ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the short history of occupational health psychology (OHP) and to include empirical research showing the dynamic relationship between work, health and satisfaction. OHP is an applied field of psychology that aims to improve the quality of work life, and to protect and promote the safety, health and well-being of workers. The European perspective suggests that the areas of psychology that might be applied in addressing occupational health include health psychology, work and organizational psychology, and social and environmental psychology. Meanwhile, North American researchers integrate psychological procedures, practices and methodologies with a diverse number of specialties, principally health and occupational health psychology, preventive, occupational and behavioral medicine, political science, sociology and business. The chapter provides insight into: new challenges for occupational and health psychology, work and dispositional occupational sources of health, health, management and organizational effectiveness, job insecurity, unemployment and mental health and specific issues of occupational psychology.
