The career impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal examination using the kaleidoscope career model

PurposeThis study aims to explore the reasons why women are leaving the workplace. Are they opting out of the workforce to stay at home with their children as current media reports suggest, or are the reasons more complex as the Kaleidoscope Career Model (KCM) suggests? A second objective is to examine whether or not women's primary career motives change over time as predicted by the KCM. Lastly, the potential barriers or boundaries faced by women pursuing boundaryless careers will be identified.Design/methodology/approachA survey was sent to 2,000 randomly selected women graduates of an international business school located in the USA. The response rate was 25 percent, or 497 women.FindingsThe results revealed that 47 percent of the women surveyed had stopped working at some point in their career. Numerous reasons were cited for leaving. Only 35 percent of the women who stopped working cited rearing children as their sole reason for opting out. Sixty‐two percent of the women reported that their career focus had changed. In line with the KCM predictions, mid‐career women were most interested in finding balance in their lives and the desire for authenticity increased across the lifespan. Finally, 70 percent of the women who left eventually returned to work, debunking the myth that women opt out and do not return to the workforce. Our findings show that there are barriers that make it difficult to move across organizations, especially if time is taken off between jobs.Research limitations/implicationsAll of the respondents in this study have a graduate degree in international business; thus, the results may have limited generalizability to other populations. Nonetheless, this study provides valuable data that helps us to better understand the complexities of women's career paths.Originality/valueThis study makes contributions to two different areas of career theory. First, it provides one of the first empirical tests of the KCM. In addition to showing that women are leaving companies for more complex reasons than for family reasons alone, it also shows that women's primary career motives shift over time in the manner predicted by the KCM. Second, the study contributes to the literature on boundaryless careers by showing that there are in fact barriers or boundaries faced by women attempting to pursue careers across organizations.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use the kaleidoscope career model as a lens through which to explore the career choices and decisions of young professional couples and the strategies that they use to facilitate successful dual careers while attempting to balance their work and non-work lives. Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered through face-to-face interviews with 18 couples. Couples were interviewed separately to explore how individual career values and choices shape decisions in partnership. Template analysis was used to identify career patterns as defined by the kaleidoscope career model. Findings – Gender-based patterns suggested by the kaleidoscope career model appear to be giving way to different patterns based on individual career aspirations, earning capacity and motivation within a dual career (as opposed to simply dual income) household. For some young professionals challenge and balance are equally important and so unlike the original interpretation of the KCM their careers reflect dual priorities not challenge followed by balance as their careers evolve. Research limitations/implications – The sample size is small and participants were recruited through purposeful sampling which may have resulted in a more homogeneous cohort than would have been achieved through random sampling. Practical implications – Changing demographic profiles and emerging social norms are changing the way Gen Y approach work and careers. Organisations and professional bodies need to respond to these changes through implementation of appropriate HR policies within supportive organisational cultures if they are to attract and retain young professionals. Social implications – This research is important because there is clearly a gap between changes at a societal level and the way in which organisations are responding to those changes. The paper provides insights into how public policy and organisational practices can be designed and implemented to meet the needs and expectations of Gen Y professionals. Originality/value – This study provides an insight into the way Gen Y professionals are navigating dual careers as opposed to dual incomes. It builds on and expands the kaleidoscope career model by showing that Gen Y professionals are less constrained by gender stereotypes than previous generations in their quest for challenge and balance and that some couples are determined to have both challenge and balance, not either/or.

Purpose– The purpose of this research is to examine the experiences of female CEOs in New Zealand sport using a career account approach overlaid with the Kaleidoscope Career Model (KCM). This research focuses on their successful careers, rather than constraints and barriers, which is a feature of much previous research in the area.Design/methodology/approach– Semi-structured interviews and analysis were informed by the principles of the KCM of career authenticity, balance and challenge. Seven chief executive officers in New Zealand sport organizations were interviewed. Data analysis was undertaken through a three-step coding process.Findings– Respondents highlighted the importance of authenticity, balance and challenge in different ways. The KCM model is extended by identifying sub-themes within each principle. These were, under authenticity, passion and relationship-building; under balance, self-awareness and influencing the organization; and under challenge, taking opportunities and working in sport’s gendered environment. Findings indicate that a more nuanced development of KCM is required and that decision-makers in sport organizations need to be aware of the varied drivers of women’s positive experiences.Research limitations/implications– This research contributes to an understanding of successful women’s careers, rather than focusing on barriers to success. It also extends the KCM. Future research is necessary to examine the viability of our suggested extensions to the KCM.Practical implications– While not generalizable, this study’s findings suggest that sport organization decision-makers would be well advised to understand the unique ways in which authenticity, balance and challenge are understood by their female employees. This may encourage organizations to look more closely at their cultures to ensure that they are more welcoming and supportive to women in a male-dominated industry.Originality/value– This research contributes to an understanding of successful women’s careers, rather than focusing on barriers to success. It also extends the KCM. Future research is necessary to examine the viability of our suggested extensions to the KCM.

