Work - Volume 58, issue 4

Authors: Beales, Darren John | Ruscoe, Glenn Anthony | Mitchell, Tim

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Insurance workers and physiotherapists are important stakeholders in the rehabilitation of workers with an injury and subsequent musculoskeletal pain. Understanding perceptions of roles may facilitate communication between these stakeholders. OBJECTIVE: Increase knowledge around, (i) the self-perception of and (ii) the external perception of the insurance workers and physiotherapists roles in the management of a worker with an injury in an Australian workers’ compensation environment. METHODS: A cross-sectional study assessed the perceptions of insurance workers and physiotherapists related to the roles of these two professions in managing a worker with an injury via questionnaire. Respondents were …also asked about potential communication barriers. RESULTS: Insurance workers (n  = 48) and physiotherapists (n  = 80) reported contrasting role perceptions, with their perception of the other profession leaning towards negative attributes. There was greater alignment of their beliefs of roles in the ‘ideal’ situation. The perception of barriers to communication also differed between the two professions. Effective and efficient communication was identified as a central component of mismatched role perceptions between stakeholders, but recognised as a critical attribute of ‘ideal’ stakeholder roles. CONCLUSION: Insurance workers and physiotherapists self-perception of their roles differs from external perceptions. This information highlights the importance of a shared understanding of stakeholder roles in the management of a worker with an injury. Show more

Keywords: Perception, communication, stakeholders, work injury

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172636

Citation: Work, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 499-507, 2017

Authors: Choi, Eunsuk | Kim, Jiyun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although the relationship between work–life balance (WLB) and health is well known, it has been poorly studied in Korea. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated factors related to WLB for Korean workers, including working time features and the relationships between WLB and health outcomes. METHODS: Data were obtained from the third Korean Working Conditions Survey, which examined a representative working population. This study investigated general characteristics, working time characteristics, work related health, and WLB. A multivariate logistic regression was used to test the associations between WLB and health outcome variables, including general health status, mental health, work-related …risks to health and safety, sickness absenteeism, presenteeism, musculoskeletal disease, headache/eyestrain, and fatigue. RESULTS: General characteristics including gender, age, working sector, occupation, and employment type were found to be related to WLB. Moreover, working time characteristics were found to be strongly related to WLB. In addition, WLB was significantly related to various health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that WLB is strongly related to health outcomes among Korean workers. The results suggest that there is a need for interventions that focus on implementing working time strategies for better health. Show more

Keywords: Mental health, sickness absenteeism, presenteeism, musculoskeletal disease, fatigue

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172641

Citation: Work, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 509-517, 2017

Authors: Pirbalouti, Mohammad Ghasemi | Shariat, Arghavan | Sangelaji, Bahram | Taghavi, Maryam | Kamaliyeh, Nayereh Ghasemi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Working in a closed environment for more than 7-8 hours can affect both psychological and physical health among kindergarten workers. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and depression as well as the correlation between them, if any, among kindergarten workers. METHODS: In a cross-sectional observation, one hundred and five healthy female staff members (age: 34.27±7.01 year, working duration: 7.42±0.81 hr/d, BMI: 24.50±2.61 kg/m2 (mean±SD)), who have had at least one year of working experience, were selected randomly from 10 kindergartens. The subjects completed both the Cornell musculoskeletal and Patient Health (PHQ-9) questionnaires to …enable the assessments of MSD and depression scores accordingly. The correlation between both questionnaires was then measured to find any links. To assess the reliability of Farsi-language versions of the Cornell questionnaire and PHQ-9, the Inter-class Correlation Co-efficient (ICC) was measured through test-retest with 1-week delay and the prevalence of MSD and depression were subsequently assessed as well. RESULTS: The Inter-class Correlation Co-efficient (ICC) illustrated that the Farsi version of MSD instruments showed high levels of repeatability. The ICC coefficient was (0.932–0.987, p  < 0.001) for the Cornell questionnaire and the Cronbach alpha for PHQ-9 questionnaire was 0.861. The highest severity of pain was related to lower back (30.5%), and after it, neck (27.6%), right shoulder (27.6%) and left shoulder (25.7%) pain, respectively. The results of PHQ-9 questionnaire indicated that 41.9% (n  = 44) of subjects had a severe depression. There was a significant (r  = 0.338, p  < 0.01) relation between depression and MSD. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of depression and severity of physical pain was an issue among staff in kindergartens. More study will be needed to define all aspects of this issue. Show more

Keywords: Cornell questionnaire, patient health questionnaire, physical issues, psychological issues

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172648

Citation: Work, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 519-525, 2017

Authors: Eklund, Mona

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Redesigning Daily Occupations (ReDO™) work rehabilitation method has been found effective, compared with care as usual (CAU), for women with stress-related disorders. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a long-term follow-up of former ReDO™ and CAU participants with respect to sick leave, well-being and everyday occupations 3-4 years after completed work rehabilitation. METHODS: Forty-two women in each group participated. An index day was decided to estimate sick-leave rate, retrieved from register data. Fifty-five women also participated in a telephone interview addressing well-being, everyday occupations and life events. RESULTS: Both groups had reduced their sick-leave rate …further, but no difference between the groups was established. The ReDO™ women perceived a better balance in the work domain of everyday occupations, whereas the CAU group reported more over-occupation. No differences were found on well-being. The groups had experienced similar important life events, affecting the women’s work and private lives. Previous stress and anxiety predicted sick leave at the long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although the ReDO™ intervention had speeded up return to work in the immediate follow-up perspective, the CAU had caught up in the longer term. Still, the ReDO™ women exhibited better balance in the work domain. Show more

Keywords: Work rehabilitation, employment, female, long-term outcomes Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov NCT01234961. Registered September 2007.

