Occupational Experience Research Articles

'Occupational experience' in occupational therapy and occupational science literature: A scoping review.

'Occupational experience' (OE) is widely used within the occupational therapy profession. However, it lacks a clear and unified definition in the profession's consensus practice frameworks and seminal models. Therefore, this study aimed to examine how OE has been defined and described in both occupational therapy and occupational science literature. A scoping review was performed, with a search conducted in ProQuest, PsycINFO, EMBASE, PubMed, Academic Research Premier, Scopus and Web of Science. The search strategy included a combination of the terms 'occupational experience' and either 'occupational therapy' or 'occupational science'. Inclusion criteria consisted of research articles in English that included OE as one of the central foci. Articles were chosen by the research team in collaboration with a medical librarian. No consumer and community involvement was included in this study. Seventy-three articles were included, mostly investigating OE in a targeted group or a specific aspect of experience, primarily among Western high-income-countries. Only 14 articles provided definitions of OE, with the most frequent being 'subjective dimension of occupation/participation'. Six themes emerged: (1) OE as a subjective component of occupation, (2) OE consisting of interrelated experiential facets, (3) OE in relation to meaning, (4) OE in relation to self-identity, (5) OE in relation to context and environment and (6) OE in relation to health outcomes. The results point to largely incongruous definitions and descriptions of OE in the literature. This study looked at how "occupational experience" (OE) is described in occupational therapy and occupational science. We reviewed 73 research articles. Most of these articles focused on OE in specific groups, like asylum seekers, or on types of experiences, like the feeling of "flow." Most of the research was done in Western countries. The most common definition of OE was "a person's experience of doing an activity." We also found six main ideas about OE. These show that OE is personal, can include several experiences at once, connects to a person's identity and environment, and affects health.

Objective and subjective participation mediate the relationship between developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and well-being aspects.

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is associated with poor well-being and objective participation (i.e., frequency of engagement in activities, performance level) and decreased subjective participation (i.e., pleasure in activities, occupational experience). However, the effect of participation on individuals with DCDs well-being remains unknown. This study examined the mediating effect of participation on the relationship between DCD and two well-being aspects - health related quality of life (HRQoL) and satisfaction with life (SWL). Fifty-five adults with DCD and their 61 non-DCD peers underwent a test-battery to determine fulfillment of DSM-5's DCD criteria and completed participation and well-being questionnaires. Compared to their non-DCD peers, adults with DCD had significantly (p < 0.01) poorer HRQoL, SWL and participation, manifested by an elevated need for help in performing activities, poor performance, and reduced pleasure and global occupational experience. Path analysis showed that performance mediated the link between DCD and HRQoL, while pleasure mediated the link between DCD and SWL. Global occupational experience mediated the link between DCD and both well-being aspects. Both objective and subjective participation are possible underling factors of poor well-being in DCD. Health-care professionals are encouraged to address both performance and subjective participation experiences to support the well-being of individuals with DCD.

Supporting young adults experiencing psychosis with their employment: A qualitative exploration of occupational therapists' experiences.

Young adults experiencing psychosis have the same plans for work and future careers as their peers; however, many find themselves unable to participate. While there is research available about interventions used to support employment of young adults with psychosis, there is little evidence regarding the experience of occupational therapists working in this field and the vocational rehabilitation interventions and practices they use. A descriptive qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was used to explore the perspectives of occupational therapy practitioners who support young adults experiencing psychosis with employment. Qualitative data analysis was guided by cross case inductive thematic analysis. This study did not include consumer and community involvement. There were nine participants, two male and seven females (average 14.7years mental health experience and age 39 years). All occupational therapists in this study were providing employment support interventions to young adults experiencing psychosis. These ranged from support with career exploration and job seeking to support with keeping and changing jobs. Thematic analysis generated five themes that characterised their experience including psychosis can make securing employment harder for young adults, young adults' pathways to work, and employment destinations of young adults. Finally, employment support interventions and strategies for young adults experiencing psychosis and the service system context-providers, problems, and possibilities for change were described. Young adults experiencing psychosis can miss out on the employment support they need when services are not accessible and evidence-based interventions, such as individual placement and support and early intervention, are not available. Occupational therapists prioritise employment when working with young adults experiencing psychosis. Occupational therapists with their person-centred, consumer-directed, and occupation-focussed approach can provide a range of employment support interventions to enable young adults experiencing psychosis to reach their work and career goals. Nine occupational therapists shared how they help young people with psychosis find jobs. Not having transport or work experience can make it hard for young people to work. The occupational therapists talked about how it can be hard to work when you have psychosis. They shared ways to find a job. They shared stories of young people finding their own jobs, starting their own companies or getting jobs from family and friends. Sometimes young people wanted help, and they were having trouble getting someone to help them. Occupational therapists were trying to help young people get a job if they asked for help. For example, they helped young people think about jobs they would like to do and helped them with job applications. Young people need all the services and people they work with to help them with finding and keeping their jobs.

