Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health
Volume 71, Issue 2, 2016, Pages 66-73

The effects of work organization on the health of immigrant manual workers: A longitudinal analysis (Article)

Arcury T.A.* , Chen H. , Mora D.C. , Walker F.O. , Cartwright M.S. , Quandt S.A.
  • a Department of Family and Community Medicine, Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1084, United States
  • b Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Division of Public Health Sciences, Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • c Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • d Department of Neurology, Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • e Department of Neurology, Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • f Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Division of Public Health Sciences, Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States

Abstract

This analysis uses a longitudinal design to examine the associations of work organization and health outcomes among Latino manual workers. Participants included 247 Latino workers who completed baseline and 1-year follow-up interviews and clinical examinations. Health outcome measures were epicondylitis, rotator cuff syndrome, back pain, and depressive symptoms. Independent measures were measures of job demand, job control, and job support. Workers commonly experienced rotator cuff syndrome (6.5%), back pain (8.9%), and depressive symptoms (11.2%); fewer experienced epicondylitis (2.4%). Psychological demand was associated with rotator cuff syndrome; awkward position and decision latitude were associated with back pain. Decreased skill variety but increased decision latitude was associated with elevated depressive symptoms. Work context factors are important for health outcomes among vulnerable workers. Further research is needed to expand upon this work, particularly cultural perspectives on job support. © 2016 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

minority health Immigrant health occupational health organization of work Immigrant workers Health disparity Longitudinal study

Index Keywords

depression longitudinal study Back Pain Longitudinal Studies human middle aged North Carolina Occupational Diseases Hispanic Americans Musculoskeletal Diseases Young Adult Humans migrant workplace Hispanic male Emigrants and Immigrants female organization and management adult
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84949219244&doi=10.1080%2f19338244.2014.955164&partnerID=40&md5=ab4562446107225b02d5b1a2c0a0dfcd
DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2014.955164
ISSN: 19338244
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English