This course focuses on the role of workplace factors in employee health and well-being. Both potential negative consequences, i.e. mental and physical health problems, and positive consequences, i.e. engagement, personal growth/learning, will be addressed. A series of lectures introduces students to the most important occupational stress models (e.g., Job-Demand-Control-Support model, Effort-Reward Imbalance model). Empirical research regarding the impact of work factors on mental and physical health is discussed.

In which settings can theoretical knowledge be applied to enhance productivity, creativity, memory, well-being and self-regulation? The course focuses on the translation from cognitive theories to entries for cognitive enhancement in a variety of (job) contexts. The knowledge acquired here can be applied by (human resource) managers, educators and people working with older adults; in product development, governmental policy and public interest.

This course focuses on interventions to promote employee health and well-being. Attention is given to health promotion programs (e.g., life style interventions), as well as organisational interventions (e.g., job redesign). A stepwise approach is followed, starting from how to assess psychosocial job conditions / occupational risks and health / well-being outcomes, to the development, implementation, and evaluation of an intervention program.