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Ohlendorf D, Schlenke J, Nazzal Y, Dogru F, Karassavidis I, Holzgreve F, Oremek G, Maurer-Grubinger C, Groneberg DA, Wanke EM. Musculoskeletal complaints, postural patterns and psychosocial workplace predictors in police officers from an organizational unit of a German federal state police force - a study protocol. J Occup Med Toxicol 2023; 18:6. [PMID: 37055863 PMCID: PMC10100165 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-023-00372-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Police officers are exposed to a particularly high risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and psychosocial stress due to their working conditions. Therefore, the aim of this project will be to assess the occupational physical and mental health of police officers from an organizational unit of the police force of a German federal state. METHODS The aim is to analyze at least 200 active police officers of a state police force in Germany between the age of 18 and 65 years. In a mixed-methods design, a video raster stereography-based measurement of the upper body posture and a modified version of the Nordic Questionnaire (NQ) will be used for investigating their physical health, while the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) and the Operational Police Stress Questionnaire (PSQ-Op) will be used to analyze their mental health. In addition, job-specific psychosocial factors at the workplace will be assessed (using self-designed questions that were previously evaluated in an expert interview). DISCUSSION To date, there is a lack of current questionnaire-based data on the prevalence of MSDs in police officers, or of MSDs associated with injuries or psychosocial workplace factors. Thus, in this study, these MSDs will be correlated with quantitative upper body posture data. If these results prove an increased physical and/or psychosocial stress, then the existing workplace health promotion measures should be analyzed and modified if necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Ohlendorf
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 9A, 60596, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Janna Schlenke
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 9A, 60596, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Yunes Nazzal
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 9A, 60596, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Faiz Dogru
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 9A, 60596, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ioannis Karassavidis
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 9A, 60596, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Fabian Holzgreve
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 9A, 60596, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gerhard Oremek
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 9A, 60596, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christian Maurer-Grubinger
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 9A, 60596, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - David A Groneberg
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 9A, 60596, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Eileen M Wanke
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, Building 9A, 60596, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
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Berthelsen H, Owen M, Westerlund H. Leadership, work environment and caries prevention - what is good for the staff, is also good for the patients. Acta Odontol Scand 2023; 81:196-201. [PMID: 35979905 DOI: 10.1080/00016357.2022.2111345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Dental caries is a health problem that can be prevented. The aim of this study is to analyse if the quality of leadership, in Swedish Public Dental Health clinics, influences the extent to which patients with caries receive preventive care, and if any such effect is mediated through a collaborative work climate, clear role expectations and a low average level of burnout among staff. METHODS The multilevel cross-sectional design includes work environment data from surveys of 75 general public dental clinics, register-based data on preventive measures provided to 5398 patients who received a dental filling due to a caries diagnosis, and patient demographics. Using a multilevel path analysis with logistic regression, we tested a model with one direct and three indirect pathways, controlling for the potential confounding effect of patient demographic factors. RESULTS Leadership quality, as assessed by the staff at the clinic, was associated with increased odds of patients with caries receiving prevention, controlling for patient demographic factors. Leadership quality was also positively related to a collaborative work climate, clear role expectations and a low average level of burnout among staff. Against expectations, however, no indirect effect from leadership quality on prevention through the other work environment factors was found. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the quality of leadership in Swedish Public Dental Health clinics was positively related to a good work environment for staff and to delivery of preventive care to patients experiencing caries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Berthelsen
- Centre for Work Life and Evaluation Studies (CTA) & Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Mikaela Owen
- Centre for Workplace Excellence, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Hugo Westerlund
- The Stress Research Institute, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Brucks A, Lang A, Blank D, Lincke HJ, Riedl L, Siafis S, Brieger P, Hamann J. How do employees currently admitted to acute psychiatric inpatient units rate their psychosocial working conditions with the COPSOQ (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire). Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023:207640221143914. [PMID: 36591697 DOI: 10.1177/00207640221143914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years it could be shown that psychosocial working conditions and mental health of employees are closely correlated. One well-established instrument to measure psychosocial stress at work is the COPSOQ (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, German Standard Version). It is an 84 item self-rating instrument addressing several domains of psychosocial working conditions and is generally used for risk assessments in companies. AIMS To examine associations between COPSOQ ratings with clinical features and symptoms of employees who currently suffer from an episode of a mental illness requiring inpatient treatment. METHOD For 265 inpatients with mental disorders who participated in a cluster randomized trial (RETURN-study) COPSOQ-data were available as part of the baseline data acquisition. These data were compared with the German COPSOQ validation sample of the Freiburg research center for occupational sciences (FFAW; approximately 250,000 participants). For subdomains of the COPSOQ that showed major and significant differences between the two samples regression analyses were done to predict COPSOQ scores within the RETURN-sample. RESULTS Psychiatric inpatients did not assess their working conditions significantly different compared to the population based FFAW sample. However, with regard to the effects of working conditions (general health, burnout, presenteeism, and intention to leave the job) there were major differences between the two samples with the clinical sample expressing more negative views. In the RETURN sample these were predicted by a greater expression of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS The linkage between work and mental wellbeing is complex. Mental illness is not necessarily a result of poor working conditions, while good working conditions may not in every case prevent symptoms of bad health, even if such associations exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele Brucks
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Technische Universität München, Germany
| | - Anne Lang
- Kbo-Isar-Amper-Klinikum Region München, Germany
| | | | - Hans-Joachim Lincke
- Freiburger Forschungsstelle für Arbeitswissenschaften GmbH, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lina Riedl
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Technische Universität München, Germany
| | - Spyridon Siafis
