Work - Volume 64, issue 2

Authors: Slišković, Ana | Juranko, Ariana

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The dual life of seafarers and their families is recognized as a unique life which may bring various sources of stress for seafarers’ partners. OBJECTIVE: The study focuses on the explanation of the mental health of seafarers’ partners, by testing the role of different individual characteristics, and the organizational characteristics of their partners’ job. METHODS: The sample consisted of 539 women who declared themselves as seafarers’ partners (age range: 18–60 years). The on-line survey consisted of questions, relating to demographic characteristics of the participants and characteristics of their partners’ jobs, and a set of scales …measuring general mental health, relationship satisfaction, stress coping strategies, perceived social support, and resilience. RESULTS: The results showed that, after controlling for demographic characteristics, significant contributions in the explanation of the mental health of seafarers’ partners are made by the following measures: resilience, relationship satisfaction, perceived social support, and use of stress coping strategies (a lower level of dysfunctional coping strategies, and a higher level of emotion-focused strategies). In addition, a favourable ratio between working and non-working days on the part of their seafaring partners contributed to the explanation of their general mental health. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained confirmed the role of personal resources and human-resource practices in the explanation of the mental health of seafarers’ partners. Show more

Keywords: Work contract, coping, resilience, social support

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-192992

Citation: Work, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 291-301, 2019

Authors: Santarelli, Lory | Rapisarda, Venerando | Fago, Lucrezia | Vella, Francesca | Ramaci, Tiziana | Ledda, Caterina | Bracci, Massimo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Some psychosomatic disturbances have been related to protracted video display unit (VDU) use at work, and they may be associated with job stress. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at assessing the association between psychosomatic disturbances with job-related and subjective stress in 990 VDU. METHODS: Job stress was evaluated by Karasek’s Questionnaire, psychological job demands and job decision latitude scores were calculated. Workers were assigned to four categories: high-strain job, low-strain job, active job, and passive job. Subjective perception of stress was evaluated with the Rapid Stress Assessment Scale. RESULTS: None of the psychosomatic disturbances …investigated were associated with higher psychological job demands scores, whereas many of them were significantly related to lower job decision latitude scores and high-strain jobs. All psychosomatic disturbances were significantly associated with personal stress. Logistic regression confirms the protective role of job decision latitude on headache, fatigue, intestinal gas, disturbed sleep and the significant role of subjective stress on all psychosomatic disturbances studied. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas subjective stress is harmful, job decision latitude is a protective factor for several psychosomatic disturbances reported by VDU operators. Improvement in the job decision latitude might be a preventive specific measure in work planning to reduce possible stress-related disorders. Show more

Keywords: Job demands, job decision latitude, employee, Karasek’s Job Content Questionnaire

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-192993

Citation: Work, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 303-310, 2019

Authors: Horstmann, David | Remdisch, Sabine

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Managers have a significant impact on the health and well-being of employees, particularly when the managers lead in a health-specific way and intentionally foster their employees’ health. However, the data on contextual and individual factors influencing the practice of health-specific leadership is at present limited. OBJECTIVE: To survey the experiences of healthcare managers with health-specific leadership skills and identify the drivers and barriers in the practice of health-specific leadership. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 51 managers from 18 geriatric-care facilities in Germany, between November 2014 and February 2015. The interviews were analysed through qualitative …content analysis. RESULTS: In their reports, managers mentioned several drivers and barriers in the practice of health-specific leadership. These drivers and barriers were found at the leader level, the employee level, and the organizational level. The factors identified relate to the theoretical aspects of health-specific leadership: health value, health awareness, health behaviour, and role modelling. CONCLUSION: For successful practice of health-specific leadership, the findings suggest a more holistic approach for worksite health promotion. Managers should promote personal initiative that benefit employee health, encourage their employees to exhibit healthy behaviour themselves, address organizational resources and restrictions, and gain competencies in change management. Show more

Keywords: Nurses, facilitators, inhibitors, well-being, context

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-192994

Citation: Work, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 311-321, 2019

Authors: Tur-Sinai, Aviad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Persons with disabilities face many obstacles in their attempts at social integration, particularly in the labor market. OBJECTIVE: The study investigates patterns of transition among different employment situations by persons with disabilities relative to persons without disabilities. It also studies employment transitions among individuals who hold part-time jobs in relation with their long-term level of physical disability. METHODS: Probability models that explain transitions in employment status among persons aged 25–54 in dependence of possible changes over time in the severity of their disability. RESULTS: Patterns of disability do not persist over time. Improvement …of disability does not increase the share of persons employed in both investigation periods as well as the share of those not employed at both times. Unexpectedly, few people who are not employed and whose disabilities improve manage to join the labor market when their disabilities improve. Also, few who are employed part-time and whose disabilities improve managed to switch to larger posts when their disabilities improve. CONCLUSIONS: The labor market imposes scars on people with disability whose condition improves somewhat, hindering their chances of re-integration into the workforce. To assure them a regular income and employment rehabilitation, public-policy programs should be expanded. Show more

