SJWEH - Online-first articles List of Online-first articles on the SJWEH website http://www.sjweh.fi/list_onlinefirst_rss.php en-US SJWEH 1 lodo@ttl.fi (Lisa O\'Donoghue-Lindy) risto@toivonen.biz (Risto Toivonen) Workplace violence: A complex challenge demanding a systemic response http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4249 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4249 Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:16:04 +0200 Editorial Prevalence of workplace violence – the problem persists In a 2022 global survey, the International Labor Organization (ILO) found that more than one-fifth of the workforce experienced violence and harassment at work during their working life (12). While this gives an idea of the magnitude of the problem, it covers large differences between countries and sectors, as well as among types of violence and harassment. Effective prevention requires a more precise understanding of all these aspects, but in many countries, comprehensive data to identify the most exposed groups are not available. For Europe, however, it is possible to describe the main characteristics of workplace violence – which may be quite different from other parts of the world (12). Estimates from Europe indicate that 2–5% of the general workforce is affected by work-related violence, with substantially higher rates—ranging from 5–30%—reported in high-risk sectors (13–16). Despite these overall trends, comparing the prevalence of workplace violence remains challenging due to variations in definitions and measurements; in addition, widespread underreporting makes it difficult to obtain accurate figures (17). In this issue of the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, a longitudinal study by Gash & Blom (15) addresses some of these issues. Using nationally representative data from the UK, the authors show that workplace violence is prevalent in a wide variety of sectors, but with elevated numbers in public administration (eg, benefits administration), followed by health- and residential care and social work. Because the study by Gash & Blom uses the same set of questions to assess violence across sectors, patterns can be identified, making it possible to compare them with results from similar studies. Two relevant cohorts to compare their results with are the Work Environment and Health in Denmark study (WEHD) (18) and the European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER) conducted by Eurofound (13, 14). The WEHD study comprises identical measures of violence at work in four surveys of national samples of the Danish working population conducted between 2012 and 2018. The three sectors persistently reporting the highest levels of violence are healthcare, social work, and education (16, 19). The same trend is seen in the ESENER survey, where health and social work, education, and public administration were the top three most exposed sectors in both 2015 and 2021 (13, 14). Together, data reveal a persistent and concerning pattern for European countries, showing that workplace violence remains particularly high in specific sectors. As evidence of both the prevalence and consequences of the problem continues to grow, the need for decisive action becomes increasingly urgent. From problem to strategy: making the case for systemic solutions Workplace violence can be categorized into three types, each guiding tailored prevention efforts (20). Type I involves perpetrators with no legitimate connection to the workplace—typically criminal acts such as robberies. Type II arises from interactions with clients, patients, or service users, where violence occurs without criminal intent. Type III refers to violence from current or former colleagues, supervisors, or acquaintances within the organization (20). Cross-national patterns in the sectors most affected by workplace violence (healthcare, social work, and education) suggest that violent incidents are associated with a high degree of contact with clients, patients, or service users, characteristic of Type II violence. Type II violence typically arises in situations where the “perpetrator” experiences emotional stress caused by pain or frustration due to, eg, rejection of requests perceived as legitimate (21, 22). While the term violence is meaningful from an occupational safety and health (OSH) perspective, it connotes an overly intentional act from the perpetrator that is often not the case. For example, a care worker in a residential facility may frequently encounter violent episodes involving elderly residents with severe behavioral symptoms of dementia. Preventive measures in these sectors must therefore include a deeper understanding of how to improve the well-being of the affected individual—both to protect the care worker and to enhance the quality of life for the resident (23). Consequently, it is important to recognize that the prevention of Type II violence should be approached from a dual perspective—one that reflects a shared interest between the worker and the potential “perpetrator” in preventing conflict situations that normally precede the violent incident. This applies whether the source of the violent incident is a patient, a child in kindergarten, or a citizen who needs support from social services (23–25). As such, the prevention of violence is closely linked to professional practices within a given sector that aim to strengthen relational work with patients, clients, or service users. As mentioned above, the patterns and characteristics of workplace violence may be different in other parts of the world, where Type I and Type III violence are more prevalent, and investigating these patterns would be important for tailored prevention. Policy