Affiliations: Department of Work Environment, University of
Massachusetts-Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA | Department of Industrial Engineering, University of
Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Maria J. Brunette, %Assistant
Associate Professor, Department of Work Environment, University of
Massachusetts Lowell, One University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854, USA. Tel.: +1
978 934 3248; Fax: +1 978 452 5711; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Objective: To further investigate Peruvian blue collar workers'
perceptions of their conditions of work and find out relationships between
these conditions and overall worker well being. Methods: A survey study
conducted on-the-job via a self-administered questionnaire translated into
Spanish. Main study variables included work satisfaction, self-reported health
status, musculoskeletal pain, and mental distress symptoms. Working conditions
and extra-organizational factors were included in this multilevel assessment
using multiple regression analyses. Participants: Blue collar workers
from the formal manufacturing sector in Lima, Perú. Results: A total
of 305 women and 761 men completed the questionnaires. Female and male
perceptions of their work environment differed significantly in magnitude and
occasionally in direction. Among women, the extra-organizational factors played
a key role in perceived mental distress. For men, task and organizational
aspects together with the extra-organizational factors were important
correlates of life and work satisfaction. Conclusions: The combination of
higher strain due to work plus extra-organizational factors for women is an
important finding in this study and is critical for developing ideas about
interventions in IDCs. Inclusion of extra-organizational factors contributed to
a better understanding of workers' job satisfaction and health.
Keywords: Working conditions, gender differences, industrial workers, job satisfaction, industrially developing countries