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Technische Universität München, Germany
| | | | - Johannes Hamann
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Technische Universität München, Germany
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Somasundram KG, Hackney A, Yung M, Du B, Oakman J, Nowrouzi-Kia B, Yazdani A. Mental and physical health and well-being of canadian employees who were working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1987. [PMID: 36316683 PMCID: PMC9619010 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14349-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed various aspects of our lives, including how we work. Since the start of the pandemic, numerous organizations in Canada have mandated their employees to work from home (WFH) on a full-time basis. The rapid rise in the number of remote workers and the possibility for WFH continuing in the future signifies the importance of understanding the health and well-being of employees working from home over the course of the pandemic in Canada. We present the findings of two surveys (initial and 6-month follow-up) to examine the health and well-being of WFH employees during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. We analyzed the changes in mental and physical health and well-being of employees who were working from home between two time points during the pandemic. METHODS Initial survey was completed between October 2020 and December 2020 (n = 1617); follow-up survey was completed between May 2021 and June 2021 (n = 382). We calculated the frequencies for survey questions involving demographics, WFH preferences, workstation setup training, employment situation, provision of hardware technologies, provision and usage of software technologies, and organization's return to work plan. We conducted Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to analyze the within-individual changes in mental and physical health and well-being of the 382 respondents who completed both the initial and follow-up surveys. RESULTS Our analyses showed significant changes in various aspects of employee mental and physical health and well-being. Burnout, stress, general mental health, and job insecurity levels significantly decreased between the two time periods. Work-related sedentary behaviour reduced over time; however, the average proportion of time spent sitting during work hours was more than 80% in both surveys. Employees received more help and feedback from their colleagues and experienced a better sense of community with their co-workers over time. CONCLUSION The findings can inform workers and organizations on the changes in mental and physical health and well-being of employees working from home during the pandemic. By understanding the changes in worker health and well-being, employers can develop effective strategies and implement policies that help protect employees' health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumara G Somasundram
- Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance, School of Business, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Kitchener, ON, Canada
| | - Amy Hackney
- Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance, School of Business, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Kitchener, ON, Canada
| | - Marcus Yung
- Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance, School of Business, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Kitchener, ON, Canada
| | - Bronson Du
- Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance, School of Business, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Kitchener, ON, Canada
| | - Jodi Oakman
- Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors, School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amin Yazdani
- Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance, School of Business, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Kitchener, ON, Canada.
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
- School of Geographic and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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Schulze S, Merz S, Thier A, Tallarek M, König F, Uhlenbrock G, Nübling M, Lincke HJ, Rapp MA, Spallek J, Holmberg C. Psychosocial burden in nurses working in nursing homes during the Covid-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study with quantitative and qualitative data. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:949. [PMID: 35883124 PMCID: PMC9315075 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08333-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Covid-19 pandemic led to increased work-related strain and psychosocial burden in nurses worldwide, resulting in high prevalences of mental health problems. Nurses in long-term care facilities seem to be especially affected by the pandemic. Nevertheless, there are few findings indicating possible positive changes for health care workers. Therefore, we investigated which psychosocial burdens and potential positive aspects nurses working in long-term care facilities experience during the Covid-19 pandemic. METHODS We conducted a mixed-methods study among nurses and nursing assistants working in nursing homes in Germany. The survey contained the third German version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ III). Using Welch's t-tests, we compared the COPSOQ results of our sample against a pre-pandemic reference group of geriatric nurses from Germany. Additionally, we conducted semi-structured interviews with geriatric nurses with a special focus on psychosocial stress, to reach a deeper understanding of their experiences on work-related changes and burdens during the pandemic. Data were analysed using thematic coding (Braun and Clarke). RESULTS Our survey sample (n = 177) differed significantly from the pre-pandemic reference group in 14 out of 31 COPSOQ scales. Almost all of these differences indicated negative changes. Our sample scored significantly worse regarding the scales 'quantitative demands', 'hiding emotions', 'work-privacy conflicts', 'role conflicts', 'quality of leadership', 'support at work', 'recognition', 'physical demands', 'intention to leave profession', 'burnout', 'presenteeism' and 'inability to relax'. The interviews (n = 15) revealed six main themes related to nurses' psychosocial stress: 'overall working conditions', 'concern for residents', 'management of relatives', 'inability to provide terminal care', 'tensions between being infected and infecting others' and 'technicisation of care'. 'Enhanced community cohesion' (interviews), 'meaning of work' and 'quantity of social relations' (COPSOQ III) were identified as positive effects of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Results clearly illustrate an aggravation of geriatric nurses' situation and psychosocial burden and only few positive changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Pre-existing hardships seem to have further deteriorated and new stressors added to nurses' strain. The perceived erosion of care, due to an overemphasis of the technical in relation to the social and emotional dimensions of care, seems to be especially burdensome to geriatric nurses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Schulze
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sibille Merz
- Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Anne Thier
- Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Marie Tallarek
- Department of Public Health, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Franziska König
- Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Greta Uhlenbrock
- Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Matthias Nübling
- Freiburg Research Centre for Occupational Sciences (FFAW), Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Lincke
- Freiburg Research Centre for Occupational Sciences (FFAW), Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael A Rapp
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.,Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jacob Spallek
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.,Department of Public Health, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany.,Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus -Senftenberg, Senfenberg, Germany
| | - Christine Holmberg
- Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany. .,Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany. .,Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany.
