Work Ability and Its Correlates With Workers Aging Among Blue-Collar Workers in a Manufacturing Company: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This article assesses work ability in a sample of blue-collar workers who often perform physically demanding tasks.

Method: The data collected resulted in 354 validly completed questionnaires from 426 participants (response rate: approximately 90%).

Results: In this sample, the average score on WAI of workers is 37.42 (SD = 6.62), indicating good work ability. Regression analyses revealed that work ability was significantly associated skill discretion (β = 0.365, P = 0.001), home-work conflict (β = -0.199, P = 0.001), and work-home conflict (β = -0.320, P = 0.001).

Conclusions: Of the psychosocial factors examined in this study, skill discretion was the most important factor associated with work ability. Therefore, it is necessary to develop measures that support this component.