Despite profound changes in modern working life occupational health research has maintained a rather narrow view of its topic, dealing almost exclusively with physical, chemical, or otherwise material conditions.^1,2 In view of a substantial body of scientific evidence of adverse effects on health produced by a stressful psychosocial work environment this restriction is no longer justified.^3,4 The term “psychosocial work environment” has been introduced to delineate the range of sociostructural work related opportunities that is available to an individual person to meet his or her needs of wellbeing, productivity, and positive self experience.⁵ Two aspects of positive self experience are of particular importance for wellbeing and health at work: self efficacy and self esteem.

The demand-control model of work related stress …