Sense of Coherence Mediates the Effects of Low Work Ability on Mental Distress During Unemployment

Impact of sense of coherence on work ability: A cross-sectional study among Croatian nurses

Introduction

Aimed at preparing the basis for planning evidence-based public health measures for preservation/ improvement of nurses’ work ability (WA), the objective was to assess the relationship between WA and sense of coherence (SOC).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 among 713 nurses in Croatia. The association between poor WA index (PWAI) and SOC score (SOCS), adjusted for possible confounders, was determined by binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

The results of univariate logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant negative association between SOCS and PWAI (OR=0.977, 95% CI 0.968 – 0.986, p<0.001). The results of multivariate logistic analysis showed an even stronger statistically significant negative association between SOCS and PWAI (OR=0.966, 95% CI 0.954 – 0.977, p<0.001) when adjusted for confounders.

Conclusions

The present study suggested SOC as an important health promoting resource of nurses which might offer protection regarding work-related stress. Weak SOC could be an important explanatory factor of poor WA. Accordingly, improving SOC by implementing health promotion measures in nurses’ workplace could be an important way to increase the WA among nurses.

Sense of coherence can predict hope in older adults: a cross-lagged analysis

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the relationship between sense of coherence (SOC) and hope in older adults from a longitudinal perspective.

METHOD

271 older adults completed self-reported questionnaires assessing hope and SOC at 3 time points: at intake, at a 6-month follow-up, and at a 12-month follow-up. A cross-lagged panel model was used to examine the relationship between SOC and hope.

RESULTS

The results showed that SOC was significantly associated with the level of hope in the older adults at all three time points. The cross-lagged analysis showed that the lagged effect of SOC on hope was significant, whereas the lagged effect of the level of hope on SOC was nonsignificant.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that SOC predicted the level of hope 6 months later and may be helpful for guiding older adults to increase their hope for the future through strategies aimed at improving their SOC.

The concurrent validity of the Abilitator: a self-assessment questionnaire on functioning and work ability

Aim

The Abilitator is a self-assessment questionnaire which was developed to evaluate the perceived work ability and different aspects of functioning of working-age people. The present study aimed to explore the concurrent validity of the Abilitator.

Subject and methods

The participants (n = 177) were patients of a rehabilitation outpatient clinic. Their mean age was 47.1 years. Using Spearman’s correlation coefficients, we assessed the concurrent validity of the Abilitator to compare it to the HAD, RAND-36, EQ-5D, and WHODAS 2.0 (12-item short version) questionnaires.

Results

The five domains of the Abilitator showed fair to moderate correlation coefficients with the previously validated and accepted measures of functioning. The strongest correlations were found in specific domains measuring similar constructs, namely social inclusion and RAND-36 vitality/fatigue (rs = 0.58), psychological functioning and RAND-36 emotional well-being (rs = 0.67) and HAD depression (rs = −0.65), everyday activities and total score of EQ-5D (rs = 0.63), cognitive functioning and WHODAS 2.0 cognition (rs = 0.57), and physical condition and RAND-36 physical functioning (rs = 0.70). Analysis by subpopulations of gender and age group showed a broadly similar pattern to that of the total sample. In general, stronger correlations were seen among women and among those of a younger age (50 years or under).

Conclusion

The Abilitator questionnaire has acceptable concurrent validity for assessing different aspects of the functioning of working-age people.

Work Ability among Upper-Secondary School Teachers: Examining the Role of Burnout, Sense of Coherence, and Work-Related and Lifestyle Factors

Maintaining and promoting teachers’ work ability is essential for increasing productivity and preventing early exit from the teaching profession. This study aimed to identify the predictors of work ability among upper-secondary school teachers and examine the mediating role of burnout. A large and diverse group of Czech upper-secondary school teachers was surveyed to address this goal. The sample comprised 531 upper-secondary school teachers (50.0 ± 9.94 years, 19.9 ± 10.62 in the teaching profession, 57.6% females). Relatively greater empirical support was found for the effects of burnout, sense of coherence, work–life balance, and perceived relationships in the school environment on work ability than for the impact of age, homeroom teacher duties, workload, and caring for elderly relatives. Furthermore, burnout served as an important mediator of the relationship between sense of coherence and work ability. Teachers with a higher sense of coherence are thus better able to cope with adverse work circumstances and identify and mobilize internal and external resources to prevent professional exhaustion and the subsequent decline in work ability. The study can guide interventions on the work ability of teachers.

The association between changes in functional capacity and work ability among unemployed individuals

PURPOSE

Unemployment has multidimensional effects. This study investigated how the changes in functioning are associated with the changes in perceived work ability among unemployed people.

METHODS

The participants were clients in projects funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) targeted for unemployed individuals. They answered a questionnaire covering work ability (Work Ability Score) and functioning (cognitive, psychological and social functioning, physical condition and everyday activities) and perceived health at the beginning and at the end of the project (mean follow-up 173 days). The study included data from unemployed respondents (N = 502) aged 19-64 years.

RESULTS

Overall, during the follow-up, both work ability and different aspects of functioning improved, excluding physical condition. Changes in cognitive and psychological functioning, physical condition and everyday activities were significantly associated with the changes in work ability. The physical condition had the strongest association with the changes in work ability. Short unemployment time and especially good perceived health improved WAS over time. Age, gender and follow-up time were not associated with changes in work ability.

CONCLUSIONS

Maintaining or improving health and functioning and shortening the length of unemployment appeared to be important issues in enhancing work ability and thus increasing re-employability potential.

Good work ability among unemployed individuals: Association of sociodemographic, work-related and well-being factors

AIMS

The aims of this study were to describe the perceived work ability of unemployed individuals and to explore the association between perceived good work ability and sociodemographic, work-related and well-being factors.

METHODS

The data were derived from the Finnish Regional Health and Well-being Study (ATH) collected by postal and Internet-based questionnaires in 2014-2015. The random sample was selected from the Finnish National Population Register. The present study includes data from unemployed or laid-off respondents ( n=1975) aged 20-65 years. Logistic regression was used in the statistical analysis. Perceived work ability was measured with the Work Ability Score.

RESULTS

Factors significantly associated with good work ability were having young children living in the household, short-term unemployment, low or moderate physical strain in most recent job, moderate mental strain in most recent job, satisfaction with most recent job, good self-rated health and good quality of life. Good self-rated health (odds ratio=10.53, 95% confidence interval 5.90-18.80) was the most substantial factor in the multivariate model.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings provide further evidence on the factors related to good work ability of the unemployed. These factors should be considered when designing interventions for promoting work ability and to minimise the harmful effects of long-term unemployment.