ABSTRACT
There is much controversy as to the etiology of occupational musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities. Research suggests that a complex interaction among medical, ergonomic, organizational, and psychosocial factors contribute to the development, exacerbation, and maintenance of these broad ranges of symptoms and disorders (Armstrong et al., 1993; Chaffin and Fine, 1993). Work-related upper-extremity symptoms may include pain, numbness, stiffness, and aching in the fingers, wrists, forearms, elbows, upper arms, neck, and shoulder regions (Putz-Anderson, 1988; Rempel et al., 1992). These symptoms tend to fall into two classes of disorders: tendinitis-related and nerve entrapment-related (Putz-Anderson, 1988; Armstrong et al., 1993). These symptoms and disorders appear to be affected by exposure to such biomechanical stressors as repetition, awkward postures, excessive force, inadequate work/rest cycles, vibration, and temperature extremes (Armstrong et al., 1993; Ulin and Armstrong, 1992). The role of the more classic ergonomic stressors will not be addressed in this chapter other than to emphasize that the concepts presented must be considered in light of the complex interaction among medical, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors (Feuerstein, 1991). Also certain work-styles, coupled with work climate, work demand, and workstation factors may interact to increase exposure to ergonomic stressors, thus increasing the likelihood of symptom presentation or exacerbation and maintenance in an employee with preexisting symptoms. This chapter will focus on one psychosocial variable-workstyle, or how the individual worker approaches work.
