The association between occupational physical activity, psychosocial factors and perceived work ability among nurses
Esther Van Poel Master of Science in Audiology, Master of Science in Health Promotion
Assistant/PhD student
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Margo Ketels Master of Science in Movement and Sports Sciences
PhD student
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Correspondence
Margo Ketels, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, University Hospital Ghent, entrance 42 (4K3), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorEls Clays Master of Science in Criminological Sciences, Master of Science in Sociology, Doctor of Health Sciences
Professor
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorEsther Van Poel Master of Science in Audiology, Master of Science in Health Promotion
Assistant/PhD student
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Margo Ketels Master of Science in Movement and Sports Sciences
PhD student
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Correspondence
Margo Ketels, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, University Hospital Ghent, entrance 42 (4K3), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorEls Clays Master of Science in Criminological Sciences, Master of Science in Sociology, Doctor of Health Sciences
Professor
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorEsther Van Poel and Margo Ketels are joint first authors.
Funding information
The FEPA study is funded by BOF (Bijzonder Onderzoekdsfonds; Special Research Fund). The funding agency had no influence on the design of the study and collection, analysis and interpretation of the data nor in writing the paper.
Abstract
Aim
To examine the relationship between physical and psychosocial work-related risk factors and perceived work ability (PWA) among nurses.
Background
The work of nurses is challenging due to its high physical and mental workload. This might reduce PWA. A sustainable level of PWA is crucial to maintain well-being at work and to prevent early dropout. As a consequence, gaining a better understanding of which factors play a role in determining PWA is essential for health care organisations.
Methods
The associations between work-related risk factors and PWA were investigated among 114 nurses from Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. PWA and psychosocial factors were subjectively assessed. Occupational physical activity (OPA) was objectively measured over a period of 2-5 days using two accelerometers.
Results
No association between OPA and PWA was found. Multiple linear regression models revealed that job demands were negatively associated with PWA, whereas job control showed a positive association with PWA.
Conclusions
The results highlight the importance of psychosocial factors for more research on the PWA of nurses. Further investigation into the specific physical work demands of nurses is called for.
Implications for Nursing Management
Giving attention to psychosocial factors is crucial to enhance the PWA and well-being of nurses.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no competing interests or conflict of interest.
REFERENCES
- Ahlstrom, L., Grimby-Ekman, A., Hagberg, M., & Dellve, L. (2010). The work ability index and single-item question: Associations with sick leave, symptoms, and health – A prospective study of women on long-term sick leave. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 36(5), 404–412. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.2917
- Camerino, D., Conway, P. M., van der Heijden, B. I., Estryn-Behar, M., Costa, G., & Hasselhorn, H. M. (2008). Age-dependent relationships between work ability, thinking of quitting the job, and actual leaving among Italian nurses: A longitudinal study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 45(11), 1645–1659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2008.03.002
- Chappel, S. E., Verswijveren, S., Aisbett, B., Considine, J., & Ridgers, N. D. (2017). Nurses' occupational physical activity levels: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 73, 52–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.05.006
- Converso, D., Sottimano, I., Guidetti, G., Loera, B., Cortini, M., & Viotti, S. (2017). Aging and work ability: The moderating role of job and personal resources. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 2262. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02262
- Crawford, J. O., Davis, A., Cowie, H., Dixon, K., Mikkelsen, S. H., Bongers, P. M., …Dupont, C. (2016). The ageing workforce: Implications for occupational safety and health: A research review.
