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Published on: August 9, 2016
Longitudinal determinants of energy levels in knowledge workers
Bengt B Arnetz1, Carissa L Broadbridge, Samiran Ghosh
1From the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences (Drs Arnetz, Broadbridge, and Ghosh), Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, and Cardiovascular Research Institute (Dr Arnetz), Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Dr Arnetz), and Department of Psychology (Dr Broadbridge), Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (Dr Ghosh), Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences (Dr Ghosh), Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich; and Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences (Dr Arnetz), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Knowledge workers experiencing low energy may benefit from improved work-effectiveness. While lifestyle factors matter, perceived work-effectiveness is key to preventing low-energy syndromes in this group.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Psychology
- Workplace Productivity
Background:
- Service, welfare, and healthcare workers commonly experience "low-energy syndromes" like burnout.
- Energy-based outcomes in knowledge workers are less understood.
- Knowledge workers face unique workplace stressors impacting well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing self-rated energy levels in knowledge workers.
- To examine how these energy determinants evolve over time.
- To understand the link between work-effectiveness and energy levels.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal health and productivity survey was administered.
- 317 knowledge workers in Sweden participated in three assessments.
- Data collected in collaboration with a union and employer federation.
Main Results:
- Worry, eating habit satisfaction, and work-effectiveness predicted energy levels at each time point.
- Only work-effectiveness demonstrated a consistent covariation with energy over time.
- These findings highlight the dynamic relationship between work perception and energy.
Conclusions:
- Perceived work-effectiveness is a critical factor in preventing low-energy syndromes among knowledge workers.
- Lifestyle factors, including eating habits, also contribute to energy levels.
- Multifaceted interventions are recommended to enhance energy and combat fatigue in this population.
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