1
|
Billiau L, Bolliger L, Clays E, Eeckloo K, Ketels M. Flemish critical care nurses' experiences regarding the influence of work-related demands on their health: a descriptive interpretive qualitative study. BMC Nurs 2024; 23:387. [PMID: 38844928 PMCID: PMC11155134 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-02032-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Critical care nurses (CCNs) around the globe face other health challenges compared to their peers in general hospital nursing. Moreover, the nursing workforce grapples with persistent staffing shortages. In light of these circumstances, developing a sustainable work environment is imperative to retain the current nursing workforce. Consequently, this study aimed to gain insight into the recalled experiences of CCNs in dealing with the physical and psychosocial influences of work-related demands on their health while examining the environments in which they operate. The second aim was to explore the complex social and psychological processes through which CCNs navigate these work-related demands across various CCN wards. METHODS A qualitative study following Thorne's interpretive descriptive approach was conducted. From October 2022 to April 2023, six focus groups were organised. Data from a diverse sample of 27 Flemish CCNs engaged in physically demanding roles from three CCN wards were collected. The Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven was applied to support the constant comparison process. RESULTS Participants reported being exposed to occupational physical activity, emotional, quantitative, and cognitive work-related demands, adverse patient behaviour, and poor working time quality. Exposure to these work-related demands was perceived as harmful, potentially resulting in physical, mental, and psychosomatic strain, as well as an increased turnover intention. In response to these demands, participants employed various strategies for mitigation, including seeking social support, exerting control over their work, utilising appropriate equipment, recognising rewards, and engaging in leisure-time physical activity. CONCLUSIONS CCNs' health is challenged by work-related demands that are not entirely covered by the traditional quantitative frameworks used in research on psychologically healthy work. Therefore, future studies should focus on improving such frameworks by exploring the role of psychosocial and organisational factors in more detail. This study has important implications for workplace health promotion with a view on preventing work absenteeism and drop-out in the long run, as it offers strong arguments to promote sufficient risk management strategies, schedule flexibility, uninterrupted off-job recovery time, and positive management, which can prolong the well-being and sustainable careers of the CCN workforce.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Billiau
- Strategic Policy Cell, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
| | - Larissa Bolliger
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Els Clays
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Kristof Eeckloo
- Strategic Policy Cell, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Margo Ketels
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Marin-Farrona M, Wipfli B, Thosar SS, García-Unanue J, Gallardo L, Felipe JL, López-Fernández J. UCLMuevete: Increasing the amount of physical activity, work-ability, and cardiorespiratory fitness capacity in university workers through active breaks. Work 2024; 77:263-273. [PMID: 37638465 DOI: 10.3233/wor-230062] [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] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Active break programs at the workplace are a promising initiative for increasing workers' physical activity (PA) levels, health, work-ability (WA), and social relationship. OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of an Active Breaks workplace program based on Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) aligned with Behavior Change Techniques (BCT) on PA levels, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), WA, and social relationships among university workers. METHODS #UCLMuévete is a quasi-experimental, 12-week intervention designed according to the TREND and TIDieR-PHP checklists. Sixty-nine university workers were recruited and placed into 17 teams of 3 to 5 people. Participants were instructed to take a 20-min active break every working day (walking, cycling, and functional training). The following variables were measured before and after the 12-week intervention: (1) Amount of PA with accelerometers, (2) CRF through the 6 Min-Walking Test (m), (3) Body composition (fat mass (gr), muscle mass (gr), and bone mineral content (g/cm3) through densitometry), (4) Stress with the BodyGuard2 device, (5) WA through Work Ability Index (WAI), and (6) Social relationships through an ad-hoc questionnaire. Part-time workers, pregnant women, and workers with physical disability were excluded. RESULTS Significant improvements were observed in the amount of daily moderate-to-vigorous PA (Difference (Dif)., women +8.05 and men +12.31 minutes; p < 0.05; ES = 0.224; 0.379), CRF (Dif., women +52.98 and men +25.53 meters; p < 0.05; ES = 0.578; 0.209), and (Dif., women +2.16 and men +2.39; p < 0.05; ES = 0.150; 0.177). No significant changes were observed in body composition and stress. CONCLUSION 20 min/day of aerobic and strength active breaks, based on SCT aligned to BCTs, improves university workers' amount of PA, CRF, WAI, and social relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Marin-Farrona
- Department of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, IGOID Research Group, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - Brad Wipfli
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Saurabh S Thosar
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jorge García-Unanue
- Department of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, IGOID Research Group, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - Leonor Gallardo
- Department of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, IGOID Research Group, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Felipe
- Department of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, IGOID Research Group, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bolliger L, Debra G, Lukan J, Peeters R, Colman E, Baele E, Luštrek M, De Bacquer D, Clays E. The association between day-to-day stress experiences and work-life interference among office workers in academia: an ecological momentary assessment study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2023; 96:201-212. [PMID: 36104629 PMCID: PMC9474273 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01915-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated relations between day-to-day job demands, job control, job strain, social support at work, and day-to-day work-life interference among office workers in academia. METHODS This study is based on a 15-working day data collection period using an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) implemented in our self-developed STRAW smartphone application. We recruited office workers from two academic settings in Belgium and Slovenia. Participants were repeatedly asked to complete EMAs including work stressors and work interfering with personal life (WIPL) as well as personal life interfering with work (PLIW). We applied fixed-effect model testing with random intercepts to investigate within- and between-participant levels. RESULTS We included 55 participants with 2261 analyzed observations in this study. Our data showed that researchers with a PhD reported higher WIPL compared to administrative and technical staff (β = 0.37, p < 0.05). We found significant positive associations between job demands (β = 0.53, p < 0.001), job control (β = 0.19, p < 0.01), and job strain (β = 0.61, p < 0.001) and WIPL. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction effect between job control and social support at work on WIPL (β = - 0.24, p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant negative association was found between job control and PLIW (β = - 0.20, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Based on our EMA study, higher job demands and job strain were correlated with higher WIPL. Furthermore, we found associations going in opposite directions; higher job control was correlated with higher WIPL and lower PLIW. Higher job control leading to higher imbalance stands out as a novel result.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Bolliger