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172639

Citation: Work, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 527-536, 2017

Authors: Wagener, M.N. | van Opstal, S.E.M. | Miedema, H.S. | van Gorp, E.C.M. | Roelofs, P.D.D.M.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Stigma and disclosure are important work-related issues for people living with HIV (PLWH). To gain better understanding and improve the position of PLWH in the labor market, further insight in these issues is needed. OBJECTIVE: This study reviews the scientific evidence related to work-related stigma and disclosure. METHODS: A sensitive literature search was performed in the databases of Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Cinahl and Psychinfo for articles published between 1996 and 2016. All studies on PLWH in western countries and investigating disclosure or stigma in relation to work were included. RESULTS: Of the …866 identified studies, 19 met the inclusion criteria: 4 addressed both disclosure and stigma (2 quantitative), 9 addressed only disclosure (4 quantitative) and 7 studies addressed only stigma (4 quantitative). CONCLUSION: This review provides a unique overview of the research on work-related disclosure and stigma, which will enable health care providers to support PWLH to make well-considered decisions. However, the available literature was heterogeneous and in most studies the topics of our interest were secondary outcomes and provided only basic insight. Show more

Keywords: Work participation, working conditions, depression, anxiety, counseling

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172650

Citation: Work, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 537-548, 2017

Authors: Valadez-Torres, Sonia G. | Maldonado-Macías, Aide A. | Garcia-Alcaraz, Jorge L. | Camacho-Alamilla, María del Rocío | Avelar-Sosa, Liliana | Balderrama-Armendariz, Cesar O.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In developing countries such as Mexico, the effects of burnout syndrome (BS) are observed in manufacturing industries. However, the relationships among BS, Job Content (JC ), and Musculoskeletal Complaints (MC ) are scarcely studied within the manufacturing sector, even though senior and middle managers are exposed to highly demanding and mentally exhausting situations. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this paper is to determine the relationships among the three BS dimensions, MC , and JC among middle and senior managers of the manufacturing industry in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. METHODS: The Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey …(MBI-GS), the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), and the Body Map assessment were administered as data collection instruments. The sample included 361 participants from six industries located in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Also, we proposed structural equations models (SEM) to establish the relationships among variables. RESULTS: The questionnaires and the model showed acceptable reliability and quality indices. Emotional exhaustion was the most relevant latent variable, having significant effects on MC and on professional efficacy , and significantly contributing to increasing levels of cynicism . On the other hand, the variable social support showed a negative direct impact on Job Demands and Emotional Exhaustion . CONCLUSIONS: Actions to reduce emotional exhaustion at work include providing a positive and suitable work environment through social support . These strategies help prevent MC and improve professional efficacy , life quality at work, and productivity. Show more

Keywords: Prevention, effects of work stress, structural equation modeling, emotional exhaustion, social support

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172642

Citation: Work, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 549-565, 2017

Authors: Binoosh, S.A. | Mohan, G. Madhan | Ashok, P. | Dhana Sekaran, K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Depletion of groundwater has increased the depth of bore wells drilled to meet water requirements. Water from these bore wells are accessed by operating submersible pumps with multi-stages. The number of stages of submersible pump directly depends upon the depth of bore well. Health-related risk such as Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) arises during the manual assembly of these pumps in an awkward posture. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to eliminate or reduce risk in the manual assembly of submersible pumps using virtual postural analysis. Secondary objective is to redesign the existing workstation incorporating ergonomic interventions. …METHODS: It reports a case study in which postural analysis is carried out with the help of Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method. RESULTS: It is observed that inserting the stage casing weighing around 1.5 Kg through top end of the shaft is the awkward working posture involving a flexion of the arm about 152°. RULA score (7) indicate a high level of risk exists in the workstation, calling for investigate and change the working posture immediately. In order to reduce this risk, a redesigned workstation has been proposed. CONCLUSION: This study results help in minimizing the awkward postures, thereby reducing the health-related risk. This will also increase the efficiency of the worker and his productivity. Show more

Keywords: Awkward posture, musculoskeletal disorders, virtual workstation, postural analysis, rapid upper limb assessment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172635

Citation: Work, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 567-578, 2017

Authors: Bouwens, Joyce M.A. | Tsay, Wan-Jen J. | Vink, Peter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Knowing the high and low peaks in comfort during a flight could be useful in prioritizing aircraft interior improvements. OBJECTIVE: The first objective of this study was to identify whether there are differences in comfort experiences during different phases of a flight. The second objective of this study was to identify similarities between recalled and real time reported comfort experiences. METHODS: 149 participants were asked to rate the comfort in the different phases of their last flight on a scale from 1–10. Additionally, a combination of a self-reporting design probe and generative interview was used …to investigate the appraisal patterns of emotions in nine passengers. RESULTS: The 149 subjects reported the highest comfort after take-off and arriving at the destination, the lowest while stowing the luggage and during the cruise flight. The qualitative long haul inflight study showed after take-off and while arriving at the destination the most positive emotions and during the cruise flight there is a negative experience phase. CONCLUSIONS: Suggestions are given to improve the cruise flight phase, by for example stimulation of movement or better service. Show more

Keywords: Comfort experience, air travel journey, live reporting versus recall of experiences

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-172637

Citation: Work, vol. 58, no. 4, pp. 579-584, 2017