Work ability, effort-reward imbalance and disability pension claims
J Wienert1, K Spanier1, F M Radoschewski2
1Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Germany.
Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England)
|November 23, 2017
Summary
Effort-reward imbalance (ERI) negatively impacts self-rated work ability, which in turn predicts intended disability pension claims. This study reveals work ability as a key mediator in the ERI-disability pension relationship.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Psychosocial factors in the workplace
- Disability research
Background:
- Effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and self-rated work ability are independently linked to disability pension claims.
- The mediating role of work ability between ERI and disability pension claims requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine if self-rated work ability mediates the association between ERI and intended disability pension claims.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of baseline data from the Third German Sociomedical Panel of Employees (n=2585).
- Tested direct associations between ERI and disability pension claims, and ERI and self-rated work ability.
- Investigated the mediating effect of work ability on the ERI-disability pension claim relationship.
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between ERI and intended disability pension claims.
- ERI was significantly associated with lower self-rated work ability.
- Self-rated work ability significantly mediated the relationship between ERI and intended disability pension claims, with no direct association found.
Conclusions:
- ERI adversely affects self-rated work ability.
- Self-rated work ability plays a crucial mediating role in the pathway from ERI to intended disability pension claims.
