Occupational health psychology (OHP) involves the application of psychology to improving the quality of work life and to promoting and protecting the safety, health and well-being of employees. Achieving these aims requires researchers and practitioners to possess in-depth knowledge of the processes that are presumed to bring about the desired outcomes. To date, most studies in OHP have relied on cross-sectional designs in examining these processes. In such designs all variables of interest are measured simultaneously. Although this has generated useful insights in how particular phenomena are associated, such designs cannot be trusted when it comes to drawing causal inferences: association is not causation. This book therefore focuses on longitudinal research designs in OHP, whereby the concepts of interest are measured several times, offering much stronger evidence for causal relationships. The authors focus on design issues in longitudinal research (such as the number of measurements chosen, and the length of the time lags between these measurements), and illustrate these issues in the context of applied research on topics such as the work-family interface, conflict at work, and employee well-being. By doing so this volume provides a state-of-the-art overview of current research in OHP, both in terms of its findings and methodologies. This book is based on a special issue of the journal Work & Stress.

Occupational health psychology (OHP) involves the application of psychology to improving the quality of work life and to promoting and protecting the safety, health and well-being of employees. Achieving these aims requires researchers and practitioners to possess in-depth knowledge of the processes that are presumed to bring about the desired outcomes. To date, most studies in OHP have relied on cross-sectional designs in examining these processes. In such designs all variables of interest are measured simultaneously. Although this has generated useful insights in how particular phenomena are associated, such designs cannot be trusted when it comes to drawing causal inferences: association is not causation. This book therefore focuses on longitudinal research designs in OHP, whereby the concepts of interest are measured several times, offering much stronger evidence for causal relationships. The authors focus on design issues in longitudinal research (such as the number of measurements chosen, and the length of the time lags between these measurements), and illustrate these issues in the context of applied research on topics such as the work-family interface, conflict at work, and employee well-being. By doing so this volume provides a state-of-the-art overview of current research in OHP, both in terms of its findings and methodologies. This book is based on a special issue of the journal Work & Stress.

What motivates us to do a good job? When does the pressure of work impact upon our health and well-being? How can employers choose the right candidates? The Psychology of Working Life shows how, whether we like it or not, the way we work, and our feelings about it, play a fundamental role in overall well-being. From the use of psychometrics in recruiting the right candidate, to making working life more efficient, the book illustrates how work in industrialized societies continues to be founded upon core psychological ideas. Motivation and job satisfaction have become recognized as key to job design and The Psychology of Working Life suggests that changing the way we work can impact on our stress levels, overall health, and productivity.

What motivates us to do a good job? When does the pressure of work impact upon our health and well-being? How can employers choose the right candidates? The Psychology of Working Life shows how, whether we like it or not, the way we work, and our feelings about it, play a fundamental role in overall well-being. From the use of psychometrics in recruiting the right candidate, to making working life more efficient, the book illustrates how work in industrialized societies continues to be founded upon core psychological ideas. Motivation and job satisfaction have become recognized as key to job design and The Psychology of Working Life suggests that changing the way we work can impact on our stress levels, overall health, and productivity.