Work - Volume Pre-press, issue Pre-press

Authors: Eklund, Annika | Sterner, Anders | Nilsson, Maria Skyvell | Larsman, Pernilla

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Transition programs for newly graduated nurses in hospital settings are reported to provide learning opportunities, strengthening confidence, workplace integration and skills, retention and job satisfaction. Still, our knowledge of long-term effects is scarce and few studies have used control groups. OBJECTIVE: To explore the long-term impact of having attended a transition program on the nurses’ experiences of the first years of practice. More specifically, ideology-infused psychological contract, ethical stress, perceived organizational support, job satisfaction, opportunities for learning, and intention to stay in the nursing profession, were explored as outcome variables. METHODS: …A questionnaire survey was carried out among registered nurses from November 2019 to January 2020, with a 54% response rate. The analysis was based on 149 nurses who had attended a transition program, and 72 who had not attended. The nurses had seniority between one and three years. Independent samples t -test were used to investigate differences between the groups. RESULTS: The two groups showed small and non-significant differences in the outcome variables. However, regarding the frequency of ethical value conflicts induced by insufficient resources, as well as experiences of ethical value conflict distress, the group of nurses who had attended a transition program showed statistically significantly higher mean values, although the effect sizes were small. CONCLUSION: Newly graduated nurses need more than transition programs and skills training to progress in their nursing role and develop competence, increase job satisfaction, and reduce stress. Achieving these goals requires a long-term supportive learning environment that is integrated into everyday work. Show more

Keywords: New graduated nurses, transition, well-being, job satisfaction, moral distress, turnover, hospital work environment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230537

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2024

Authors: Erol, Özgül | Küçükkaya, Burcu | Yenici, Ecehan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nurses working in the intensive care units (ICU) regarding the work-index-nursing work environment, the effect level ICU environment has on the nurses’ care behaviors and stress levels of the nurses should be determined. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the effect of the nurse manpower on care behaviours and stress level of the nurses working in the ICU. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional and correlational study. The sample of the study consisted of 123 nurses working in the ICUs. The data were collected using the survey form, Distress Thermometer (DT), The Practice Work Environment Scale …of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI), and Caring Behaviors Scale-24 (CBS-24). RESULTS: The mean age of nurses in the ICU was 30.2±5.6 and the mean of working time in the intensive care unit of nurses in the ICU was 3.7±3.1 years. The mean of the DT was 4.8±3.4, and the mean score of PES-NWI was 2.6±1.0 and the mean score of CBS-24 was 4.7±1.1 in nurses in the ICU. The regression model which was studied to investigate the relationship between caring behaviors and stress and nurse manpower of nurses working in intensive care unit was significant. CONCLUSION: Care behaviors and stress levels of nurses working in intensive care units are negatively affected by insufficient nurse manpower. Show more

Keywords: Intensive care unit, nurse, nurse manpower, caring behaviors, stress

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220710

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2024

Authors: Aytar, Ayça | Altintas, Atahan | Gercek, Hasan | Sarak, Hazal | Pagé, M. Gabrielle | Aytar, Aydan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Measuring treatment expectations using the Treatment Expectations in Chronic Pain (TEC) scale has the potential to help clinicians and researchers better understand the role that treatment expectations play within the framework of multimodal pain management settings. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the cross-cultural adaptation, construct validity and reliability of the TEC Scale in the Turkish language. METHODS: The study included 191 volunteers aged 22–65 with chronic musculoskeletal diseases. This study composed of a six-stage cross-cultural adaptation process, which included translation, translation synthesis, back-translation, expert committee review, pre-testing and documentation submission. The …Positivity Scale and Illness Cognition Questionnaire were used to measure convergent validity while the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to test divergent validity. The psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the TEC scale was examined by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Scale’s internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha. Pearson correlation coefficients were utilized to evaluate both convergent and divergent validity. The significance level was set at p  < .05. RESULTS: The results of the CFA showed that factor structure of predicted subscale fitted well the data (x2/df = 3,07;CFI = 0,91,IFI = 0,91 TLI = 0,87,RMSEA = 0,10). The results of the CFA indicated that factor structure of ideal subscale fitted well with the data (x2/df = 2,38;CFI = 0,92,IFI = 0,93,TLI = 0,90,RMSEA = 0,08). Both subscales of the TEC were strongly correlated. The predicted subscale had moderate relationships to depression, anxiety, and positivity (r  = -0.37 to r  = 0.55) but poor correlations with measures of acceptance, perceived benefits and helplessness (r  = -0.24 to 0.35). The ideal subscale had moderate correlations with measures of positivity (r  = 0.36) and depression (r  = -0.38) but poor correlations with measures of acceptance, perceived benefits helplessness and anxiety (r  = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish version of the TEC scale is acceptable, valid, and reliable for use in Turkish patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain in physiotherapy outpatient practice. Show more