The Kaleidoscope Career Model has emerged as a novel framework within the realm of contemporary career approaches. Within the evolving landscape of the workforce, it offers significant analytical opportunities for individuals to manage their careers more effectively. Comprising parameters of authenticity, balance, and challenge, the Kaleidoscope Career Model reflects a dynamic interplay influenced by career stage, gender, and life circumstances, akin to the ever-changing patterns of a kaleidoscope. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of employees' levels of work engagement on the Kaleidoscope Career Model and its parameters. Additionally, the study seeks to contribute to the literature on the Kaleidoscope Career Model. The sample for this research consists of employees working in call centers in Trabzon (n=393). Correlation analysis was employed to assess relationships, while simple regression methods were used to evaluate effects. These analyses were conducted using the SPSS package program. The findings reveal that work engagement positively and significantly influences the Kaleidoscope Career Model, balance, and challenge parameters, while negatively impacting authenticity. Another key finding indicates that in periods of high work engagement, the challenge parameter predominates, whereas during periods of low work engagement, the authenticity parameter takes precedence.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the changes in static balance during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Methods: Nineteen pregnant women who were in the first trimester of pregnancy were included in the study. The static balance assessment of the pregnant women was performed with Biodex-BioSwayTM Balance System. The balance was assessed with the Postural Stability Test, Limits of Stability Test (LOS) and Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance (mCTSIB). Measurements were repeated during the 1st trimester (10-12 weeks), the 2nd trimester (22-24 weeks) and the 3rd trimester (34th week) of the same pregnant women. Results: There was no significant difference between trimesters in terms of the postural stability test (p>0.05). It was determined that there was a difference between the 3 trimesters in the LOS scores of the pregnant women (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in the LOS in the last trimester compared to the first trimester. According to the mCTSIB, there was only a difference between the three trimesters in the eyes closed firm surface parameter (p<0.05). Oscillations were higher in the third trimester than in the second trimester. Conclusion: As a result of this study, which underlines the importance of evaluating static balance by follow-up of the same pregnant women during three trimesters, it is seen that there are changes in different parameters of balance. Considering the differences in the sub-parameters of balance in pregnant women; multi-directional evaluation involving different parameters may be beneficial when evaluating balances.

ABSTRACTBackgroundDiabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) causes various physical problems such as the increased risk of falling, loss of balance and coordination while standing or walking, susceptibility to injuries due to sensory loss.AimsThe aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the effects of neuropathic pain (NP) in individuals with DPN on balance and gait.MethodsThis prospective controlled study was conducted on 42 adults aged between 40–65 years. The participants were divided into three groups; individuals with DPN and NP (DPN+NP/n = 14), individuals with DPN without NP (DPN-NP/n = 14), and the control group (n = 14), respectively. The Force Plate system and Core Balance System measured static and dynamic postural balance and stability limits. Gait and dynamic plantar pressure distribution analyses were performed with a computerized gait evaluation system.ResultsThe score of LANSS, and VAS during gait were higher in DPN+NP group than in DPN-NP (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups in balance parameters (p > 0.05). The right-left heel maximum forces were lower in both groups with DPN compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In terms of spatiotemporal parameters of the gait, there was a difference between the groups only in step width and left single support line parameters (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that the individuals with DPN have an increased step width, their left single support line was shortened, and the maximum force on the heel decreased. The NP did not cause any change in balance and gait parameters.