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6
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Soteriades ES, Vogazianos P, Tozzi F, Antoniades A, Economidou EC, Psalta L, Spanoudis G. Exercise and Occupational Stress among Firefighters. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:4986. [PMID: 35564381 PMCID: PMC9101080 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19094986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential association between physical activity and occupational stress among firefighters. Data were collected from Cypriot firefighters through a web-based battery of internationally validated questionnaires completed anonymously (COPSOQ, DASS). A total of 430 firefighters (response rate 68%) completed the survey (age range: 21-60 years). More than half of the firefighters (54%) reported either no or minimal physical activity. A total of 11% of firefighters reported moderate to extremely severe stress based on the DASS-S scale. Using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, we showed that firefighters who exercised had 50% lower risk of occupational stress, and using a categorical model, we found that every hour per week of increased physical activity among firefighters was associated with 16% lower risk of occupational stress after adjusting for age, education, smoking, and body mass index (OR = 1.16; p = 0.05). In addition, our findings suggest an inverse dose-response relationship between physical activity and occupational stress among firefighters. Physical activity appears to be inversely associated with occupational stress and serves as an important mitigating factor of occupational stress in firefighters. Further research is warranted to evaluate the potential effect of exercise interventions on occupational stress, and the overall mental health of firefighters and other occupational groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elpidoforos S. Soteriades
- Healthcare Management Program, School of Economics and Management, Open University of Cyprus, Nicosia 2220, Cyprus
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology (EOME), Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Paris Vogazianos
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Humanities, Social and Education Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus;
| | - Federica Tozzi
- Stremble Ventures Ltd., Limassol 4042, Cyprus; (F.T.); (A.A.)
| | | | | | - Lilia Psalta
- School of Sciences, UCLan Cyprus, Larnaka 7080, Cyprus;
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus;
| | - George Spanoudis
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus;
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Nuebling M, Hegewald J, Starke KR, Lincke HJ, Jankowiak S, Liebers F, Latza U, Letzel S, Riechmann-Wolf M, Gianicolo E, Beutel M, Pfeiffer N, Lackner K, Münzel T, Wild PS, Seidler A. The Gutenberg health study: a five-year prospective analysis of psychosocial working conditions using COPSOQ (Copenhagen psychosocial Questoinnaire) and ERI (effort-reward imbalance). BMC Public Health 2022; 22:24. [PMID: 34991529 PMCID: PMC8740453 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12240-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Psychosocial working conditions were previously analyzed using the first recruitment wave of the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) cohort (n = 5000). We aimed to confirm the initial analysis using the entire GHS population at baseline (N = 15,010) and at the five-year follow-up. We also aimed to determine the effects of psychosocial working conditions at baseline on self-rated outcomes measured at follow-up. Methods At baseline, working GHS participants were assessed with either the Effort-Reward-Imbalance questionnaire (ERI) (n = 4358) or with the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) (n = 4322); participants still working after five years received the same questionnaire again (ERI n = 3142; COPSOQ n = 3091). We analyzed the association between working conditions and the outcomes job satisfaction, general health, burnout, and satisfaction with life at baseline, at follow-up and also prospectively from baseline to follow-up using linear regression models. We examined the outcome variance explained by the models (R2) to estimate the predictive performance of the questionnaires. Results The models’ R2 was comparable to the original baseline analyses at both t0 and t1 (R2 range: ERI 0.10–0.43; COPSOQ 0.10–0.56). However, selected scales of the regression models sometimes changed between assessment times. The prospective analysis showed weaker associations between baseline working conditions and outcomes after five years (R2 range: ERI 0.07–0.19; COPSOQ 0.07–0.24). This was particularly true for job satisfaction. After adjusting for the baseline levels of the outcomes, fewer scales still explained some of the variance in the distribution of the outcome variables at follow-up. The models using only data from t0 or t1 confirmed the previous baseline analysis. We observed a loss of explained variance in the prospective analysis models. This loss was greatest for job satisfaction, suggesting that this outcome is most influenced by short-term working conditions. Conclusions Both the COPSOQ and ERI instruments show good criterion validity and adequately predict contemporaneously measured self-reported measurements of health and (occupational) well-being. However, the COPSOQ provides a more detailed picture of working conditions and might be preferable for improvment strategies in workplaces. Additional prospective research with shorter follow-up times would be beneficial for estimating dose-response relationships. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-12240-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Nuebling
- FFAW: Freiburg Research Centre for Occupational Sciences, Bertoldstr. 63, D-79098, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Janice Hegewald
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine (IPAS), Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Karla Romero Starke
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine (IPAS), Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Hans-Joachim Lincke
- FFAW: Freiburg Research Centre for Occupational Sciences, Bertoldstr. 63, D-79098, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sylvia Jankowiak
- Division Work and Health, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health BAuA, Berlin, Germany
| | - Falk Liebers
- Division Work and Health, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health BAuA, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ute Latza
- Division Work and Health, Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health BAuA, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Letzel
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Merle Riechmann-Wolf
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Institute for Teachers' Health, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Emilio Gianicolo
