Work - Volume 70, issue 4

Authors: Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213620

Citation: Work, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 1009-1009, 2021

Authors: Shirali, Gholam-Abbas | Amiri, Arman | Chanani, Khalil Taherzadeh | Silavi, Maryam | Mohipoor, Sanaz | Rashnuodi, Payam

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a wide range of sociocultural pressures on nurses. Resilience is defined as one’s ability to adapt to an unpredictable situation and it can be a factor in accepting an undesirable psychosocial situation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine resilience in nurses in the face of job stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The study was carried out as a case-control study with participation of 400 nurses as the target group (nurses exposed to COVID-19 patients) and the control group (nurses not exposed to …COVID-19 patients). To examine resilience and job stress, Conor and Davidson’s questionnaire and OSIPOW questionnaire were used respectively. RESULTS: The mean scores of job stress and resilience were significantly different between the target and control groups (p  < 0.05). So that resilience in the target group was less than that in the control group. In addition, job stress in the target group was higher than that of the control group (p  < 0.05). There was a significant and negative correlation between resilience and job stress and the correlation was stronger in the target group (p  < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Given the high job stress score in the participants and its negative correlation with resilience, there is need to provide the health personnel with efficient preventive and treatment approaches, improve and educate the principles of resilience, improve mental health services system, and introduce programs to control some of demographical factors in job stress such as physical activity, and employment status of nurses. Show more

Keywords: COVID-19, job stress, resilience, nurses, psychophysical health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210476

Citation: Work, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 1011-1020, 2021

Authors: Bilgiç, Şebnem | Çelikkalp, Ülfiye | Mısırlı, Cem

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: COVID-19 infection is transmitted easily and quickly, and nurses constitute the riskiest group of healthcare workers. Therefore, they may experience high levels of stress and sleep problems. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted in order to evaluate the stress levels and sleep quality of nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted with 316 nurses working in a pandemic hospital in a city center. A descriptive form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used to collect data. RESULTS: A positive, …moderately significant correlation was found between the average PSQI score of nurses and the average perceived stress score (p ≤0.001). Multiple regressions determined that shift work, stress level, a coworker having COVID-19, being out of home due to the risk of transmission, and having a person older than 65 in the home were effective predictors of sleep quality (R2  = 33.5, p ≤0.001). Age, years worked, fear of infecting the family with COVID-19, receiving COVID-19 education, regular nutrition, and sleep quality were effective predictors of stress level (R2  = 32.2, p ≤0.001). CONCLUSION: It was determined that nurses have low sleep quality and high stress levels during the pandemic process. Show more

Keywords: Healthcare workers, outbreak, psychological factors, Turkey

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210538

Citation: Work, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 1021-1029, 2021

Authors: Lotfollahzadeh, Asghar | Rastgoo, Leila | Shirinzadeh, Islam | Kharghani Moghadam, Seyedeh Melika | Ebrahimi, Hossein

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Workplaces are prone to the current outbreak- of COVID-19. Despite the production of the COVID-19 vaccine, due to some challenges in vaccinating all people worldwide, adherence to health protocols is still one of the ways to prevent infection. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted with the purpose of investigating the compliance of COVID-19 protocols in the workplaces of Ardabil, Iran. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional research conducted on the workplaces affiliated to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences between August and September, 2020. A researcher-designed checklist was completed once in early August and once …at the end of September for the workplaces. Accordingly, these workplaces were inspected for any compliance with the COVID-19 prevention protocols by health centers during August and September. In addition, the number of patients with COVID-19 was determined for each one of the workplaces. RESULTS: The results showed that the highest increase was related to screening (57.8%) and the lowest change was related to personal hygiene (1.3%). The rates of increase in performance for small workshops, offices and industries were 35.4%, 33.1%and 12.4%, respectively. Moreover, a linear and inverse relationship was found between the incidence of COVID-19 and the level of observance of the OVID-19 prevention protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, the inspection made by legal authorities led to the increased commitment of workplace managers to implement prevention programs, thereby increasing the observation level of these protocols in the workplace and reducing the incidence of COVID-19. Show more

Keywords: Office, industry, coronavirus, COVID-19, health protocol, inspection

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210551

Citation: Work, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 1031-1037, 2021