measures and workplace interventions While national and transnational legislation in the area has evolved with violence as a highly regulated psychosocial hazard (19, 26), that in itself does not seem to be enough to solve the problem (27, 28). Recent research indicates that both external pressure from legislation and internal pressure on actors within organizations through OSH systems and procedures are needed to change practices to prevent psychosocial risks (29). Therefore, local intervention still carries significant importance. Despite a rise in the number of intervention studies on workplace violence, only a few have succeeded in reducing workplace violence. Numerous reviews show that the majority of studies focus on de-escalation training, which seems to improve workers’ knowledge and self-efficacy, but has only limited or no impact on reducing violent incidents at work (17, 30–32). The lack of effective preventive interventions might be explained by the multicausal nature of violent episodes, where risk factors on different levels interact to create the specific risk (33–35). Some studies have examined comprehensive multi-stranded interventions addressing this complexity, and the limited evidence available suggests these interventions can be effective (36–40). However, these complex interventions can be especially challenging to conduct in workplaces that need them most. The high prevalence of workplace violence can considerably strain organizational resources, as such incidents are closely linked to increased rates of sickness absence and staff turnover (1, 6, 21, 41–43). The most vulnerable workplaces are therefore often caught in a downward spiral of resource depletion. A complex challenge demanding a systemic response This situation calls for addressing broader systemic factors that support workplaces and sectors with the highest risks and the fewest resources—factors that currently hinder their ability to comply with regulatory requirements or successfully conduct workplace interventions. Inspired by systems thinking (44), we propose a systemic approach to workplace violence prevention, as represented in figure 1. Such a systemic approach enables the identification of gaps across organizational preventive practices and research knowledge and supports the recognition of key leverage points within the system that influence multiple interrelated challenges (44). The approach aligns with system-oriented approaches such as AcciMap analysis (45), which emphasize the importance of identifying the broader organizational and systemic factors that contribute to incidents of workplace violence. Rather than focusing solely on the safety behavior of frontline staff, such approaches highlight how decisions and interactions across multiple system levels—from policy to management to task execution—shape the conditions in which violence occurs. The application of a systemic approach to workplace violence prevention is informed by studies from Australia in two high-risk sectors: healthcare and social work (32, 35), and violence-prevention research from Denmark in the high-risk sectors of eldercare, psychiatry, prison and probation services, and the education sector (23, 38, 46). The figure illustrates how violent episodes arise in the inner circle at the task execution level. However, task execution is nested within a broader context, affecting the situational risk. On the task execution level, the figure highlights the importance of adopting a dual perspective on conflict reduction—addressing both the employees’ work environment and the well-being of individuals who may pose a risk of violent situations. In healthcare, social work, and educational settings, violent episodes can create emotional and cognitive dilemmas—especially when acts are unintentional or where incrimination, eg, of an adolescent, may hinder the pedagogical relationship. Therefore, a dual perspective is needed, integrating conflict prevention and client well-being into occupational safety and health efforts (23, 34, 37). At the department level, preventive work should focus on strong collaboration between employees and managers to foster a safe and supportive psychosocial work environment (38). Psychosocial factors such as trust are essential for encouraging reporting and facilitating crucial knowledge sharing (24). At the organizational level, the focus should be on systematic, data-driven OSH efforts and policies, as typically advocated in the safety climate literature (36, 38). The two outer circles emphasize the significance of sector-specific resources and regulations, as well as (trans-)national legislation, in providing a solid framework for violence prevention (35, 47). The systemic approach to violence prevention provides a valuable framework for organizing and critically assessing existing knowledge in the field. Applying this perspective reveals a notable gap in the literature: few studies address sector-level dynamics, despite their potential as key leverage points for systemic change. Decisions related to well-known implementation barriers—such as staffing and resource allocation—can be influenced at this level. A recent study from the Australian social work sector demonstrated how systemic risk factors can be mapped effectively through active engagement of stakeholders across all levels, bridging silos of OSH, visitation processes, and quality improvement (47). This type of sector-level intervention that engages stakeholders beyond the OSH domain holds promise as an impactful strategy, given that decision-making authority over systemic factors often resides at this level. Such interventions offer a strategic opportunity to support the workplaces most in need. Adopting a systems perspective on workplace violence, therefore, requires coordinated action from multiple actors such as sector-specific interest organizations, employer organizations, and politicians. References 1. Nyberg A, Kecklund G, Hanson LM, Rajaleid K. Workplace violence and health in human service industries: a systematic review of prospective and longitudinal studies. 