Work - Volume 76, issue 4

Authors: Jacobs, Karen

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-236011

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 1263-1263, 2023

Authors: Buono, Frank D. | Polonsky, Maxim | Marks, Asher | Larkin, Kaitlyn | Sprong, Matthew E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The global COVID-19 pandemic has directly impacted individuals with rare diseases who are attempting to maintain or obtain employment. Individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 are especially at risk due to their disease. OBJECTIVE: The current study compared the impact that generalized anxiety and quality of life had on work readiness and potential barriers that individuals with NF1 had in gaining and maintaining employment during the COVID-19 pandemic to a sample of healthy individuals using a moderating mediation analysis. METHODS: A total of 213 individuals (105 NF1; 108 Healthy individuals) were recruited to complete a cross-sectional …study in which a series of work-related assessments were completed. RESULTS: Generalized anxiety had an indirect effect on work readiness, fully mediated by barriers, with higher anxiety associated with more barriers, in turn negatively correlating with work readiness; quality of life partially mediated the effect of barriers on work readiness and was negatively associated with the former and positively with the latter. CONCLUSION: Quality of life was a mediator of the relationship between perceived employment barriers and work readiness for the healthy individuals group only. The results imply that anxiety and quality of life are significant mediators and require consideration in terms of evaluation and facilitation of employment maintenance and acquisition. Show more

Keywords: Neurofibromatosis Type 1, COVID-19, employment, quality of life

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220259

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 1265-1273, 2023

Authors: Alves Pereira, Susana | dos Santos, Nuno Rebelo | Pais, Leonor | Pereira, Marco

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The world is going through a challenging historical moment, with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting billions of lives and communities worldwide. OBJECTIVE: Building on the widespread negative impact of the pandemic on the socio-economic context, and consequently on the labour market, the aim of this study was to analyse the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers’ perception of decent work. METHODS: The Decent Work Questionnaire was administered to 243 workers from seven Portuguese organisations at two-time points (before and during the pandemic). RESULTS: Results revealed a positive and significant effect of the COVID-19 …pandemic on six of seven dimensions of decent work, particularly those related to Meaningful Remuneration for the Exercise of Citizenship and Health and Safety. CONCLUSION: The positive effects of social comparison processes are stronger than the negative effects of the adverse socio-economic context. Faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, workers may have compared their work situation with the condition of other workers, activating an increase in their subjective perception of the value of their current reality. Show more

Keywords: Work conditions, socio-economic context, social comparison theory, equity theory, social identity theory, Portugal

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220590

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 1275-1283, 2023

Authors: Karaahmetoğlu, Fulya Senem | Pehlivan, Esra | Özcan, Zeynep Betül

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic had a harmful impact on the psychological and physical health of children and teenagers. It is known that interruptions in rehabilitation can cause soft tissue contractures, bone deformities and a decline in motor functions among other complications. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life and physical activity levels of physically disabled children who continued and did not continue rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: The gross motor levels of 18 children who continued special education and rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic and 18 …children who did not continue were determined with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ) and Children’s Quality of Life Scale (PedsQL) questionnaires were administered. RESULTS: The study participants comprised 54.1% females and 45.9% males with a mean age of 9.02 years. No significant differences were detected between the two groups in respect of demographic, clinical and functional characteristics (p  > 0.05). The walking parameters of PedsQL (p  = 0.02) and IPAQ-SF scores (p  = 0.03) were determined to be statistically significantly better in the group that continued rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that the quality of life and walking capacity of children who continued rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic were better. Methods should be developed to ensure that rehabilitation is not interrupted during isolation periods of any future pandemic. Show more

Keywords: Cerebral palsy, down’s syndrome, pandemic, physical therapy, spina bifida

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220705

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 1285-1291, 2023

Authors: Fuentes, Kristina | Ragunathan, Sharmigaa | Lindsay, Sally

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Working and volunteering in the reopening stages of the COVID-19 pandemic has looked different depending on the location, employment sector and nature of the job. Although researchers have begun exploring the impacts on adults, little is known about what the transition to a ‘new normal’ in the reopening stages has been like for youth, especially those with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: To explore and compare the experiences and perspectives of youth with and without disabilities who were working, volunteering or seeking work during the re-opening stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. METHODS: We used a qualitative …design involving semi-structured interviews with 16 youth (seven with a disability, nine without), aged 15–29 (mean 22 years). Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified: (1) Mixed views on being onsite in the reopening stages; (2) Mixed views on remaining remote; (3) Hybrid model as the best of both worlds; (4) Mixed views on COVID-19 workplace safety in the reopening stages; and (5) Hopes, dreams and advice for the future. Apart from the first main theme, there were more similarities than differences between youth with and without disabilities. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights that youth encountered various work and volunteer arrangements during the reopening stages of the pandemic, and the personal preferences for particular models depend largely on their employment sector. The areas of agreement among youth highlight some longer-term impacts of the pandemic shutdowns and point to the need for greater mental health and career supports. Show more

Keywords: Canada, disabled persons, pandemics, youths, flexible workplace

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230011

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 1293-1310, 2023

Authors: Lebron, Cynthia N. | Agosto, Yaray | Nair, Rohit | Mathew, M. Sunil | Natale, Ruby | Messiah, Sarah E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Childcare center providers in Miami-Dade County, Florida a COVID-19 hotspot, are made up almost entirely of ethnic minority women. This is a critical frontline staff that is now encountering the triple threat of respiratory illnesses from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses (or the seasonal flu), and COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: To examine sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometrics, and health behaviors that were collected from a sample of CCC teachers in Miami Dade County, a COVID-19 hotspot. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were used from Healthy Caregivers, Healthy Children (HC2), a randomized controlled intervention trial (#NCT02697565) for healthy weight maintenance among …children 2-to-5 years old, conducted in 24 subsidized childcare centers in MDC in 2015–2018. Prevalence was determined by frequency or mean/standard deviation of each variable. Chi-squared analyses were performed to test for differences in BMI categories. RESULTS: In this sample of childcare center providers (n  = 255), the majority (61%) had an elevated body mass index. Positive health behaviors such as regular exercise and eating fruits and vegetables were only reported in about a third of the sample. CONCLUSION: It is vital that we encourage the uptake of regular vaccination schedules as a means to protect our community, especially the critical frontline workers that have been caring for our young children. Show more

