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Larsson M, Ahlstrand I, Larsson I, Lood Q, Hammar IA, Sundler AJ, Pennbrant S, Ekman A, Forsberg E, Hedén L, Nunstedt H, Sterner A, Hallgren J. Occupational balance and associated factors among students during higher education within healthcare and social work in Sweden: a multicentre repeated cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e080995. [PMID: 38643013 PMCID: PMC11033650 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim was to explore whether occupational balance is associated with health, health-promoting resources, healthy lifestyle and social study factors among students during higher education within healthcare and social work. DESIGN The study has a multicentre repeated cross-sectional design. Data were collected via a self-reported, web-based questionnaire based on the validated instruments: the 11-item Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ11), the Sense of Coherence (SOC) Scale, the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS) and five questions from the General Nordic Questionnaire (QPS Nordic) together with questions about general health and lifestyle factors. SETTING Students at six universities in western Sweden at one of the following healthcare or social work programmes: biomedical scientists, dental hygienists, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, radiology nurses and social workers. PARTICIPANTS Of 2283 students, 851 (37.3%) participated. RESULTS The students experienced that occupational balance increased during education. The total OBQ11 score was higher among students in semesters 4 and 6/7, compared with semester 1 students. Students with higher OBQ11 also reported higher SOC throughout their education, while health seemed to decrease. Students who reported higher levels of OBQ11 reported lower levels of health and well-being in semesters 4 and 6/7, compared with semester 1. There was an opposite pattern for students reporting lower levels of OBQ11. CONCLUSIONS The association between higher levels of OBQ11 and lower levels of health and well-being is remarkable. There is a need for more research on this contradiction and what it means for students' health and well-being in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Inger Ahlstrand
- School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jonkoping, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Larsson
- School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden
- Research and Development Centre, Spenshult AB, Oskarstroem, Sweden
| | - Qarin Lood
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Isabelle Andersson Hammar
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Annelie J Sundler
- Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Boras, Sweden
| | - Sandra Pennbrant
- Department of Health Sciences, Hogskolan Vast, Trollhattan, Sweden
| | - Aimée Ekman
- School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jonkoping, Sweden
| | - Elenita Forsberg
- School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden
| | - Lena Hedén
- Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Boras, Sweden
| | - Håkan Nunstedt
- Department of Health Sciences, Hogskolan Vast, Trollhattan, Sweden
| | - Anders Sterner
- Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Boras, Sweden
| | - Jenny Hallgren
- Institution of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, Skovde, Sweden
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Aci OS, Gencbas D, Ciydem E, Kackin O. Validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale. Int J Nurs Pract 2024; 30:e13231. [PMID: 38123188 DOI: 10.1111/ijn.13231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS) among a sample of Turkish university students. METHODS This study was conducted with 291 university students. The SHIS was evaluated in terms of language equivalence, validity and the reliability. Content validity was assessed with the content validity index (CVI). Construct validity was determined by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). A Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was used for the analysis of internal consistency, a Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for parallel form reliability, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for the test-retest technique. RESULTS The CVI of the SHIS was between 0.80 and 1.00. When the results of the CFA were examined, the factor loadings of all items were above 0.50. A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between the SHIS and the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scores for parallel form reliability (r = 0.489). Within the scope of the test-retest analysis, an ICC = 0.762 was determined (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The findings obtained from this validity and reliability study carried out on a sample of Turkish university students showed that the SHIS was both valid and reliable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dercan Gencbas
- Department of Public Health Nursing, Gulhane Nursing Faculty, Sağlık Bilimleri University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Emre Ciydem
- Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University, Bandirma/Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Kackin
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