Occupational therapists’ experiences of hegemony in a mental health setting: A practice-based enquiry

Background Despite valuing occupation, occupational therapists report barriers to enacting occupation-based practice. One barrier noted in the literature is hegemony, the dominance of one social group’s ideas over others. Specifically, biomedical and business models dominating healthcare are reported to significantly impact occupational therapists. Objective To describe how occupational therapists experience and manage hegemony in an acute mental health setting in the United States. Methods A community of practice scholars composed of nine occupational therapists participated in a practice-based enquiry. Scholars recorded their reflections on their practice and engaged in collective research discussions. All data were transcribed and analysed using narrative and thematic processes. Results Data analysis resulted in three themes that reflect the shifting and varying narratives of the community of practice scholars: (1) making waves; (2) staying afloat; and (3) sailing away. Conclusions and relevance The findings highlight the varied experiences and changing responses of the therapists as they gained awareness of hegemony in an acute mental health setting. While some therapists remained passive and ‘stayed afloat’ and others left the practice site or ‘sailed away’, others were empowered to ‘make waves’ and advocate for change and counter hegemony.

Mental health service users’ experiences of everyday occupations while attending day centres during the transition into retirement age

Background Existing research has shown that those ageing with severe mental illness face significant challenges in daily life. Attendance at community-based day centres (DCs) is offered to support daily structure and break isolation. However, little is known about the experiences of those receiving this type of support while transitioning into retirement age. Aim To explore experiences of everyday occupations among older mental health service users attending DC while transitioning into retirement age. Materials/methods Fourteen older DC attendees were interviewed on three occasions, spanning a time frame of four and a half years. The material was analyzed using grounded theory. Results An overarching theme emerged; A sense of belonging - creating, recreating, and maintaining my occupational identity while ageing, with three underlying categories: Enablers helping to pave a pathway to social contacts and occupations, Struggling through changing conditions, and Recreating and maintaining my occupations and occupational identity. Conclusions/significance Attending DC contributed with enablers that helped to maintain an occupational identity, despite ageing with complex health conditions. This study can be useful when planning optimal support focusing on occupational identity.

Healthcare Providers' Experiences With and Perspective on Delivering the Enhanced Recovery After Elective Caesarean Birth Pathway With Next-Day Discharge: Qualitative Analysis.

To understand the perspectives and experiences of healthcare providers who have experience working with an enhanced recovery care after elective caesarean birth pathway with next-day discharge and home midwifery. This study applies a qualitative study design with a pragmatic realist approach. The realist framework was used while also taking a post-positivist philosophy. The work was conducted in South Australia, Australia between May and October 2019. Twenty-three semi-structured interviews were completed with 5 doctors and 18 midwives who had occupational experience working with the pathway. Interviews were analysed using following the six-phase qualitative thematic analysis process outlined by Braun and Clarke. COREQ guidelines were followed. Four main themes and 11 sub-themes were identified. Main themes identified were as follows: The pathway is more than just early discharge; experiences with the process; staff engagement with the pathway; and the impact of the pathway within the health system. Healthcare providers generally accepted the pathway and found enhanced recovery care to be a positive and beneficial model of care. Staff identified five main challenges with implementing the pathway: early discharge; eligible women's automatic inclusion on the pathway; engaging women; change for staff and organisational constraints and procedures. Elements that support integration include the following: education for women; reassurance and communication with women and families; prepared care and supports including home midwifery; staff education and communication of the evidence; clear guidelines and protocols; defined staff roles; enough clinical time and clinical flexibility. Knowledge from staff in this study would be useful for other health services to consider when looking to deliver similar models of care. The health service and health providers were involved with the initiation and development of the research aims and design.

