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774The appropriateness of the Effort-Reward Imbalance ratio for investigating musculoskeletal symptoms


 
 
 Effort-reward imbalance (ERI), an indicator of occupational stress, can provide valuable insights into musculoskeletal symptom (MSS) outcomes for workers. The ERI ratio is typically used in analysis, rather than the effort and reward variables individually, or the reward sub-scales (promotion opportunities, job security and esteem). The appropriateness of this approach has not been investigated. We were interested in the association between the ERI ratio and its components (e.g. effort, promotion opportunities), and MSS outcomes (the presence of any MSSs, and a range of consequences) in professional musicians.
 
 
 
 Employed, professional musicians completed a questionnaire that included the short version of the Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire, and questions regarding their MSSs. Regressions were performed to determine the association between the ERI ratio and other ERI components, and MSS outcomes.
 
 
 
 The ERI ratio was associated with a number of MSS outcomes, including chronic MSSs and MSSs that impaired playing, however this relationship appeared to be driven by increased perceived effort, not by reward.
 
 
 
 Our findings highlight the need to investigate the individual ERI components (e.g. subscales), rather than just the ERI ratio, when investigating the association between occupational stress and MSS outcomes. By doing so, more targeted recommendations can be made, which for musicians include reducing their perceived effort to lower their MSS burden.
 
 
 
 Studies investigating the association between occupational stress and MSS outcomes should investigate the individual components and subscales of the ERI model.
