Tom Cox

Publications of Tom Cox

• Social participation and maintaining recommended waist circumference: prospective evidence from the english longitudinal study of aging.

  Authors: Anne Kouvonen, Judy Anne Swift, Mai Stafford, Tom Cox, Jussi Vahtera, Ari Väänänen, Tarja Heponiemi, Roberto De Vogli, Amanda Griffiths, Mika Kivimäki

  Journal of aging and health. 09/2011; 24(2):250-68.

  To investigate whether older adults participating in social activities are more likely to maintain or achieve recommended waist circumference (WC) levels. A total of 4,280 older adults whoTo investigate whether older adults participating in social activities are more likely to maintain or achieve recommended waist circumference (WC) levels. A total of 4,280 older adults who participated in Wave 2 (baseline) and Wave 4 (follow-up) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. WC was measured by a nurse in both study waves. Participation in education, arts, music groups, evening classes, and in charitable associations was associated with maintaining recommended WC only in those men whose WC was in the recommended range at baseline. Participation in social activities was not associated with achieving recommended WC in women or men with initially large waist. Participation in cultural and charitable activities may help in maintaining a recommended level of WC in older men with WC originally in the recommended range.

• Social support and the likelihood of maintaining and improving levels of physical activity: the Whitehall II Study.

  Authors: Anne Kouvonen, Roberto De Vogli, Mai Stafford, Martin J Shipley, Michael G Marmot, Tom Cox, Jussi Vahtera, Ari Väänänen, Tarja Heponiemi, Archana Singh-Manoux, Mika Kivimäki

  European journal of public health. 07/2011;

  Background: Evidence on the association between social support and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) is scarce and mostly based on cross-sectional data with different types of social supportBackground: Evidence on the association between social support and leisure time physical activity (LTPA) is scarce and mostly based on cross-sectional data with different types of social support collapsed into a single index. The aim of this study was to investigate whether social support from the closest person was associated with LTPA. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of 5395 adults (mean age 55.7 years, 3864 men) participating in the British Whitehall II study. Confiding/emotional support and practical support were assessed at baseline in 1997-99 using the Close Persons Questionnaire. LTPA was assessed at baseline and follow-up in (2002-04). Baseline covariates included socio-demographics, self-rated health, long-standing illnesses, physical functioning and common mental disorders. RESULTS: Among participants who reported recommended levels of LTPA at baseline, those who experienced high confiding/emotional support were more likely to report recommended levels of LTPA at follow-up [odds ratio (OR): 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12-1.70 in a model adjusted for baseline covariates]. Among those participants who did not meet the recommended target of LTPA at baseline, high confiding/emotional support was not associated with improvement in activity levels. High practical support was associated with both maintaining (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.10-1.63) and improving (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.02-1.53) LTPA levels. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that emotional and practical support from the closest person may help the individual to maintain the recommended level of LTPA. Practical support also predicted a change towards a more active lifestyle.

• Negative aspects of close relationships as a predictor of increased body mass index and waist circumference: the Whitehall II study.

  Authors: Anne Kouvonen, Mai Stafford, Roberto De Vogli, Martin J Shipley, Michael G Marmot, Tom Cox, Jussi Vahtera, Ari Väänänen, Tarja Heponiemi, Archana Singh-Manoux, Mika Kivimäki

  American journal of public health. 06/2011; 101(8):1474-80.

  We investigated whether exposure to negative aspects of close relationships was associated with subsequent increase in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Data came from a prospectiveWe investigated whether exposure to negative aspects of close relationships was associated with subsequent increase in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Data came from a prospective cohort study (Whitehall II) of 9425 civil servants aged 35 to 55 years at baseline (phase 1: 1985-1988). We assessed negative aspects of close relationships with the Close Persons Questionnaire (range 0-12) at phases 1 and 2 (1989-1990). We measured BMI and waist circumference at phases 3 (1991-1994) and 5 (1997-1999). Covariates at phase 1 included gender, age, marital status, ethnicity, BMI, employment grade, smoking, physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and common mental disorder. After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviors, participants with higher exposure to negative aspects of close relationships had a higher likelihood of a 10% or greater increase in BMI and waist circumference (odds ratios per 1-unit increase 1.08 [95% confidence interval (CI) =1.02, 1.14; P = .007] and 1.09 [CI = 1.04, 1.14; P ≤ .001], respectively) as well as a transition from the overweight (25 ≤ BMI  < 30) to the obese (BMI  ≥ 0) category. Adverse social relationships may contribute to weight gain.