- Devos, C., Cordon, A., Lefèvre, M., Obyn, C., Renard, F., Bouckaert, N., & Meeus, P. (2019). Performance of the Belgian health system – report 2019. Brussels. Retrieved from https://kce.fgov.be/sites/default/files/atoms/files/KCE_313C_Performance_Belgian_health_system_Report.pdf
- El Fassi, M., Bocquet, V., Majery, N., Lair, M. L., Couffignal, S., & Mairiaux, P. (2013). Work ability assessment in a worker population: Comparison and determinants of Work Ability Index and Work Ability score. BMC Public Health, 13, 305. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-305
- Force, M. V. (2005). The relationship between effective nurse managers and nursing retention. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 35(7), 336–341. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005110-200507000-00005
- Gerr, F., Fethke, N. B., Merlino, L., Anton, D., Rosecrance, J., Jones, M. P., … Meyers, A. R. (2014). A prospective study of musculoskeletal outcomes among manufacturing workers: I. Effects of physical risk factors. Human Factors, 56(1), 112–130. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018720813491114
- Grabara, M., Nawrocka, A., & Powerska-Didkowska, A. (2018). The relationship between physical activity and work ability – A cross-sectional study of teachers. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 31(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01043
- Gupta, N., Jensen, B., Søgaard, K., Carneiro, I., Christiansen, C., Hanisch, C., & Holtermann, A. (2014). Face validity of the single work ability item: Comparison with objectively measured heart rate reserve over several days. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 11(5), 5333–5348. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110505333
- Hallman, D. M., Birk Jorgensen, M., & Holtermann, A. (2017). On the health paradox of occupational and leisure-time physical activity using objective measurements: Effects on autonomic imbalance. PLoS ONE, 12(5), e0177042. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0177042
- Häusser, J. A., Mojzisch, A., Niesel, M., & Schulz-Hardt, S. J. W. (2010). Ten years on: A review of recent research on the Job Demand-Control (-Support) model and psychological well-being. Work & Stress, 24(1), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678371003683747
- Ilmarinen, J. (2007). The work ability index (WAI). Occupational Medicine, 57(2), 160. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqm008
- Ilmarinen, J. (2009). Work ability – A comprehensive concept for occupational health research and prevention. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 35(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.1304
- Jaaskelainen, A., Kausto, J., Seitsamo, J., Ojajarvi, A., Nygard, C. H., Arjas, E., & Leino-Arjas, P. (2016). Work ability index and perceived work ability as predictors of disability pension: A prospective study among Finnish municipal employees. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 42(6), 490–499. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3598
- Johnson, J. V., & Hall, E. M. (1998). Job strain, work place social support, and cardiovascular disease: A cross-sectional study of a random sample of the Swedish working population. American Journal of Public Health, 78(10), 1336–1342. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.78.10.1336
- Kakemam, E., Raeissi, P., Raoofi, S., Soltani, A., Sokhanvar, M., Visentin, D., & Cleary, M. (2019). Occupational stress and associated risk factors among nurses: A cross-sectional study. Contemporary Nurse, 55(2–3), 237–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/10376178.2019.1647791
- Karasek, R., & Theorell, T. (1990). Healthy work: Stress, productivity and the reconstruction of working life. New York: Ingram Publisher Services.
- Ketels, M., De Bacquer, D., Geens, T., Janssens, H., Korshoj, M., Holtermann, A., & Clays, E. (2019). Assessing physiological response mechanisms and the role of psychosocial job resources in the physical activity health paradox: Study protocol for the Flemish Employees' Physical Activity (FEPA) study. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 765. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6950-7
- Kinnunen, U., & Nätti, J. (2017). Work Ability Score and future work ability as predictors of register-based disability pension and long-term sickness absence: A three-year follow-up study. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 46(3), 321–330.