Bronchopulmonary pathology among egg poultry workers

Introduction. Poultry farming is one of the leading branches of agriculture, whose workers work under the influence of various factors that have a sensitizing, fibrogenic and toxic effect on the respiratory system. Materials and methods. As part of a cross-sectional study, the incidence of diseases of the respiratory system, medical and social factors of life, and the state of the respiratory system in one hundred thirty five egg poultry workers were studied. A hygienic assessment of the factors of the working environment and the labour process was carried out. The results of the study were statistically processed using the Statistica 10 software. Results. The air condition of the working area at the enterprise under study was established to meet sanitary and hygienic requirements. A high incidence of chronic bronchitis and a significant prevalence of respiratory dysfunction in egg poultry workers have been detected. With an increase in work experience, there is a decrease in the indices of external respiratory function and an increase in the level of allergic mood of the body of employees of the main occupationso. The use of smoking tobacco products is not a priority risk factor in the formation of diseases in workers of the main poultry farming occupations. Taking into account the results obtained it is planned to continue research on the study of working conditions that are risk factors for violations of the state of the respiratory system in egg poultry workers and the mechanism of their formation. Limitations. The study has regional (Saratov region) and occupational (poultry farm workers) limitations. Conclusion. The concentration of the dust in the air of the working area in workers in the main occupations of egg poultry does not exceed acceptable values. At the same time, a high incidence of chronic bronchitis was revealed, as well as a significant prevalence of respiratory dysfunction in workers, which is associated with an increase in occupational experience. The results of the assessment of the state of the respiratory system determine the expediency of studying modern working conditions in egg poultry workers and their influence on the formtation of bronchopulmonary pathology.

Using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to understand occupation from the perspective of the experiencing self: An illustrative example in workers with type 1 diabetes

ABSTRACT In people, the experiencing, remembering, and believing selves are distinct modes of being that co-exist, though at any particular moment one mode can be dominant. While qualitative methods are effective for querying the remembering and believing selves, Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) methods may be better suited to capture the perspective of the experiencing self. Using EMA to investigate occupation allows participants to engage in their regular occupations in their natural environments, pausing to record information about experiences that occurred seconds or minutes prior. To demonstrate the use of EMA to capture the experiencing self (the ‘I’ in the present moment not occupied with memories or beliefs), we examined associations between working, recovering, and various aspects of being (e.g., mood) in secondary analyses using EMA data from workers with type one diabetes (T1D, n = 92). Densely repeated sampling of workers’ experiences through EMA allowed for a correspondingly comprehensive representation of how both working and recovering were associated with various aspects of being, yielding insights relevant to the clinical needs of workers with T1D and to understanding their experiencing self’s view of work and recovery generally. The potential benefits of EMA for occupational science include allowing a more comprehensive understanding of the immediate experience of occupation, enabling investigation of the experiencing self at different timescales (e.g., experience of work in the moment, versus average experience of work over a day), and providing additional means through which to inform occupation centered interventions in populations with chronic conditions.

Overlooked professionalism-Individual factors for success of peer support workers

The peer support worker is becoming increasingly more relevant also due to the new personnel regulations. Therefore, the question arises which individual conditions for success are available for the implementation of peer support workers. This study is a subproject of ImpPeer-Psy5 study financed by Innovation Funds, which investigates the nationwide requirements for the implementation of peer support workers in care financed by health insurance funds (German Social Act V, SGB V). Using a comparative thematic analysis, 57 problem-oriented interviews with peer support workers (PSW), employees and users as well as a focus group based on this were examined. This study was predominantly implemented by a researcher who already had experience in psychiatry and crises. From the perspective of the employees interviewed, sympathy and personality are the core factors for a successful implementation of peer support workers. In contrast, a professional coping with one's own crisis and recovery experience as well as diverse previous life and occupational experiences were prioritized by the PSWs. In order to effectively incorporate the impulse of peer support workers, a recognition of the professional identity of the PSWs is necessary. In particular, settings that separate the tasks between the professional groups in a less hierarchical manner and rely on building relationships, such as domestic treatment, are particularly suited for the implementation of PSWs.

