Organizational and Psychosocial Working Conditions and Their Relationship With Mental Health Outcomes in Patient-Care Workers

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between both psychosocial and organizational working conditions with self-reported mental health and mental health expenditures. Methods: This study used worker survey and medical claims data from a sample of 1594 patient-care workers from the Boston Hospital Workers Health Study (BHWHS) to assess the relationship of psychosocial (job demands, decision latitude, supervisor support, coworker support) and organizational (job flexibility, peopleoriented culture) working conditions with mental health outcomes using validated tools Results: People-oriented culture and coworker support were negatively correlated with psychological distress and were predictive of lower expenditures in mental health services. Job demands were positively correlated with psychological distress. Conclusions: Working conditions that promote trustful relationships and a cooperative work environment may render sustainable solutions to prevent ill mental health.