Extending the demand-control-model. The latent structuring of contemporary working conditions in association with mental well-being among a representative sample of wage-earners

Introduction. Mental health problems are increasing among workers. According to the "Demand-Control-Support-model", high work demands, low job control and low support are affecting mental health. However, the DCS-model is often conceived as too simple in reflecting the broad number of stressors related to contemporary working conditions. In this study, the DCS-model is expanded with additional stressful working conditions. Furthermore, it is assessed how these are structured within the population of wage-earners. Methods. In a sample of 11,099 Flemish (Belgian) employees, logit modelling is used for testing the associations of the stressors with mental well-being. Their structuring is tested using latent class and modified LISREL analyses. Results. Problems with mental well-being are significantly higher when experiencing high quantitative and emotional demands, repetitive movements, job insecurity, bullying behaviour, problematic task variation and low social support. These work characteristics constitute four latent dimensions: psychological demands, physical demands, job control and social relationships at work. Job insecurity makes a dimension of its own. Each of these latent dimensions, except latent physical demands, is positively related with problems of mental well-being. Latent physical demands shows a small negative association. Conclusion. The additional work stressors included in this study are significantly related with mental health, however they fit only partly in the DCS-structure. The structuring of contemporary work stressors needs more attention in research.