• Perceptions of psychosocial hazards, work-related stress and workplace priority risks in developing countries.

  Authors: Evelyn Kortum, Stavroula Leka, Tom Cox

  Journal of occupational health. 02/2011; 53(2):144-55.

  During the last few decades, major global developments in the world of work include an international trend to shift production to developing countries, with wide variations in working conditions andDuring the last few decades, major global developments in the world of work include an international trend to shift production to developing countries, with wide variations in working conditions and exposure to traditional and emerging occupational risks, such as psychosocial risks. The latter have rarely been addressed or explored in developing and economically-emerging country contexts while we find an abundant body of research from industrialized countries. The research presented, which is part of a larger study, explored the perception of multi-disciplinary experts from different regions, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), of the nature of psychosocial hazards, and work-related stress, as well as their views on workplace priorities that require urgent attention. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 experts from developing countries which were subjected to thematic analysis. A two-tiered Delphi survey was completed by 74 experts in the first round with 53 of these experts completing the survey in the second round. Psychosocial hazards and work-related stress were mostly seen as interchangeable in terms of source and effect and all participants perceived them as concern to their workforce. Through the interviews and the Delphi surveys they allude to our contemporary understanding of psychosocial risks. Workplace risks of priority differed by region but primarily work-related stress, injury and accident prevention, and substance abuse and risk behaviors were reported to require urgent attention. The current lack of awareness and research in the area of psychosocial risks and work-related stress hampers action in developing countries. International experts should support the exchange of information and the development of interventions in workplaces in developing countries with a view to integrating these emerging risks into comprehensive occupational health and safety policy frameworks to make such approaches more effective.

• The development of the European framework for psychosocial risk management: PRIMA-EF.

  Authors: Stavroula Leka, Aditya Jain, Tom Cox, Evelyn Kortum

  Journal of occupational health. 02/2011; 53(2):137-43.

  This paper presents the development process of the European framework for psychosocial risk management (PRIMA-EF). It also summarises and discusses key findings of research conducted through thisThis paper presents the development process of the European framework for psychosocial risk management (PRIMA-EF). It also summarises and discusses key findings of research conducted through this policy-orientated research programme. This paper presents an overview of the development process of PRIMA-EF. The background, methods and outcomes are described and discussed. The paper summarises the key findings of PRIMA-EF and concludes by a discussion of the merit of PRIMA-EF in the area of psychosocial risk management and its intended use. PRIMA-EF has been built on a review, critical assessment, reconciliation and harmonisation of existing European approaches for the management of psychosocial risks and the promotion of mental health at the workplace. The framework has been built from a theoretical analysis of the risk management process, identifying its key elements in logic and philosophy, strategy and procedures, areas and types of measurement, and from a subsequent analysis of European risk management approaches. It is meant to accommodate all existing psychosocial risk management approaches across Europe. It also provides a model and key indicators that relate to the psychosocial risk management process both at the enterprise and macro levels. Experts, researchers, social partners, key European and international organisations and networks were involved throughout the development of PRIMA-EF. A number of methods were applied including literature, case study and policy reviews, interviews, surveys, focus groups and workshops. The scientific findings have been used to develop user-friendly tools for use at the enterprise and policy levels such as guidelines, indicators, guidance sheets, inventories and web-based tools. PRIMA-EF is intended as a framework for harmonizing practice and current methods in the area of psychosocial risk management. It can also be used as a guidance tool for the development of further methods both in Europe and internationally as it can provide a benchmark for validation of new methods. A number of priorities have been identified on the basis of PRIMA-EF for the future of psychosocial risk management and the promotion of mental health at workplace in Europe.

