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A Comparison of the Self-Perceived Organisational and Social Work Environment among Swedish Occupational Therapists in Different Job Sectors: An Observational Study

Author

Listed:
  • Elisabeth Dahlbäck

    (Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Medicon Village, 223 81 Lund, Sweden)

  • Carita Håkansson

    (Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Medicon Village, 223 81 Lund, Sweden)

Abstract

Sick leave due to mental health problems is increasing, and there is evidence that it is associated with the individual’s self-perceived organisational and social work environment. The aim of this study was to compare occupational therapists’ self-perceived organisational and social work environments in different job sectors. The goal is to identify the sectors with the most unfavourable work environment and thus where the need to improve the work environment, to prevent mental health problems, is greatest. A web survey was emailed to working members of the Swedish Association of Occupational Therapists in February 2018 ( n = 7600). The response rate was 48% ( n = 3658). Studied job sectors were somatic specialist health care; elderly care; habilitation; psychiatric health care; primary health care; and university ( n = 2648). This sample is representative of Swedish occupational therapists with respect to age, gender, and job sector. The web survey included questions on their sociodemographic characteristics and self-perceived organisational and social work environment regarding workload, control, community in the workplace, reward, justice, and values. Questions on the self-perceived organisational and social work environment were assessed by the QPS mismatch questionnaire. Differences in work environmental conditions between the job sectors were tested with ANOVA and post hoc multiple-group analysis. The results showed that occupational therapists working in psychiatric health care perceived the highest proportion of unfavourable working conditions. Occupational therapists who worked at universities perceived a higher workload than occupational therapists in most of the other studied job sectors. These job sectors need to be specifically addressed with adjustments to prevent mental health problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Elisabeth Dahlbäck & Carita Håkansson, 2023. "A Comparison of the Self-Perceived Organisational and Social Work Environment among Swedish Occupational Therapists in Different Job Sectors: An Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-10, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3009-:d:1062529
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Annika Lexén & Ida Kåhlin & Lena-Karin Erlandsson & Carita Håkansson, 2020. "Occupational Health among Swedish Occupational Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Ju-Hyun Kim & Ae-Ryoung Kim & Myung-Gwan Kim & Chul-Hyun Kim & Ki-Hoon Lee & Donghwi Park & Jong-Moon Hwang, 2020. "Burnout Syndrome and Work-Related Stress in Physical and Occupational Therapists Working in Different Types of Hospitals: Which Group Is the Most Vulnerable?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-18, July.
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