The experiences of rural generalist occupational therapists in provision of palliative care in rural, regional, and remote Australia: A phenomenological inquiry.

Access to specialist palliative care in rural and remote Australia is limited, resulting in a reliance on generalist health professionals to provide these services. Although literature exists concerning the experiences of some health professions in providing rural generalist palliative care, little is known about the experiences of occupational therapists who fill these roles. This paper aims to address this gap in knowledge by exploring the experiences of rural generalist occupational therapists in the provision of palliative care in rural, regional, and remote Australia. An interpretive phenomenological approach guided this research. Data were collected from eight rural generalist occupational therapists across Australia, using semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Data were thematically analysed to develop a nuanced understanding of lived experience in provision of palliative care. Due to the focus of this research on the practice experiences of occupational therapists, consumer and/or community involvement was not undertaken in its design or implementation. Three key themes were identified: 'community connections - a double-edged sword'; 'frustrations with structural and contextual factors limiting quality palliative care service provision'; and 'education and support as enablers of professional preparedness for palliative care service provision.' Taken collectively, these findings shed light on a variety of challenges and opportunities associated with rural generalist palliative care occupational therapy practice, as well as clues to their effective management. Knowledge of rural generalist occupational therapists' experiences can inform workforce development, promote retention of rural occupational therapists, and improve outcomes for dying persons, their families and caregivers. This study offers new insights into challenges and opportunities for rural generalist occupational therapy practice in palliative care and highlights the way in which both, new and existing support structures may be of value in promoting practice capacity and therapist wellbeing. It can be hard to get expert support for dying people in areas outside of cities in Australia. Health workers in these areas should be helped to provide good care. In this study, we spoke with some health workers in rural and remote areas who occasionally work with people who are dying. They told us that people in these areas were often helpful in supporting people who are dying because they felt close to them. But they also said that this made caring sadder for health workers because, sometimes, they were close to the people who were dying too. Having too much work, not enough experience and long distances made providing good care extra difficult. The health workers said that getting expert advice or using online teaching could help them improve their practice, but finding the time to do this is hard.

Law enforcement mental health: A systematic review of qualitative research.

The aim of this review was to explore qualitative accounts of law enforcement (LE) officers' personal experiences of mental health, in terms of linguistic descriptions, relationships between occupational experiences and mental health, and challenges to maintaining mental well-being. Using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, 1,876 articles were screened, and 31 studies were included in the current review. A risk of bias assessment was used to assess the study's methodological rigor, and data were extracted to answer three exploratory research questions. Results revealed that LE officers frequently experience occupational stressors and identify different mental health difficulties as a result. Additionally, cultural norms and stigma prevalent in the LE profession were noted to contribute to experiences of mental health and impact LE officers' ability to reach out for help and utilize professional resources. This review suggests that efforts to offer mental health services to LE officers need to prioritize cultural competence, confidentiality, and education to overcome stigma and increase mental health literacy and service use. Stakeholders addressing the LE mental health crisis may find this review useful due to several practical recommendations offered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of asthma among the adults in Shendi locality, Sudan: A cross-sectional study.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition leading to intermittent airway narrowing and obstruction. Although millions suffer from asthma globally, there is limited data from African countries, particularly Sudan. This study addresses the gap in research on asthma knowledge, attitudes, and practices among the adults in Shendi locality, Northern Sudan. This cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted in Kabushiya village, Shendi, Sudan, involving 148 participants selected through multistage random sampling. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a validated, structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, Fisher exact tests, and multiple linear regression. Participants demonstrated high levels of knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices regarding asthma. Knowledge scores were significantly associated with marital status, education, occupation, and income (P values: .040, .003, .000, and .006, respectively), with the highest medians among divorced individuals, those with higher education, professional workers, and people earning <50,000 SDGs (medians: 17, 16, 17, and 16, respectively). Attitude scores varied significantly by marital status, education, occupation, and family asthma history (P values: .001, .000, .003, and .016, respectively), with highest scores among divorced individuals, those with high school or higher education, professionals, and those with a first-degree relative with asthma (medians: 6, 5, 5, and 5, respectively). Patient practice scores differed by marital status and income (P values: .026 and .006, respectively), with higher scores among singles and those earning <50,000 SDGs. Co-patient practice scores were significantly influenced by occupation, personal or familial asthma experience, and family asthma status (P values: .026, .003, and .000, respectively). No significant differences were observed in co-patient practice scores between groups. The study highlights a generally good level of asthma knowledge and positive attitudes among participants, with some variability in practices based on socio-demographic factors. These findings emphasize the need for targeted education and intervention programs to improve asthma management in rural Sudan.