• Psychosocial risks and work-related stress in developing countries: health impact, priorities, barriers and solutions.

  Authors: Evelyn Kortum, Stavroula Leka, Tom Cox

  International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health. 10/2010; 23(3):225-38.

  The current research explores experts' perceptions of psychosocial risks and work-related stress in emerging economies and developing countries. This paper focuses on knowledge of potential healthThe current research explores experts' perceptions of psychosocial risks and work-related stress in emerging economies and developing countries. This paper focuses on knowledge of potential health impact of psychosocial risks and preliminary priorities for action, and discusses potential barriers and solutions to addressing psychosocial risks and work-related stress in developing countries. This research applied a mixed methodology including semi-structured interviews, two rounds of an online Delphi survey, and four focus groups. Twenty nine experts with expertise in occupational health were interviewed. Seventy four experts responded to the first round of an online Delphi survey and 53 responded to the second round. Four groups of experts with a total of 37 active participants with specific or broader knowledge about developing country contexts participated in focus group discussions. High concern was expressed for the need to address psychosocial risks and work-related stress and their health impact. Developing country experts' knowledge about these issues was comparable to knowledge from industrialized countries, however, application of expert knowledge was reported to be weak in developing countries. Socio-economic conditions were regarded as important considerations. Priorities to be addressed were identified, and barriers to implementing possible solutions were proposed. The future research and action paradigms in relation to psychosocial risk management will need to be broadened to include the larger social, political and economic contexts in developing countries beyond issues focusing solely on the working environment. Work-related psychosocial risks and the emerging priority of work-related stress should urgently be included in the research and political agendas and action frameworks of developing countries.

• Examination of the Work Organization Assessment Questionnaire in Public Sector Workers.

  Authors: Gwenllian Wynne-Jones, Alice Varnava, Rhiannon Buck, Maria Karanika-Murray, Amanda Griffiths, Ceri Phillips, Tom Cox, Sayeed Kahn, Chris Main

  Journal of occupational and environmental medicine / American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 05/2009;

  OBJECTIVE:: To investigate the utility of the Work and Organization Assessment Questionnaire (WOAQ) for public sector data. METHODS:: A cross-sectional survey was performed in public sectorOBJECTIVE:: To investigate the utility of the Work and Organization Assessment Questionnaire (WOAQ) for public sector data. METHODS:: A cross-sectional survey was performed in public sector organizations measuring demographics, work characteristics, work perceptions (WOAQ), sickness absence, and work performance. RESULTS:: Confirmatory factor analysis of the WOAQ showed that factor structure derived for the manufacturing sector, for which the questionnaire was developed, could be replicated moderately well with public sector data. The study then considered whether a better more specific fit for public sector data was possible. Principal components analysis of the public sector data identified a two-factor structure linked to four of the five scales of the WOAQ assessing Management and Work Design, and Work Culture. These two factors may offer a context-sensitive scoring method for the WOAQ in public sector populations. These two factors were found to have good internal consistency, and correlated with the full WOAQ scales and the measures of performance and absence. CONCLUSIONS:: The WOAQ is a useful and potentially transferable tool. The modified scoring may be used to assess work and organizational factors in the public sector.

• Organisational justice and smoking: the Finnish Public Sector Study.

  Authors: Anne Kouvonen, Jussi Vahtera, Marko Elovainio, Sara J Cox, Tom Cox, Anne Linna, Marianna Virtanen, Mika Kivimäki

  Journal of epidemiology and community health. 05/2007; 61(5):427-33.