Keywords: Chronic pain, pain management, pain assessments, validity and reliability, expectations, beliefs

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240134

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2024

Authors: Tepe, Serap | Çabuk, Ahmet | Eti, Serkan | Mertoğlu, Bülent

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In the realm of academia, psychosocial risk factors play a pivotal role, exerting considerable influence on the well-being and performance of scholars. Factors such as excessive workloads, unrelenting performance expectations, time constraints, and competitive atmospheres can detrimentally affect their health and overall quality of life. Moreover, issues like social isolation, work-life imbalance, and academic anxiety further compound these challenges, impeding academic progress and success. OBJECTIVE: Thus, it is imperative to identify, mitigate, and manage psychosocial risk factors effectively to foster a conducive academic environment conducive to productivity and achievement. METHODS: This study employs a novel …approach, integrating expert opinions and utilizing sine trigonometry Pythagorean fuzzy numbers to ascertain the degrees of importance and rank psychosocial risk factors through the DEMATEL method. This methodology presents a unique contribution to existing literature, offering fresh insights into this critical area of study. RESULTS: Evaluation of 25 factors reveals burnout, job dissatisfaction, precarious working conditions, lack of trust, unfair treatment, job insecurity, and limited developmental opportunities as primary concerns, underscoring the multifaceted nature of these challenges. CONCLUSIONS: In the occupational sphere, active participation from all stakeholders in addressing psychosocial risks is paramount for effective problem resolution. It is incumbent upon parties involved to discharge their duties, foster collaboration, enhance working conditions, ensure equity, and facilitate avenues for professional growth. Each identified risk factor addressed and preempted translates into a tangible reduction in workplace accidents and occupational ailments, underscoring the tangible benefits of proactive risk management. Show more

Keywords: Sine trigonometry, DEMATEL, occupational health, occupational safety, decision-making, psychosocial risk factors, academician, fuzzy sets

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240145

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-16, 2024

Authors: Kouhnavard, Bahram | Khosravi Danesh, Mojtaba | Shamsipour, Mansour | Mazloumi, Adel

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Tea harvesting is a common agricultural occupation, usually conducted in mountainous regions with steep slopes and high altitudes. Despite the utilization of modern technology and mechanized equipment in agriculture, a substantial portion of tea harvesting continues to be traditional and physically strenuous. This dependence on manual labor can lead to a higher likelihood of musculoskeletal disorders among tea harvesting farmers. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was investigation of prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders in tea harvesting farmers. METHODS: In this review study, we analyzed all published articles on the prevalence and factors …influencing musculoskeletal disorders in tea harvesting farmers from March 10, 2010, to November 10, 2023 (last search date). We systematically searched for articles using keywords (risk factor, risk assessment, lower limb, upper limb, musculoskeletal disorders, tea harvesting, posture, manual handling, discomfort, ergonomics, prevalence, farmers) in PubMed, Google Scholar, SID, Web of Science, Scopus, Magiran, Iran Medex, Cochrane Library, and Embase. The quality of the articles was evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), 2018 version. Unrelated articles were excluded following PRISMA statement guidelines, and only articles directly related to the study were reviewed. GraySource and BASE databases were also utilized to identify Gray sources.. RESULTS: Initially, 128 articles were found across different databases, and a total of 17 articles were selected for the final assessment. The primary areas of the body that workers are commonly exposed to musculoskeletal issues are the back, hands, wrists, shoulders, neck, and knees. The research identified four main categories of factors: personal, occupational, environmental, and psychosocial that contribute to musculoskeletal problems. Among these factors are women working in physically demanding environments, lifting heavy bags of harvested tea, time pressures during tea collection, repetitive hand motions from using harvesting tools, the height of the tea plants in the field, working in wet and slippery conditions, uneven ground surfaces, extended working hours, low pay, and lack of support from employers. CONCLUSIONS: Ergonomic interventions such as redesigning tea harvesting tools, enhancing tea plants and workspaces, teaching ergonomic principles of body posture and manual movement, and organizing work with job rotation and adequate rest are recommended to alleviate musculoskeletal disorder symptoms. Show more