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Asplund S, Lindgren BM, Åström S, Hedlund M, Åhlin J. Organizational and psychosocial environmental work factors associated with self-rated exhaustion disorder among municipal employees in rural northern Sweden. Work 2023; 75:1215-1229. [PMID: 36776096 PMCID: PMC10473146 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research indicates that good organizational and psychosocial environments are vital to well-functioning workplaces and employee health. Working in the municipal sector and in the rural context may contribute to more health problems, poorer organizational and psychosocial work environments, and higher sick-leave rates. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore organizational and psychosocial environmental work factors among municipal employees with or without self-rated exhaustion disorder (s-ED) in rural northern Sweden. METHODS The Modern Work Life Questionnaire and the Self-Rated Exhaustion Disorder Scale were used among 1093 municipal employees. RESULTS The results showed that there were significant differences between the s-ED and the non-s-ED group in all but one of the organizational and psychosocial environmental work factors. Various demands, i.e. quantitative, emotional, intellectual, and IT demands were some factors associated with the s-ED group. Social support, resources, and time for work and reflection were some factors associated with the non-s-ED group. Both the s-ED and the non-s-ED groups assessed significantly higher emotional demands and less resources compared to national reference values. CONCLUSION Findings from this study are relevant to a better understanding what organizational and psychosocial work environmental work factor the employer need to pay extra attention to. Addressing risk and protective factors in the work environment could tribute to promote occupational well-being, preventing exhaustion disorder and long-term sick leave among municipal employees in rural northern Sweden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Asplund
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Sture Åström
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mattias Hedlund
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johan Åhlin
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Takeda S, Fukuzaki T. Relationship between turnover intention and workplace personal relations among care workers employed by elder care facilities. Psychogeriatrics 2023; 23:86-93. [PMID: 36332615 DOI: 10.1111/psyg.12906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study focuses on care workers at elder care facilities to examine what factors (including workplace personal relations) influence turnover intention and to what extent. Based on this analysis, the study discusses the content of workplace personal relations problems in qualitative terms. METHODS The study targeted care workers at elder care facilities. There were 406 participants with no missing data who were analyzed. The survey period ranged from September to November 2021. Questions consisted of basic attributes, turnover intention, problems with workplace personal relations, content of personal relation problems, and psychological distress. RESULTS Female care workers were 2.25 times more likely than male care workers to have turnover intention. Care workers with workplace personal relation problems were 1.97 times more likely than those without these problems to have high turnover intention. Moreover, with regard to psychological distress, the ratio increased to 4.99 times. The following six categories were extracted from the text data on workplace personal relation problems: insufficient communication, bullying, sense of unfair workload, different attitudes to care work, difficulty in guidance for subordinates/new staff, and labelling. CONCLUSIONS Gender, workplace personal relation problems, and psychological distress have shown to affect care workers' turnover intentions. To prevent care worker turnover, future studies should focus on the development and impact of strategies to improve workplace personal relations specific to care workers, targeting the six factors identified in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Takeda
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Tottori University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
| | - Toshiki Fukuzaki
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Tottori University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Yonago, Tottori, Japan
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Asplund S, Åhlin J, Åström S, Lindgren BM. Experiences of work-related stress among highly stressed municipal employees in rural northern Sweden. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2022; 17:2056957. [PMID: 35350958 PMCID: PMC8973353 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2022.2056957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Asplund
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Johan Åhlin
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sture Åström
- Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Hult M, Välimäki T. Care workers' positive health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Psychometric properties of the finnish version of the salutogenic health indicator scale and an 18-month follow-up. Work 2022; 74:1289-1298. [PMID: 36565092 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a need to shift from biomedical and pathogenic approaches to salutogenic approach. OBJECTIVE To validate the Finnish version of the SHIS by testing its psychometric properties in care workers and to assess the SHIS score over time. METHODS We first conducted a survey in 2020 (T1) and tested the psychometric properties of SHIS among care workers. We repeated the survey in spring 2022 (T2) among the same subjects. We analyzed the changes in SHIS, self-rated health (SRH), work ability (WAS), sickness absence and occupational calling between T1 and T2. Thereafter, we compared changes between health care sectors' and the other sectors' care workers. RESULTS The results showed an increase in positive health measured with the SHIS and the occupational calling, a decrease in the SRH, and an increase in the number of sickness-related absences among all the care workers between T1 and T2. There was no change in their WAS. The health care workers had a lower SHIS than the other sectors' care workers in both T1 and T2, but the increase in their SHIS was parallel to that of the other workers. CONCLUSION SHIS is a useful and reliable measure of positive health and can be used in studies when determining subjective health instead of, or in addition to, diagnoses. It was able to detect the health changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. SHIS is capable of capturing the underlying salutogenic approach of health promotive resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marja Hult