  OBJECTIVE: To examine the extent to which the justice of decision-making procedures and interpersonal relationships is associated with smoking. SETTING: 10 municipalities and 21 hospitals in Finland.OBJECTIVE: To examine the extent to which the justice of decision-making procedures and interpersonal relationships is associated with smoking. SETTING: 10 municipalities and 21 hospitals in Finland. Design and PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional data derived from the Finnish Public Sector Study were analysed with logistic regression analysis models with generalised estimating equations. Analyses of smoking status were based on data provided by 34,021 employees. Separate models for heavy smoking (> or = 20 cigarettes/day) were calculated for 6295 current smokers. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, education, socioeconomic position, marital status, job contract and negative affectivity, smokers who reported low procedural justice were about 1.4 times more likely to smoke > or = 20 cigarettes/day compared with their counterparts who reported high levels of justice. In a similar way, after adjustments, low levels of justice in interpersonal treatment was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of heavy smoking (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.77 for men and OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.83 for women). Further adjustment for job strain and effort-reward imbalance had little effect on these results. No associations were observed between justice components and smoking status or ex-smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The extent to which employees are treated with justice in the workplace seems to be associated with smoking intensity independently of established stressors at work.

• Correction: psychometric evaluation of a short measure of social capital at work

  Authors: Anne Kouvonen, Mika Kivimäki, Jussi Vahtera, Tuula Oksanen, Marko Elovainio, Tom Cox, Marianna Virtanen, Jaana Pentti, Sara Cox, Richard Wilkinson

  BMC Public Health. 01/2007;

• The development of a Spanish language version of the Worn Out scale of the General Well-Being Questionnaire (GWBQ).

  Authors: Tom Cox, Amparo Oliver, Eusebio Rial-González, José Manuel Tomás, Amanda Griffiths, Louise Thompson

  The Spanish journal of psychology. 06/2006; 9(1):94-102.

  The paper describes the development of a short Spanish-language version of the General Well-Being Questionnaire (GWBQ; Cox and Gotts, 1987), based on the 12 items of its Worn Out scale. Research hasThe paper describes the development of a short Spanish-language version of the General Well-Being Questionnaire (GWBQ; Cox and Gotts, 1987), based on the 12 items of its Worn Out scale. Research has shown the English-version Worn Out scale to be sensitive to aspects of the design and management of work. This study aimed to test its cross-cultural consistency in a Spanish-language workplace context. The data were collected from a sample of 229 workers in Valencia (Spain). Confirmatory Factor Analyses showed the factorial validity, reliability, and concurrent validity of the new Spanish version to be adequate. The sensitivity of the new measure to safety behavior and the reporting of accidents was also assessed and shown to be good. The new questionnaire extends the usefulness of the parent questionnaire to occupational health psychology research in the Spanish language by offering a short assessment tool appropriate for workplace studies.

• Psychometric evaluation of a short measure of social capital at work.

  Authors: Anne Kouvonen, Mika Kivimäki, Jussi Vahtera, Tuula Oksanen, Marko Elovainio, Tom Cox, Marianna Virtanen, Jaana Pentti, Sara J Cox, Richard G Wilkinson

  BMC public health. 02/2006; 6:251.

  BACKGROUND: Prior studies on social capital and health have assessed social capital in residential neighbourhoods and communities, but the question whether the concept should also be applicable inBACKGROUND: Prior studies on social capital and health have assessed social capital in residential neighbourhoods and communities, but the question whether the concept should also be applicable in workplaces has been raised. The present study reports on the psychometric properties of an 8-item measure of social capital at work. METHODS: Data were derived from the Finnish Public Sector Study (N = 48,592) collected in 2000-2002. Based on face validity, an expert unfamiliar with the data selected 8 questionnaire items from the available items for a scale of social capital. Reliability analysis included tests of internal consistency, item-total correlations, and within-unit (interrater) agreement by rwg index. The associations with theoretically related and unrelated constructs were examined to assess convergent and divergent validity (construct validity). Criterion-related validity was explored with respect to self-rated health using multilevel logistic regression models. The effects of individual level and work unit level social capital were modelled on self-rated health. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the scale was good (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88). The rwg index was 0.88, which indicates a significant within-unit agreement. The scale was associated with, but not redundant to, conceptually close constructs such as procedural justice, job control, and effort-reward imbalance. Its associations with conceptually more distant concepts, such as trait anxiety and magnitude of change in work, were weaker. In multilevel models, significantly elevated age adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of poor self-rated health (OR = 2.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.24-2.61 for the women and OR = 2.99, 95% CI: 2.56-3.50 for the men) were observed for the employees in the lowest vs. highest quartile of individual level social capital. In addition, low social capital at the work unit level was associated with a higher likelihood of poor self-rated health. CONCLUSION: Psychometric techniques show our 8-item measure of social capital to be a valid tool reflecting the construct and displaying the postulated links with other variables.

