Psychosocial work conditions
Research has shown that some social and psychological aspects of work and work environments can have an impact on workers’ mental health and well-being. This page pulls together IWH research on psychosocial work conditions such as job demand and control, supervisor/co-worker support, reward and recognition, among others. It also includes IWH research on tools and resources to reduce psychosocial hazards.
Project
Project
Understanding the role of parental employment quality in child mental health
An IWH study is using general population surveys in Canada to better understand the role of parental employment quality as a social determinant of child mental health.
Status: Ongoing
At Work article
Study of educators during pandemic found psychosocial conditions worse for those teaching online
In the fall of 2020, Ontario educators who taught in a virtual environment felt isolated and unsupported, while those working in-person experienced anxiety related to the risk of COVID transmission. That’s according a study of Ontario teachers, conducted by OHCOW and IWH.
Published: October 2022
At Work article
Widely used survey lacks ability to tell apart 13 distinct psychosocial work factors
The Guarding Minds @ Work survey is designed to measure 13 dimensions of the psychosocial work environment. But a study of its measurement properties, carried out by IWH and OHCOW, finds it unable to measure each dimension in isolation.
Published: May 2022
At Work article
IWH study finds psychosocial work stressors lead to burnout, but not vice versa
Research is starting to show that psychosocial work conditions can lead to burnout. But can burnout in turn influence a person’s relationship to their work? A new study at IWH examines whether a negative feedback loop exists between work stressors and burnout.
Published: February 2022
At Work article
For a segment of the workforce, psychosocial working conditions are poor across the board
For one in 10 Canadian workers, the psychosocial work environment is poor across the board. What's more, working in such conditions is associated with a substantial increase in their risk of burnout and stress.
Published: October 2021
Research Highlights
Examining the link between working conditions and tobacco-smoking habits
People who work or have worked in physically demanding jobs are about twice as likely as people whose jobs are not physically demanding to be heavy smokers. Workers in jobs with low social support, low skill discretion and high psychological demands are also more likely than workers in healthier environments to be heavy smokers.
Published: June 2019
At Work article
Slight improvements seen in workplace psychosocial conditions over 10 years
How have psychosocial work conditions changed in Canada over a 10-year time frame? Data from Statscan surveys suggest a slight improvement, but the IWH researchers behind the analysis are cautious in their interpretations.
Published: November 2018
Project
Project
Validation study of Occupational Stress Injury Resiliency Tool
This project will assess the validity and the performance of the Occupational Stress Injury Resilience tool—created to assess first responders’ occupational stress injury risks.
Status: Ongoing
Project
Project
Assessing the psychosocial work environment in British Columbia to inform prevention activities
WorkSafeBC is in the initial stages of developing and implementing an Enterprise Mental Health Strategy. As part of its development and evaluation efforts, this project will fill knowledge gaps in the understanding of the psychosocial work environment in British Columbia, as well as workers' awareness of its impact as a workplace hazard.
Status: Ongoing