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tarja Välimäki
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Susanne A, Aileen B, Helen O, Susanne G, Anne-Marie B. Individual and organisational factors in the psychosocial work environment are associated with home care staffs' job strain: a Swedish cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1418. [PMID: 36434716 PMCID: PMC9701045 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08699-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Home care staff (HCS) provide essential service to enable older adults to age in place. However, unreasonable demands in the work environment to deliver a safe, effective service with high quality has a negative impact on the individual employee's well-being and the care provided to the older adults. The psychosocial work environment is associated with employees´ well-being, although, knowledge regarding which individual and organisational factors that contribute to job strain for HCS is limited. These factors need to be identified to develop targeted interventions and create sustainable work situations for HCS. This study aimed to explore how HCS´s perceived job strain is associated with, and to what extent can be explained by, individual and organisational factors of the psychosocial work environment and psychosomatic health. METHOD An explorative cross-sectional questionnaire survey design was used in a large Swedish county. Five home care agencies with a total of 481 HCS were asked to respond to a questionnaire regarding their perceived level of job strain (Strain in Dementia Care Scale), psychosocial work environment (QPSNordic34+), and psychosomatic health (Satisfaction with Work Questionnaire). Multiple linear regression (MLR) analyses were conducted to explore the association between job strain and individual and organisational factors. RESULTS In total, 226 (46%) HCS responded to the questionnaire. Both individual and organisational factors were significant predictors of job strain and explained a variance ranging between 39 to 51% (p = 0.001). The organisational factor job demand and the individual factor feeling worried and restless was most frequently represented in these MRL models. A higher job strain was also associated with adverse outcomes regarding leadership, organisational culture and climate, and control at work. CONCLUSION This study indicates that there is an intertwined complexity of individual and organisational factors that are associated with the HCS´s perception of job strain. Implementation of new multidimensional work strategies, such as a reablement approach, could support the development of efficient strategies for HCS and reduce the level of job strain. Policy changes for the provision of home care are also needed to support the development of a sustainable and healthy psychosocial work environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assander Susanne
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neurobiology, Caring Sciences and Society, Division of Occupational Therapy, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bergström Aileen
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neurobiology, Caring Sciences and Society, Division of Occupational Therapy, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olt Helen
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Guidetti Susanne
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neurobiology, Caring Sciences and Society, Division of Occupational Therapy, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.24381.3c0000 0000 9241 5705Theme Women´S Health and Allied Health Professionals, Medical Unit Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Boström Anne-Marie
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Nursing, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.24381.3c0000 0000 9241 5705Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden ,Research & Development Unit, Stockholms Sjukhem, Stockholm, Sweden
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Dreher A, Yusuf R, Ashraf H, Ahmed SAKS, Strümpell C, Loerbroks A. Social stressors and social resources at work and their association with self-reported health complaints among ready-made garment workers in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1793. [PMID: 36131265 PMCID: PMC9492303 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14173-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bangladesh is one of the world's largest garment exporters. Physical working conditions of garment workers are precarious and known to largely affect their health. Research on garment workers' psychosocial working conditions, however, is scarce. We aimed to quantify psychosocial working conditions of garment workers and possible associations with workers' health. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 1,118 ready-made garment (RMG) workers in labor colonies in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in February 2021. