Kiesler, S. and T. Finholt (1988). "The Mystery of RSI." American Psychologist, 43(12): 1004-1015.

A problem called repetitive strain injury is rampant in Australia. The latest wave is centered among femail office workers who develop symptoms as a result of extensive typing at computer keyboards. They argue that RSI is an extreme illustration of how the social context of work and technological change defines and influences the nature of health problems.

Strangely, Australia is alone in these problems. It's a real injury involving moderate to severe pain. People with RSI are rarely malingering.. It resembles hysterical illnesses such as hysterical blindness or shell shock. It's correlated with computing in clerical jobs.

They find that women in menial, boring clerical jobs are more likely to exhibit these symptoms. Also dissatisfactions also predispose workers to report RSI. But are people getting sick from oing the job or having the job?

They conclude that it's a "techno-illness" caused by the arrival of computer systems that disrupt work practices. The media and the unions and feminist groups publicized it, which increased the salience of the disease.