Keywords: Farmers, tea harvesting, agriculture, personal, occupational, environmental, psychosocial, risk factors

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-240211

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-14, 2024

Authors: Çelebi, Ismet | Gökkaya, Emrah | Çopur, Adeviye | Balci, Elçin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The concept of “Quiet Quitting”, which might be considered new in the literature, is used to describe a passive and silent giving up. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop a scale to evaluate both the causes and consequences of “quiet quitting” which is believed to be increasing for various reasons in our country as well as in the world. METHOD: Five-stage scale development method which was presented by Cohen and Swerdik was used in the process of developing the Quiet Quitting Reason and Behavior Scale (QQRBS). First, the conceptual structure of the …scale was determined. In the second stage, the scale was structured. Structuring the scale is deciding on the scale type and scaling technique. The third stage is the first application of the scale. After the scale was applied, factor analysis, internal consistency assessment and validity studies were carried out in the item analysis section, which is the fourth stage. The fifth stage is the second application stage of the scale and at this stage, the scale was reviewed by test-retest and an application guideline was prepared. RESULTS: Cronbach’s alpha value of draft items is 0.87, quiet quitting behavior sub-dimension Cronbach’s Alpha value is 0.76 and reasons for quiet quitting Cronbach’s Alpha value is 0.820. It was decided to keep the remaining 35 items after EFA analysis because the corrected correlation numbers of the items were >0.30. This study explains the design and development process of the QQRBS in Turkish society. CONCLUSION: According to this developed scale, as the scale mean score of the total and sub-dimensions increases, the tendency to quiet quitting increases. Show more

Keywords: Worker, resignation, validity, reliability, unemployment, quiet quitting

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230699

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-9, 2024

Authors: Guo, Zenghui | Chen, Zhiyuan | Pai, Junjun | Fang, Bin | Liang, Wenhao | Su, Guosheng | Zheng, Feng

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Due to the unfavourable neck-shoulder muscle loads caused by poor posture, the people who use the laptop for a long time may face the risk of neck and shoulder injuries. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study investigates the impact of the screen height on the muscle activation of head flexion, neck and shoulder, and the cervical spine torque to provide the favorite screen height for laptop user. METHODS: Twelve healthy young participants completed a15-minute task of the reading at the four different screen heights. sEMG signals of the splenius capitis (SC) and upper trapezius (UT) …were measured and calculated the root mean square (RMS) and mean power frequency (MPF) to determine muscle fatigue. The different height of laptop users was simulated and the forces on the spine of users at different screen heights were analyzed by Jack. RESULTS: Adjusting the height of the laptop screen can effectively reduce head flexion and muscle activity of SC and UT, and has a positive effect on reducing fatigue of SC, but has no significant effect on UT. CONCLUSIONS: Adjusting the height of the laptop screen can delay the occurrence of SC muscle fatigue to a certain extent. The joint analysis of sEMG spectrum and amplitude reports that the screen heights of D15 and D45 have the highest and the lowest frequency of fatigue, respectively. At the same time, the moment of spineT1/T2 and spineL4/L5 decrease with the increase of screen height. Show more

Keywords: Posture, occupational health, ergonomics, electromyography, muscle fatigue, neck pain, shoulder pain

