Work - Volume 34, issue 1

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0895

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 1-1, 2009

Authors: Wännström, Ingrid | Peterson, Ulla | Åsberg, Marie | Nygren, Åke | Gustavsson, J. Petter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Aim: To assess the psychometric properties of a comprehensive tool for assessing psychosocial work characteristics (the QPS_{Nordic} ), focusing on measurement invariance (MI) across occupations. Methods: QPS_{Nordic} consists of 26 scales covering task, individual, and organizational aspects of work. Multiple group confirmatory factor analyses were performed in order to elucidate MI across a variety of occupational groups. Subjects: Private sector employees and health care workers from the public sector …participated. Equal size (n=500) groups from six different occupations were drawn and entered in multiple group confirmatory factor analyses for assessment of MI. Results: Nine of the 24 analysed scales functioned well across all occupational groups and could thus be used for valid comparisons across professions. The majority of the remaining scales showed MI at least across some groups. Conclusion: With some exceptions, the QPS_{Nordic} has good psychometric properties. Scales measuring organizational aspects of work could also be used across professional groups, enabling valid comparisons between differing workplaces and occupations. Show more

Keywords: Occupational health, measurement, psychometrics, validity, MI

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0897

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 3-11, 2009

Authors: Roelen, C.A.M. | Koopmans, P.C. | Groothoff, J.W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Work stress is an important problem that shifted sickness absence research to the psychosocial work environment at the expense of physical or chemical hazards. Most studies investigated the psychosocial work environment using the Demand-Control model. However, this model does not consider coping styles which are important in absenteeism. The Effort-Reward Imbalance model takes coping into account. Little is known about occupational rewards and their relationship with sickness absence. This study investigated the relations …between occupational rewards and the frequency and duration of sickness absence among 366 workers. The data of 326 employees (89%) were suitable for statistical analysis. Rewards in terms of job esteem (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.47–0.87) and job perspectives (OR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.57–0.84) were negatively related to the absence frequency in men. Satisfaction with income (OR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.35–0.81) was negatively related to the absence frequency in women. Occupational rewards were not associated with the mean duration of absence episodes. The associations we found warrant more attention for occupational rewards in sickness absence research. Show more

Keywords: Job demands, occupational rewards, sickness absence frequency, sickness absence duration

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0898

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 13-19, 2009

Authors: Leufstadius, Christel | Eklund, Mona | Erlandsson, Lena-Karin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate how people with persistent mental illness, with various types of work and employment conditions, experience and describe the meaningfulness of work. The study had a qualitative approach and twelve informants living in the community were purposefully selected and interviewed according to overarching themes. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis, and all of the authors were involved in the analysis process. The findings resulted in four …main themes: 1) work per se has certain characteristics, 2) participation in different contexts gives a feeling of normality, acceptance, belonging and fulfilment of norms and values, 3) work affords structure, energy and a balanced daily life, and 4) work increases well-being and strengthens one's identity. A tentative model is described concerning perceived meaningfulness in work among individuals with persistent mental illness, in which the first three aspects of meaning are a prerequisite for meaning in terms of increased well-being and strengthened identity. Furthermore, it seems important that work has to bring the just right challenge to the individual in order for him or her to perceive the identified aspects of meaningfulness. Show more

Keywords: Employment, occupational therapy, psychiatric disability

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0899

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 21-32, 2009

Authors: Gewurtz, Rebecca | Kirsh, Bonnie

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article presents the findings from a meta-synthesis of qualitative research on the experiences of persons with disabilities in the workplace. The purpose of this review was to explore how organizational culture influences the experiences of people with disabilities in the workplace, and the impact of disability on organizational culture. Findings from seven qualitative peer-reviewed studies on the experiences of people with disabilities at work and organizational culture published between 1995 and 2006 …were synthesized using the meta-ethnography approach. The findings highlight how experiences of people with disabilities and organizational culture intersect in the workplace. Specifically, accessibility in the workplace involves more than removing physical barriers. People with disabilities are affected by the degree of acceptance and flexibility in the workplace, and relationships with co-workers and supervisors. However, the presence of disability may be perceived as disruptive to the organization, operation and structure of the workplace, resulting in disbelief and resistance. The findings suggest that attention and resources should be directed supporting the implementation of disability and human rights legislation and increasing tolerance for diversity in the workplace. Show more

Keywords: Organizational culture, disability in the workplace, qualitative research, meta-synthesis

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0900

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 33-44, 2009

Authors: Roush, Sean

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the vocational outcomes at the Abacus Program, a Menu Approach supported employment program designed to assist individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) achieve competitive employment. Methods: A summative evaluation method was used to determine the vocational outcomes between the years 2000–2006 at the Abacus Program. Data was gathered from existing Abacus Program records and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 15.0 was used …to calculate outcomes. Results: The Abacus Program served 264 clients during the study period. Within those clients, there were 140 cases of vocational services that met study criteria which resulted in 83 successful instances of employment (59%). Conclusions: Initial data from a single site indicate that the Menu Approach to supported employment produces successful employment outcomes comparable to other published studies. Further research is warranted in order to confirm the initial results of this study in other settings. Randomized controlled trials should be conducted in order to compare the outcomes of the Menu Approach to other methods of providing supported employment services to individuals with SMI. Show more

Keywords: Mental illness, supported employment, Menu Approach, individual placement and support