Purpose.The study aimed to compare the effects of two different concurrent training protocols applied to healthy middleaged individuals on balance parameters and cognitive functions.Methods.Thirty-three middle-aged adults voluntarily participated in this study. A randomised, between-group design (Strength+Aerobic Group [SAG] and control group Aerobic+Strength Group [ASG]) was used. After collecting data related to the main characteristics of the subjects (i.e., age, sex, medical history, smoking habits), the following assessments were made: Subjects’ physical activity level, balance parameters, and inhibition and attention indicators. The intervention lasted 13 weeks (2 sessions per week, 50 minutes per session).Results.Both protocols (SAG and ASG) significantly improved balance performance. However, as for the group-by-time interaction, no significant difference between the two groups were observed in any of the parameters assessed (F(1–31) = 0.843; 0.760; 0.612; 0.656; &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &gt; 0.05). Thus, it was found that participating in either the SAG or ASG groups had no significant influence on attention accuracy, reaction time, total number of matters processed (participants’ psychomotor speed), and non-marked letters (selective attention) (post-test–pre-test difference: F(1–31) = 0.239, 0.337, 0.738, 0.414; &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &gt; 0.05). It was also observed that both training programs resulted in similar improvements in all balance characteristics and cognitive parameters.Conclusions.It was found that the order of strength or aerobic exercises in the concurrent training for improving balance and cognitive parameters in healthy middle-aged individuals is not significant.

Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the spine have general nature, which leads to changes in the balance parameters and consequently, other elements of the musculoskeletal systems. This article is devoted to analysis of the literature data, based on which we conclude that changes in the sagittal balance in elderly and senile patients as the restabilization stage still remain unexpected.

Introduction Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a dose-limiting toxicity of several chemotherapy drug classes, including taxanes. Peripheral neuropathies have been shown to lead to pain, falls, and difficulty in walking and performing activities of daily living in a variety of patient populations. Although the prevalence of CIPN has been noted in cancer patients, the development of self-reported symptoms, gait changes and balance changes during treatment have not been well explored to date. We hypothesized that the use of taxane-based chemotherapy will result in significant changes in spatiotemporal gait and balance parameters, as well as self-reported quality of life and function. Methods We characterized the alterations in gait and balance that occur in non-metastatic breast cancer patients during taxane chemotherapy. We evaluated (1) spatiotemporal gait parameters, including cadence and step length, and (2) balance parameters, including time-to-contact and 95% ellipse area, using each patient as her own control. Laboratory assessment of gait and balance was conducted at baseline and at completion of therapy in selected patients. We compared the natural history of changes in gait and balance parameters with changes in CIPN status as measured by validated patient reported outcomes, including EORTC QLQ-C30, CIPN-20, and Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI-SF), and the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI). Time points included pre-chemotherapy, after each cycle of chemotherapy, and one month after the end of therapy to collect information on neuropathy, pain and functional capacity. The preliminary data were illustrated using individual plots; trend lines (changing over time) were based on least square means at each time point, which were estimated using the linear mixed models for repeated measures. Results To date, 15 patients with localized breast cancer have been enrolled; patient recruitment is ongoing. The median age is 42 years (range 25-67). Ten patients (67%) received weekly paclitaxel, 1 patient (7%) received paclitaxel every 2 weeks, and 4 patients (27%) received docetaxel every 3 weeks. Preliminary results with these 15 patients, based on least square means at each timepoint, showed trends in several parameters. As treatments progressed, patients tended to develop more difficulty in quiet balance and in their ability to actively shift weight in the sagittal and frontal planes. From the CIPN-20, they also tended to develop increased difficulty with sensory and motor systems. From the QLQ-C30, their global health status also tended to worsen. For most of these parameters, the largest changes were observed between the 2nd and 3rd treatments, though some changes were not observed until the 4th treatment. From the BPI-SF, no trends in pain symptoms or pain interference were observed within this preliminary cohort. Conclusions Gait and balance testing is feasible in the clinical setting. Preliminary observations suggest that balance, function and quality of life may all be affected by taxane therapy, even without pain symptoms. The findings of this study will enable us to better characterize the neurotoxic effect of taxanes and to ultimately test the effectiveness of preventative measures and interventions. Funding by NCI R03CA182165-01. Citation Format: Maryam B Lustberg, Scott Monfort, Janani Singaravelu, Raquel E Reinbolt, Xueliang Pan, Bhuvaneswari Ramaswamy, Rachel M Layman, Robert Wesolowski, Ewa Mrozek, Erin Macrae, Charles Shapiro, Robyn Patrick, Charles L Loprinzi, Ajit Chaudhari. Longitudinal evaluation of taxane-induced neuropathy in early stage breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-04.

