Définitions et aspects épidémiologiques des risques psychosociaux

This paper deals with the recent history of psychosocial risks (PSR), the diversity of terms to name its, their frequency and finally the known psychosocial factors and their health consequences. PSR are regrouped in (1) perceived strains, originally represented by Karasek and Siegrist models, enhanced by new models such as ethical conflicts, organizational injustice, employment insecurity, insufficient managerial leadership, etc. and (2) no perceived organizational factors which could alter health directly (as long working hours) or indirectly via perceived strains (as mismatching between workplace and school or nursery hours). Health consequences are reported first on physio-pathological point of view, describing hormonal, neurobiological and epigenetic mechanisms of acute and chronic stress and secondly on epidemiological point of view reviewing studies on psychosocial exposure and cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal or anxio-depressive disorders, burn-out, suicide, post-traumatic stress, addictions, workaholism, occupational and commuting accidents, etc.