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Lecce, Italy
| | - Manfred Beutel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Norbert Pfeiffer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Klaus Lackner
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Münzel
- Center of Thrombosis and Hemostatis (CTH), University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Center for Cardiology - Cardiology I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Philipp S Wild
- Center of Thrombosis and Hemostatis (CTH), University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine, Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas Seidler
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine (IPAS), Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Burr H, Lange S, Freyer M, Formazin M, Rose U, Nielsen ML, Conway PM. Physical and psychosocial working conditions as predictors of 5-year changes in work ability among 2078 employees in Germany. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2022; 95:153-168. [PMID: 34175972 PMCID: PMC8755707 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01716-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine 5-year prospective associations between working conditions and work ability among employees in Germany. METHODS A cohort study (2011/2012-2017), based on a random sample of employees in employments subject to payment of social contributions aged 31-60 years (Study on Mental Health at Work; S-MGA; N = 2,078), included data on physical and quantitative demands, control (influence, possibilities for development, control over working time), relations (role clarity and leadership quality) and work ability (Work Ability Index, WAI; subscale 'subjective work ability and resources'). Data were analysed using linear regression. RESULTS Physical demands and control were associated with small 5-year changes in work ability (ΔR2 = 1%). Among the subgroup of employees with ≥ 25 sickness days, possibilities for development, control and quality of leadership were associated with changes in work ability (ΔR2 = 8%). CONCLUSIONS The impact of working conditions on long term changes in work ability seems to be negligible. However, in vulnerable subpopulations experiencing poor health, working conditions may be associated to a larger extent to work ability over this time span.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermann Burr
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstraße 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Stefanie Lange
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstraße 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marion Freyer
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstraße 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maren Formazin
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstraße 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany
| | - Uwe Rose
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstraße 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany
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9
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Lincke HJ, Vomstein M, Lindner A, Nolle I, Häberle N, Haug A, Nübling M. COPSOQ III in Germany: validation of a standard instrument to measure psychosocial factors at work. J Occup Med Toxicol 2021; 16:50. [PMID: 34784940 PMCID: PMC8594291 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-021-00331-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Over the last almost 20 years COPSOQ (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire) has become a well-established instrument to measure psychosocial stress at work. In Germany, a first validated version of COPSOQ was introduced in 2005. After the COPSOQ international network took over responsibility for the development of COPSOQ, a new version was published in 2019 (COPSOQ III). The German version of this questionnaire is now to be validated. Methods Measurement qualities of German COPSOQ III are explored in adherence to the to the usual requirements of a validation study as defined by DIN EN ISO 10075-3. A sample of observations from more than 250,000 participants surveyed with the COPSOQ in Germany is used for univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. Results With its 84 items the German COPSOQ III includes all psychosocial work factors that are internationally obligatory and is still compatible with almost 70% of the content in the 2005 German version. Typical psychometric properties of the questionnaire (e. g., validity and reliability) are either good or very good for most of the 84 items and 31 scales. Beyond basic results, congruences with widely used theoretical approaches like the Demand-Control(−Support) model or the Job Demands-Resources model are generally satisfactory. Conclusions With the launch of COPSOQ III in Germany, new workplace psychosocial aspects could be explored. Like the preceding version, the questionnaire is a highly useful instrument for research as well as for risk assessment in enterprises. COSPQO III covers a multitude of theoretical approaches and gives comprehensive information on psychosocial working conditions to deduce actions for their improvement. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12995-021-00331-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Joachim Lincke
- FFAW Freiburger Forschungsstelle für Arbeitswissenschaften GmbH, FFAW Freiburg research centre for occupational sciences, Bertoldstr. 63, 79098, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Martin Vomstein
- FFAW Freiburger Forschungsstelle für Arbeitswissenschaften GmbH, FFAW Freiburg research centre for occupational sciences, Bertoldstr. 63, 79098, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexandra Lindner
- FFAW Freiburger Forschungsstelle für Arbeitswissenschaften GmbH, FFAW Freiburg research centre for occupational sciences, Bertoldstr. 63, 79098, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Inga Nolle
- FFAW Freiburger Forschungsstelle für Arbeitswissenschaften GmbH, FFAW Freiburg research centre for occupational sciences, Bertoldstr. 63, 79098, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nicola Häberle
- FFAW Freiburger Forschungsstelle für Arbeitswissenschaften GmbH, FFAW Freiburg research centre for occupational sciences, Bertoldstr. 63, 79098, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ariane Haug
- FFAW Freiburger Forschungsstelle für Arbeitswissenschaften GmbH, FFAW Freiburg research centre for occupational sciences, Bertoldstr. 63, 79098, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Nübling
- FFAW Freiburger Forschungsstelle für Arbeitswissenschaften GmbH, FFAW Freiburg research centre for occupational sciences, Bertoldstr. 63, 79098, Freiburg, Germany
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10
