AUTHOR=Yi Xiaoting , Yang Jun , Gao Xiaoyan , Li Fuye 

TITLE=The relationship between occupational stress, mental health and work ability of coal chemical workers in Xinjiang

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.903534

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2022.903534

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=Objective: To understand the current working ability of coal chemical workers in Xinjiang, and analyze the impact of occupational tension, mental disorders and their interaction on work ability. To provide a scientific basis for improving the working ability and quality of life of coal chemical workers.
Methods: In this study, a questionnaire survey of 1400 workers from six coal mining enterprises was conducted using a stratified cluster random sampling method from June to December 2019. The Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire (ERI), the Symptom Self-Assessment Scale (SCL-90), and the Work Ability Index Scale (WAI) were used to evaluate the level of occupational stress, mental health and ability to work of coal chemical workers.
Results: A total of 1400 questionnaires were distributed and 1286 questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 91.86%. The results showed that WAI scores were statistically significant in differences between gender, age, length of service, shift, education, marital status and monthly income (P<0.05). Ability to work and its dimensions were inversely correlated with giving, occupational stress, and psychological disorders (P<0.001). Occupational stress and psychological disorders are risk factors affecting the ability to work. The interaction between occupational stress and psychological disorders has a significant impact on work ability. High occupational stress* mental disorders (OR=10.666, 95%CI: 6.443-17.658) severely reduce work ability. Structural equation models show that occupational stress and mental health conditions have a direct impact on work ability, occupational stress has a direct impact on mental health conditions, and mental health conditions are the mediators of the relationship between occupational stress and work ability.
Conclusion: Occupational stress, mental disorders and their interaction are risk factors affecting the ability of coal chemical workers to work. Occupational stress can indirectly affect the ability to work through mental health conditions. Coal chemical enterprises can improve the level of workers' ability to work by alleviating workers' stress and mental disorders.