Associations Between Telework Experience and Psychosocial Working Conditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Analysis Among White-Collar Workers in Sweden. Issue 2 (2nd February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Svensson, Sven; Mathiassen, Svend Erik; Hallman, David M.; Heiden, Marina; Bergström, Gunnar
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 65:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: e74
• Page End: e82
• Publication Date: 2023-02-02
• Subjects: telework -- COVID-19 -- job demands -- influence at work -- social support; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002758
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Telework is becoming increasingly prevalent. Since exposures in the psychosocial work environment is associated with higher risks for cardiovascular disease (66), all-cause coronary heart disease (67), burnout (68), depressive symptoms (69) and chronic low back pain (70), the results presented here helps clinical practicians to assess health risks among teleworkers. Abstract : Objectives: The aim of the study are to determine to what extent pre–COVID-19 experience of telework was associated with perceived psychosocial working conditions (PWCs; job demands, social support, and influence at work) during the COVID-19 pandemic among white-collar workers in Sweden and to determine to what extent the association depends on demographic factors, organizational tenure, and amount of computer use. Methods: Cross-sectional questionnaire data from 603 white-collar workers were collected October to December 2020 in an industrial company. Results: In general, telework experience was not significantly associated with PWCs. Women who began teleworking because of COVID-19 reported more job demands than women not teleworking. For those who began teleworking because of COVID-19, managerial support increased with age. Conclusions: In general, telework experience was not associated with PWCs, but telework due to COVID-19 may have influenced PWCs differently depending on gender and age.