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Traditionally, the field of health and employment has mainly focused on preventing unhealthy work practices. Nowadays, there is increasing interest in also promoting a positive work environment. It is relevant to investigate how organizations can integrate both approaches into their work practices. We posit this could promote the sustainable employability of employees. OBJECTIVE: We explored whether a tool that monitors health and safety risks can also be used to create a positive work environment. METHODS: Almost 600 employees completed the Dutch version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ). We used regression analyses to investigate the associations between dimensions of work and employees’ outcome (stress and sustainable employability). We also validated the Dutch version of this questionnaire by adding Sustainable employability and Vigor. RESULTS: A theory-based selection of dimensions explained 32%of the variance in Sustainable employability, whereas a set of established predictors explained 16%in Stress. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated a good fit of the COPSOQ to the hypothesized model. Reliabilities of the dimensions were satisfactory to good. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that organizations can use COPSOQ both as a tool to monitor risk, as well as a means of promoting positive work practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gérard Näring
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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11
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Berthelsen H, Owen M, Westerlund H. Does workplace social capital predict care quality through job satisfaction and stress at the clinic? A prospective study. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1320. [PMID: 34225680 PMCID: PMC8259017 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11320-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Welfare societies like Sweden face challenges in balancing the budget while meeting the demand for good quality healthcare. The aim of this study was to analyse whether care quality, operationalized as survival of dental fillings, is predicted by workplace social capital and if this effect is direct or indirect (through stress and/or job satisfaction among staff at the clinic), controlling for patient demographics. Methods The prospective design includes A) work environment data from surveys of 75 general public dental clinics (aggregated data based on 872 individual ratings), and B) register-based survival of 9381dental fillings performed during a 3-month period around the time of the survey, and C) patient demographics (age, gender, income level and birth place). Using a multi-level discrete-time proportional hazard model, we tested whether clinic-level social capital, stress, and job satisfaction could predict tooth-level filling failure, controlling for patient demographics. One direct and two indirect pathways, moderated by filling tooth, location, and filling type, were tested. Results High workplace social capital reduced the risk of early failure of fillings in molar teeth, mediated by group-perceived job satisfaction (indirect path: OR = 0.93, p < .05, direct path from job satisfaction: OR = 0.89, p < .05). Contrary to expectations, we found no support for a direct effect from social capital on care quality or for the indirect pathway via stress at the clinic level. Conclusions Workplace social capital boosted the quality of dental fillings through increased levels of job satisfaction. In addition, staff at clinics with higher social capital reported less stress and higher levels of job satisfaction. These results indicate that promotion of social capital may improve both occupational health and care quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Berthelsen
- Centre for Work Life and Evaluation Studies (CTA) & Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Mikaela Owen
- Centre for Workplace Excellence, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Hugo Westerlund
- Department of Psychology, The Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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Shahidi FV, Gignac MAM, Oudyk J, Smith PM. Assessing the Psychosocial Work Environment in Relation to Mental Health: A Comprehensive Approach. Ann Work Expo Health 2021; 65:418-431. [PMID: 33555321 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Prevailing job stress models encourage a multidimensional view of the psychosocial work environment and highlight the role that multiple co-occurring stressors play in the aetiology of mental health problems. In this study, we develop a latent typology of psychosocial work environment profiles to describe how a comprehensive array of job stressors are clustered in the Canadian labour market. We also examine the association between these latent psychosocial work environment profiles and several indicators of mental health. METHODS Data were collected from 6408 workers who completed the Canadian National Psychosocial Work Environment Survey. Psychosocial work exposures were measured using standard items from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. We employed latent profile analyses to identify groups of individuals with similar psychosocial work environment profiles. We used log-linear regression models to examine the association between latent psychosocial work environment profiles and burnout, stress, and cognitive strain. RESULTS Four distinct groups with highly divergent psychosocial work environment profiles were identified. Adjusting for a range of demographic and socioeconomic factors, latent psychosocial work environment profiles were strongly related to mental health. Individuals who reported exposure to a comprehensive array of psychosocial job stressors (11% prevalence) reported the highest probability of burnout (PR: 7.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.56-10.15), stress (PR: 8.98, 95% CI: 6.20-13.0), and cognitive strain (PR: 7.29, 95% CI: 5.02-10.60). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that psychosocial work stressors are tightly clustered in the Canadian labour market, and that the clustering of work stressors is strongly associated with adverse mental health outcomes. Future scholarship may benefit from adopting a more comprehensive approach to the assessment of psychosocial job quality as a determinant of health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Monique A M Gignac
- Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John Oudyk
- Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter M Smith
- Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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13