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize social stressors (e.g., being bullied at work, poor leadership) and social resources at work (e.g., receiving support at work, vertical trust between management and employees, beneficial leadership) and workers' health (self-reported overall health and 10 specific health complaints). To examine links of social stressors and social resources with self-reported health outcomes we ran multivariable Poisson regression models yielding prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS We found low to moderate levels of workplace bullying and high levels of poor leadership (i.e., supervisors not caring about workers' problems). We also found high levels of social support, vertical trust and beneficial leadership (i.e., supervisors taking decisions free of bias). Garment workers frequently suffered from health complaints, first and foremost headache (68.3%), cold (55.3%), and back pain (50.7%). Health outcomes were poorer among workers who reported to be bullied at work versus not bullied (e.g., PR 1.55 [95% CI 1.32-1.92] for poor self-reported health when bullied by colleagues) and health was better among those reporting to feel supported versus unsupported (e.g., PR 0.61 [0.52-0.71] for poor self-reported health when supported by supervisor). Perceived vertical trust between workers and management was weakly associated with better health. Leadership behavior did not display a consistent pattern. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that working conditions of RMG workers are rather good (e.g., characterized by low levels of bullying and high levels of support, vertical trust and beneficial leadership). The majority of workers reported good or very good health, although health complaints were frequently mentioned, first and foremost headache, cold, and back pain. Associations between psychosocial working conditions and health indicate worse working conditions being associated with poorer health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annegret Dreher
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Rita Yusuf
- International Center for Biotechnology and Health (ICBH), Center for Health Population and Development (CHPD), Independent University, Plot #16, Block B, Aftabuddin Ahmed Road, Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Hasan Ashraf
- Department of Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Syed A K Shifat Ahmed
- International Center for Biotechnology and Health (ICBH), Center for Health Population and Development (CHPD), Independent University, Plot #16, Block B, Aftabuddin Ahmed Road, Bashundhara R/A, Dhaka, 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Christian Strümpell
- Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Hamburg, Edmund-Siemers-Allee 1, West, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Adrian Loerbroks
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Nurses’ Work Environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Person-Centred Practice—A Systematic Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14105785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The work environment and especially the psychosocial work environment influence the mental and physical well-being of employees. The aim of this study was to identify and analyse the state of knowledge regarding nurses’ work situation, health, and person-centred work during the COVID-19 pandemic through a systematic review. Methods: Systematic Review, nine included articles. The theoretical swAge model was used as the framework in a deductive content analysis. Results: The result was presented in the nine determinate areas from the swAge model and showed that all nine determinate areas of the swAge model were of importance to both the nurses’ sustainable work situation during the COVID-19 pandemic and to person-centred care. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on nurses’ health, both physically but especially psychologically, with high levels of depression, anxiety, and burnout. Nurses experienced a lack of control and support from organizations. They had to work with limited resources and sometimes care for patients beyond their expertise. Conclusion: There is a further need for more studies that address person-centredness from an organisational perspective with the intention to develop strategies and measure activities on how to make the nurses’ work situation more sustainable, and to increase their ability to give more person-centred care.
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Tsou MT. Association of 5-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale scores and health status ratings with burnout among healthcare workers. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7122. [PMID: 35505224 PMCID: PMC9062289 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11326-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This cross-sectional study evaluated and quantified the possible association of psychological symptoms and health status ratings on the burnout of healthcare workers from a tertiary medical center. Demographic data were obtained through a questionnaire survey. We evaluated their psychological symptoms using a 5-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5) and burnout was measured using the Chinese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Health Services Survey. The study began in Nov. 2018 and ended in Nov. 2020. A total of 2813 participants (men = 296, 10.5%; women = 2517, 89.5%) completed the questionnaires between December 2018 and March 2019. The response rate and complete rate were 71.7% and 93.2%. The multivariate analysis showed that, as the BSRS-5 level added, the odds ratio (OR) of burnout increased (BSRS-5 scores 6–9, 10–14, and 15–20; OR = 1.83, 3.23, and 9.15, separately; p value < 0.05). Overall, men (≥ 30 years of age) and women staffs with BSRS-5 scores ≥ 6; women with longer working hours (more than 46 h/week), men and women (≥ 30 years of age) working night shifts, and poor health status ratings were highly associated with burnout. The findings highlight the importance of screening for the BSRS-5 scores and health status ratings level for healthcare professionals at high risk of burnout, especially men ≥ 30 years of age and women with stressful working conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Ting Tsou
- Department of Family Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of Occupation Medicine, Mackay Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Department of MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, New Taipei, Taiwan.