Keywords: Disability, employment, job extent, surveillance, transition

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-192995

Citation: Work, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 323-340, 2019

Authors: Eagers, Jackie | Franklin, Richard C. | Broome, Kieran | Yau, Matthew K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Work experiences have the potential to influence retirement. Occupational therapists’ understanding of the importance of engagement in occupation for active healthy ageing places them in a position to facilitate the work-to-retirement transition. OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of work from retirees’ perspectives to understand the influence of work on retirement and to discuss the role of occupational therapy in the work-to-retirement transition. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with retirees were utilised. Thematic analysis identified themes and categories in relation to the experience of work. Categories were related to the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). RESULTS: …Eleven retirees were interviewed. Twelve categories relating to the experience of work were identified and were captured under three over-arching themes: Varied experiences and motivators; Intersection of work and life; and Impact of context . Categories collectively covered all MOHO concepts. Questions to guide therapeutic reasoning were developed to assist putting MOHO theory in to practice. CONCLUSIONS: Working experiences can be an influencing factor on retirement life. Occupational therapy could enable active healthy ageing through understanding the experience of work and how this can assist older workers to remain in the workforce, find a balance between work and other areas of life, and to choose retirement activities. Show more

Keywords: Retirement, occupational therapy role, occupational transition, active ageing, occupation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-192996

Citation: Work, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 341-354, 2019

Authors: Soeker, Mogammad Shaheed | Ganie, Zakeera

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has contributed significantly to the burden of health care in many countries. The scarcity of resources in the public sector available for rehabilitation has caused many families to take responsibility for the care and rehabilitation of their family members who sustain a TBI. The roles of employers and caregivers in facilitating the return to work (RTW) process of individuals who sustained a TBI, is now commonly acknowledged. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of employers and caregivers of individuals with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury …who are returning to work after completing a vocational rehabilitation program (VR), using the Model of Occupational Self-Efficacy (MOOSE). METHODS: A qualitative research design was used to explore the experiences and perceptions of caregivers and employers of ten individuals who sustained a mild to moderate brain injury. Semi-structured interviews were completed and data analyzed according to thematic analysis. RESULTS: Five themes emerged: Themes one and two describe the employers’ and caregivers’ experiences and perceptions that hinder the RTW process. Theme three relates to the enabling aspects that the employers and caregivers, as well as the TBI individuals concerned, derive from engaging in the VR process. Themes four and five present the coping strategies that aid the employers and caregivers in playing an ongoing role in the RTW process. All ethical principles with regard to confidentiality, anonymity and informed consent were adhered to in the study. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational therapists (OT) using the MOOSE should regard employers and caregivers as key role players during therapy. Employers should have a better understanding of TBI and allow for sick leave to be granted to individuals with TBI during the rehabilitation process. Caregivers would benefit from establishing a support network for themselves, and by connecting with employers of the individuals with TBI in order to understand the their work environment. Show more

Keywords: Self-efficacy, quality of life, employment, vocational rehabilitation, ICF, employer perception, caregiver perception, qualitative research

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-192997

Citation: Work, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 355-370, 2019

Authors: Gadegaard, Charlotte Ann | Hogh, Annie | Andersen, Lars Peter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Aggression theories and cross-sectional studies imply an escalatory pattern of aggressive behaviors; however, this has not been investigated in a follow-up study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether bullying or conflicts are antecedents of threats and physical violence, and whether threats mediate the relationship between bullying or conflicts and violence. Lastly, it was explored whether associations could be explained through the effect of emotional exhaustion. METHODS: Survey data was collected from a follow-up sample of 3,584 employees from four human service sectors, namely psychiatry, special schools, eldercare, and the prison and probation services. The main analysis uses …hierarchical logistic regression. RESULTS: The analyses showed that frequent /intense conflicts, not bullying, at baseline were significantly related to higher exposure rates of threats (OR  = 4.98, CI = [3.19–7.76]) and violence (OR  = 3.01, CI = [1.96–4.76]) at follow-up. Emotional exhaustion was not confirmed as a substantial mediator. However, the proportion mediated by threats was significant (70%) for the relationship between frequent /intense conflicts and violence. CONCLUSION: This study finds that aggressive workplace behaviors may indeed escalate, particularly within a similar victim-perpetrator relationship, such as between employees and clients. The study highlights the need for de-escalation techniques that transcend specific encounters, recognizing that aggressive behavior may escalate over time. Show more

