What Is Occupational Health Psychology?

Occupational Health Psychology (OHP) involves the interdisciplinary partnerships of psychological and occupational health science professionals seeking to improve the quality of working life, and enhance the safety, health and well-being of workers in all occupations. Because it exists at the intersection of behavioral science and occupational health disciplines, OHP is inclusive of knowledge and methods from psychology, public/occupational health, organizational studies, human factors, and allied fields (such as occupational sociology, industrial engineering, economics, and others). OHP is concerned with the broad range of exposures and mechanisms that affect the quality of working life and the responses of workers. These include individual psychological attributes, job content and work organization, organizational policies and practices, and the economic and political environments in which organizations function. OHP research and practice explores interventions targeting the work environment as well as the individual, to create healthier workplaces and organizations and to improve the capacity of workers to protect their safety and health and to maximize their overall effectiveness.

For additional background, we have collected a selection of literature pertaining to the development of the field of OHP , an overview of the contributions of NIOSH and APA to OHP, and a summary of milestones in the history of OHP.

For the results of a recent survey that looks at the field from the perspective of graduate students currently pursuing study in OHP please click here.

For a basic reference list relating to a variety of OHP topics please click here: USF OHP Bibliography

FIELD OF OHP

This page provides general background information on the field of OHP.

Field of OHP

Background Literature

NIOSH - APA Contribution to OHP

Milestones