Recurring pain and the potential of employer support to improve participant health.

Abstract

This study describes the relationships between a set of workplace psychosocial factors, including health-related employer support and recurring pain. This study used a pooled sample of participants from 14 US employers (N = 34,359) from 2010 (for one employer, 2008). Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the relationships, after controlling for many additional factors. Emotional, but not physical, health-related employer support was associated with reduced probability of pain. Job satisfaction, getting to use strengths at work, and having a supervisor who created a trusting and open environment were also associated with a reduced probability of pain. Although more research is needed to firmly establish the causal nature of the relationships, psychosocial workplace factors were associated with reduced probability of pain in this study.