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Berthelsen H, Muhonen T, Bergström G, Westerlund H, Dollard MF. Benchmarks for Evidence-Based Risk Assessment with the Swedish Version of the 4-Item Psychosocial Safety Climate Scale. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17228675. [PMID: 33266458 PMCID: PMC7700640 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17228675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to validate the short version of The Psychosocial Safety Climate questionnaire (PSC-4, Dollard, 2019) and to establish benchmarks indicating risk levels for use in Sweden. Cross-sectional data from (1) a random sample of employees in Sweden aged 25–65 years (n = 2847) and (2) a convenience sample of non-managerial employees from 94 workplaces (n = 3066) were analyzed. Benchmarks for three PSC risk levels were developed using organizational compliance with Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) regulations as criterion. The results support the validity and usefulness of the Swedish PSC-4 as an instrument to indicate good, fair, and poor OSH practices. The recommended benchmark for indicating good OSH practices is an average score of >12.0, while the proposed cutoff for poor OSH practices is a score of ≤8.0 on the PSC-4. Scores between these benchmarks indicate fair OSH practices. Furthermore, aggregated data on PSC-4 supported its reliability as a workplace level construct and its association with quantitative demands, quality of leadership, commitment to the workplace, work engagement, job satisfaction, as well as stress and burnout. Thus, the Swedish version of PSC-4 can be regarded as a valid and reliable measure for both research and practical use for risk assessment at workplaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Berthelsen
- Centre for Work Life and Evaluation Studies (CTA), Malmö University, 205 06 Malmö, Sweden;
- Section 4, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmö, Sweden
- Correspondence:
| | - Tuija Muhonen
- Centre for Work Life and Evaluation Studies (CTA), Malmö University, 205 06 Malmö, Sweden;
- Department of School Development and Leadership, Faculty of Education and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Bergström
- Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Occupational Health Sciences and Psychology, University of Gävle, 801 76 Gävle, Sweden;
- Unit of Intervention and Implementation Research for Worker Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hugo Westerlund
- Department of Psychology, Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Maureen F. Dollard
- PSC Observatory, Centre for Workplace Excellence, Justice and Society, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia;
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14
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Kaltenbrunner M, Bengtsson L, Mathiassen SE, Högberg H, Engström M. Staff perception of Lean, care-giving, thriving and exhaustion: a longitudinal study in primary care. BMC Health Serv Res 2019; 19:652. [PMID: 31500624 PMCID: PMC6734292 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4502-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lean is commonly adopted in healthcare to increase quality of care and efficiency. Few studies of Lean involve staff-related outcomes, and few have a longitudinal design. Thus, the aim was to examine the extent to which changes over time in Lean maturity are associated with changes over time in care-giving, thriving and exhaustion, as perceived by staff, with a particular emphasis on the extent to which job demands and job resources, as perceived by staff, have a moderated mediation effect. Method A longitudinal study with a correlational design was used. In total, 260 staff at 46 primary care units responded to a web survey in 2015 and 2016. All variables in the study were measured using staff ratings. Ratings of Lean maturity reflect participants’ judgements regarding the entire unit; ratings of care-giving, thriving, exhaustion and job demands and resources reflect participants’ judgements regarding their own situation. Results First, over time, increased Lean maturity was associated with increased staff satisfaction with their care-giving and increased thriving, mediated by increased job resources. Second, over time, increased Lean maturity was associated with decreased staff exhaustion, mediated by decreased job demands. No evidence was found showing that job demands and job resources had a moderated mediation effect. Conclusion The results indicate that primary care staff may benefit from working in organizations characterized by high levels of Lean maturity and that caregiving may also be improved as perceived by staff. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-019-4502-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Kaltenbrunner
- Department of Occupational Health Sciences and Psychology, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, 801 76, Gävle, Sweden.
| | - Lars Bengtsson
- Department of Industrial Management, Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Sustainable Development, University of Gävle, 801 76, Gävle, Sweden
| | - Svend Erik Mathiassen
- Department of Occupational Health Sciences and Psychology, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, 801 76, Gävle, Sweden
| | - Hans Högberg
- Department of Caring Science, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, 801 76, Gävle, Sweden
| | - Maria Engström
- Department of Caring Science, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, 801 76, Gävle, Sweden.,Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Nursing Department, Medicine and Health College, Lishui University, Lishui, China
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15
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Useche SA, Montoro L, Alonso F, Pastor JC. Psychosocial Work Factors, Job Stress and Strain at the Wheel: Validation of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire ( COPSOQ) in Professional Drivers. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1531. [PMID: 31312166 PMCID: PMC6614297 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Psychosocial work environment has been related to many negative health outcomes in different workforces. However, evidence in this regard is still limited in the case of transport workers, and most of the tools used in research, often excessively generic, do not fully consider the specific key stressors, and adverse issues present in the psychosocial environment of professional driving. Objective Thus, the purpose of this study was to obtain a complete description of the validation of measurement applied to psychosocial factors at work in professional drivers, using the Enterprise version (2018) of COPSOQ-III. Methods The data was collected from 726 Spanish professional drivers, and the analyses were conducted using the competitive Confirmatory Factor Analysis or CFA, obtaining basic psychometric properties and an optimized structure for the instrument applied to active transport workers. Results The results suggest a clear factorial structure, high factorial weights, internal consistency, and an improved adjustment to the psychosocial conditions of this group, excluding a set of items with low psychometrical adjustment and keeping the five-factor structure of the questionnaire: demands, influence and development, interpersonal relationships and leadership, job insecurity, and strain-effects and outcomes. Conclusion Overall, what was found in this study supports the hypothesis that the validated version of COPSOQ in professional drivers, together with complementary information sources specific for their work environment, may have a relevant research value and some important practical implications for the improvement of the occupational safety, and health within the typically vulnerable industry of transportation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio A Useche
