Work - Volume 54, issue 3

Authors: Silver, Tobin A. | Mokha, G. Monique | Peacock, Corey A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Trips are common in and out of the workplace with most people recovering to avoid a subsequent fall. However, when the recovery attempt fails, a fall can be detrimental. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine adaptations to the elevating response during obstacle tripping while walking on a treadmill. Additionally, the possible transfer effects from adapted responses in the lab to the worksite are explored. METHODS: Fourteen healthy participants that covered the general working age range (20–70 yrs.) were presented with two different types of tripping obstacles while walking. RESULTS: …Elevating the foot over the obstacle was expected due to all trips being induced during early swing phase (first 33% of the swing phase). However, in addition to the elevating strategy, a novel “push” strategy was observed in all but three participants. CONCLUSION: The current study provided support that obstacle type influences the behavioral response after a trip. Therefore, obstacles that catch the shoe should be considered when designing functional fall programs. Furthermore, information from the current study is useful for establishing guidelines when developing a fall prevention program in the workplace. Show more

Keywords: Obstacle training, workplace stumbles, push response, trip response strategies

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162321

Citation: Work, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 699-707, 2016

Authors: Huot, Suzanne | Chen, Xiaojie | King, Christiana | Painter-Zykmund, Ellen | Watt, Kaitlin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Immigrants engage in complex integration processes that are mediated through daily occupations. A central element of socio-economic integration relates to labor market preparation and participation, including job searching, learning cultural values in the workplace, pursuing credential recognition and engaging in volunteering roles and paid employment. OBJECTIVE: To examine how immigrants experienced occupations relating to preparing for, seeking, and gainingemployment. METHODS: A secondary analysis using whole text analysis and line-by-line coding of twenty verbatim transcripts from interviews held with ten recently arrived immigrants to London, Ontario, Canada. Sessions consisted of a narrative interview, creation of …an occupational map and a semi-structured follow-up interview. RESULTS: The participants’ employment related occupations were characterized by the overarching theme of ‘making difficult decisions’. This main theme was connected to four related sub-themes: 1) mechanisms of exclusion, 2) learning the host country’s culture, 3) the influence of one’s outlook on the decisions made, and 4) accessing support. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies factors influencing immigrants’ experiences of labor market preparation and participation. ‘Making difficult decisions’ was faced by all participants throughout the process of becoming part of the Canadian workforce and, ultimately, society at large. Show more

Keywords: Immigration, labor market, occupation, qualitative, secondary analysis

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162316

Citation: Work, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 709-720, 2016

Authors: Stergiou-Kita, Mary | Mansfield, Elizabeth | Colantonio, Angela | Moody, Joel | Mantis, Steve

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Electrical injuries are a common cause of work-related injury in male dominated skilled trades. OBJECTIVES: In this study we explored how issues of gender, masculinities and institutional workplace practices shape expectations of men and their choices when returning to work following a workplace electrical injury. METHODS: Twelve workers, who suffered an electrical injury, and twelve employer representatives, completed semi-structured interviews. Using thematic analysis we identified key themes related to how masculinities influenced men’s health and safety during the return to work process. RESULTS: Strong identification with worker roles can influence injured workers …decisions to return to work ‘too early’. A desire to be viewed as a strong, responsible, resilient worker may intersect with concerns about job loss, to influence participants’ decisions to not report safety issues and workplace accidents, to not disclose post-injury work challenges, and to not request workplace supports. Institutionalized workplace beliefs regarding risk, de-legitimization of the severity of injuries, and the valorization of the “tough” worker can further re-enforce dominant masculine norms and influence return to work processes and health and safety practices. CONCLUSIONS: Workplaces are key sites where gender identities are constructed, affirmed and institutionalized. Further research is warranted to examine how established masculine norms and gendered workplace expectations can influence workplace health and safety in male dominated high risk occupations. Future research should also evaluate strategies that encourage men to discuss post-injury work challenges and request supports when work performance or health and safety issues arise during the return to work process. Show more

Keywords: Men’s health, occupational health and safety, masculinity

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162322

Citation: Work, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 721-733, 2016

Authors: Lexén, Annika | Hofgren, Caisa | Stenmark, Richard | Bejerholm, Ulrika

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Employment is central to recovery in schizophrenia, but little attention has been paid to its relationship with cognitive functioning. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study adds to the knowledge base of relationships between cognitive functioning and gaining competitive employment, work hours per week, and monthly income among people with schizophrenia in vocational rehabilitation. It also examines which area of cognitive function may be decisive for gaining employment. METHODS: Thirty-nine vocational rehabilitation participants were administered a cognitive battery based on MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery. Socio-demographic, clinical, and vocational data were gathered and analyzed with nonparametric statistics. …RESULTS: Individuals with competitive employment differed from those without competitive employment in attention and psychomotor speed, delayed verbal recall, immediate visual recall, and planning, reasoning, and problem-solving. Higher scores in immediate and delayed verbal recall and planning, reasoning, and problem-solving correlated with more work hours per week and higher income. Immediate visual recall was related to higher income. Higher scores in planning, reasoning, and problem-solving was an indicator of competitive employment (OR = 1.48). CONCLUSIONS: Higher order cognitive functioning of planning, reasoning, and problem-solving may have a central role in gaining employment. The findings should be considered in compensation for or improving cognitive functions for vocational rehabilitation participants. Show more