Keywords: Daycare, minorities, Hispanic, Black, women

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230111

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 1311-1316, 2023

Authors: Sohail, Malik Muhammad | Baghdady, Ahmed | Choi, Jessica | Huynh, Hy V. | Whetten, Kathryn | Proeschold-Bell, Rae Jean

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Teacher’s wellbeing and mental health play a pivotal role in learning experiences and educational environment. For a better future, we need thriving teachers with strong wellbeing. OBJECTIVE: The current scoping literature review aimed to explore the factors fostering wellbeing and causing burnout among school teachers. METHODS: Applying appropriate search terms to relevant databases for the years 2016–2020 yielded 934 potentially relevant research articles which were further filtered to 102 articles. RESULTS: The findings of this review suggested that emotion regulation, positive workplace milieu and teacher self-efficacy (feeling successful as a teacher) are important …factors fostering teachers’ wellbeing whilst negative workplace environment and negative emotions along with feeling marginalized or bullied by coworkers are factors behind teacher burnout. The strengths of this study include a rigorous research design and relational analysis approach. CONCLUSION: Teacher wellbeing needs a workplace environment with minimum bullying and marginalization. An atmosphere of respect, inclusion, and mutual teacher support is needed to promote wellbeing. Show more

Keywords: Occupational stress, thriving, leadership

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220234

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 1317-1331, 2023

Authors: Gómez-Bull, Karla Gabriela | Ibarra-Mejía, Gabriel | Vargas-Salgado, María Marisela

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Risk perception is an intuitive risk about hazards to which people are exposed daily and is related to several factors. In the construction context, there is a need to identify and understand how risk perception is related to these factors; construction companies can implement this information to develop measures for effective risk management. OBJECTIVE: This literature review aims to identify recommendations for future research about factors that may be related to risk perception in construction workers. METHODS: We used the SPIDER tool and searched available electronic databases for the most recent research articles published on …risk perception in the construction area. RESULTS: We identified main recommendations for future research: Behavior, environment and working conditions, risk assessment methods, culture, individual and demographic factors, and knowledge. CONCLUSION: Safety behavior is the primary variable of concern in studies related to risk perception in the construction area. Therefore, further research is needed to identify the factors that intervene and impact risk perception to reduce accident rates among construction industry workers. Show more

Keywords: Occupational health, public health, accidents, accident prevention, occupational accidents

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220379

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 1333-1344, 2023

Authors: Oliveira, Vanessa S. | Santos, Cynthia Jordão de Oliveira | Vasconcelos, Bianca M.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Prevention through Design (PtD) is a safety initiative that increases the ability of eliminating risks before construction. Implementing digital tools for PtD is an innovative way to help identify embedded risk in design phase by automating a process that is currently time consuming and extensively dependent on designers’ experience. However, there is a lack of known digital safety tools available to professionals. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to systematically review published research on the development of digital tools for PtD in order to point out existing processes and limitations. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting …Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) guidelines were used to search publications in Scopus database. Initially, 148 publications were found, but after applying the filters, thirteen publications were read and included in this review. RESULTS: Quantitative results showed few publications and quantitative results detailed the studied digital tools workings and what limitations prevent their full implementation by designers. CONCLUSION: Although 53.84% of methods are automatic, existing barriers such as the inability to consider schedule, and to provide a complete database challenge the validity of these tools. Therefore, PtD still poses a research gap for future research on safety matters. Show more

Keywords: Design for safety, construction safety, building information model (BIM), risk identification, safety engineering

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220603

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 1345-1356, 2023

Authors: Amarante, Cristiano Couto do | Resende, David Nunes | Broday, Evandro Eduardo | Picinin, Claudia Tania

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The use of new technologies boosted Industry 4.0, making processes more sophisticated and considering the interaction between physical production systems and workers. But these new technologies also intervene in the worker’s quality of life (QoL), that is, we need to know if the industry of the future is changing the scenario of the present. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify trends in study topics related to QoL in Industry 4.0. METHODS: A bibliometric mapping analysis was performed without temporal delimitation in the Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed databases. RESULTS: The results show …that: (i) the publications most aligned with the theme are from 2016 onwards; (ii) the greatest growth in publications on the subject occurred between the years 2019, 2020 and 2021; (iii) the Journal Sustainability was the most relevant journal on the subject in recent years; (iv) Turkey stood out as the most cited country in the field of study; (v) there are collaboration networks between authors in several countries, including Denmark, Italy and Poland; (vi) with the analysis of the thematic map, it is possible to identify which themes are the motor, specialized, emerging, missing, or basic from the research field and; (vii) the sub-themes that appeared the most in the surveys were work environment, impact of Industry 4.0, robots, health and well-being, digitalization and job satisfaction. CONCLUSION: In addition to being a relevant source of information, where readers find future thematic trends in the field of research, it is hoped that the contributions of this study will provide insights for researchers, academics and society in general. Show more

Keywords: Occupational health, workplace, job satisfaction, healthy work environment

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220637

Citation: Work, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 1357-1372, 2023