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0901

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 45-51, 2009

Authors: Hawley, Carolyn E. | Diaz, Sebastian | Reid, Christine

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Progression of Disability Benefits (PODB) refers to the migration of workers with work-limiting disabilities through a system of economic disability benefits that result in their ultimate placement into the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) system [16]. Specifically, this migration involves a "progression" from short-term disability (STD) to long-term disability (LTD) to SSDI income. This project uses Chi-squared Automatic Interaction (CHAID) Technique to study the Healthcare industry, the largest industry in the United …States, and its PODB experience. The first part of the study analyzes if claimant demographic (age, gender, disability type) and PODB data (movement from STD to LTD to SSDI) can be used to predict employer industry (dependent variable). Gender was the most significant predictor, while men working outside of Healthcare had the greatest amount of progression to advanced disability levels. The second part of the study assesses if the PODB experience could be predicted through claimant demographics and the sub-set industry within Healthcare in which claimants' were employed. The resulting dendogram reveals that disability type was the strongest predictor of claimant movement through disability benefits levels. Age was the second strongest predictor for all but 1 category of disability type, in which the Healthcare sector was the strongest predictor. Show more

Keywords: Health, disability, workplace, progression of disability benefits

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0902

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 53-66, 2009

Authors: Slot, Tegan | Charpentier, Karine | Dumas, Geneviève | Delisle, Alain | Leger, Andy | Plamondon, André

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of forearm support provided by the Workplace Board on perceived tension, comfort and productivity among pregnant and non-pregnant female computer workers. Ten pregnant and 18 non-pregnant women participated in the study. Participants completed three sets of tension/discomfort questionnaires at two week intervals. The first set was completed prior to any workstation intervention; the second set was completed after two weeks working with an ergonomically adjusted workstation; …the third set was completed after two weeks working with the Workplace Board integrated into the office workstation. With the Workplace Board, decreased perceived tension was reported in the left shoulder, wrist and low back in non-pregnant women only. The Board was generally liked by all participants, and increased comfort and productivity in all areas, with the exception of a negative effect on productivity of general office tasks. The board is suitable for integration in most office workstations and for most users, but has no special benefits for pregnant women. Show more

Keywords: Evaluation, forearm support, low back pain, computer work, tension, comfort, productivity

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0903

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 67-77, 2009

Authors: Wang, Pin-Chieh | Rempel, David M. | Hurwitz, Eric L. | Harrison, Robert J. | Janowitz, Ira | Ritz, Beate R.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Reports of pain and physical exam findings for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are two common outcome measures independently used to assess work-related MSDs in the scientific literature. How these measures correlate with each other, however, is largely unknown. We recruited 520 sewing machine operators to describe the correlation between subjective self-reported pain and physical findings of MSDs in three upper body regions including the neck/shoulder, elbow/forearm, and hand/wrist. Self-reports of pain and physical …findings resulted in different and partly non-overlapping classifications of subjects as MSD cases in our study. Both outcome measures were found to be consistently associated with 'having a medical history of MSDs', 'perceived physical exertion', 'perceived job insecurity' (neck/shoulder), being of older age (arm/forearm), and female gender (arm/forearm and hand/wrist); however, we observed inconsistency for the measures for a number of other job related factors such as 'operating a single machine' and 'number of work hours per week'. Because to date no agreed upon "gold standard" for diagnosing MSDs exists, our findings suggest that research results can be very different when using self-reported measures versus physical exam findings. Also, in order to evaluate the success of an intervention, screening, or surveillance program for work related MSDs, it is important to define clearly which outcome measure best to employ. Show more

Keywords: Agreement, correlation, physical sign, physical examination, work organization

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0904

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 79-87, 2009

Authors: Kawada, Tomoyuki | Kuratomi, Yushiro | Kanai, Tomoe | Suto, Sachiko | Nishime, Akemi | Koizumi, Miyuki | Nakano, Noriko

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Although the prevalence of obesity in the Japanese adult population is lower than that in the US adult population, there appears to be a trend towards increase in the prevalence of obesity in Japanese men. In this study, the usefulness of waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) determination as predictors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) was evaluated in Japanese working men. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the spring of 2007. …The sample included 3,486 working men aged 35 to 59 years. The standard criteria of the International Diabetes Federation were used to determine the prevalence of MetS. The results were adjusted for age, smoking, habitual drinking and serum uric acid. To calculate the OR, MetS was tentatively defined as the presence of two or more of the following criteria in the subjects: high blood pressure, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 17.0%, and it increased with age until the mid-50s. The percentages of subjects with high blood pressure, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia and hyperuricemia were 57.3, 12.7, 29.4 and 21.3%, respectively. As compared to that in the subjects classified in the lowest WC quintile, the ORs (95% confidence interval (CI)) for MetS of a WC in the range of 76.0 to 81.4, 81.5 to 85.9, 86.0 to 90.9, and ⩾ 91 cm were 1.66 (1.13–2.45), 1.74 (1.13–2.67), 2.37 (1.50–3.74), and 2.84 (1.73–4.64), respectively. In contrast, the OR (95% CI) for MetS of a BMI in the range of 24.5 to 26.5 and � 26.6 Kg/m^{2} were 2.43 (1.58–3.73) and 3.27 (2.04–5.27), which just about reached the significance level. Conclusions: The risk of MetS was correlated with the obesity indices. However, BMI values in the high normal range were not significantly associated with the risk of MetS. Show more

Keywords: Waist circumference, body mass index, metabolic syndrome, lifestyle

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2009-0905

Citation: Work, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 89-94, 2009