Quality of work life and professional ethics among occupational health professionals: a social exchange theory perspective.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Occupational Health & Safety, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht St, Tabriz, Iran. [email protected].
- 2Department of Occupational Health & Safety, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht St, Tabriz, Iran.
- 3School of Built Environment and Design, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
- 4Department of Basic Sciences, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Medical Education Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract
Background
Despite the increasing complexity of ethical challenges in occupational health settings, limited attention has been paid to the ethical conduct of occupational health professionals themselves. This study examined how Quality of Work Life is associated with professional ethics among occupational health professionals, guided by Social Exchange Theory.Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 occupational health practitioners in East Azerbaijan. Data were analysed using SPSS and SmartPLS, involving Pearson correlation, t-tests, ANOVA, and structural equation modelling. Measurement models were validated for reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and common method bias.Results
The findings showed a statistically significant but modest positive association between the total Quality of Work Life score and the total Professional Ethics score (r = 0.281, p < 0.01). The strongest domain-level correlation was observed between Human Capabilities Development and Professional Autonomy (r = 0.330, p < 0.01). Human Capabilities Development, Safe Work Environment, and Social Integration were positively associated with Professional Responsibility, Professional Autonomy, and Trustworthiness. However, the model explained only 21.4% of the variance in Professional Responsibility, 18.6% in Professional Autonomy, and 8.2% in Trustworthiness, indicating modest explanatory capacity and particularly limited explanatory power for Trustworthiness.Conclusion
The findings suggest that Quality of Work Life may be a relevant organizational factor associated with professional ethics in occupational health practice. The study highlights the potential importance of developmental and relational aspects of work in supporting moral responsibility, while acknowledging that causal conclusions cannot be drawn from the cross-sectional design. These findings are especially relevant for policymaking in developing countries where ethical conduct is central to workplace safety and public health credibility.
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BibTeX
@article{akbarzadeh2026quality,
title = {{Quality of work life and professional ethics among occupational health professionals: a social exchange theory perspective.}},
author = {Omid Akbarzadeh and Roghayye Rasouli and Parisa Moshashaei and Rasoul Ahmadpour and Neda Gilani and Mehran Seif Farshad and Seyyed Shamseddin Alizadeh},
journal = {BMC psychology},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s40359-026-05226-6},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894186},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Quality of work life and professional ethics among occupational health professionals: a social exchange theory perspective.
AU - Omid Akbarzadeh
AU - Roghayye Rasouli
AU - Parisa Moshashaei
AU - Rasoul Ahmadpour
AU - Neda Gilani
AU - Mehran Seif Farshad
AU - Seyyed Shamseddin Alizadeh
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/22
JO - BMC psychology
DO - 10.1186/s40359-026-05226-6
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894186
AB - Background Despite the increasing complexity of ethical challenges in occupational health settings, limited attention has been paid to the ethical conduct of occupational health professionals themselves. This study examined how Quality of Work Life is associated with professional ethics among occupational health professionals, guided by Social Exchange Theory.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 occupational health practitioners in East Azerbaijan. Data were analysed using SPSS and SmartPLS, involving Pearson correlation, t-tests, ANOVA, and structural equation modelling. Measurement models were validated for reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and common method bias.Results The findings showed a statistically significant but modest positive association between the total Quality of Work Life score and the total Professional Ethics score (r = 0.281, p < 0.01). The strongest domain-level correlation was observed between Human Capabilities Development and Professional Autonomy (r = 0.330, p < 0.01). Human Capabilities Development, Safe Work Environment, and Social Integration were positively associated with Professional Responsibility, Professional Autonomy, and Trustworthiness. However, the model explained only 21.4% of the variance in Professional Responsibility, 18.6% in Professional Autonomy, and 8.2% in Trustworthiness, indicating modest explanatory capacity and particularly limited explanatory power for Trustworthiness.Conclusion The findings suggest that Quality of Work Life may be a relevant organizational factor associated with professional ethics in occupational health practice. The study highlights the potential importance of developmental and relational aspects of work in supporting moral responsibility, while acknowledging that causal conclusions cannot be drawn from the cross-sectional design. These findings are especially relevant for policymaking in developing countries where ethical conduct is central to workplace safety and public health credibility.
SN - 2050-7283
ER -