PSYCHOSOCIAL-ASPECTS OF THE SICK BUILDING SYNDROME (SBS)

The sick building syndrome has been introduced into the literature as a pattern of complaints which has been associated with air-conditionin g of indoor climate. It is subject of several more recent internationa l studies. The complaints concern mucus, irritation of skin and eyes, headaches, diminished concentration, odor annoyance, rheumatic complai nts, sinusitis, throat ache, fatigue, respiratory problems and general a high sensory sensitivity. The sick building syndrome has been attri buted to several etiological factors from the area of physics, micro-b iology, chemistry, but also social and psychological causes. The sick building syndrome is defined as disturbance of well-being which can be psychometrically assessed using standard psychological methodology an d which can be tested for its relationship to psychosocial factors. Th e present article uses available literature as well as results from an investigation in over 3.000 persons exposed to different forms of ind oor climate to discuss diagnostic and etiological concepts of SBS from a psychosocial perspective. The results suggest that the pattern of c omplaints varies across persons and indoor climate settings. Furthermo re psychosocial factors explain a high proportion of variance of compl aints in the sick building syndrome.