This explored the relationship between physical pain, and psychological distress factors, and the effects of demographic, lifestyle and fatigue indicators on the relationship.
231 Australian coal miners were included in the study.
Results:
Predictably, a significant relationship between pain and distress was found among coal miners. More widespread pain was associated with greater distress.
Distress was found to be more pronounced with operators/truck drivers, younger workers and the less physically active in their time off work. These factors were associated with absenteeism for those that reported low back pain. Exercising when time off work “appeared to be protective, such that workers who were more active off-shift reported lower levels of distress regardless of pain” (p208).
Of the 231 miners, 177 (80.5%) reported experiencing pain in at least one region of their body over the past 12 months. Notably, nearly 10% reported high levels of distress, which contrasts with the national average for the Australian working population which only indicate 4.5% pain incidence. That is, miners report high distress at a rate of more than double the national average.
Higher distress was associated with higher absenteeism rates, but this was found only for those reporting lower back pain.
Operators (truck drivers) and workers who reported poor sleep quality during work periods are the most likely to report increased distress. Sedentary roles, like drivers or plant operators were found to be “significantly more distressed than workers in other job categories” (p207).
Authors note that while the total number of body regions affected by pain seemed to be a useful indicator of distress levels amongst miners, lower back pain was a strong determinant of pain and distress-related outcomes.
Notably, most participants in this sample were not taking time off work to deal with their pain, with the exception of those reporting low back pain. Authors speculate that “This may indicate the potential for higher levels of presenteeism within the coal-mining population” (p207).
One thing I found interesting is that while you would expect pain to disturb sleep, the authors noted that “this mediation was only apparent when rostered on and sleep quality did not significantly mediate the relationship between pain and distress when rostered off” (p208).
Thus, as highlighted in the study, this finding highlights how important sufficient rest is specifically during the roster.
In conclusion, quoting the paper: “Findings support the existence of widespread musculoskeletal pain among the coal-mining workforce, and this pain is associated with increased psychological distress” and that exposure to 12-hour rotating shifts which also include travel time and meals leaves little time for sleep and effective recovery, which “thus continues to increase the risk of presenteeism and chronic health problems” (p208).
Authors: Carlisle, K.N., & Parker, A.W. (2014). Psychological distress and pain reporting in Australian coal miners, Safety and Health at Work. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2014.07.005
Study Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2093791114000535
Link to the LinkedIn article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/psychological-distress-pain-reporting-australian-coal-ben-hutchinson
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