• Job strain, effort-reward imbalance, and heavy drinking: a study in 40,851 employees.

  Authors: Anne Kouvonen, Mika Kivimäki, Sara J Cox, Kari Poikolainen, Tom Cox, Jussi Vahtera

  Journal of occupational and environmental medicine / American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 06/2005; 47(5):503-13.

  OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship of the job strain model and the effort-reward imbalance model with heavy drinking. METHODS: Questionnaire survey data wereOBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship of the job strain model and the effort-reward imbalance model with heavy drinking. METHODS: Questionnaire survey data were obtained from 32,352 women and 8499 men employed in the Finnish public sector (participation 67%). Logistic regression analyses for all employees and for separate subgroups were undertaken by sex, adjusted for age, education, occupational position, marital status, job contract, smoking, and negative affectivity. Different cutoff points of heavy drinking were used for men and women. RESULTS: High job strain and high effort-reward imbalance as global constructs were not associated with heavy drinking. However, some components of these models were associated with heavy drinking but the relationships were not all in the expected direction and they varied by sex, age, and occupational position. CONCLUSIONS: Stressful work conditions are not consistently associated with heavy drinking.

• The activation of mechanisms linking judgements of work design and management with musculoskeletal pain.

  Authors: Raymond Randall, Amanda Griffiths, Tom Cox, Claire Welsh

  Ergonomics. 02/2002; 45(1):13-31.

  The report of work-related musculoskeletal pain may be related to worker evaluations of the design and management of work through two mechanisms: one biomechanical and the other stress-related. ThisThe report of work-related musculoskeletal pain may be related to worker evaluations of the design and management of work through two mechanisms: one biomechanical and the other stress-related. This study of engineering workers (n = 204) explored the validity of these mechanisms using sequential logistic regression. Analyses suggested that workers' ratings of the adequacy of the design and management of their work were related to their report of work-related musculoskeletal pain. However, the mechanisms appeared to be activated in certain conditions. The reporting of pain in the upper body was both biomechanically- and stress-related, whereas that in the lower body was only biomechanically-related. It is argued that the mechanism activated appeared to be determined by the anatomical location of the pain, and probably the variance shared between the different aspects of work design and management, on the one hand, and the mechanical load of the job, on the other.

• Education in occupational health psychology: Where have we been, where are we now and where are we going?

