| Abstract: | The aim with this cross-sectional study of postal workers in7 different occupations was to evaluate the correlations betweensome psychosocial factors and psychosomatic complaints. A sampleof 105 men and 38 women were given self-administered questionnaires.The questionnaires inquired about gastrointestinal complaints,sleep quality, psychological work demands, decision latitude,and social support at the workplace. The data were analysedby variance analysis (Anova),  2-test and stepwise multiple regression.In the group with the lowest psychological work demands, thehighest decision latitude, and the best social support, therewere few symptoms in comparison with the other groups. The findingsare consistent with the hypothesis that a poor psychosocialwork situation results in a higher report of psychosomatic complaints.Therefore, it is important to elucidate the causes of high frequencyof certain symptoms. This would be an important task for theoccupational health service, since psychosomatic symptoms mightbe an early indicator of work related problems. |
