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Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine pp 1587Cite as

Psychosocial Work Environment

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Synonyms

Mental strain; Physical illness; Psychological and social conditions people experience in the workplace; Stress and occupational health

Definition

Psychosocial work environment pertains to interpersonal and social interactions that influence behavior and development in the workplace. Research has been conducted to determine the effects of the psychosocial work environment on stress levels and overall health. One study in particular found that low levels of support and control at work leads to increased rates of sickness absence (North, Syme, Feeney, Shipley, & Marmot, 1996). In other words, a positive and supportive psychosocial work environment is beneficial to employees in an occupational organization.

Cross-References

Job Demand/Control/Strain

Positive Affectivity

Positive Psychology

Psychological Factors

Psychosocial Characteristics

Psychosocial Impact

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References and Readings

  • North, F. M., Syme, S. L., Feeney, A., Shipley, M., & Marmot, M. (1996). Psychosocial work-environment and sickness absence among British civil servants: The Whitehall II study. American Journal of Public Health, 86, 332–340.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Rehabilitation Science, Sargent Collage, Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Ave, Room 511A, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Prof. Karen Jacobs

  2. Boston University, 700 Commonwealth Avenue, 1269, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Miranda Hellman

  3. Boston University, 16 Royce Road Apt 8, Allston, MA, 02134, USA

    Jacqueline Markowitz

  4. Boston University, 54 Gardner St Apartment #3, Allston, MA, 02134, USA

    Ellen Wuest

Authors
  1. Prof. Karen Jacobs
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  2. Miranda Hellman
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  3. Jacqueline Markowitz
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  4. Ellen Wuest
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Karen Jacobs .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

    Marc D. Gellman

  2. Cardiovascular Safety, Quintiles, Durham, NC, USA

    J. Rick Turner

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© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media, New York

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Cite this entry

Jacobs, K., Hellman, M., Markowitz, J., Wuest, E. (2013). Psychosocial Work Environment. In: Gellman, M.D., Turner, J.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_920

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_920

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1004-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1005-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

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