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The Second Side of the Coin-Resilience, Meaningfulness and Joyful Moments in Home Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19073836. [PMID: 35409520 PMCID: PMC8997992 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19073836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Nursing literature predominantly focuses on job demands but is scarce for resources related to nurses' work. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, resources that can buffer the health-impairing effects of increased demands gain importance. The aim of this study is to explore resilience, meaning of work and joyful moments in home health care workers in South Germany during the pandemic. Resilience and meaning of work were measured quantitatively; moments of joy were investigated qualitatively by audio diaries and analyzed with qualitative content analysis. In all, 115 home health care workers (mean age = 47.83 ± 11.72; 81.75% female) filled in the questionnaires and 237 diary entries were made by 23 persons (mean age = 46.70 ± 10.40; 91.30% female). The mean scores of resilience (5.52 ± 1.04; 1-7) and meaning of work (4.10 ± 0.92; 1-5) showed high levels, with significantly higher values in females. Home care workers experienced joyful moments 334 times in 60 different types in the categories of social relationships, work content, work organization, work environment and self-care. A deeper understanding of resilience, meaning of work and joyful moments provides a basis for the development of worksite health promotion programs that address both demands and resources in home health care workers.
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Persson SS, Blomqvist K, Lindström PN. Meetings are an Important Prerequisite for Flourishing Workplace Relationships. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18158092. [PMID: 34360385 PMCID: PMC8345501 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18158092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Relationships among colleagues, managers, and care recipients are mutually important, and need to be highlighted in workplace health promotion. The aim was to explore prerequisites for flourishing workplace relationships in a municipal healthcare setting for old people. As part of this process, we explored the staff’s suggestions on how work relationships could be improved. The study had a salutogenic and participatory approach, examining staff perceptions of what was required for flourishing relationships to be created, and their suggestions for the relationships to be more promotive. Four multi-stage focus groups, which met three times each, were conducted with staff (n = 26) in old age healthcare settings. A deductive analysis was performed, based on components of the flourishing concept: challenge, connectivity, autonomy, and competence. Informal and formal meetings at work were shown to build positively perceived relationships. The study describes meetings and relationships connected to the four components of flourishing. Suggestions for improving work relationships are also presented. This study contributes to workplace health promotion, and has a salutogenic and participatory focus on how to explore workplace relationships as a resource. The flourishing concept shows how workplace relationships can be explored as prerequisites for workplace health promotion.
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Nekula P, Koob C. Associations between culture of health and employee engagement in social enterprises: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245276. [PMID: 33465159 PMCID: PMC7815090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aging of staff and skill shortage are major challenges for social enterprises. Nurturing a workplace culture of health and fostering employee engagement could be starting points to combat these challenges. The associations between these two factors have received comparatively little attention from the scientific community, in particular with regard to social enterprises. Hence, this study aims to examine those associations, drawing on the job demands-resources theory and the social-ecological workplace culture of health model. It is hypothesized that employees’ self-rated health acts as a mediator in the relationship between culture of health and employee engagement and that health as personal value works as a moderator. Method The study used the Workplace Culture of Health scale to measure culture of health in social enterprises and UWES-9 to assess employee engagement. Data was collected administering a quantitative online survey among employees of social enterprises in Germany. The dataset for analyses comprised N = 172 employees in total. Data analyses included Pearson’s correlations, regression analysis, as well as mediation, moderation and moderated mediation analyses. Results Culture of health is a predictor of employee engagement in social enterprises. The analyses demonstrate a moderate association between culture of health and employee engagement. Indications were found that employees’ self-rated health acts as a mediator and that health as personal value acts as a moderator between culture of health and employee engagement in social enterprises. Discussion This study suggests that fostering a culture of health in social enterprises does not only have a positive effect on employee health, but also on employee engagement. This applies in particular when employees attribute great value to their health, which is to be expected even more in future. Hence, nurturing a culture of health becomes a pivotal management task in social enterprises. Moreover, a comprehensive assessment of the benefits of health promotion programs in social enterprises should not only consider their health-related outcomes, but also factor in their impact on employee engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Nekula
- Department of Health and Nursing, Catholic University of Applied Sciences Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Clemens Koob
