Occupational health psychology: Origins, content, and direction

Rapidly changing conditions of work and employment have brought the topic of work organization and health to the forefront of concern in occupational safety and health. This article begins with a historical overview of psychology's contribution to the occupational safety and health field. It then argues that the changing work environment creates new and special needs for research and application by psychologists in the area of work organization and health. The article also describes new initiatives by national health organizations in the United States and Europe to frame a new Geld of study that focuses on the topic of work organization and health, called "occupational health psychology."