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230719

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-13, 2024

Authors: Entezarizarch, Elham | Zakerian, Seyed Abolfazl | Madreseh, Elham | Abbasinia, Marzieh | Abdi, Hanieh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Driving represents a multifaceted cognitive endeavor, demanding heightened vigilance and swift responses. Considering the high statistics of driving accidents and heavy loads, as well as the effect of the driver’s age on the occurrence of accidents, it is important to investigate these factors to reduce accidents. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the impact of mental workload on the performance of young and older drivers in a dynamic driving scenario to compare cognitive performance, workload perception, and driving outcomes between the two age groups. METHODS: Cognitive tests including the Stroop test, Continuous Performance test, and Focused Attention …test were conducted, alongside the use of the DALI questionnaire to measure workload levels. Participants encompassed twenty male drivers, divided into two age groups: 20 to 35 years and 55 to 70 years, with varying years of driving experience. The study entailed a dynamic driving scenario involving a designated route in Tehran, Iran. RESULTS: Results exhibited differences in workload scores between the age groups, particularly in dimensions such as visual demand, auditory demand, attention, and interference. Older drivers demonstrated heightened cognitive and physical demands during driving, implying a greater need for attention and cognitive effort. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicated that navigating through congested roads and dense urban traffic significantly elevates the mental workload for drivers, consequently impacting their cognitive functioning. Given the critical need for attention in driving, this heightened workload can manifest as increased fatigue, increasing stress levels, and diminished concentration, all of which substantially raise the risk of vehicular accidents. Furthermore, the study highlighted a particular concern for older drivers, whose diminished cognitive capacities further raise their vulnerability to accidents under such demanding driving conditions. Show more

Keywords: Workload, performance, stroop test, drivers, cognitive, safety, driving

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230473

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-12, 2024

Authors: Chin, Tay Lee | Chee, Tay Lee

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Many organizations around the world have prudently adopted corporate environmental citizenship. However, the corporate environmental citizenship implementation may vary from reality. Thus, this study examines corporate environmental citizenship to identify ultimate practices to create a strong premise of CEC. OBJECTIVE: The study examines the influence of organizational learning capability, organization age on corporate environmental citizenship. METHODS: The data were collected from 50 Malaysian construction firms using the survey questionnaire and analyzed by using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). RESULTS: The finding revealed that organizational learning capability positively related to corporate environmental …citizenship. Organization age was not found to moderate such relationships. CONCLUSION: This study establishes that organizational learning capability encourages construction firms to take risks and explore new opportunities are essential for corporate environmental citizenship implementation. This study highlights the role of organizational learning capability to achieve corporate environmental citizenship irrespective of their organization age for construction firms. This study confirms the logic of Natural Resource Based View (NRBV) theory for predicting organizational learning capability as a critical foundation to build corporate environmental citizenship. Show more

Keywords: Organizational learning capability, corporate environmental citizenship, organization age, socioemotional selectivity theory, natural resource-based view theory, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230751

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2024

Authors: Lauridsen, Jane | Hansen, Mette Lausten | Begtrup, Luise Mølenberg | Momsen, Anne-Mette Hedeager | Pedersen, Pernille | Thulstrup, Ane Marie | Maimburg, Rikke Damkjær

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Risk assessment and work adjustment according to EU legislation may safeguard pregnant employees and their offspring. Knowledge on management perspectives in relation to implementation of protective measures is limited. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim was to describe Danish hospital managers’ engagement in pregnancy policy and work adjustment for pregnant employees. The secondary aim was to investigate how managers’ characteristics and the setting affect engagement and behaviour. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of survey data from 212 managers. Outcomes were within dimensions of health promotion, pregnancy policy, work adjustment, collaboration, manager support, and …sick leave. Logistic and ordinal logistic regression models were applied to identify associations between background information and outcomes. RESULTS: Of the managers included, 84% arranged meetings and 76% conducted occupational risk assessment. Most managers (96%) engaged in dialogue with the employees before sick leave. Most managers felt competent in providing guidance for pregnant employees and 99% considered work adjustment important, mainly to safeguard mothers and children. The self-reported data showed positive associations between female managers and feeling competent to guide the employee. Further, management training was associated with meetings with pregnant employees. Seniority was associated with feeling competent to guide and dialogue. Midwifery support was associated with competence in guiding employees about risk factors. CONCLUSION: Work adjustment and risk assessment for pregnant employees are considered a priority by Danish hospital managers. Overall, managers feel competent guiding pregnant employees. However, managers experience midwifery support beneficial for the guidance of pregnant employees. Show more

Keywords: Financial management, hospital, occupational exposures, health-care personnel, maternal health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230458

Citation: Work, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-11, 2024