- Development and Advising in Traffic Safety Research Group, University Research Institute on Traffic and Road Safety, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Luis Montoro
- FACTHUM.lab (Human Factor and Road Safety) Research Group, University Research Institute on Traffic and Road Safety, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Alonso
- Development and Advising in Traffic Safety Research Group, University Research Institute on Traffic and Road Safety, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan C Pastor
- Development and Advising in Traffic Safety Research Group, University Research Institute on Traffic and Road Safety, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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16
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Ulusoy N, Wirth T, Lincke HJ, Nienhaus A, Schablon A. [Psychosocial burden and strains in geriatric nursing: comparison of nursing personnel with and without migration background]. Z Gerontol Geriatr 2018; 52:589-597. [PMID: 29943078 DOI: 10.1007/s00391-018-1414-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Because of demographic changes the nursing care sector is faced with a lack of qualified employees in the medium and long term. The shortage in the work force is caused by high workloads and unfavorable working conditions. In response to this shortage, there have been attempts to recruit qualified nursing staff from abroad and also to improve the integration of people with a migration background living in Germany into the job market. METHODOLOGY Based on a quantitative cross-sectional study of 366 nurses, the psychosocial burden and strains among employees with a migration background (n = 112) and without a migration background (n = 254) were examined. For this purpose, 13 scales of the German version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) were used for the assessment of psychosocial factors at work. The results were compared with professional group-specific reference values (geriatric care) from the COPSOQ database. RESULTS The comparison of nursing staff with and without a migration background revealed that the emotional demands, work-privacy conflict and role conflicts factors received a significantly better rating among nursing staff with a migration background, while development opportunities were rated worse by this population group. The surveyed nursing staff exhibited higher stress values compared to the COPSOQ reference group in almost all scales. CONCLUSION Nursing staff with a migration background need to be supported with respect to development opportunities. Suitable education and training measures may offer adequate career perspectives and may encourage employees to stay in their jobs.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Ulusoy
- Competenzzentrum Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung bei Pflegeberufen (CVcare), Institut für Versorgungsforschung in der Dermatologie und bei Pflegeberufen (IVDP), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland.
| | - T Wirth
- Competenzzentrum Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung bei Pflegeberufen (CVcare), Institut für Versorgungsforschung in der Dermatologie und bei Pflegeberufen (IVDP), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - H-J Lincke
- Freiburger Forschungsstelle für Arbeitswissenschaften (FFAW) GmbH, Freiburg, Deutschland
| | - A Nienhaus
- Competenzzentrum Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung bei Pflegeberufen (CVcare), Institut für Versorgungsforschung in der Dermatologie und bei Pflegeberufen (IVDP), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
- Abteilung Arbeitsmedizin und Gesundheitswissenschaften, Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (BGW), Hamburg, Deutschland
| | - A Schablon
- Competenzzentrum Epidemiologie und Versorgungsforschung bei Pflegeberufen (CVcare), Institut für Versorgungsforschung in der Dermatologie und bei Pflegeberufen (IVDP), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Deutschland
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Berthelsen H, Conway PM, Clausen T. Is organizational justice climate at the workplace associated with individual-level quality of care and organizational affective commitment? A multi-level, cross-sectional study on dentistry in Sweden. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2018; 91:237-45. [PMID: 29124319 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-017-1275-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate whether organizational justice climate at the workplace level is associated with individual staff members’ perceptions of care quality and affective commitment to the workplace. Methods The study adopts a cross-sectional multi-level design. Data were collected using an electronic survey and a response rate of 75% was obtained. Organizational justice climate and affective commitment to the workplace were measured by items from Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire and quality of care by three self-developed items. Non-managerial staff working at dental clinics with at least five respondents (n = 900 from 68 units) was included in analyses. A set of Level-2 random intercept models were built to predict individual-level organizational affective commitment and perceived quality of care from unit-level organizational justice climate, controlling for potential confounding by group size, gender, age, and occupation. Results The results of the empty model showed substantial between-unit variation for both affective commitment (ICC-1 = 0.17) and quality of care (ICC-1 = 0.12). The overall results showed that the shared perception of organizational justice climate at the clinical unit level was significantly associated with perceived quality of care and affective commitment to the organization (p < 0.001). Conclusions Organizational justice climate at work unit level explained all variation in affective commitment among dental clinics and was associated with both the individual staff members’ affective commitment and perceived quality of care. These findings suggest a potential for that addressing organizational justice climate may be a way to promote quality of care and enhancing affective commitment. However, longitudinal studies are needed to support causality in the examined relationships. Intervention research is also recommended to probe the effectiveness of actions increasing unit-level organizational justice climate and test their impact on quality of care and affective commitment.
