Stress from working conditions among home care personnel with musculoskeletal symptoms

A large proportion of the working population experiences musculoskeletal sy mptoms, which affect the individual's quality of life. Neck/shoulder and/or low back complaints are common among home care personnel. This occupationa l sector is characterized by high physical and psychosocial demands and the staff is typically female. The aim of this qualitative study was to gain a deeper understanding of those factors in the work environment of home care personnel that the individuals perceive as demanding and problematic. Eigh t employees in the home care service were interviewed in depth. Each interv iew was transcribed and Grounded Theory was applied. Stress, related to dem anding physical and psychosocial working conditions, emerged as the core va riable that probably contributed to the development and maintenance of musc uloskeletal symptoms. Financial cut-backs at the municipality was seen as a cause of the demanding working conditions. In future studies it is importa nt to evaluate prevention programmes focused upon coping strategies against stress.