work influences the link between occupational stress and insomnia among shift workers. We operationalized occupational stress within the Effort-Reward Imbalance Model (ERI). An imbalance between individual effort and reward obtained at work leads to experiencing a stressful work environment.Methods153 shift working female nurses completed a short questionnaire about work schedule, the Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire with the Overcommitment (OC) scale and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). To estimate the mediating effect of OC on the association between ERI and ISI, we conducted a mediation analysis using PROCESS v3.4 macro in SPSS.ResultsThe model including ERI and OC accounted for 12.25% of the variance in ISI scores. ERI significantly predicted OC and OC significantly predicted insomnia. The direct effects of ERI on ISI remained significant after controlling for the effects of overcommitment. 35.07% of the effect of ERI on ISI was through OC.ConclusionsAbility to detach from work-related thoughts during leisure time is crucial for successful recovery from occupational stress. The research is supported by a grant no. 2019/33/N/HS6/02572 from the National Science Center in Poland.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Belastungsfaktoren, Overcommitment und Burnout-Risiko bei Bankangestellten unterschiedlichen Alters

Strain factors, overcommitment und burnout risk among bank employees in relation to age Objective: Trends in the working world, financial crises and growing competitive pressure are influencing factors leading to an increase in psychological strain among bank employees. The aim of the study was to analyse the correlations between job-related strain factors and perception of the latter as well as the risk of burnout among bank employees, with overcommitment (OC) as a control variable. Method: In this study, 90 employees (mean age 43.2 ± 9.4 years) working in a regional bank completed questionnaires assessing strain factors, individual stress perception, OC and burnout risk. Results: The main job-related strain factors identified among bank employees were ‘increased data maintenance’, ‘increased PC knowledge requirements’, ‘poor communication structures’, ‘hierarchical pressure to perform’ and ‘pressure to fulfil targets’. One fifth of the overall collective showed an effort-reward imbalance. The subjective perception of older bank employees indicated more pressure to perform concurrent with a lower level of appreciation. Approximately one tenth of the subjects had a critical tendency towards OC, with age not really a significant factor here. The burnout risk among both age groups was comparatively small (2%). There was evidence of weak correlations between some stress factors and burnout risk. The correlations had some influence on OC, whereas age did not. Conclusions: A framework of stress-reducing and coping strategies must be established in order to safeguard the long-term mental health of bank employees. The early detection and prevention of burnout risk, the promotion of an effort-reward balance and the setting of achievable goals are only some of the key factors. It is also advisable to optimise collaboration between occupational health physicians, management and bank employees in order to deal with the problem and improve mental health. Keywords: bank-specific strain factors – effort-reward-imbalance – overcommitment – burnout risk

Correlations of the "Work-Family Conflict" With Occupational Stress-A Cross-Sectional Study Among University Employees.

Background: The working conditions at universities and hospitals are reported to be stressful. Several national and international studies have investigated occupational stress in hospitals. However, scientific studies at colleges and universities addressing psycho-social stress factors and their potential consequences are scarce. In this context, the consequences and correlations of the factor of work–family conflict, in particular, are currently uninvestigated. The aim of our study was to assess data on psychosocial stress in the context of the compatibility of work and family.Methods: Data were gathered through a cross-sectional-study, N = 844 (55% female, 41% male), on university staff (42.3% scientists, 14.3% physicians, 19.4% employees in administration, and 19.3% employees in service). Participants filled out questionnaires to provide their personal data and details of their work and private life conditions. For this purpose, we used the Work–Family and Family–Work Conflict Scales, Effort-Reward Inventory and Overcommitment Scale (ERI, OC), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4), short-form Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), and questions on their subjective health. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22.Results: We found high levels of stress parameters in the total sample: extra work (83%), fixed-term work contracts (53%), overcommitment (OC, 26%), Effort-Reward Imbalance (18%, ERI Ratio > cut-off 0.715), work–family conflict (WFC, 35%), and family–work conflict (FWC, 39%). As hypothesized, we found significant correlations of both WFC and FWC with psychosocial work strain (ERI Ratio) as well as overcommitment (OC). Mental and somatic health parameters also had a significant positive correlation with WFC and FWC. Using a regression analysis (N = 844), we identified WFC as a predictor of burnout, while emotional exhaustion, extra work, and overcommitment could be identified as predictors of WFC and FWC.Discussion: The results of our study point toward deficits in the compatibility of work life and private life in the work fields of science, colleges, and universities. Furthermore, we found indicators that work–family conflicts (interrole conflicts) have an impact on mental and somatic health. These work–family conflicts should be targets for preventions and interventions with the aim of improving the work-life balance and mental and somatic wellbeing of employees.

