ABSTRACT
As a discipline, occupational health psychology (OHP) relies on a multidisciplinary approach from diverse specialties (Leka & Houdmont, 2010; Quick & Tetrick, 2003; Sauter, Hurrel, Fox, Tetrick, & Barling; 1999). Traditional public health fields, such as epidemiology, have received increased attention in their potential contribution to advance the field of OHP through scientific research and methodology (Macik-Frey, Quick, & Nelson, 2007). Epidemiology is “the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related events and the application of this study to control health problems” (Last, 2000, p. 84). Epidemiology has several specific objectives that are consistent with those found in OHP (Gordis, 2009). One objective of epidemiology is to identify the etiology of disease through the identification and quantification of relevant risk factors. This objective directly contributes to the field of OHP in that identification of risk factors is a necessary first step in the development of intervention and prevention programs. Another objective of epidemiology is to study the natural history of disease to determine baseline rates and to identify trends in disease occurrence. A final objective is the design and evaluation of intervention programs developed in response to risk factors found to be associated with disease. These objectives are consistent with occupational health psychology research efforts such as those found in intervention effectiveness research.
