The relationship between shift work, effort-reward imbalance and the co-occurrence of modifiable lifestyle factors in pedagogic specialists in social care work and special needs education

Abstract

Unhealthy lifestyle choices play an important role in the development of uncommunicable diseases worldwide and seem unevenly distributed among professions. Given the significant role of work in people's lives, examining its mental and emotional impact is essential, particularly in social care and special needs education. Work-related factors like shift work, effort-reward imbalance, and overcommitment are prevalent in these professions and may influence lifestyle choices and linked health outcomes. Examining the impact of these factors is crucial to better understand their contribution to potentially risky lifestyle behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the presence of associations between shift work, overcommitment, effort-reward imbalance and the different lifestyle factors. The study hypothesis was partly proven, as a significant association between overcommitment and smoking was found. The absence of further statistically significant associations is most likely due to the small sample size.