Vietnamese people’s behavior and future intention to purchase medicines and functional foods on the internet: a cross-sectional study

This study investigated Vietnamese people’s behavior and future intention to purchase medicines and functional foods online and their associated factors. From March to May 2023, a Google Form questionnaire was distributed via social networks and online platforms. Convenience and snowballing sampling methods were employed to recruit 1,305 Vietnamese people. In the past year, 50.3% of participants purchased at least one kind of medicine and/or functional foods online (medicines: 27.6%, functional foods: 45.1%). Among 656 buyers, nearly a third bought these products more than three times and only 5.9% felt dissatisfied with their previous experiences. This purchasing behavior was more prevalent among females, those married, having higher education levels, usually shopping online, having longer time of Internet use per day, and seeking health information on the Internet (p < 0.001). In addition, 77.5% of participants intended to purchase these products online in the future and 61.2% would introduce this kind of online purchase to other people. The purchase intention was significantly associated with the participants’ previous experiences, area, contracting chronic diseases, and using the Internet for self-medication, while factors associated with the introducing intention included their education level, occupation, and previous experiences in online purchases (p < 0.001).

Concept Analysis: The Occupational Experiences of Long-Term Care Nurses-Navigating Fragmented Transitions.

Transitions are broadly defined as movements from one place, stage, or subject to another. However, transitions which are broken and incomplete are referred to fragmented transitions. The aims of this concept analysis were to analyze the navigation of fragmented occupational transitions among long-term care nurses and to develop a working conceptual definition of fragmented occupational transitions to inform diverse stakeholders. Concept analysis. Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases were accessed. Identified sources were interprofessional scholarly literature published between January 1, 2018, and January 1, 2024, and seminal references. Walker and Avant's eight-stage concept analysis method. Occupational transitions in long-term care are fragmented leading to grievous challenges across multiple aspects of nurses' lives. An analysis of the literature using a Transitions Theory lens reveals that their thoughts, feelings and ethical decisions are influenced over time by these transitions. Cardinal attributes include: (1) Fragmentation, (2) Ill-timing, (3) Disruption, (4) Liminality, (5) Ambiguity, (6) Ambivalence and (7) Facilitators/Inhibitors. Antecedents stem from external sources and facility-led initiatives. Consequences encompass product and process outcomes. Product outcomes include physical and psychological conditions, and process outcomes encompass resilience, flexibility, connection, coping, creativity, and communication. This concept analysis advances the science for understanding nurses' occupational transitional experiences in long-term care. It will assist in risk assessment and instrument development ultimately improving the quality of long-term care. Fragmented occupational transitions in long-term care are multifaceted and complex phenomena that require distinct responses from government, healthcare leaders, and scholars to improve the plight of long-term care nurses and stakeholders. Dr. A. I. Meleis contributed to this article by sharing her vast insight into transitions.

Attribution of environmental outcomes to climate change: Perceptions of coastal communities in the Caribbean