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Safety Sci. 2025;191:106934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106934 by Jaspers S, Karlsen I, Aust B. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4244]]> Economic gains from hypothetical improvements in the psychosocial work environment: A cohort study of 71 207 workers in Denmark http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4244 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4244 Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:57:14 +0200 Original article by Graversen BK, Hansen KS, Rugulies R, Sørensen JK, Larsen AD. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4245]]> Absence during pregnancy in the Danish workforce: occupational, industrial, and temporal trends in a nationwide register-based cohort study http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4245 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4245 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 16:57:05 +0200 Original article by Begtrup LM, Flachs EM, Wils RS, Mehlum IS, Bonde JPE, Andersen AJ, Frankel HN, Tøttenborg SS, Hougaard KS, Sejbaek CS. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4243]]> Exposure to heat at work: development of a quantitative European job exposure matrix (heat JEM) http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4243 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4243 Sat, 09 Aug 2025 17:12:23 +0200 Original article eff) exceeding WBGT reference (WBGTref). Outdoor and indoor WBGT were determined using historical, region-specific hourly meteorological data (temperature, radiation, humidity, wind speed) across Europe, between 1970 and 2024. WBGT values were adjusted for job-specific clothing to obtain WBGTeff. WBGTref was based on metabolic rate, calculated using body surface area and job-specific physical activity, and adjusted for acclimatization status. Further adjustments were made for the job title-specific presence of local heat and cooling sources, time spent indoors versus outdoors, and working schedules. Results The number of annual hours workers experience heat stress is highest among jobs involving local heat sources and physical demanding tasks, especially when work clothing is mandatory. Southern Europe has a higher annual heat stress burden compared to other regions. Exposure varies across calendar years and is substantially higher among unacclimatized versus acclimatized workers. Conclusions Incorporating job-, region-, and year-specific factors, the heat JEM provides a harmonized tool for studying occupational heat stress. Its transparent framework allows for updates with new data and extensions to other years and regions. by de Crom TOE, Scholten B, Traini E, van der Sanden K, Kingma B, Pekel F, Ghosh M, Notø H, Turner MC, Alba Hidalgo MA, Klous L, Albin M, Kolstad HA, Selander J, Calvin Ge C, Pronk A. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4242]]> Can pre-existing medical conditions explain occupational differences in COVID-19 disease severity? An analysis of 3.17 million people insured in Germany http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4242 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4242 Sat, 09 Aug 2025 15:54:35 +0200 Original article by Guţu R, Schaps V, Wachtler B, Beese F, Hoebel J, Alibone M, Wahrendorf M. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4241]]> Risk factors for voluntary early old-age retirement in middle-aged workers: A meta-analysis http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4241 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4241 Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:29:53 +0200 Review by Shiri R, Poutanen J, Haukka E, Härmä M, Ervasti J. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4240]]> Immune modulating effects of continuous bioaerosol and terpene exposure over three years among sawmill workers in Norway http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4240 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4240 Tue, 08 Jul 2025 23:53:11 +0200 Original article tot 2.1–8.3), largely driven by differences between workers (GSDbw 1.9–7.8). Serum CC-16 and mCRP were slightly higher after three years, whereas IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-10 levels were significantly lower among exposed compared with unexposed workers. Exposures positively associated with increases in biomarker levels included endotoxin with mCRP, monoterpenes with IL-10, and fungal spores with TNF-α and IL-8. Exposed workers had higher counts of total leucocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes and basophils after three years. Several of the increased leucocyte counts were associated with concurrent increase in mCRP and IL-6 concentrations, predominantly in the exposed group. Conversely, increased CC-16 levels were associated with lower leucocyte and neutrophil counts, mainly in the unexposed group. Conclusion Continuous exposure to wood dust and related components for three years appears to induce a chronic low-grade inflammatory response among sawmill workers with a shift in cytokine profiles towards a less regulated, potentially more muted immune state. by Straumfors A, Haugen F, Skare Ø, Eduard W, Henneberger PK, Douwes J, Ulvestad B, Nordby K-C. