Musculo-skeletal disorders, mental health and the work environment

The prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) were assessed in cross-sectional and longitudinal data obtained from male employees in the UK oil and gas industry. The roles of the physical and psychosocial work environment, and of individual factors were examined in relation to reported MSD. • Assessed by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (MSQ) (N=321), lower back pain showed the highest 12-month prevalence rate (51%) but, taken together, neck, shoulders and/or upper back MSD had a similar prevalence rate. Mental health, workload, physical environment stressors, and body mass index predicted MSD, although their relative importance varied across different body areas. • In cross-sectional analyses (N=1462), relationships between psychosocial work measures and MSD in the neck/shoulders/back were mediated by psychological distress, but 'job activity level (strenuous, active, and sedentary) and physical stressors remained significant direct predictors. The effect of 'negative affectivity' on MSD was also mediated by psychological distress, particularly anxiety. • In longitudinal analyses (N=321), anxiety and social support were significant factors predicting change in MSD over the five-year period, 1995-2000. In common with other published findings, the evidence suggested that the primary causal direction was from anxiety to MSD. • Factor analysis identified three scales (stress/anxiety, work, and lifestyle) in a set of items assessing beliefs about MSD causes (N=676). MSD problems were primarily attributed to work and lifestyle factors. Individual experiences of MSD, including perceived causes and medical consultations, were also analysed. This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.