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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Rashaun Roberts, PhD, Paula L. Grubb, PhD, James W. Grosch, PhD, and W. Stephen Brightwell, BS. DHHS/CDC/NIOSH/DART/OSHFB/WOSRS, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway MS C-24, Cincinnati, OH 45226, 513-533-8346, rsr3@cdc.gov

Background: As a result of major population shifts over the last decade, the American workplace is more racially and ethnically diverse than ever before. Yet, occupational safety and health (OSH) research has not kept pace with these labor force trends. Few occupational stress studies have been specifically designed to investigate the workplace psychosocial experiences that contribute to diminished safety and health outcomes among minorities. Further, OSH researchers have rarely employed community-based participatory methods to develop better information about these experiences. Aims: Using community-based participatory research methods, this study explored participant perceptions of psychosocial stressors in the workplace and the perceived impact of these stressors on safety and health. Method: Sixteen focus groups were conducted with Blacks/African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans and White Americans in the Chicago area. Six of the groups consisted of Asian, Hispanic/Latino and White ethnic-immigrants. Findings: Compared to White American participants, minority group members reported frequent episodes of workplace-based racial and ethnic discrimination and micro-insults. Participants linked these experiences to a variety of acute problems in safety and health. Further, language was identified as common source of workplace stress; accents and low English literacy skills were barriers to advancement among ethnic immigrants despite having educational qualifications. Conclusion: Organizational-level interventions are needed to better accommodate the multicultural workforce and to foster fairness and inclusiveness in work organizations.

Learning Objectives:

• Apply a community-based participatory approach to an occupational safety and health research initiative.
• Identify workplace psychosocial stressors for an array of minority and immigrant workers.

Keywords: Minorities, Occupational Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No