Effort-reward imbalance and subjective health complaints: exploratory study among physicians in Spain

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore whether the impact of Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) on health complaints was moderated by overcommitment. A sample of 164 Spanish medical doctors that filled in a paper and pencil questionnaire. The negative effect of perceived ERI on subjective health complaints was stronger for employees with high or medium overcommitment, while it was positive and non-significant for those with low overcommitment. The present study can contribute to a better understanding of how and when ERI boosts the risk of subjective health complaints. Accordingly, early intervention designed to buffer the negative effects of ERI would focus on increasing individual level of overcommitment.