PSYCHOSOCIAL STRESSORS AT WORK, PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL SYMPTOMS IN THE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY

This study was conducted in order to determine how occupational stress ors (psychosocial stressors and physical load) are related to psycholo gical stress (symptoms) and musculoskeletal symptoms among staff of Fi nnish residential homes, nursing tomes and home help services (n=204). Data obtained from questionnaires was used to test two hypotheses: th at psychosocial stressors (time pressure, troublesome patients with de mentia) are associated with psychological stress, and that musculoskel etal disorders are associated with physical load. The authors also tes ted whether psychological stress has a mediating effect between psycho social stressors and musculoskeletal symptoms. The findings supported the hypothesis regarding the mediating effect of psychological stress.