Psychosocial Work Environment: Health and Well-being – two systematic reviews

This report contains two systematic literature reviews that bring together existing knowledge in the form of previously published systematic reviews. The report is intended to provide knowledge in relation to the question of what creates healthy, vital workplaces.

Summary

This report contains two systematic literature reviews that bring together existing knowledge in the form of previously published systematic reviews. The report is intended to provide knowledge in relation to the question of what creates healthy, vital workplaces. The two systematic reviews compile the existing research on the factors in psychosocial work-environment contexts. The first contains compiled knowledge from association studies, that is, research about associations between psychosocial work environment factors and health outcomes for individuals and for organizations. The second review contains compiled knowledge about the effects of psychosocial workplace interventions, typically based on experimental research.

The results show that there is a significant amount of compiled research on associations between psychosocial work-environment factors in the form of work-related stress and mental or physical health issues. There is also compiled knowledge about associations between work conflicts or bullying and the development of mental health issues in particular. Only a few systematic literature reviews have expressly investigated and described findings assuming that psychosocial work-environment factors can be protective, or health-promoting, factors.
Regarding compiled research on interventions designed to influence the psychosocial work environment and create well-functioning workplaces, there is a great deal of compiled knowledge showing the effects of various stress reduction and stress management programmes. Most interventions are designed either to improve the participants’ health by influencing their work situation and thus reducing their stress, or to increase the participants’ ability to cope with their stress. There is also compiled knowledge about other types of generally health-promoting interventions designed to increase well-being, reduce or manage mental health issues, or improve sleep.
Much of the existing compiled knowledge indicates that the psychosocial work environment is important for the individual and that it is possible, through active workplace interventions, to promote employee health.

This report is written by

Per Lytsy
Emilie Friberg