1. Selected topics

Psychosocial work conditions

Research has shown that some social and psychological aspects of work and work environments can have an impact on workers’ mental health and well-being. This page pulls together IWH research on psychosocial work conditions such as job demand and control, supervisor/co-worker support, reward and recognition, among others. It also includes IWH research on tools and resources to reduce psychosocial hazards.

Featured

A group of teachers meet outside of a staff room. One holds a clipboard.
At Work article

Lower injury rates found when workers feel their workplace prioritizes their wellbeing

An IWH study has found study found that poor psychosocial safety and poor physical safety both increase the risk of work-related mental and physical injuries.
Published: February 12, 2026
A parents walks their two children wearing backpacks towards a shool.
At Work article

Parental job quality linked to children’s mental health, school performance

Children whose parents work low-quality, precarious jobs are more likely to experience mental health problems and perform poorly at school. That’s according to a pair of studies, co-led by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH), that drew on two large-scale Canadian surveys.
Published: September 10, 2025
A worker slumps over in fatigue and defeat, next to an angry boss and a desk piled high with work
At Work article

For a segment of the workforce, psychosocial working conditions are poor across the board

For one in 10 Canadian workers, the psychosocial work environment is poor across the board. What's more, working in such conditions is associated with a substantial increase in their risk of burnout and stress.
Published: October 2021
A close-up of scattered cigarettes
Research Highlights

Examining the link between working conditions and tobacco-smoking habits

People who work or have worked in physically demanding jobs are about twice as likely as people whose jobs are not physically demanding to be heavy smokers. Workers in jobs with low social support, low skill discretion and high psychological demands are also more likely than workers in healthier environments to be heavy smokers.
Published: June 2019
Chalk drawings of three emojis on a blackboard
At Work article

Slight improvements seen in workplace psychosocial conditions over 10 years

How have psychosocial work conditions changed in Canada over a 10-year time frame? Data from Statscan surveys suggest a slight improvement, but the IWH researchers behind the analysis are cautious in their interpretations.
Published: November 2018
Project
Project

Assessing the psychosocial work environment in British Columbia to inform prevention activities

WorkSafeBC is in the initial stages of developing and implementing an Enterprise Mental Health Strategy. As part of its development and evaluation efforts, this project will fill knowledge gaps in the understanding of the psychosocial work environment in British Columbia, as well as workers' awareness of its impact as a workplace hazard.
Status: Ongoing
Project
Project

Validation study of Occupational Stress Injury Resiliency Tool

This project will assess the validity and the performance of the Occupational Stress Injury Resilience tool—created to assess first responders’ occupational stress injury risks.
Status: Ongoing