BackgroundLongevity is increasing worldwide due to improvements in healthcare and living standards. Aging is often associated with disability and multiple health concerns. To address these challenges, effective interventions are essential. This study investigated potential age-related declines in gait, balance, and strength. We also sought to assess any relationships between these three parameters and explore potential differences between women and men.MethodsHealthy individuals over 50 years of age were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Upper extremity (grip) strength and lower extremity (knee) strength of the dominant side were measured. Static balance was performed on the force plate in different situations each for 30 seconds: bilateral stance with eyes open, bilateral stance with eyes closed, as well as dominant leg and non-dominant leg unilateral stance with eyes open. Gait was measured during level walking using an optical motion capture system. Additionally, the dynamic stability margin (DSM) was calculated for the level walking trials.ResultsThe study results indicated that gait parameters were not significantly affected by age (p≥0.12), while knee and grip strength, along with several balance parameters, showed a significant decline with age. All individuals were able to maintain their bipedal balance, but their center of pressure movement increased significantly by age (p≤0.028). Z-scores were calculated to compare significant age parameters. Unipedal stance time was found to be the most affected by age compared to other contributing factors (p≤0.001). The duration of unipedal balance showed the most significant change per decade (non-dominant: -0.62 SDs; dominant: -0.53 SDs), while strength measures exhibited the lowest amount of change per decade (grip strength: -0.34 SDs; knee strength: -0.26 SDs). Sex differences were observed exclusively in strength parameters, with no discernible impact on the decline in balance parameters.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the duration of unipedal stance can serve as a reliable and gender-independent measure of neuromuscular aging for both elderly male and female subjects.

AimTo explore the relationships among self‐efficacy, information literacy, social support and career success of clinical nurses and identify factors influencing clinical nurses' career success in northwestern China.BackgroundUnderstanding the influencing factors of career success is important for the professional development of nurses and the improvement of clinical nursing quality. Many influencing factors of career success have been identified, but there is no large‐scale research on the relationships among self‐efficacy, information literacy, social support and career success of clinical nurses based on Kaleidoscope Career Model. Studies examining the association of the four factors remain limited.MethodsA total of 3011 clinical nurses from 30 hospitals in northwestern China were selected in the cross‐sectional survey, and the response rate was 94.71%. The clinical nurses completed the online self‐report questionnaires including self‐efficacy, information literacy, social support rating scale and career success scale. The data were analysed by SPSS23.0 statistical software using t test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression. Structural equation model (SEM) was used to analyse the influencing factors of career success using Mplus 8.3.ResultsThe career success of clinical nurses in northwestern China was at a medium level. The linear multivariate regression analysis showed that self‐efficacy (β = .513), social support (β = .230), information support (β = .106), information consciousness (β = −.097), information knowledge (β = .067), information ethics (β = −.053), hospital grade (β = .118), marital status (β = −.071) and age (β = −.037) entered regression equation of clinical nurses' career success (all P < .05). SEM results showed that the career success was negatively correlated with demographic characteristics and positively correlated with social support and self‐efficacy.ConclusionDemographic characteristics, self‐efficacy, social support and information literacy are the influencing factors of nurses' career success, which should be considered in the process of promoting nurses' career success.Implications for nursing managementNursing managers need to acknowledge the significance of nurses' career success both for the realization of their own value and for the improvement of clinical nursing quality. They should encourage nurses to enhance self‐efficacy and render more social support through incentive policies and foster nurses' information literacy through information technology training so as to improve their career success.

OBJECTIVE: To assess in a cross-sectional study whether there are changes in sagittal balance in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis Lenke types 1 and 5 compared with patients without pathology of the spine and compare the values of the parameters of normal subjects with the parameters found in the literature. METHODS: We measured the values of the parameters of sagittal balance of 21 patients with scoliosis and 14 patients without scoliosis in panoramic radiographs or simply collected data previously measured from the medical records. We compared the mean values of normal subjects, the mean values found in the literature, and the means between normal subjects and patients with scoliosis. For this, we used the Student t test. RESULTS: Using a confidence interval of 5% (p &lt; 0.05) and the Student t test we obtained statistical significance in the comparison of two parameters of sagittal balance between normal subjects and patients with scoliosis. We observed similarities in the measurements of the average parameters of normal subjects with regard to the work already published. CONCLUSIONS: The adolescent idiopathic scoliosis causes changes in two parameters of sagittal balance with statistical significance but suggests changes in all other parameters. As for comparison with previously published work, the results were similar.

