Psychosocial work environment and building related symptoms

There is growing evidence that the psychosocial work environment may affect health (Marmot et al. 2006). Nevertheless, these factors are still not commonly taken into account in the studies examining the relations between indoor environmental quality and employee’s health and wellbeing. Several models of work stress have been developed in an attempt to assess exposure to psychosocial stress at work, e.g. the effort-reward imbalance model (ERI) (Siegrist et al. 2004). ERI model is based on the notion of the reciprocity of efforts spent and rewards received underlying the typical work context. Three psychosocial dimensions at work: effort, reward, and over-commitment are defined, and the model postulates that a combination of high effort and low reward could lead to adverse health effects. Over-commitment at work acts as personal risk factor. Separate and combined effects of these dimensions on health are hypothesized. The impact of psychosocial work environment on cardiovascular diseases and mental health (e.g. depression) is mainly studied, and the relations with other health complaints such as building related symptoms (BRSs) can also be questioned. In this context, the aim of this study is to examine the relations between psychosocial work environment and BRS