- Department of Health and Nursing, Catholic University of Applied Sciences Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Moulin TC. Mental Health in Academia: The Role of Workplace Relationships. Front Psychol 2020; 11:562457. [PMID: 32982901 PMCID: PMC7492648 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.562457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thiago C Moulin
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Hailu TA, Ginader AS, Nigro AM, Lee DD, Sze RW. 'Walk in my shoes': intradepartmental role shadowing to increase workplace collegiality and wellness in a large pediatric radiology department. Pediatr Radiol 2020; 50:476-481. [PMID: 32166363 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-019-04589-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our nearly 500-member department implemented the shadowing program "Walk in My Shoes" to improve intradepartmental relationships and build a stronger sense of community. The program provides both clinical and non-clinical employees an opportunity to shadow colleagues in their various roles and learn more about one another's contribution to the overarching mission of caring for children and their families. The goal of this study was to understand the impact of the shadowing program on employee perceptions of various roles. OBJECTIVE To bridge the gap of understanding among colleagues in order to strengthen workplace interrelatedness, increase understanding of various roles, and decrease preconceived notions about roles, through shadowing. MATERIALS AND METHODS A preliminary survey distributed to our department in August 2018 assessed the level of interest in new wellness initiatives, including the shadowing program. The survey gauged which roles participants were interested in shadowing. The survey results revealed that 67 employees were interested in the shadowing program. We selected 39 participants and matched them to a coworker in their area of interest. The roles for shadowing included administrator, Child Life specialist, information technologist, medical assistant, nurse, radiologist, researcher and technologist. Participants were required to complete pre- and post-shadowing surveys to assess their experience. Individuals who hosted the shadow experience also completed a survey. RESULTS A total of 39 clinical and non-clinical staff members participated in the program. We summarized the pre- and post-survey data using median and interquartile range (IQR) and compared the results using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The distribution of preconceived notions about each role was not significantly different between the pre- and post-surveys (P=0.094). However, participants' value, understanding of the role they shadowed, and understanding of how the roles relate to each other were significantly greater (P<0.001). In addition, participants showed great interest in shadowing the specific role again (82%) and shadowing another role (92%). Furthermore, almost all hosts would repeat the experience (96%). CONCLUSION Our study showed that intradepartmental shadowing can improve clinical and non-clinical staff employees' perceptions and understanding of each other's roles in overall patient care, which in turn contributes to the broader initiative of workplace wellness. The enthusiasm and willingness of the hosts were essential for sustainability of the program and demonstrated that this type of program is feasible in a large, busy department.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tigist A Hailu
- Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Penn Center for Public Health Initiatives,, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Abigail S Ginader
- Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Alessandria M Nigro
- Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Dawnisha D Lee
- Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Raymond W Sze
- Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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Prospective relationships of mentally passive sedentary behaviors with depression: Mediation by sleep problems. J Affect Disord 2020; 265:538-544. [PMID: 31784118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As distinct from mentally-active sedentary behaviors (e.g. reading), passive sedentary behaviors (e.g. TV-viewing) have been linked to a higher risk of depression, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We examined the potential mediating role of sleep problems in prospective relationships of passive sedentary behaviors with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHOD In 1997, 43 863 adults were surveyed and responses linked to clinician diagnoses of MDD until 2010. The questionnaire included items on sedentary behavior and sleep problems (Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire). Cox proportional hazard models and the 'counterfactual approach' were used to identify potential mediating effects of sleep problems in the association of passive sedentary behavior and MDD. RESULTS Of the total sample, 3,065 (7.6%) were excluded for having indications of depression at baseline. Of 33,116 participants with complete data (mean age = 51.3 years, SD = 15.7, 64% female); 472 (1.4%) incident cases of MDD were identified during the 13-year follow-up. In Cox regression analyses, higher durations of passive sedentary behavior (≥3 h/day versus <3 h/day) were associated with greater hazards of developing MDD (HR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.01, 1.58). This relationship remained after adjusting for confounders (HR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.63). Adding sleep problems into the analysis significantly attenuated these relationships (HR = 1.25; 95% CI = 0.99, 1.57). The excess MDD relative risk of passive sedentary behaviors due to sleep problems was statistically significant. LIMITATIONS Measures of sedentary behavior, physical activity and sleep were self-reported. CONCLUSION Sleep problems appear to mediate detrimental associations of passive sedentary behavior with depression. Findings require further confirmation using objective measures.
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