  Authors: Jonathan Houdmont, Stavroula Leka, Tom Cox

  At the first full conference of the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology (Lund, 1999), the decision was ratified to organise activities around three fora. These together represented theAt the first full conference of the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology (Lund, 1999), the decision was ratified to organise activities around three fora. These together represented the pillars on which the European Academy had been founded that same year: education, research and professional practice. Each forum was convened by a chair person and a small group of full members; it was agreed that a forum meeting would take place at each full conference and working groups would be established to move developments forward between conferences. The forum system has proven an effective means by which to channel the energies of individual members, and the institutions that they represent, towards advancements in all three areas of activity in occupational health psychology (OHP) in Europe. During the meeting of the education forum at the third full European Academy conference (Barcelona, 2001), the proposal was made for the establishment of a working party that would be tasked with the production of a strategy document on The Promotion of Education in Occupational Health Psychology in Europe. The proposal was ratified at the subsequent annual business meeting held during the same conference. The draft outline of the strategy document was published for consultation in the European Academy’s e-newsletter (Vol. 3.1, 2002) and the final document presented to the meeting of the education forum at the fourth full conference (Vienna, 2002). The strategy document constituted a seminal piece of literature in so far as it provided a foundation and structure capable of guiding pan-European developments in education in OHP – developments that would ensure the sustained growth of the discipline and assure it of a long-standing embedded place in both the scholarly and professional domains. To these ends, the strategy document presented six objectives as important for the sustained expansion and the promotion of education in the discipline in Europe. Namely, the development of: [1] A core syllabus for education in occupational health psychology [2] A mechanism for identifying, recognising and listing undergraduate and postgraduate modules and courses (programmes) in occupational health psychology [3] Structures to support the extension of the current provision of education in occupational health psychology [4] Ways of enhancing convergence of the current provision of education in occupational health psychology [5] Ways of encouraging regional cooperation between education providers across the regions of Europe [6] Ways of ensuring consistency with North American developments in education and promoting world wide co-operation in education Five years has elapsed since the presentation of these laudable objectives to the meeting of the education forum in Vienna in December 2002. In that time OHP has undergone considerable growth, particularly in Europe and North America. Expansion has been reflected in the evolution of existing, and emergence of new, representative bodies for the discipline on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. As such, it might be considered timely to pause to reflect on what has been achieved in respect of each of the objectives set out in the strategy document. The current chapter examines progress on the six objectives and considers what remains to be done. This exercise is entered into not merely in order to congratulate achievements in some areas and lament slow progress in others. Rather, on the one hand it serves to highlight areas where real progress has been made with a view to the presentation of these areas as ripe for further capitalisation. On the other hand it serves to direct the attention of stakeholders (all those with a vested interest in OHP) to those key parts of the jigsaw puzzle that is the development of a self-sustaining pan-European education framework which remain to be satisfactorily addressed.

• Education and Training in Occupational Health Psychology: The Case for E-Learning

  Authors: Jonathan Houdmont, Stavroula Leka, Tom Cox

  For the discipline of occupational health psychology (OHP) to continue to evolve and to serve workers effectively it is imperative that education and training provision is available that enablesFor the discipline of occupational health psychology (OHP) to continue to evolve and to serve workers effectively it is imperative that education and training provision is available that enables students to acquire knowledge and skills, free of geographical and temporal constraints. This chapter begins with a brief introduction to the historical development of education and training in OHP in Europe. The review culminates with the assertion that higher education institutions are now required to act innovatively in regard to the expansion of provision. One such initiative involves the introduction of e-learning. A case study concerning the implementation of a Masters degree in OHP by e-learning is presented. On the outcomes of the case study, recommendations are offered for the design and implementation of such courses. The chapter concludes by raising some further questions that need to be addressed for education and training provision in OHP to continue to expand.

• Rail passenger crowding, stress, health and safety in Britain

  Authors: Tom Cox, Jonathan Houdmont, Amanda Griffiths

  Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice.

  There has long been a question as to whether crowding in rail passenger transport poses a threat to passenger health related to the experience of stress. A review of the scientific literature wasThere has long been a question as to whether crowding in rail passenger transport poses a threat to passenger health related to the experience of stress. A review of the scientific literature was conducted. Little rail-specific empirical research was identified. The more general research that does exist suggests that high-density environments are not necessarily perceived as crowded and that stress-related physiological, psychological and behavioural reactions do not necessarily follow from exposure to such environments. Several factors are identified that may moderate the impact of a high-density environment on perceptions of crowding and the subsequent experience and effects of stress. These include, inter alia, perceptions of control and predictability of events. However, if caused, the experience and effects of stress may be made worse by inadequate coach design that gives rise to discomfort. The model that emerges from these findings offers a suitable framework for the development of research questions that should help translate emerging knowledge into practical interventions, for the reduction of any adverse health outcomes associated with crowding.

• The Activation of mechanisms linking judgements of work design and management with musculoskeletal pain

  Authors: Raymond Randall, Amanda Griffiths, Tom Cox

  The report of work-related musculoskeletal pain may be related to worker evaluations of the design and management of work through two mechanisms: one biomechanical and the other stress-related. ThisThe report of work-related musculoskeletal pain may be related to worker evaluations of the design and management of work through two mechanisms: one biomechanical and the other stress-related. This study of engineering workers explored the validity of these mechanisms using sequential logistic regression

• The Development of a Spanish Language Version of the Worn Out Scale of the General Well-Being Questionnaire (GWBQ)

  Authors: Amparo Oliver Germes, Eusebio Rial-González, José Manuel Tomás, Amanda Griffiths, Tom Cox, Louise Thompson

  Spanish journal of psychology, ISSN 1138-7416, Vol. 9, Nº. 1, 2006, pags. 94-102.