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Gillian Debra
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Junoš Lukan
- grid.11375.310000 0001 0706 0012Department of Intelligent Systems, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rani Peeters
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elena Colman
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ellen Baele
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mitja Luštrek
- grid.11375.310000 0001 0706 0012Department of Intelligent Systems, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Dirk De Bacquer
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Els Clays
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ho MH, Wu MS, Yen HY. Effects of virtual reality natural experiences on factory workers' psychological and physiological stress. Front Psychol 2023; 14:993143. [PMID: 36949920 PMCID: PMC10025299 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.993143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Manufacturing facilities and factories are stressful work environments. Interventions to improve factory workers' stress is necessary to promote occupational health. This study aimed to examine the effects of virtual reality natural experiences on furniture factory employees' psychological and physiological stress. Methods A single-blinded, non-randomised quasi-experimental study was conducted between July and December 2021. Factory workers were recruited from two factories, and all participants at a given factory were assigned to either an experimental group or a comparison group. The intervention was conducted in a clean conference room once a week for 12 weeks during the worker's break time. The experimental group received virtual reality natural experiences consisting of 30-minute nature-based 360° videos which were played in a headset. The generalised estimating equations were performed for the statistical analyses. Results In total, 35 participants completed the intervention. As to psychological stress, the experimental group showed improvements in distress, depression, and anxiety, and a positive affect after the intervention compared to the comparison group. As to physiological stress, the experimental group showed improvements in indicators of heart rate variability compared to the comparison group, including standard deviations of all normal-to-normal intervals, low-frequency power, and high-frequency power. Discussion Virtual reality is an innovative platform to bring the natural environment into an indoor environment to create similar health effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mu-Hsing Ho
- School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Meng-Shin Wu
- School of Gerontology and Long-Term Care, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yen Yen
- School of Gerontology and Long-Term Care, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Hsin-Yen Yen, ;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vafaee-Najar A, Delshad MH, Pourhaji R, Tabesh H, Pourhaji F. Burnout syndrome and related factors among health team employees. Work 2023; 76:1493-1499. [PMID: 37393473 DOI: 10.3233/wor-220485] [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] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Burnout is not only related to mental health but also to efficiency. Thus, recognizing effective coping strategies has a significant role in improving mental health, the efficiency and productivity of human resources, and making better the level of quality of service. OBJECTIVE To determine burnout syndrome and examine related factors among the employees of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. METHOD This cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 employees at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. They were selected by a stratified sampling method. The data collection tool was the demographic information and the Burnout Self-Test Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire. Data were analyzed through SPSS software version 20, using descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson and Spearman regression. RESULTS The findings showed that emotional exhaustion (EE) and depersonalization (DP) in the majority of employees were high and personal accomplishment (PA) was low at 88.33% of cases. All participants presented burnout. However, participants aged 35-40 years, those with professional and Ph.D. degrees, and research staff reported higher burnout levels. CONCLUSION Job burnout and its subscale levels among the employees were high. Job burnout is associated with socioeconomic status that can be affected by individual, organizational, management, and environmental factors. Therefore, this study suggests that employees need to get out of EE and DP conditions for higher job performance. Additionally, further research is required to examine the long-term effects of workplace burnout.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Vafaee-Najar
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Delshad
- Department of Public Health, School of Health, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
- Health Sciences Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | - Roya Pourhaji
- Faculty of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamed Tabesh
- Department of Medical Informatics, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Pourhaji
- Department of Public Health, School of Health, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
- Health Sciences Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kadović M, Mikšić Š, Lovrić R. Ability of Emotional Regulation and Control as a Stress Predictor in Healthcare Professionals. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:ijerph20010541. [PMID: 36612863 PMCID: PMC9819563 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Emotional Regulation and Control implies a person’s ability to respond to stressful demands and emotional experiences in a socially acceptable and adaptive way. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the contribution of the ability of emotional regulation and control in the prediction of workplace stress in healthcare professionals. The study included 203 healthcare professionals employed at a hospital in the Republic of Croatia. Data were collected using two validated questionnaires: Questionnaire on Workplace Stressors for Hospital Professionals and Emotional Regulation and Control Questionnaire (ERC). Most respondents (64%) experienced stress in Workplace Organization and Financial Issues factor, while 52.7% experienced stress in Public Criticism factor. The respondents assessed their ability of emotional regulation and control to be low (mean = 55; range = 20−100). The level of experienced stress was significantly higher if the ability of emotional regulation and control was low (Spearman’s Rho = 0.308; p < 0.001). The multivariate regression model (11.2% explained variances; p = 0.001) indicated a greater possibility of severe stress in respondents who have stronger Memory of Emotionally Saturated Content (odds ratio = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.07−1.30). The results of this study signify the need to establish effective institutional support aimed at objectifying stress and strengthening emotional intelligence and empathy in healthcare professionals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marija Kadović
- Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Štefica Mikšić
- Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Robert Lovrić
- Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|