The Role of Environmental Control on Environmental Satisfaction, Communication, and Psychological Stress

2004/09/01 by Yueng-Hsiang Huang, Michelle M. Robertson, Kuo-I Chang +1 · 105 citations
Engineering · Health Professions · Medicine · Psychology · #Applied psychology #Computer science #Control (management) #Engineering #Environmental health #Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders #Facilities and Workplace Management #Human factors and ergonomics #Job satisfaction #Medicine #Occupational Health and Safety Research #Perception #Poison control #Psychology #Social psychology #Test (biology) #Work (physics) #Work environment

paper · doi:10.1177/0013916503262543

published in Environment and Behavior 36(5), 617-637 (SAGE Publishing)

openalex publication_date 2004/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25

Abstract

The main purpose of this quasi–field experiment was to test whether an office ergonomics training program reduces employees’ psychological stress and improves their environmental control, environmental satisfaction, and communication levels. A conceptual model was developed and used to test these relationships. Preintervention and postintervention survey data were collected from 89 knowledge workers. The office ergonomics training program significantly improved workers’ self-reported perceptions of environmental control, satisfaction with the work environment, and the degree to which the environment supported communication with coworkers. However, psychological stress was unchanged. Environmental control was found to mediate the relationship between preenvironmental and postenvironmental satisfaction. Overall, the results confirm the importance of incorporating ergonomics training into office workplaces to enhance the effective use of work environments and of knowledge workers’ sense of control and environmental satisfaction.

Citations

• Job Demands, Job Decision Latitude, and Mental Strain: Implications for Job Redesign

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