Karasek and Theorell identified a number of psychosocial factors that influence the work environment. A worker with a poor work environment will be stressed and may suffer poor health as a result.
Factors influencing the work environment:
(1) job demands (speed, difficulty, amount)
(2) job control (decision latitude)
(3) social support (from co-workers, supervisors, family)
The main determinants were the first 2 items, which the possible combinations resulting in 4 basic states. The higher the demands and the less the job control, the greater the work-related stress.
Job Demands
Job Control
State
Stress
high
low
high strain
high
high
high
active
intermediate
low
low
passive
intermediate
low
high
low strain
low
Social support can increase the stress if absent and decrease the stress if present.
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