Authors: Nemati, Reza | Moradi, Ainaz | Marzban, Maryam | Farhadi, Akram

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In the event of an epidemic outbreak, the mental health of medical staff, including nurses who serve on the frontlines of hospitals, can be affected; thus, the identification of factors affecting nurses’ mental health is of importance. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the association between moral distress and the mental health of nurses working at four selected hospitals in Iran during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 296 nurses working at the selected hospitals in Bushehr and Shiraz (south of Iran) at the …time of the COVID-19 outbreak. The collected data were analyzed via logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean scores for nurses’ moral distress were low (54.31±24.84). The results of this study indicated more symptoms of mental issues among nurses (73.60%). Moreover, a significant association was observed between mental health and moral distress. Among the examined demographic variables, only gender had a significant association with mental health (p -value = 0.014). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that an increase in moral distress would lead to a significant increase in mental health issues of the examined nurses. Nurse managers and hospital policymakers should develop strategies to enhance nurses’ level of mental health, as well as providing adequate emotional and family support for nurses. Considering the intensifying role of gender in this association, timely interventions are necessary to reduce the negative effects of workplace pressure/stress on female nurses. Show more

Keywords: Care nursing, stress, workforce, COVID-19, mental health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210558

Citation: Work, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 1039-1046, 2021

Authors: Çelikkalp, Ülfiye | Irmak, Aylin Yalıçın | Ekuklu, Galip

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the anxiety levels of employees by determining the working conditions and protective practices in the workplace of individuals who had to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was carried out with 801 employees from different sectors who continued to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: The mean age of the employees was 33.1±10.3 years, and 63.4%were male while 46.1%were workers. The GAD-7 anxiety level mean score of the participants was determined as 6.6±5.1. Per this, 25.2%of the participants showed a high tendency to anxiety …and 38.5%showed a moderate tendency. A statistically significant difference was found between anxiety level and gender, sector and profession. Besides, there was a statistically significant difference between the perception of workplace risk, the way of transportation to the workplace, the social distance in the workplace, measures taken for COVID-19 in the workplace, and anxiety levels (p  < 0.05). In the multiple regression analysis, age, gender, work sector, COVID-19 anxiety levels, infection status, knowledge level and life satisfaction levels were determined as effective predictors on common anxiety disorder and explained 23.2%of the developed model variance (R2 = 0.232, p ≤0.001). CONCLUSION: During the pandemic, it was determined that the anxiety susceptibility levels of the employees were very high and their protective practices against COVID-19 in the workplace were insufficient. Show more

Keywords: Employees, outbreak, Turkey, COVID-19

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210643

Citation: Work, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 1047-1055, 2021

Authors: Feter, Natan | Caputo, Eduardo L. | Doring, Igor R. | da Silva, Marcelo C. | Reichert, Felipe F. | Rombaldi, Airton J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has affected workers in different health services including exercise professionals (EP). The urgent need to adapt in-person to online activities might have led to increased frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the determinants of aggravated depressive and anxiety symptoms in EP in southern Brazil during social distancing from the COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with EP who worked at fitness centers, sports clubs, private schools, or at a public exercise program offered by the municipal council. We used an online-based, …self-administered, adapted version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale to compare symptoms of depression and anxiety pre- and during social distancing. RESULTS: Participants (n  = 201) had a mean age of 32.7±8.0 years, with more than half being male, white, and having an university degree. We observed that 81%and 71%of respondents reported higher frequency in anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively, during social distancing than in the period before it. Physical education teachers, women, non-white professionals, and those with chronic disease were more likely to worsen anxiety symptoms. Women had higher odds to increased frequency in depressive symptoms. Physical activity and previous experience with internet-based tools for working activities reduced the risk of increased depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Sex, ethnicity, chronic diseases, educational level, physical activity, and experience with online tools were determinants for increased frequency of depression and anxiety symptoms in EP. Show more

Keywords: Physical education teachers, gym trainers, social distancing, depression, mental health, coronavirus.

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210648

Citation: Work, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 1057-1067, 2021

Authors: Soler-Font, Mercè | Ramada, José Maria | Montero-Moraga, José Maria | Palencia-Sánchez, Francisco | Merelles, Antoni | Macdonald, Ewan B. | Serra, Consol