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Berthelsen H, Westerlund H, Hakanen JJ, Kristensen TS. It is not just about occupation, but also about where you work. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2017; 45:372-379. [PMID: 28421641 DOI: 10.1111/cdoe.12300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Dentistry is characterized by a meaningful but also stressful psychosocial working environment. Job satisfaction varies among staff working under different organizational forms. The aim of this study was to identify (i) to what extent crucial psychosocial work environment characteristics differ among occupations in general public dental clinics in Sweden, and (ii) how much of the variation within each occupation is attributable to the organizational level. METHODS All staff (N=1782) employed in four public dental organizations received an email with personal log-in to an electronic questionnaire based on the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. After two reminders, a response rate of 75% was obtained. Responses from 880 nonmanagerial dentists, dental hygienists and dental nurses working in general practices were included in our analyses. RESULTS First, we compared the three dental occupations. We found that job demands, task resources (eg influence, possibilities for development and role clarity), strain symptoms and attitudes to work differed among occupations, dentists having the least favourable situation. Next, we compared the four organizations for each occupational group, separately. For dentists, a significant and relevant amount of variance (P<.05 and ICC >.05) was explained by the organizational level for 15 of 26 subscales, least pronounced for task resources. By contrast, for dental nurses and hygienists, the corresponding number was 2 subscales of 26. The psychosocial working environment of people working at the organization with the highest levels of strain indicators and the least positive work-related attitudes differed systematically from the organization with the most favourable profile, in particular regarding job demands and leadership aspects. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the psychosocial working environment depended to a large degree on occupation and, for dentists in particular, also on their organizational affiliation. The findings suggest a potential for designing interventions at organizational level for improvements of the psychosocial working environment for dentists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Berthelsen
- Centre for Work Life and Evaluation Studies & the Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Hugo Westerlund
- The Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jari J Hakanen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
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Ilić IM, Arandjelović MŽ, Jovanović JM, Nešić MM. Relationships of work-related psychosocial risks, stress, individual factors and burnout - Questionnaire survey among emergency physicians and nurses. Med Pr 2017; 68:167-178. [PMID: 28345677 DOI: 10.13075/mp.5893.00516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychosocial risks represent a great challenge for safety and health protection at work in Europe. The purpose of this study has been to determine the relationships of psychosocial risks arising from work, stress, personal characteristics and burnout among physicians and nurses in the Emergency Medical Service (EMS). MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire survey which contained the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) and Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). RESULTS A total of 88 physicians and 80 nurses completed the survey. Physicians demonstrated higher emotional (mean (M) ± standard deviation (SD) = 74.57±16.85) and cognitive (M±SD = 75.95±13.74) demands as compared to nurses. Both groups had high sensory demands and responsibilities at work, in spite of the low degree of their autonomy. The meaning of work, commitment to the workplace, and insecurity at work were high for both groups. Among all participants, stressful behavior and reactions were within the limits of low values (< 40) and coping strategies showed high values (> 60). Personal and patient-related burnout was high for both groups, where physicians were significantly affected by work-related burnout. The influence at work, degree of freedom at work, social support, sense of coherence, mental health, and problem-focused coping are negatively related to work-related burnout. CONCLUSIONS Based on personal factors and coping styles, emergency physicians and nurses are representing a self-selective professional group that meets high work demands, great responsibility, strong commitment and insecurity at work. Burnout of physicians and nurses in the EMS tends to be ignored, although it has severe consequences on their mental and general health. Med Pr 2017;68(2):178-178.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana M Ilić
- Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Niš, Niš, Serbia.
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Garthus-Niegel S, Nübling M, Letzel S, Hegewald J, Wagner M, Wild PS, Blettner M, Zwiener I, Latza U, Jankowiak S, Liebers F, Seidler A. Development of a mobbing short scale in the Gutenberg Health Study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2015; 89:137-46. [PMID: 25987317 PMCID: PMC4700086 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-015-1058-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite its highly detrimental potential, most standard questionnaires assessing psychosocial stress at work do not include mobbing as a risk factor. In the German standard version of COPSOQ, mobbing is assessed with a single item. In the Gutenberg Health Study, this version was used together with a newly developed short scale based on the Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terror. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of these two measures, to compare them and to test their differential impact on relevant outcome parameters. METHODS This analysis is based on a population-based sample of 1441 employees participating in the Gutenberg Health Study. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and reliability analyses were used to assess the mobbing scale. To determine their predictive validities, multiple linear regression analyses with six outcome parameters and log-binomial regression models for two of the outcome aspects were run. RESULTS Factor analyses of the five-item scale confirmed a one-factor solution, reliability was α = 0.65. Both the single-item and the five-item scales were associated with all six outcome scales. Effect sizes were similar for both mobbing measures. CONCLUSION Mobbing is an important risk factor for health-related outcomes. For the purpose of psychosocial risk assessment in the workplace, both the single-item and the five-item constructs were psychometrically appropriate. Associations with outcomes were about equivalent. However, the single item has the advantage of parsimony, whereas the five-item construct depicts several distinct forms of mobbing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Garthus-Niegel
- Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Institute and Polyclinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, TU Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany. .,Department of Psychosomatics and Health Behavior, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Matthias Nübling
- FFAS, Freiburg Research Center for Occupational and Social Medicine, Bertoldstr. 27, 79098, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Stephan Letzel
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Straße 67, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Janice Hegewald
- Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Institute and Polyclinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, TU Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Mandy Wagner
- Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Institute and Polyclinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, TU Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Philipp S Wild
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany. .,Department of Medicine 2, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany. .,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Maria Blettner
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Straße 69, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Isabella Zwiener
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Straße 69, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Ute Latza
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sylvia Jankowiak
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Falk Liebers
- Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Nöldnerstr. 40-42, 10317, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Andreas Seidler
- Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Institute and Polyclinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, TU Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
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