Handbook of Occupational Health Psychology

This third edition of Occupational Health Psychology offers 4 new chapters and a comprehensive survey of the field, reflecting its expanding scope and recent changes in the nature and organization of work. It is essential for professionals and scholars seeking to prioritize worker safety while promoting their health and well-being, drawing from psychology subdisciplines and other fields.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 709 pages
Publication date: 12 December 2023
Publisher: American Psychological Association

Occupational Health Psychology (OHP) is a comprehensive field that encompasses the study of the relationship between work and health. It has undergone significant development over the years, with the third edition of this book offering four new chapters and a fully updated survey of the field. Grounded in the NIOSH Total Worker Health model, the book reflects the expanding scope of the field, as well as recent changes in the nature and organization of work.

OHP is informed by research from psychology subdisciplines such as I/O, human factors, cognitive, social, health, clinical, counseling, and developmental psychology, as well as public health, preventive medicine, occupational medicine, ergonomics, industrial hygiene, and industrial engineering. Historically, OHP focused on preventing illness, injury, or distress of workers in their work environments. However, the field today has expanded to encompass more proactive, holistic approaches to worker well-being that also includes workers' job and life satisfaction, positive emotional experiences, sense of meaningfulness, and social support and relationships. OHP has also become more interdisciplinary and global.

One of the key challenges facing OHP is the increasing prevalence of work-related stress, which can have negative effects on both physical and mental health. Work-related stress can lead to a range of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, anxiety, and depression. OHP researchers are working to develop interventions that can help workers manage stress, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and physical exercise.

Another important area of research in OHP is the impact of work on mental health. Work can be a source of stress, anxiety, and depression, but it can also be a source of positive emotions and experiences. OHP researchers are working to understand the factors that contribute to these positive and negative effects and to develop interventions that can help workers maintain their mental health.

OHP also plays a role in promoting worker safety. Workers are exposed to a range of hazards in the workplace, including chemicals, noise, and ergonomic hazards. OHP researchers are working to develop interventions that can help workers reduce their exposure to these hazards and to prevent accidents and injuries.

In addition to its research, OHP has also played a role in developing policies and practices that promote worker health and well-being. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed regulations that protect workers from workplace hazards. OHP researchers are working to evaluate the effectiveness of these regulations and to develop new policies and practices that can further protect workers.

OHP has also been used to develop training programs for workers. Training programs can help workers learn new skills and improve their performance, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and productivity. OHP researchers are working to develop training programs that are effective and that are tailored to the needs of different workers.

Despite its many successes, OHP faces several challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of funding for research. Research can be expensive, and many organizations are unable to fund research projects that focus on worker health and well-being. This can limit the amount of research that can be done and can prevent the development of new interventions and policies.

Another challenge is the lack of awareness of the importance of worker health and well-being. Many workers are unaware of the risks that they face in the workplace and are not aware of the interventions that can help them manage these risks. OHP researchers are working to raise awareness of these risks and to develop strategies that can help workers make healthy choices.

In conclusion, Occupational Health Psychology is a comprehensive field that encompasses the study of the relationship between work and health. It has undergone significant development over the years, with the third edition of this book offering four new chapters and a fully updated survey of the field. Grounded in the NIOSH Total Worker Health model, the book reflects the expanding scope of the field, as well as recent changes in the nature and organization of work. OHP is informed by research from psychology subdisciplines such as I/O, human factors, cognitive, social, health, clinical, counseling, and developmental psychology, as well as public health, preventive medicine, occupational medicine, ergonomics, industrial hygiene, and industrial engineering. Despite its many successes, OHP faces several challenges, including the lack of funding for research and the lack of awareness of the importance of worker health and well-being. By working to address these challenges, OHP can help to improve the health and well-being of workers around the world.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781433837777
Edition number: Third Edition