Study Overview
This study examines how psychosocial needs shape university employees' perceptions of work's impact on their health. Analyzing 11,533 Norwegian faculty members, it finds that different needs influence positive and negative health in distinct ways, with notable gender differences—women's health is most affected by work engagement (positive) and autonomy (negative), while for men, meaning (positive) and social community (negative) are key factors. Although needs vary across faculty, PhD students, and staff, their overall impact is similar. The findings suggest that improving workplace health requires distinct interventions for positive and negative influences and should account for gender differences.
Study Results
The article found that different psychosocial needs influence positive and negative work-related health among university employees, with notable gender differences. For women, work engagement was the strongest predictor of positive work-related health, while autonomy had the greatest impact on negative health. For men, meaning was the most significant factor for positive health, while social community had the strongest effect on negative health. Although the levels of these needs varied among faculty, PhD students, and administrative staff, their overall influence on work-related health was similar across groups. The findings suggest that improving workplace health requires separate interventions for positive and negative influences and should consider gender differences.
Research Partner: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Populations: University employees