Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine - Featured Articles

Work-Family Conflict and Employee Well-Being Over Time: The Loss Spiral Effect Objective: The development of work-family conflict over time was analyzed using Conservation of Resources Theory. Method: The reciprocal effect between work-family conflict and employee well-being was tested with cross-lagged analyses on the basis of three waves. The sample comprised 713 employees of a Portuguese service organization. Results: Structural equation modeling analyses, with sex, age, and parental demand controlled, indicated that the work-family conflict at T1 and T2 decreases the employee psychological well-being at T2 and T3, respectively. Furthermore, employee psychological well-being at T2 had a longitudinal cross-lagged effect on work-family at T3. We concluded that employee psychological well-being at T2 predicted work-family at T3, which was a subsequent outcome of work-family conflict on T1. Conclusions: This paper highlighted the importance of organizations to consider work-family conflict to ensure employees’ well-being because they develop reciprocal relationship with a loss spiral effect.

Brain Anatomy in Latino Farmworkers Exposed to Pesticides and Nicotine Objective: Migrant tobacco farmworkers experience regular occupational exposure to pesticides and nicotine. The present study was designed to determine whether there are differences in brain anatomy between Latino farmworkers and non-farmworkers. Methods: Magnetic resonance brain images were compared between farmworkers and non-farmworkers. In addition, blood cholinesterase activity and urinary cotinine levels were also used to identify associations with pesticide and nicotine exposure. Results: Farmworkers had greater gray matter signal in putamen and cerebellum, and lower gray matter signal in frontal and temporal lobes. Urinary cotinine was associated with the observed differences in brain anatomy, but blood cholinesterase activity was not. Conclusions: Nicotine exposure was associated with neuroanatomical differences between Latino farmworkers and non-farmworkers. Future studies are needed to differentiate iron deposition from brain atrophy and to further assess the potential role of nicotine and pesticide exposure.

Does Worksite Culture of Health (CoH) Matter to Employees? Empirical Evidence Using Job-Related Metrics Objectives: This study examines the relationships between the workplace culture of health (CoH), job satisfaction, and turnover intention. We also examined the moderating effect of job classification. Methods: Structural equation modeling analysis was performed on data from employees of a Korean life insurance company (N = 880). Results: Workplace CoH directly influenced job satisfaction (β = 0.32; P < 0.001) and was indirectly associated with intention to leave. Job satisfaction was directly associated with intention to leave (β = −0.42; P < 0.001). The relationship between job satisfaction and intention to leave was stronger for managerial employees than for non-managerial employees. Conclusions: This study showed that a workplace CoH is related to job satisfaction and intention to leave. Supporting health at the workplace has implications beyond health that benefit both employees and the organization.