HEALTH-RELATED COPING AT COMPUTER-BASED WORK PLACES

The objective of the present study was to examine the health relevance of different coping styles and the interaction between these coping s tyles and the work situation in modern office work. The questionnaire GESBI(Gesundheit am Bildschirmarbeitsplatz) and the integrated questio nnaire FABA (Fragebogen zur belastungsrelevanten Anforderungsbewaltigu ng) were administered to 244 employees in a public administration (res ponse rate 63%, i.e., 154 employees). The results provided significant support for the combined effect of the work situation and coping styl es on the occurrence of various health complaints. In particular, the type of work situation characterized by time pressure and excessive wo rk-load (as perceived by the employees) adversely affects health-relat ed coping behaviour. The three dimensions psychological demands, decis ion latitude, and social support are discussed in connection with the specific coping style ''Erholungsunfahigkeit'' (inability to relax). P ossible preventive measures are suggested, e.g., job relation, reducti on of time pressure by drawing up individual working plans, creation o f complete work structures.