Psychosocial factors and the ''sick building-syndrome''. A case-referent study

The significance of the psychosocial work environment for the prevalence of symptoms compatible with the ''sick building syndrome'' (SBS) was studied in a case-referent study including 464 office workers, half of whom had symptoms of SBS. A questionnaire was distributed to all subjects, and representatives of the organisations concerned were interviewed. The aim of the study was to investigate the importance of psychosocial and organisational factors in explaining the prevalence of SBS symptoms among office workers. The results showed that psychosocial work characteristics, such as workload and job satisfaction, as well as worry and reorganisation are factors that have a significant impact on the risk of developing the symptoms of SBS.