Can improvement of work and work process knowledge support well-being at work?

One hundred and twenty-three kitchen workers participated in a multi-level intervention aiming to the improvement of their work, work process knowledge, well-being, and work ability. The intervention was based on systematic and participative analysis and improvement of work process. Assessments of psychosocial work factors, conceptual mastery of work, well-being and work ability were followed-up. Both quantitative and qualitative workload decreased, and job control increased. Also the clarity of one's work role improved during the intervention. Work process knowledge improved and mental well-being increased during the intervention. The results of the interventions seem to be promising on all levels of the outcomes studied. However, the analyses on the effects of the subjects' participation in the interventions on the outcomes must be continued. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.