- Knight, C., Patterson, M., Dawson, J., & Brown, J. (2017). Building and sustaining work engagement – A participatory action intervention to increase work engagement in nursing staff. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 26(5), 634–649. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2017.1336999
- Kucera, K. L., Schoenfisch, A. L., McIlvaine, J., Becherer, L., James, T., Yeung, Y.-L., … Lipscomb, H. J. (2019). Factors associated with lift equipment use during patient lifts and transfers by hospital nurses and nursing care assistants: A prospective observational cohort study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 91, 35–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.11.006
- Maceri, S. L. (2006). What a nurse wants, what a nurse needs. Nursing Management, 37(9), 59–60. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006247-200609000-00015
- Marc, M., Bartosiewicz, A., Burzynska, J., Chmiel, Z., & Januszewicz, P. (2019). A nursing shortage – A prospect of global and local policies. International Nursing Review, 66(1), 9–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12473
- McGonagle, A. K., Barnes-Farrell, J. L., Di Milia, L., Fischer, F. M., Hobbs, B. B. B., Iskra-Golec, I., … Smith, L. (2014). Demands, resources, and work ability: A cross-national examination of health care workers. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 23(6), 830–846. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2013.819158
- Oliv, S., Noor, A., Gustafsson, E., & Hagberg, M. (2017). A lower level of physically demanding work is associated with excellent work ability in men and women with neck pain in different age groups. Safety and Health at Work, 8(4), 356–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2017.03.004
- Oude Hengel, K. M., Blatter, B. M., van der Molen, H. F., Bongers, P. M., & van der Beek, A. J. (2013). The effectiveness of a construction worksite prevention program on work ability, health, and sick leave: Results from a cluster randomized controlled trial. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 39(5), 456–467. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3361
- Pelfrene, E., Vlerick, P., Mak, R., De Smet, P., De Backer, G., & Kornitzer, M. (2001). Scale reliability and validity of the Karasek ‘job demand-control-support’ model in the Belstress study. Work and Stress, 15(4), 297–313. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678370110086399
- Prakash, K. C., Oakman, J., Nygård, C. H., Siukola, A., Lumme-Sandt, K., Nikander, P., & Neupane, S. (2019). Intention to retire in employees over 50 years. What is the role of work ability and work life satisfaction? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(14), 2500.
- Riedel, N., Muller, A., & Ebener, M. (2015). Applying strategies of selection, optimization, and compensation to maintain work ability – A psychosocial resource complementing the job demand-control model? results from the representative lidA Cohort Study on Work, Age, and Health in Germany. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 57(5), 552–561. https://doi.org/10.1097/jom.0000000000000402
- Roelen, C. A. M., van Hoffen, M. F. A., Waage, S., Schaufeli, W. B., Twisk, J. W. R., Bjorvatn, B., … Pallesen, S. (2018). Psychosocial work environment and mental health-related long-term sickness absence among nurses. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 91(2), 195–203. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-017-1268-1
- Schouten, L. S., Bultmann, U., Heymans, M. W., Joling, C. I., Twisk, J. W., & Roelen, C. A. (2016). Shortened version of the work ability index to identify workers at risk of long-term sickness absence. European Journal of Public Health, 26(2), 301–305. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckv198
- Skielboe, A. K., Marott, J. L., Dixen, U., Friberg, J. B., & Jensen, G. B. (2016). Occupational physical activity, but not leisure-time physical activity increases the risk of atrial fibrillation: The Copenhagen City Heart Study. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 23(17), 1883–1893. https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487316655464
- Skotte, J., Korshoj, M., Kristiansen, J., Hanisch, C., & Holtermann, A. (2014). Detection of physical activity types using triaxial accelerometers. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 11(1), 76–84. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2011-0347
- Soper, D. S. (2019). A-priori sample size calculator for multiple regression. Retrieved from http://www.danielsoper.com/statcalc
- Stricevic, J., & Papez, B. J. (2015). Non-specific low back pain: Occupational or lifestyle consequences? Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift, 127(Suppl 5), S277–S281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-015-0770-2
- Trybou, J., Germonpre, S., Janssens, H., Casini, A., Braeckman, L., De Bacquer, D., & Clays, E. (2014). Job-related stress and sickness absence among Belgian nurses: A prospective study. Journal of Nursing Scholarschip, 46(4), 292–301. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12075
- Tuomi, K., Vanhala, S., Nykyri, E., & Janhonen, M. (2004). Organizational practices, work demands and the well-being of employees: A follow-up study in the metal industry and retail trade. Occupational Medicine, 54, 115–121. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqh005
- van der Heijden, B. I., Kummerling, A., van Dam, K., van der Schoot, E., Estryn-Behar, M., & Hasselhorn, H. M. (2010). The impact of social support upon intention to leave among female nurses in Europe: Secondary analysis of data from the NEXT survey. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47(4), 434–445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2009.10.004
- Wilke, C., Ashton, P., Elis, T., Biallas, B., & Frobose, I. (2015). Analysis of work ability and work-related physical activity of employees in a medium-sized business. BMC Research Notes, 8, 803. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-015-1781-9
- Zito, M., Cortese, C. G., & Colombo, L. (2016). Nurses' exhaustion: The role of flow at work between job demands and job resources. Journal of Nursing Management, 24(1), E12–E22. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12284
