Krause N; Ragland DR; Greiner BA; Syme SL; Fisher JM. Psychosocial job factors associated with back and neck pain in public transit operators. Scand J Work Environ Health 1997 Jun;23(3):179-86.
ABSTRACT:
OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study examined associations
between psychosocial job factors and the prevalence of nondisabling
back and neck pain in professional drivers after physical work
load was taken into account.
METHODS: A total of 1449 transit vehicle operators completed a
medical examination and a questionnaire yielding information on
demographic and anthropometric variables, health status, and physical
and psychosocial job factors. Company records were used to supplement
information on employment history. Physical work load was measured
in life-time years and current weekly hours of professional driving.
The relation of psychosocial factors with back or neck pain was
analyzed by logistic regression models adjusted for past and current
physical work load, vehicle type, age, gender, body height, and
weight.
RESULTS: The main result of this study was that both physical
work load and psychosocial factors were simultaneously and independently
associated with back or neck pain. Psychosocial factors associated
with back or neck pain included extended uninterrupted driving
driving periods, frequency of job problems, high psychosocial
demands, high job dissatisfaction, and low supervisory support.
An analysis of specific job problems is provided which may be
useful in setting priorities for research and intervention efforts
in this high risk occupation.
CONCLUSION: The results provide support for the role of psychosocial
job characteristics in the etiology of back or neck pain in occupational
settings.
Ragland DR; Greiner BA; Krause N; Holman BL; Fisher JM. Occupational and nonoccupational correlates of alcohol consumption in urban transit operators. Prev Med 1995 Nov;24(6):634-45.
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND. The influence of occupation and the worksite has
emerged as an important area of study in research on alcohol consumption.
Occupational and nonoccupational factors were studied in relation
to alcohol consumption using data from a 1983-1985 cross-sectional
study of transit operators.
METHODS. A total of 1.853 operators underwent a medical examination
for driver's license renewal (including information on age, ethnicity,
gender, education). Of these operators, 1,448 completed a questionnaire
about occupational (e.g., time of shift, job stressors) and nonoccupational
(e.g., personality, life stressors) factors. From either the medical
examination or the questionnaire, weekly alcohol consumption was
available for 1,820 operators. Variables related to alcohol consumption
in previous studies, or theoretically linked to consumption, were
analyzed in relation to heavy ( > or = 15 drinks/week) and
average weekly consumption.
RESULTS. Heavy and average consumption were both related to several
nonoccupational variables, including demographic (age, ethnicity,
gender, marital status), personality (depression, anger expression),
and life stress variables (i.e., life events). Heavy and average
consumption were also related to several occupational variables,
including job history (number of years driving, specific worksite)
and job stressors. Neither measure was related to subjective job
content (job demand, decision latitude).
CONCLUSIONS. Variability in consumption by demographic factors
among this population reflects that seen in society as a whole.
However, occupational factors may influence consumption, since
consumption was strongly related to (a) specific worksite and
time of shift and (b) reported job stressors. Clarifying the exact
influence of occupational and worksite factors on alcohol consumption
will depend on the convergence of findings from different research
designs (e.g., cross-sectional, longitudinal, ethnographic).
Ragland DR; Greiner BA; Krause N; Holman BL; Fisher JM. Occupational and nonoccupational correlates of alcohol consumption in urban transit operators.Preventive Medicine, 1995 Nov, 24(6):634-45.
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND. The influence of occupation and the worksite has
emerged as an important area of study in research on alcohol consumption.
Occupational and nonoccupational factors were studied in relation
to alcohol consumption using data from a 1983-1985 cross-sectional
study of transit operators.
METHODS. A total of 1.853 operators underwent a medical examination
for driver's license renewal (including information on age, ethnicity,
gender, education). Of these operators, 1,448 completed a questionnaire
about occupational (e.g., time of shift, job stressors) and nonoccupational
(e.g., personality, life stressors) factors. From either the medical
examination or the questionnaire, weekly alcohol consumption was
available for 1,820 operators. Variables related to alcohol consumption
in previous studies, or theoretically linked to consumption, were
analyzed in relation to heavy ( > or = 15 drinks/week) and
average weekly consumption.
RESULTS. Heavy and average consumption were both related to several
nonoccupational variables, including demographic (age, ethnicity,
gender, marital status), personality (depression, anger expression),
and life stress variables (i.e., life events). Heavy and average
consumption were also related to several occupational variables,
including job history (number of years driving, specific worksite)
and job stressors. Neither measure was related to subjective job
content (job demand, decision latitude).
CONCLUSIONS. Variability in consumption by demographic factors
among this population reflects that seen in society as a whole.
However, occupational factors may influence consumption, since
consumption was strongly related to (a) specific worksite and
time of shift and (b) reported job stressors. Clarifying the exact
influence of occupational and worksite factors on alcohol consumption
will depend on the convergence of findings from different research
designs (e.g., cross-sectional, longitudinal, ethnographic).