Work - Volume 32, issue 2

Authors: Kasler, Jon | Fawcett, Angela

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Strengths and Weaknesses Academic Profile (SWAP) was constructed in Israel in response to the local need of career counselors for a valid, reliable, comprehensive, parsimonious, and computerized screening device for identifying those likely to be at risk of learning disabilities (LD). The method chosen was self-report. A set of cognitive items was written and divided into seven scales: reading, writing, attention and memory, computation, English as a foreign language (EFL), study skills, and self-image. The …screening tool was validated on a research sample in Sheffield, UK, based on comparison of the results obtained from the screening with the results of standardized diagnosis of learning disabilities administered to the respondents. The questionnaire was administered to 39 students, half of them diagnosed for dyslexia and half tested and found to be free of dyslexia. Results indicate that SWAP is a reliable and valid questionnaire, with a classification power of approximately 90%. The questionnaire is now widely used in Israel, where an Internet site has been constructed to administer the questionnaire and provide immediate and direct results. Show more

Keywords: Dyslexia, diagnosis, computerized questionnaire, self-report

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0806

Citation: Work, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 201-210, 2009

Authors: Sandqvist, Jan L. | Björk, Mathilda A. | Gullberg, Mats T. | Henriksson, Chris M. | Gerdle, Björn U.C.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The instrument Assessment of Work Performance (AWP 1.1) can be used to assess an individual's skills during work performance – how efficient and appropriate a client performs a work task. The instrument is currently used by over 300 assessors working in a variety of work rehabilitation settings in Sweden, and it has been used with over 10,000 clients. In this study, the construct validity of the AWP 1.1 was tested with 364 assessments of clients with …a variety of various work-related problems assessed by six occupational therapists in a Social Insurance Office in Sweden between 2004 and 2005. Principal Component Analysis shows construct validity of the AWP 1.1. Further, the findings indicate that the instrument is sensitive and discriminates between clients, and no gender related patterns were identified. Show more

Keywords: Instrument development, Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0807

Citation: Work, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 211-218, 2009

Authors: Larsman, Pernilla | Hanse, Jan Johansson

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to test a path model of the relation between psychological workload and neck/shoulder symptoms with general fatigue as a proposed mediating variable. In this longitudinal two-wave cohort study a questionnaire survey was conducted among female childcare workers. The analyses were based on initially symptom free participants (n = 388). Two models were tested, with fatigue at baseline and at follow-up as the proposed mediators, respectively. The results indicate …that appraised psychological workload is related to the development of symptoms measured at an 18-month follow-up. The results further indicate that this relation may be partially mediated by general fatigue (also measured at follow-up). The findings of the present study emphasize the importance of the psychological workload in the development of neck/shoulder symptoms among childcare workers. This means that in addition to workplace ergonomic interventions it is important also to pay attention to the psychosocial conditions in order to reduce these symptoms. Show more

Keywords: Appraised psychological workload, fatigue, musculoskeletal neck/shoulder symptoms, mediation, childcare work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0808

Citation: Work, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 219-226, 2009

Authors: Sakai, Kazuya | Hashimoto, Takeshi | Inuo, Sadafumi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: As the mental health care system in Japan is putting an increased emphasis on community rehabilitation, an effective working-support program is needed for patients with schizophrenia. In order to examine personal factors associated with competitive employment, a retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted with patients involved in an integrated program that provides both psychiatric care and a working-support service for patients with schizophrenia. Thirty six schizophrenic outpatients who were employed in the working …support program participated. Patients were divided into a working group and a non-working group, depending on whether they worked more or less than 20 hours a week. The working group significantly differed from the non-working group in that they were more likely to have completed high school (p < 0.05, Fisher's exact probability test), disclosed their disability to their employers (p < 0.05, Fisher's exact probability test) and worked less than 20 hours in their initial employment (p < 0.001, Fisher's exact probability test). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the disclosure of disabilities (odds ratio = 6.00, p = 0.02), shorter initial working-time (odds ratio = 27.6, p < 0.001), or higher educational level (odds ratio = 6.42, p = 0.02) increased the probability of success of competitive employment. For the other outcomes (severity of psychotic symptoms, disability of daily life or subjective QOL), there was no difference between the two groups (p > 0.05, respectively, Mann-Whitney's U-test). In this program, participation in competitive employment may not be associated with the severity of psychotic symptoms, disability of daily life or subjective QOL but may be promoted by the disclosure of disabilities, shorter initial working-time and higher education. Show more

Keywords: Schizophrenia, supported employment, vocational rehabilitation, occupational therapy, day-care

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0809

Citation: Work, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 227-233, 2009