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Case management interventions have shown to be effective to prevent musculoskeletal pain and disability, but a single definition has not been achieved, nor an agreed profile for case managers. OBJECTIVE: To describe the elements that define case management and case managers tasks for return-to-work of workers with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). METHODS: A comprehensive computerized search of articles published in English until February 16, 2021 was carried out in several bibliographic databases. Grey literature was obtained through a search of 13 key websites. A peer-review screening of titles and abstracts was carried out. …Full text in-depth analysis of the selected articles was performed for data extraction and synthesis of results. RESULTS: We identified 2,422 documents. After full-text screening 31 documents were included for analysis. These were mostly European and North American and had an experimental design. Fifteen documents were published between 2010 to 2021 and of these 7 studies were published from 2015. Fifteen elements were identified being the commonest “return-to-work programme” (44.4%) and “multidisciplinary assessment/interdisciplinary intervention” (44.4%). Of 18 tasks found, the most frequent was “establishing goals and planning return-to-work rehabilitation” (57.7%). Eighteen referral services were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Despite there were several elements frequently reported, some elements with scientific evidence of their importance to deal with MSDs (e.g. early return-to-work) were almost not mentioned. This study proposes key points for the description of case management and case managers tasks. Show more

Keywords: Case manager, sickness absence, workplace, services, description

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-205172

Citation: Work, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 1069-1087, 2021

Authors: Fazia, Teresa | Bubbico, Francesco | Berzuini, Giovanni | Tezza, Laura Dalla | Cortellini, Carolina | Bruno, Salvatore | Bernardinelli, Luisa

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are known for their beneficial effects on positive and negative psychological factors. When applied in an occupational context, MBIs might help workers to cope with stress, increase their professional outcomes and wellbeing. OBJECTIVE: In this two-groups pre-post experimental design we tested the effect of our MBI, called Integral Meditation (IM), among the employers of an Italian service company by measuring positive and negative aspects of psychological wellbeing related to mindfulness and workplace functioning through eight self-report questionnaires (CORE-OM, FFMQ, WEMWBS, MAIA, PSS, PANAS, STAI-X1, SCS). METHOD: Forty-two voluntary non-clinical …employers of the company, randomly assigned to the experimental or the control group, were analyzed. The experimental group underwent our IM program, which consists of 12 weekly meditation classes given after the afternoon shift, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data was analyzed via linear mixed models. RESULTS: Statistically significant results were obtained for FFMQ observing subscale (β= 0.49, p  = 0.014), WEMWBS (β= 5.31, p  = 0.02), PSS (β= –3.31, p  = 0.03), the whole scale of SCS (β= 0.47, p  = 0.01) and self-judgment (β= 0.68, p  = 0.003) and isolation (β= –0.66, p  = 0.01) SCS subscales. Statistically significant results were also found in four out of eight subscales of MAIA: emotional awareness (β= 1.26, p  < 0.001), self-regulation (β= 1.28, p  < 0.001), body listening (β= 1.08, p  < 0.001) and trusting (β= 1.1, p  < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our intervention has demonstrated to bring beneficial effects in a mindfulness subdomain, in perceived stress, self-compassion, interoception and psychological wellbeing. Based on our results, we conclude that our intervention was effective in increasing the positive aspects of wellbeing and in reducing stress. Show more

Keywords: Mindfulness-based interventions, healthy subjects, psychological wellbeing, questionnaires, workplace

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-210510

Citation: Work, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 1089-1099, 2021

Authors: Ying-Lun Chang, Allen | Boone, Hannah | Gold, Phil

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Musicians’ health is an essential field of healthcare that is specifically tailored to the needs of musicians, which encompasses multiple facets of health. OBJECTIVE: The research seeks to determine the prevalence of physical injuries in music students and musicians, and to identify possible causes. METHODS: A previously unvalidated 42-item survey was distributed to music students, non-music students, and professional musicians. The questions addressed demographics, physical health, mental health, medication use, and interest in musicians’ health. The study was conducted from Fall semester 2017 to Winter semester 2019 at McGill University, with analysis …completed in August 2019. RESULTS: A total of 585 complete responses were obtained. Music students (35%) had higher prevalence of physical injuries than non-music students (18%), and professional musicians had the highest prevalence (56%). Multiple factors dictate the prevalence of physical injuries among musicians, including gender, age, program of enrollment, and instrument of choice. Of note, daily duration of practice was not one of these factors. CONCLUSIONS: Several factors were identified through this cross-sectional analysis to be associated with musicians’ physical injuries. These findings can serve as a foundation through which physicians and post-secondary institutions may implement changes to better enhance the physical health of musicians. It also cast doubts on previous assumptions associated with physical injury of musicians. Show more

Keywords: Musicians’ health, playing-related musculoskeletal disorder, physical injury

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-213621

Citation: Work, vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 1101-1110, 2021