Psychosocial work environment and leisure-time physical activity: the Stormont study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Existing research on the psychosocial work environment and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) presents conflicting findings.
• Previous studies may have overlooked crucial psychosocial factors by focusing on a limited range of work environment domains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between seven domains of the psychosocial work environment and LTPA in a large UK civil servant population.
• To characterize LTPA levels and compare them against UK government physical activity guidelines.

Main Methods:

• A 2012 survey of Northern Ireland Civil Service employees collected data on psychosocial working conditions using the Management Standards Indicator Tool and assessed LTPA.
• Bivariate correlations and linear regression analyses were employed to determine the associations between psychosocial work conditions and LTPA.

Main Results:

• The study achieved a response rate of 20% (5235 participants).
• Reported LTPA meeting public health recommendations was 24% for men and 17% for women.
• Weak, significant negative correlations were found between job control and peer support and LTPA in men, and between job role and LTPA in women. These factors explained less than 1% of the variance in LTPA.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights weak associations between specific psychosocial work characteristics and LTPA.
• Further longitudinal research is recommended to establish causality and explore how psychosocial job redesign could enhance employees' leisure-time physical activity.