Psychosocial health levels depending on experience in workers in residences

Abstract

Scientific literature has paid little attention to the direct care staff residences for people with disabilities. However, their workload is considerable and it has higher risk of stress than other social service workers. The main objective of this study is to analyze the relationships between experience and the psychosocial health levels in workers who look after people with disabilities in residences. A transversal study with 100 participants was made. Results show that workers who are working more time in residences with disable people have lower levels in some health variables (hypertension, headache, back pain, stomachache, GHQ-total and GHQ-depression) and in psychosocial variables (engagement). Results support that chronic exposition to work stress has a negative impact in psychosocial health.