  The paper describes the development of a short Spanish-language version of the General Well-Being Questionnaire (GWBQ; Cox & Gotts, 1987), based on the 12 items of its Worn Out scale. Research hasThe paper describes the development of a short Spanish-language version of the General Well-Being Questionnaire (GWBQ; Cox & Gotts, 1987), based on the 12 items of its Worn Out scale. Research has shown the English-version Worn Out scale to be sensitive to aspects of the design and management of work. This study aimed to test its crosscultural consistency in a Spanish-language workplace context. The data were collected from a sample of 229 workers in Valencia (Spain). Confirmatory Factor Analyses showed the factorial validity, reliability, and concurrent validity of the new Spanish version to be adequate. The sensitivity of the new measure to safety behavior and the reporting of accidents was also assessed and shown to be good. The new questionnaire extends the usefulness of the parent questionnaire to occupational health psychology research in the Spanish language by offering a short assessment tool appropriate for workplace studies. El artículo describe el desarrollo de la versión corta en español del General Well-Being Questionnaire (GWBQ; Cox & Gotts, 1987; en español el ¿Cuestionario de Bienestar General¿), basada en los 12 ítems de su subescala de ¿Agotamiento¿. La investigación ha mostrado que la versión en inglés de la escala de Agotamiento es sensible a ciertos aspectos del diseño y gestión del trabajo. El propósito de este estudio fue comprobar la consistencia transcultural en un contexto de trabajo de habla española. Los datos se recogieron de una muestra de 229 trabajadores en Valencia (España). Análisis factoriales confirmatorios demostraron la adecuación de la validez factorial, la fiabilidad, y la validez concurrente de la nueva versión española. También se evaluó la sensibilidad de la nueva medida hacia la conducta de seguridad y distintas medidas de siniestralidad, comprobando asimismo su adecuación. El cuestionario nuevo amplía la utilidad del cuestionario original al ofrecerse como herramienta para los investigadores en psicología de la salud ocupacional en lengua española, ofreciendo un instrumento corto de evaluación apropiado para el lugar de trabajo

• Relationship between work stress and body mass index among 45,810 female and male employees.

  Authors: Anne Kouvonen, Mika Kivimäki, Sara J Cox, Tom Cox, Jussi Vahtera

  Psychosomatic medicine. 67(4):577-83.

  OBJECTIVE: The proportion of overweight and obese people has grown rapidly, and obesity has now been widely recognized as an important public health problem. At the same time, stress has increased inOBJECTIVE: The proportion of overweight and obese people has grown rapidly, and obesity has now been widely recognized as an important public health problem. At the same time, stress has increased in working life. The 2 problems could be connected if work stress promotes unhealthy eating habits and sedentary behavior and thereby contributes to weight gain. This study explored the association between work stress and body mass index (BMI; kg/m2). METHODS: We used cross-sectional questionnaire data obtained from 45,810 female and male employees participating in the ongoing Finnish Public Sector Cohort Study. We constructed individual-level scores, as well as occupational- and organizational-level aggregated scores for work stress, as indicated by the demand/control model and the effort-reward imbalance model. Linear regression analyses were stratified by sex and socioeconomic status (SES) and adjusted for age, marital status, job contract, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and negative affectivity. RESULTS: The results with the aggregated scores showed that lower job control, higher job strain, and higher effort-reward imbalance were associated with a higher BMI. In men, lower job demands were also associated with a higher BMI. These associations were not accounted for by SES, although an additional adjustment for SES attenuated the associations. The results obtained with the individual-level scores were in the same direction, but the relationships were weaker than those obtained with the aggregated scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a weak association between work stress and BMI.