The Effect of Admission Year and Effort-Reward Imbalance Model on Engagement

Engagement has not been widely studied in the field of medical education. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between admission year and engagement, assuming that characteristics of admission cohorts might be different depending on year. Association between effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model and engagement was also reinvestigated. Data were collected from 164 students in The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine. Ninety-nine (18.97%) students in 2017 and 65 (12.38%) students in 2018 answered an online questionnaire measuring demographic variables, ERI, over-commitment (OC), negative affect, and engagement. Participants’ admission years were determined based on years in school they responded. Affiliation and year in school were removed because of their high correlation with admission year. Categorical regression analysis was performed. Admission year, binary ERI, and OC were significant explanatory variables in this categorical regression model (R2 = .312, Adjusted R2 = .255, F = 5.444, p = .000). Admission year, binary ERI, and OC accounted for 13.4%, 27.9%, and 9.4% of the importance in this model, respectively. Quantification plots for admission year and binary ERI showed that engagement was the highest in 2018 admission cohort but the lowest in 2013 admission cohort; being reciprocally rewarded for efforts was associated with higher scores of engagement. A certain admission cohort can be more engaged or less engaged in learning. This study also confirms that receiving proper rewards for efforts could be related to increase in engagement.

Associations between overcommitment, effort-reward imbalance and mental health: findings from a longitudinal study.

The effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model includes extrinsic and intrinsic aspects of work stress. The single components, ERI and overcommitment (OC), are known to be associated with mental health. The aim of this study was to test whether OC is a mediator of the association between ERI and mental health. Longitudinal analyses were conducted using data from the Third German Sociomedical Panel of Employees on German employees aged 40-54years. The short version of the ERI questionnaire was used to measure ERI and OC at baseline (2013). Outcomes were mental health problems and self-rated mental health (5-Item Mental Health Inventory) in 2015. Multivariate regressions were conducted controlling for sociodemographics, health-related behaviour, job-related aspects, and mental health at baseline. A total of 912 men and 1148 women were included in the final analysis. Baseline OC was positively associated with follow-up mental health problems and negatively with self-rated follow-up mental health. While there was no direct effect of ERI on mental health, ERI affected mental health problems (b = 0.14; 95% CI 0.03to0.25) and self-rated mental health (b = - 1.15; 95% CI - 1.79 to - 0.57) indirectly through OC. OC was associated with reduced mental health. There was no association between ERI and mental health that was independent of OC. OC could therefore be interpreted as a mediator between ERI and mental health. Future studies are needed to test the causality of this association.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Effort-Reward Imbalance Model of Workplace Stress and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Measures of Stress.

The association between effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and various health outcomes has been well documented over the past 20 years, but the mechanisms responsible for this association remain unclear. The present meta-analysis assessed the associations of ERI and overcommitment (OC) in the workplace with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis measures. Electronic databases were searched with the phrase "effort*reward*imbalance," which yielded 319 studies leading to 56 full-text studies being screened. Thirty-two studies within 14 articles met inclusion criteria and were meta-analyzed using mixed and random effects models. Greater ERI was associated with increased HPA axis activity (r = .09, p < .001, k = 14, N = 2541). The cortisol awakening response (r = .14, p < .001, k = 9, N = 584) and cortisol waking concentrations (r = .12, p = .01, k = 6, N = 493) were the only HPA measures associated with ERI. OC was also associated with greater HPA axis activity (r = .06, p < .01, k = 10, N = 1918). Cortisol (PM) (r = .13, p = .02, k = 3, N = 295) was the only HPA measure associated with OC. ERI and OC were similarly related with HPA responsivity. However, because OC moderated the relationship between ERI and HPA axis markers, the importance of OC should not be overlooked. Because OC is likely more malleable than ERI to intervention, this may be a promising avenue for future research.