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Psychosocial working conditions and self-reported health in a representative sample of wage-earners: a test of the different hypotheses of the Demand–Control–Support–Model

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper presents an in-depth examination of the demand–control–support–model (DCS-model). Each hypothesis of the DCS-model is tested: the main effects of job demands, job autonomy, task variation and social support; the additive effects of job strain, active learning and iso-strain; and the interactive buffer-effects of job autonomy, task variation and support on job demands.

Methods

Data from a representative cross-sectional sample of 11,099 male and female wage-earners are investigated using log linear methods. The outcome measures are self-reported persistent fatigue, musculoskeletal complaints and emotional well-being.

Results

There is some support for each of the hypotheses. Quantitative job demands and superior support have the strongest effects. The job autonomy and buffer hypotheses are only partially supported.

Conclusions

The strong effects of job demands, support, job strain and active learning are suggesting that a policy aimed at improving psychosocial working conditions should focus on a bearable level of job demands and the quality of social relationships at work.

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Acknowledgments

This research is facilitated by the research grant ‘OZR-1005’, that is assigned to the first author by the research council of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. For this study, the data from the “Flemish Quality of Labour Monitor, 2004”, originated and owned by the Socio-Economic Council of Flanders, are used. The content of this paper is at the full responsibility of the authors. The authors like to thank the owners of the database for giving permission to use their data for the purpose of scientific research. We also want to thank Prof. dr. Guy Moors of the Department of Research Methods and Techniques at the University of Tilburg for his methodological support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Sociology, Vrije Universiteit, Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium

    Christophe Vanroelen & Fred Louckx

  2. Research Foundation Flanders and Department of Sociology, University of Ghent, Korte Meer 3–5, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Katia Levecque

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  1. Christophe Vanroelen
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  2. Katia Levecque
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  3. Fred Louckx
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Correspondence to Christophe Vanroelen.

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Vanroelen, C., Levecque, K. & Louckx, F. Psychosocial working conditions and self-reported health in a representative sample of wage-earners: a test of the different hypotheses of the Demand–Control–Support–Model. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 82, 329–342 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-008-0340-2

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