Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper was to analyse the cross-sectional associations between work-related stressors and work ability and to investigate moderator-type effects of internal health-related control beliefs (IHRCB).
Methods
A total of 1,348 working men and women aged 30–59 years from the baseline survey of the German Sociomedical Panel of Employees were included in the analyses. Work ability was assessed by the Work Ability Index (WAI). Work-related stressors were defined as physical demands and in terms of the demand–control model and the effort–reward imbalance model.
Results
Restrictions of work ability were explained independently by physical demands and by work stress exposure due to high demand and low control and due to effort–reward imbalance. These effects were more serious for workers with low IHRCB than those with high IHRCB.
Conclusions
IHRCB are an important personal resource that might moderate the effect of work-related stressors on work ability. However, longitudinal analyses are required to confirm these results.
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Acknowledgments
The German SPE and this research have been funded through the German Pension Fund (8011 – 106 - 31/31.27.6; according to § 31 Abs. 1 Nr. 5 SGB VI). We would like to thank our colleagues Yvonne Kasten and Susanne Bartel for their kind assistance and comments. Furthermore, we thank three anonymous reviewers for their hints and constructive comments on an earlier version of this paper.
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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Bethge, M., Radoschewski, F.M. Physical and psychosocial work stressors, health-related control beliefs and work ability: cross-sectional findings from the German Sociomedical Panel of Employees. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 83, 241–250 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-009-0442-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-009-0442-5