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4239]]> Occupational differences in working life expectancy and working years lost in Nordic countries http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4239 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4239 Thu, 03 Jul 2025 15:35:14 +0200 Original article by Undem K, Leinonen T, Falkstedt D, Johansson G, Pedersen J, Viikari-Juntura E, Mehlum IS, Solovieva S. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4237]]> Productivity changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated risk factors http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4237 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4237 Wed, 18 Jun 2025 13:23:57 +0200 Original article by Dalla Riva GMS, van Zon SKR, Ots P, van den Berg G, Lifelines Corona Research Initiative, Brouwer S, van Ooijen R. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4236]]> The effects of prenatal psychosocial work stress on adverse pregnancy outcomes: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4236 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4236 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 17:28:07 +0200 Review 2 statistics, and further subgroup and sensitivity analysis was employed as appropriate. Results A total of 26 studies (N=1 346 686) were included. Psychosocial work stress decreased birth weight by 77.09 grams, increased the occurrence of preeclampsia by 50%, and preterm birth by 18% with moderate certainty of evidence, and increased the chance of pregnancy loss by 20% with low certainty of evidence. With a low grading scale, low birth weight and small-for-gestational-age had no significant association with psychosocial work stress. Conclusions Psychosocial work-stress increased the risks of pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, and pregnancy loss, and decreased fetus weight. Therefore, occupational therapists, employers, policy makers, and relevant stakeholders should work together to minimize the impact of psychosocial work-stress on the mother and baby. by Admas, Teoh AN, Chonu K. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4234]]> The impact of telework allowance and utilization on physiological and perceived stress among Swedish white-collar workers http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4234 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4234 Wed, 28 May 2025 21:03:15 +0200 Original article by Januario LB, Heiden M, Mathiassen SE, Bergström G, Hallman DM. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4235]]> Capturing occupational risk of airborne disease: An international job-exposure matrix based on five exposure factors http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4235 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4235 Thu, 22 May 2025 14:40:04 +0200 Short communication by Oude Hengel KM, Peters S, Stokholm ZA, Burdorf A, Pronk A, Kolstad HA, van Tongeren M, Basinas I, Schlünssen V. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4230]]> Workplace violence and fear of violence: an assessment of prevalence across industrial sectors and its mental health effects http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4230 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4230 Mon, 12 May 2025 22:24:30 +0200 Original article 1 in 10 workers were exposed to violence in the last 12 months in 30% of sectors and >1 in 20 workers were exposed in 70% of sectors. Both violence and fear of violence were associated with enhanced CMD risk at baseline and one year later. by Gash V, Blom N. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4229]]> Detailed mapping of mesothelioma cases in Denmark to identify areas with elevated risk: a nationwide population-based study http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4229 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4229 Tue, 06 May 2025 16:28:45 +0200 Short communication 1.25 or >2.0 with a posterior probability of >95% were flagged as parishes with an excess risk of pleural mesothelioma. Results We identified 3105 incident cases of pleural mesothelioma in the study period. A total of 74 and 14 parishes were flagged with IRR significantly above 1.25 and 2.0, respectively. These parishes had posterior mean smoothed IRR of 1.82–4.13. Conclusions We provided a detailed mapping of pleural mesothelioma cases in Denmark and found five distinct areas, each covering several parishes, with a significantly elevated risk. All these areas were in the proximity of previous asbestos-using industries. by Christensen HS, Jensen RH, Nielsen LH, Bertelsen LD, Teglgaard C, Bønløkke JH, Severinsen MT, Bøgsted M. doi:10.5271/sjweh.4231]]> Gender differences in work–family conflict and mental health of Swedish workers by childcare responsibilities: findings from the SLOSH cohort study http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4231 http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=4231 Mon, 21 Apr 2025 15:22:11 +0200 Original article 10 hours/week) and sex. Results Changes in mean scores for WFC and FWC were associated with changes in depressive symptoms for men [no childcaring: WFC 1.31 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13–1.49), FWC 0.70 (95% CI 0.43–0.96); childcaring >10 hours/week: WFC 1.39 (95% CI 0.53–2.25), FWC 1.24 (95% CI 0.27–2.21)] and women [no childcaring: WFC 1.57 (95% CI 1.41–1.73), FWC 1.04 (95% CI 0.79–1.30); childcaring >10 hours/week: WFC 2.04 (95% CI 1.36–2.73), FWC 1.57 (95% CI 0.82–2.32)]. Conclusion Higher levels of WFC and FWC are associated with increased depressive symptoms in both men and women. The impact is greater for those with greater childcaring responsibilities intensity. by Taouk Y, King T, Leineweber C, Churchill B, Ruppanner L, Hanson LM]]>