Psychosocial working conditions and chronic low-grade inflammation in geriatric care professionals: A cross-sectional study
Kaltenegger HC, Weigl M, Becker L, Rohleder N, Nowak D, Quartucci C (2022)
Publication Language: English
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2022
Journal
Book Volume: 17(9)
Pages Range: 1 - 17
Article Number: e0274202
URI: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0274202
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274202
Open Access Link: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0274202
Abstract
Background
Chronic low-grade inflammation has been suggested as a key factor in the association between stress exposure and long-term health. Care work is recognized as a profession with a high degree of job stress and health risks. However, for care professionals, the study base on inflammatory activity due to adverse working conditions is limited.
Objective
The aim of this study was to explore associations between self-reported psychosocial working conditions and care professionals’ biomarkers of systemic low-grade inflammation.
Methods
N = 140 geriatric care professionals (79.3% females, mean age = 44.1 years) of six care facilities were enrolled in a cross-sectional study consisting of standardized medical examinations and employee surveys. Standardized questionnaires were used for evaluation of psychosocial work characteristics (work overload, job autonomy, social support) based on Karasek’s job strain model. Blood samples were drawn for two biomarkers of inflammatory activity: C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count. Analyses comprised uni- and multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses.
Results
We determined a proportion of 5.4% of care professionals with increased low-grade inflammation. We further observed a relationship between job autonomy and CRP, such that reports of high job autonomy were associated with increased levels of CRP (adjusted OR = 4.10, 95% CI [1.10, 15.26], p = .035), which was robust in additional analyses on further potential confounders. No significant associations with participants’ leukocyte numbers were found.
Conclusions
This exploratory study contributes to the research base on links between workplace stress and ensuing illness in care professionals. Our findings may help to identify risk and protective factors of the work environment for chronic low-grade inflammation. The results require further scrutiny, and future prospective studies on associations of psychosocial working conditions, low-grade inflammation and long-term health outcomes in care professionals are needed.
Authors with CRIS profile
Linda Becker
Lehrstuhl für Gesundheitspsychologie
Nicolas Rohleder
Lehrstuhl für Gesundheitspsychologie
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Kaltenegger, H.C., Weigl, M., Becker, L., Rohleder, N., Nowak, D., & Quartucci, C. (2022). Psychosocial working conditions and chronic low-grade inflammation in geriatric care professionals: A cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE, 17(9), 1 - 17. https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274202
MLA:
Kaltenegger, Helena C., et al. "Psychosocial working conditions and chronic low-grade inflammation in geriatric care professionals: A cross-sectional study." PLoS ONE 17(9) (2022): 1 - 17.
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