Occupational risks, musculoskeletal disorders, and quality of work life: An age-based analysis

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a prevalent issue, associated with a complex interaction of occupational risk factors that can be linked to lower quality of work life (QWL). While these relationships are well-established, it remains unclear how age-based differences mediate them, as younger and older workers may respond differently to various workplace hazards. Understanding these age-specific pathways is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between occupational risk factors, WMSDs, and QWL across different age groups to identify key differences and inform ergonomic practice.

A sample of 312 workers, divided into young (under 45 years) and older (45 years and above) groups, was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test hypotheses linking biomechanical, psychosocial, and organizational risk factors to WMSDs and QWL.

Significant differences were observed between age groups. Tight deadlines were associated with occupational stress (OS) only in older workers, whereas WMSDs were significantly associated with lower QWL only among younger workers. Physical job demands and OS were associated with WMSDs in both groups, and OS was related to their QWL. The findings indicate that worker age significantly influences how occupational risks are associated with WMSDs and QWL, and that these associations are not uniform.

This study validated a model that examined the relationships among occupational risk factors, WMSDs, and QWL across age groups. The model demonstrated robust psychometric properties, enabling the identification of significant differences between young and older workers.