Abstract
In this study, data of a questionnaire study among 439 lorry drivers were fitted to a model in which work demands and the worker's decision latitude are related to musculoskeletal complaints and general psychosomatic complaints. Structural analysis with LISREL was used to investigate the hypothesized relations. Two modifications resulted in a χ2 of overall fit equal to 77.35 with 47 degrees of freedom. The quality of model fit was considered to be satisfactory when the sample size was taken into account. The values of the Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index (0.948) and the Root Mean Square Residuals (0.029) indicated the same. The standardized solution of LISREL showed that work demands with respect to task contents were significantly related to musculoskeletal complaints as well as to general psychosomatic complaints (0.75 and 0.34 respectively, both P < 0.001). This conceptual variable was indicated by physical activities that the drivers had to perform. The relations between work-related psychosocial factors and musculoskeletal complaints were weak. Another significant effect on general psychosomatic complaints was found for work demands with respect to terms of employment (0.30, P < 0.001). This conceptual variable was indicated by variables concerning working hours and pressure of the work. It is recommended that in future occupational epidemiology, both physical and psychosocial aspects of the working situation be related to health effects, rather than solely a single exposure variable.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Armstrong TJ, Buckle P, Fine LJ, Hagberg M, Johnson B, Kilbom Å, Kuorinka IAA, Silverstein BA, Sjogaard G, Viikari-Juntura ERA (1993) A conceptual model for work-related neck and upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders. Scand J Work Environ Health 19:73–84
Bigos SJ, Battié MC, Spengler DM, Fisher LD, Fordyce WE, Hansson TJ, Nachemson AL, Wortley MD (1991) A prospective study of work perceptions and psychosocial factors affecting the report of back injury. Spine 16:1–6
Bongers PM, De Winter CR, Kompier MAJ, Hildebrandt VH (1993) Psychosocialfactors at work and musculoskeletal disease. Scand J Work Environ Health 19:297–312
Boomsma A (1983) On the robustness of LISREL (maximum like-lihood estimation) against small sample size and non-normality. Dissertation, State University of Groningen
Burdorf A (1992) Assessment of postural load on the back in occupational epidemiology. Dissertation, Erasmus University, Rotterdam
Carmines EG, McIver JP (1981) Analyzing models with unobserved variables: analysis of covariance structures. In: Bohrnstedt G, Borgatta E (eds) Social measurement: current issues. Sage, Beverly Hills, pp 65–115
Chaffin DB (1988) Biomechanical modelling of the low back during load lifting. Ergonomics 331:685–697
Dirken JM (1967) Arbeid en Stress. Het vaststellen van aanpassingsproblemen in werksituaties (English summary). J.B. Wolters, Groningen
Hagberg M (1992) Exposure variables in ergonomic epidemiology. Am J Ind Med 21:91–100
Hayduk LA (1987) Structural equation modeling with LISREL: essentials and advances. The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore
Hedberg GE, Jacobsson KA, Janlert U, Langendoen S (1993) Risk indicators of ischemic heart disease among male professional drivers in Sweden. Scand J Work Environ Health 19:326–333
Hoelter JW (1983) The analysis of covariance structures: goodnessof-fit indices. Sociological Methods and Research 11:325–344
Jöreskog KG, Sörbom D (1989) LISREL VII: user's reference guide. Scientific Software, Mooresville
Karasek RA (1979) Job demands, job decision latitude, and mental strain: implications for job redesign. Admin Sci Q 24:285–305
Karasek RA, Theorell T (1990) Healthy work: stress, productivity, and the reconstruction of working life. Basis Books, New York
Paul JA, Van Dijk FJH, Frings-Dresen MHW (1994) Work load and musculoskeletal complaints during pregnancy. Scand J Work Environ Health 20: (in press)
Saris WE, Stronkhorst LH (1984) Causal modelling in nonexperimental research: an introduction to the LISREL approach. Sociometric Research Foundation, Amsterdam
Theorell T, Harms-Ringdahl K, Ahlberg-Hultén G, Westin B (1991) Psychological job factors and symptoms from the locomotor system — a multicausal analysis. Scand J Rehabil Med 23:165–173
Van der Beek AJ, Frings-Dresen MHW, Van Dijk FJH, Kemper HCG, Meijman TF (1993) Loading and unloading by lorry drivers and musculoskeletal complaints. Int J Ind Ergonomics 12:13–23
Van Dijk FJH, Van Dormolen M, Kompier MAJ, Meijman TF (1990) Herwaardering model belasting-belastbaarheid. Tijdschr Soc Gezondheidsz 68:3–10
Van Dormolen M, Hertog CAW, Van Dijk FJH, Kompier MAJ, Fortuin R (1990) The quest for interaction: studies on combined exposure. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 62:279–287
Visser AP (1983) De betekenis van de VOEG: enkele gegevens over de begripsvaliditeit. Gezondheid en Samenleving 4:177–188
Weel ANH, Broersen JPJ, Van Dijk FJH (1989) Periodical occupational health examination in The Netherlands: from screening of individuals to monitoring of populations. In: Rantanen J, Lehtinen S (eds) New trends and developments in occupational health services. Excerpta Medica, Amsterdam, pp 93–102
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Van der Beek, A.J., Oort-Marburger, D. & Frings-Dresen, M.H.W. The relations between work demands and health complaints in lorry drivers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 66, 179–184 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380777
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380777