Changes in psychosocial work exposures among employees between 2005 and 2010 in 30 countries in Europe

The aim was to assess the changes in psychosocial work factors among European employees between 2005 and 2010.

The study samples came from the European Working Conditions Survey, involving 23,580 and 32,516 employees in 2005 and 2010, respectively, from 30 European countries. The psychosocial work factors studied were based on job strain and effort-reward imbalance models, and more recent factors. Multilevel linear and logistic regression models were used. Differences according to occupations and countries were tested.

Results were mixed with improvement for some factors and decline for other factors. Some countries and occupations were more likely to be affected by negative changes, especially low-skilled employees.

Prevention policies at the workplace should take into account that the degradation of some psychosocial work factors may be sharper for some countries and occupations.