Occupational health psychology abroad: current state and future development

Abstract

Occupational health psychology (OHP) is a new area of applied research in modern psychology. Two approaches to definition of OHP - European and North American - are described in the article. The topic areas that comprise the focus of OHP abroad are considered: the analyses of published research themes and expert surveys highlight the prevalence of problem-oriented studies such us the studies of work-related stress and psychosocial risks in the workplace. Actual directions of current foreign researches are discussed. Prospects of future development of occupational health psychology abroad which are currently related to elaboration and realization of its 'positive' potential - including development of positive occupational health psychology - are analyzed. Additionally, new directions of empirical studies are presented.