Keywords: Violence, threats, aggression, bullying, conflicts, escalation, emotional exhaustion

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-192998

Citation: Work, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 371-383, 2019

Authors: Hamja, Abu | Maalouf, Malek | Hasle, Peter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Garment manufacturers have been adopting lean manufacturing in order to increase productivity and competitiveness. However, the effects of lean on occupational health and safety (OHS) of the workers are not clear. In the literature, there is an ongoing debate about whether lean and OHS are complementary or contradictory. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to contribute to the knowledge base about the relationship between lean and OHS in garment manufacturing. METHODS: The study follows an action research methodology including an intervention aimed at improving productivity and OHS in six garment manufacturers in Bangladesh. Both …quantitative and qualitative methods were used for investigating the effect of lean tools on productivity and subsequently on OHS. RESULTS: We observed instances of improvements of OHS related to the application of three lean tools (VSM, 5 S, Time and Motion Study) in the factories. Furthermore, our results do not indicate negative health effect on workers’ short-term muscular pain, but rather show a statistically significant improvement of workers’ health. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that it is possible to apply lean without adverse effects for workers, if OHS risks are taken into consideration. However, possible long-term effects on workers’ health need to be further investigated. Show more

Keywords: Apparel, productivity, ergonomics, repetitive strain injuries, Bangladesh

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-192982

Citation: Work, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 385-395, 2019

Authors: Park, Sumin | Park, Heewon | Park, Jaeheung

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The utilized coefficient of friction (uCOF) and the risk of slipping are known to increase as the heel height of shoes increases. The heel base area of shoes can also affect the uCOF. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the heel base area of high heels and walking speed on the uCOF during walking and their interaction effect. METHODS: The walking experiment was conducted at the speed of 1.0 m/s and 1.25 m/s using four 9-cm high heels having different heel areas (narrow, moderate, wide, and wedge heels). RESULTS: …The peak uCOF was significantly lower when wearing the wide heels than when wearing the other heels. Wearing the narrow and moderate heels reduced the vertical ground reaction force (GRF) owing to the early timing of the peak anterior-posterior GRF and increased the peak uCOF. As the walking speed became faster, the peak uCOF became greater with more increases by the interaction effect when wearing the narrow and moderate heels than when wearing the wide and wedge heels. CONCLUSIONS: These results imply that wearing narrow high heels should be considered carefully, as the potential for a slip could be high owing to the increase in the peak uCOF. If it is inevitable to wear narrow high heels, it is critical to walk at a slower speed than usual. It is better to wear high heels with a wide heel area, e.g., 3 cm*3 cm, rather than narrow high heels or even wedge heels to reduce the possibility of slipping. Show more

Keywords: Slips and falls, high heels, gait biomechanics

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-192983

Citation: Work, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 397-405, 2019

Authors: Rastipisheh, Pegah | Choobineh, Alireza | Razeghi, Mohsen | Kazemi, Reza | Ghaem, Haleh | Taheri, Shirin | Maghsoudi, Ahmad

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Music is an economical, advantageous and reliable means of reducing stress or stress-related problems. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to evaluate the effects of playing music during surgery on the performance of the surgical team through a systematic review of published studies. METHODS: The relevant databases of Medline/PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct were searched up to July 2018 to find related articles. The comprehensive literature search was reduced to 19 articles that met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The articles comprised 13 studies and reported on the positive effects of music on the performance of …the surgical team. The effects included a more relaxing and pleasant environment, more accurate and precise performance of tasks, a decrease in the mental workload and task completion time, increased situation awareness, a reduction in stress and anxiety and improved memory consolidation. Five studies reported on the negative effects of music during surgery as being a negative impact on task completion, poor auditory performance and increased likelihood of having to repeat requests. The remaining article reported no significant differences between groups compared. CONCLUSIONS: Most studies reported positive effects of music on the surgical team during surgery. These results indicate that it may be possible to improve the performance of the surgical team during surgery while playing controlled music. Show more

Keywords: Music effect, surgical technicians, surgical personnel, operating theatre

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-192984

Citation: Work, vol. 64, no. 2, pp. 407-412, 2019