What do workplace psychosocial factors do to a workforce?
The stress response is based on how the stress is perceived by individual workers. There are many theories, and these can generally be divided up into two general categories, positive stress responses and negative stress responses.
A positive stress response is associated with stressors that are achievable and there is a foreseeable completion in the horizon. They are the challenges that we know we can accomplish and provide us a general sense of engagement and determination.
On the other end, negative stress responses are associated with challenges that we can never accomplish. There’s no light at the end of the tunnel and lead us to experience feelings such as uncertainty, disinterest, and anxiety. These negative stresses in the workplace arena are linked to the psychosocial factors, as mentioned before including a feeling of little job control, satisfaction, and social support as well as excessive job demands.
The physiological changes that people experience due to stress are intended to prepare a person to physically resolve dangers, problems, or challenges in the short-term time range. When the challenge has been resolved, the stress response in the body shuts down. Similarly, when the challenge has not been resolved, these physiological changes are sustained, and the body remains in "stress mode".
In a lot of cases, when stress is associated with workplace psychosocial factors, they will not normally be resolved by a one-time stress induced response by the body so but rather will cause the body to be stuck in a chronic stress mode.
There are three primary hormones released into the blood stream during any stress response. These are epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. They bring about changes that have a negative effect on the body. So what is the connection between the stress and an ergonomic related disorder?
How stress can increase a person's risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD)
Directly attributing workplace psychosocial factors combines with biomechanical factors culminate the development of musculoskeletal disorders. Workplace psychosocial factors have been attributed to heightened risk of MSD development in workers. Understanding the numbers and correlating them to theories linking these physiological stressors to musculoskeletal disorders include the following: Physiological Change Vs. How MSD risk has increased
Increased blood pressure: In joints where space is at a premium (example - carpal tunnel), a consistent increase in blood pressure could lead to increased pressure in the joint specifically on tendons, ligaments, and nerves.
Increased fluid pressure: When fluid pressure is increased for a long time, increased pressure may be placed in joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.
Reduction of growth functions: Reduction of the production of collagen means reduced ability for the body to heal or recover after performing work functions.
Decreased sensitivity to pain When pain is not sensed as clearly, workers may work beyond and above their body's physical capacity.
Dilation of pupils: Increased sensitivity to light.
Increase in muscle tension: Causes increase in pressure on and around joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and may cause excessive use of force during certain activities and movements.
Body remains at a heightened state of sensitivity: Because of heightened sensitivity and alertness, person may overburden their musculoskeletal system