SOCIAL SUPPORT AT WORK

Result from two studies on social support at work are reported. In the first study, the impact of psychosocial work characteristics on work absenteeism has been examined. The study group consisted of 133 civil servants (33 men and 100 women) with a mean age of 43 years. Psychosoc ial work characteristics, social support, quality of life, work absent eeism, psychosomatic and gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed with questionnaires. Five different work support functions were identified by factor analysis: appraisal support, belonging support, instrumental support, emotional support and supportive atmosphere. That analysis s howed that work absenteeism was associated with lower belonging suppor t and a less supportive atmosphere. - In the second study the direct c ardiovascular effects of social support at work was studied in 148 wor king men and women, representing seven occupational groups, with a mea n age of 40 years. Besides measures of social support at work, ambulat ory 24-hour monitoring of electrocardiogram in the customary work and home environment was performed. Mean heart rates were found to be sign ificantly higher in persons reporting low social support at work. This effect was maintained during working hours as well as during leisure time and rest. Controlling for age, sex, and physical strain at work, strengthened the association of low social support with elevated heart rates. The findings can be seen as a possible mechanism linking socia l support to health. Although there are well-known difficulties in dra wing causal conclusions from cross-sectional studies, it seems reasona ble to conclude that social support at work is an important factor to take into consideration when studying coronary heart disease and absen teeism from work.