Aims: Using specials wearable sensors, we explored changes in gait and balance parameters, over time, in elderly patients at high risk of diabetic foot, wearing different types of footwear. This assessed the relationship between gait and balance changes in elderly diabetic patients and the development of foot ulcers, in a bid to uncover potential benefits of wearable devices in the prognosis and management of the aforementioned complication. Methods: A wearable sensor-based monitoring system was used in middle-elderly patients with diabetes who recently recovered from neuropathic plantar foot ulcers. A total of 6 patients (age range: 55–80 years) were divided into 2 groups: the therapeutic footwear group (n = 3) and the regular footwear (n = 3) group. All subjects were assessed for gait and balance throughout the study period. Walking ability and gait pattern were assessed by allowing participants to walk normally for 1 min at habitual speed. The balance assessment program incorporated the “feet together” standing test and the instrumented modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance. Biomechanical information was monitored at least 3 times. Results: We found significant differences in stride length (p < 0.0001), stride velocity (p < 0.0001), and double support (p < 0.0001) between the offloading footwear group (OG) and the regular footwear group on a group × time interaction. The balance test embracing eyes-open condition revealed a significant difference in Hip Sway (p = 0.004), COM Range ML (p = 0.008), and COM Position (p = 0.004) between the 2 groups. Longitudinally, the offloading group exhibited slight improvement in the performance of gait parameters over time. The stride length (odds ratio 3.54, 95% CI 1.34–9.34, p = 0.018) and velocity (odds ratio 3.13, 95% CI 1.19–8.19, p = 0.033) of OG patients increased, converse to the double-support period (odds ratio 6.20, 95% CI 1.97–19.55, p = 0.002), which decreased. Conclusions: Special wearable devices can accurately monitor gait and balance parameters in patients in real time. The finding reveals the feasibility and effectiveness of advanced wearable sensors in the prevention and management of diabetic foot ulcer and provides a solid background for future research. In addition, the development of foot ulcers in elderly diabetic patients may be associated with changes in gait parameters and the nature of footwear. Even so, larger follow-up studies are needed to validate our findings.

We investigated the parameters of authenticity, balance, and challenge as viewed through the lens of the Kaleidoscope Career Model to discern the career motives of women who opted out and then returned to the workforce. We also were interested in comparing women and men in their leader practices. We triangulated quantitative and qualitative methods to explore these phenomena. First, in Study 1, 2009 individuals completed both the Kaleidoscope Career Self Inventory (the KCSI) as well as an abbreviated version of Kouzes and Posner’s Leadership Practices Inventory (the LPI). Participants rated their needs for authenticity, balance, and challenge on the KCSI as well as their leader practices of challenging the process, inspiring a shared vision, modeling the way, enabling others to act, and Encouraging the Heart. Women were found to exceed the leader practices of men, and women were most interested in authenticity. In Study 2, situational mapping and life history process was used to determine themes of eight high-achieving women who opted out. We interviewed an additional 15 women to deeply understand and assess their opt-out and re-entry experiences as well as “career shocks” they experienced upon returning to the workforce. Our second study offers a robust, deep, penetrating look into social ascription processes and endemic discriminatory social structures that hold women back from achieving advancement. To stop this “brain drain” of talent, we propose a series of actions for human resource professionals to develop the authentic leadership talent of women who reenter the workforce.

This study revisits the parameters of authenticity, balance, and challenge in The Kaleidoscope Career Model (KCM) concerning gender differences in midcareer. Unemployed individuals were surveyed ( n = 744) to determine gender differences in the three parameters across five segmented career stages. The results showed variance in the Authenticity, Balance and Challenge (ABC) parameters across career stages by gender, with balance increasingly important in full midcareer for women but of lesser importance for men. Authenticity showed a similar pattern for men and women, with authenticity rising for women and declining for men in very late career as predicted by the model. Challenge remained consistent for men and women, declining in importance over time. The study contribution offers sharper resonance of the KCM through closely segmented midlife career stages for an unemployed population undergoing career transitions.