Keywords: Psychiatric disability, severe mental illness, vocational rehabilitation, return to work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162318

Citation: Work, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 735-744, 2016

Authors: Joshi, Anurag | Kiran, Ravi | Singla, Harish Kumar | Sah, Ash Narayan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This paper introduces the concept of Deep Breathing and its applications as one of the means towards stress management through regulation of blood pressure among Indian College Engineering students. The underlying concept of deep breathing is that the relation between emotions and breathing is two way, i.e. not only do emotions affect the breathing, but controlled deep breathing also has an effect on emotions. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the paper is to find out whether deep breathing technique is able to control blood pressure, and in turn, the level of stress. METHODS: Sample students …had a selection through initial screening and the students who reported high mental stress during interview were selected for the main drills. All the readings are taken using a sphygmomanometer (digital blood pressure meter). Students’ t test are used for the purpose of hypothesis testing. RESULTS: The results indicated that the deep breathing technique provided significant results. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that this amazingly simple and yet highly effective ancient technique of deep breathing become part of students’ routine curriculum. The paper aims at spreading the awareness of this yogic technique as one of the modes of Stress Management amongst Indian college students. Show more

Keywords: Ordinary breathing, deep breathing, engineering students, mental wellness, reducing stress

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162308

Citation: Work, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 745-752, 2016

Authors: Shariat, Ardalan | Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri Mohd | Arumugam, Manohar | Danaee, Mahmoud | Ramasamy, Rajesh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The accuracy of instruments such as questionnaires and the goniometer are critical for measuring the severity of musculoskeletal disorders among office workers. OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability of the Cornell questionnaire, goniometer and Borg questionnaire, which are commonly used instruments to assess the severity of musculoskeletal disorders in office workers. METHODS: One hundred twenty healthy office workers, body mass: 87.1 ± 10.3 (kg), age: 27 ± 5.1 (years), height: 1.78 ± 0.16 (m), (mean ± SD), who had at least 1 year of experience in office working, were chosen randomly. A plastic goniometer (30" …height) was used three times to measure the range of motion in the neck, hip, knee and shoulder area, with a period of one hour between measurements to evaluate the test-retest accuracy. The Cornell questionnaire was used to measure the severity of musculoskeletal disorders and the Borg scale was used to measure perceived exertion. The questionnaires were filled out twice with a gap of 2 weeks between measurements. RESULTS: The Inter-class Correlation Co-efficient (ICC) indicated that all instrument sub-scales showed high levels of repeatability. The ICC coefficient was (0.805–0.954, p <0.001) for the Borg scale, (0.785–0.978, p <0.001) for the goniometer and (0.883–0.975, p <0.001) for the Cornell questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: The Cornell questionnaire, goniometer and Borg questionnaire all exhibit high reliability when used for the evaluation of the severity of musculoskeletal disorders in office workers. Show more

Keywords: Cornell questionnaire, reliability, goniometer, Borg questionnaire

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162313

Citation: Work, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 753-758, 2016

Authors: Koca-Atabey, Müjde

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The story of Hakan profoundly calls attention to the dialectical relationship between the macro and the micro influences on the social and political situated nature of disability, work life expectations and the transformative power of life-long learning. All of these are reflected in Hakan’s journey and his capacity to self-manage his needs and adapt in spite of disability adversity and impairment challenges at the turning points in his life. He used his ingenuity when faced with challenges by tapping into non-disabling environments (finding a university program that fit with his needs and he was able to meet standard examination expectations) …and familiar human relationships (finding friends or family that agreed to read to him). His early experiences in the formal and informal labour markets that were available to him provided grounding into various workplace acumen and social requirements. In effect these experiences were part of his early employment socialization that are often overlooked as essential to being ready to shift from a job to deciding on a career in a changing labour economy. While Hakan developed his capacity and competencies to be ready for work in a viable career, the policy’s of prescriptive employment for the disabled shifted slightly to open up the door to more persons with impairments. Read on to find out the details of Hakan’s numerous experiences with turning points, shifts and his efforts to persist in becoming a teacher. Following this article there are reflective questions for deeper consideration and contemplation of the many relationships that shaped the journey. Show more

Keywords: Disability, blindness, work experiences, work orientations, social, psychological and political features of disability

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-162309

Citation: Work, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 759-764, 2016