A poor psychosocial work environment with a lot of stress increases the risk of poor memory and physical function – even in the elderly. This is shown by a new study conducted at the School of Health at Jönköping University. The study, which went on for just over 40 years, shows that stress at work, among other things, increases the risk of poor memory and not being able to carry out normal everyday tasks as you get older.
– In general, having a job is a health factor. What is harmful is work with negative and chronic stress, says Cecilia Stenfors, researcher in occupational and environmental medicine.
Low influence a risk factor
Negative stress is often characterized by low control and influence over one’s work and a feeling of being under constant time pressure. The participants in the study who had little personal influence and control over their work had a cognitive and physical impairment of almost 60 percent.
– This study shows how important it is to promote one’s own influence at work, says Ceciilia Stenfors, researcher in occupational and environmental medicine at Stockholm University.
Ceciilia Stenfors, researcher in occupational and environmental medicine, tells you how to prevent harmful stress at work.