Psychosocial Occupational Health: An Interdisciplinary Textbook

Work and employment are essential for people's lives, health, and wellbeing, but only a minority of working people experience favorable conditions. In developing countries, many people are excluded from paid work or confined to informal, poor, and dangerous work. In developed countries, adverse working and employment conditions contribute to a burden of disease. This book provides a comprehensive review of scientific evidence dealing with the changes and challenges of modern work and its impact on health, focusing on the psychosocial dimensions of work and health, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, mental disorders, and the effects of disease and disability on work and employment opportunities. It is written for occupational health professionals, students, researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders to address new challenges and promote a future economy of decent, sustainable, and healthy work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 12 January 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Work and employment play a vital role in the lives, health, and well-being of individuals worldwide. By participating in the labor market, individuals can improve their income and life chances, strengthen social protection and security, and fulfill important psychological and social needs, such as striving for skill development, autonomy, social recognition, and social belonging. However, globally, only a minority of working people experience these favorable conditions. In developing countries, a substantial portion of the population is excluded from paid work or confined to informal, poor, and dangerous jobs. In developed countries, adverse working and employment conditions contribute to a burden of disease. With the advent of economic globalization and technological innovations, new occupational health risks have emerged, including stressful high psycho-mental work pressures, increased job insecurity and flexibility, and widespread social tensions and conflicts. These risks are further aggravated by two global challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.

This book aims to provide a comprehensive review of scientific evidence addressing the profound changes and challenges of modern work and its impact on health. It extends the traditional realm of occupational medicine by incorporating essential knowledge on the psychosocial dimensions of work and health, bridging social and behavioral sciences with biomedical research.

The opening chapters provide a conceptual and historical background of the field, while the subsequent section explores the theoretical and methodological foundations of knowledge. The next part examines empirical evidence on psychosocial work-related health effects derived from epidemiologic investigations and experimental studies.

The book also discusses the implications of these findings for occupational health professionals, policymakers, and researchers. It highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of evidence-based interventions to address the challenges posed by modern work.

By exploring the complex relationship between work and health, this book aims to contribute to a better understanding of the factors that promote health and well-being in the workplace and to inform strategies for promoting healthy and sustainable work environments.

Weight: 508g
Dimension: 139 x 216 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192887924