180414 Psychosocial factors and worker mental health in Chile

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Marcelo Villalon, MD, MPH , School of Public Health, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
Ruben Alvarado, MD, MPH, PhD , School of Public Health, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
Nella Marchetti, Chem Eng, MPH , School of Public Health, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
Leonel Valdivia, PhD , School of Public Health, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
Macarena Hirmas , School of Public Health, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
20% of Chileans report to have suffered from a mental health problem during the past year. The relation between work related psychosocial factors and mental disorder is not sufficiently known in Chile. The purpose of this study is to determine a possible association between psycho social factors at the workplace and intensity of emotional distress. Method: a cross sectional study of a sample of 677 service workers applying a Spanish version of the COPSOQ and the GHQ-12 instruments previously validated in Chile. Results: the three factors studied correlates significantly with the level of emotional distress at work: psychological demands (r= 0.094; p=0,013), control over own tasks (r=0,218; p<0,001), and social support at work (r=0,160; p<0,001). Conclusion: work related psychosocial factors are relevant to worker mental health among service workers and they should be considered in OSH policies and programs.

Learning Objectives:
Identify the significance of work related psychosocial factors on worker mental health status Recognize the relevance of mental health promotion in OSH policies and programs

Keywords: Occupational Health, Stress

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Obstetrics and Puericulture nursery, magíster in public health, participation in researches related to mental health and work, burden disease and in health promotion.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.