Attribution of environmental outcomes to climate change is a live debate in scholarly and policy circles. Non-scientific attribution by the lay public has value for enriching the discourse, engagements, and decisions on loss and damage, adaptation and mitigation, communication strategies, and the science-policy interface from local to international levels. There is a need for context-specific studies on perceived climate attribution by the lay public. Unlike the few previous studies that focused on attribution of extreme events to climate change by the lay public, the current paper assessed the key compositional and contextual factors that influence the attribution of environmental outcomes with slow onset to climate change. This study surveyed 441 households in eight small coastal communities in three Caribbean countries and applied a generalized linear regression model with a complementary log-log link to assess the relationship between compositional and contextual factors that influence perceived linkage between climate change and environmental outcome. At the bivariate level, the results showed that ethnicity, marital status, household head highest education, household income, and community of living were significant predictors of the likelihood of the perceived linkage between climate change and worsening environmental outcome. At the multivariate level, when all factors have been accounted for, we found that respondents with higher education were 160% more likely to indicate that climate change has adverse effects on environmental outcomes. Respondents with 10 or more years of experience in their present occupation were 73% more likely to suggest a linkage between climate change and worse environmental outcomes. Other strong predictors included income, ethnicity and community of residence. The perceived relationship between climate change and environmental outcomes differed systematically based on the compositional and contextual attributes of respondents. Several significant relationships at the bivariate level persisted at the multivariate level, indicating that the perceived linkages are robust and entrenched. It is concluded that there are heterogeneities in the perceived relationship between climate change and environmental outcomes based on the compositional and contextual factors of the households. Higher education and longer experience in the same occupation contribute significantly to climate attribution by the lay public.

Participation in health promoting occupations among mothers of children aged 3-8years with and without difficulties in sensory processing.

Participation in personally significant occupations often contributes to quality of life. Parenting a child with difficulties in sensory processing may present challenges that can affect subjective and objective components of parental participation, thus possibly decreasing their quality of life. This study aimed to compare these components between mothers of children with and without difficulties in sensory processing and explore their relationship with maternal quality of life. Seventy mothers of children aged 3-8years with (50%) and without difficulties in sensory processing completed questionnaires measuring subjective occupational experience, objective frequency of participation in health promoting activities, and quality of life. No consumer or community involvement occurred. Satisfaction with participation competence as well as objective frequency of participation in health promoting activities among mothers from the study group was found to be significantly lower than the control group. Additionally, a significant moderately strong correlation was found between these variables and the quality of life of all mothers. Subjective and objective participation in health promoting activities is lower in mothers of children with difficulties in sensory processing. Additionally, the quality of life in all mothers was linked to their perceived capability and frequency of engagement in health-promoting activities. Raising awareness to the experience of mothers of children with challenges in sensory processing may help bring to attention the importance of enhancing mothers' engagement in health-promoting activities. Mothering a child with difficulties in sensory processing can influence parents' emotional states and sense of competence, affecting how mothers take part in activities that support their health and quality of life. In this study, 70 mothers of children aged 3-8, with and without difficulties in sensory processing, were asked about how often they participate in activities that promote their health, their experiences, and about their quality of life. The mothers of children with difficulties in sensory processing felt less confident in their abilities and did fewer activities that support their health. Also, in all the mothers, their quality of life was related to how competent they feel and how often they performed these types of activities. This shows how important it is to support mothers of children with sensory processing difficulties helping them feel confident and join in activities that support their health. It is a reminder that family-focussed intervention is key to making sure mothers are doing well too.

Assessing the indoor soundscape approach among university students' home study places

University students spend a considerable time at study places. The acoustical quality of these study places is one of the indoor environmental qualities (IEQ) that can have an impact on student's health, comfort, and performance. The indoor soundscape approach has been introduced to better understand occupants' sound perception and experience of sounds in relation to the environment. This study aims to explore the indoor soundscapes of home study places of these students by conducting semi-structured interviews with 23 university students with different profiles. For qualitative analysis, open coding was used. Sub-categories, based on the codes, and categories were created and assigned to the soundscape themes that are defined in ISO 12913-1. An affinity diagram consisting of the themes, categories, and sub-categories was initially developed. Then, it was validated through two workshops with participants. The results showed that the interpretation of the sound environment, responses, and outcomes differed among the students. In a previous study, 451 students were clustered in 5 clusters with similar acoustical preferences (profiles). Therefore, it is recommended to consider making the indoor soundscape approach applicable for different profiles of occupants.

The Impact of Green Building Design on Indoor Air Quality and Occupant Experience

This study examines the impact of green building design on indoor air quality (IAQ) and occupant experience, using Heritage Place in Ikoyi, Lagos, as a case study. Green buildings are known for incorporating sustainable practices such as the use of eco-friendly materials, advanced ventilation systems, and biophilic design elements, all aimed at enhancing environmental sustainability and occupant well-being. A descriptive survey methodology was employed, with data gathered through a questionnaire administered to 50 occupants of the building to assess their perceptions of IAQ, health, comfort, and overall satisfaction. The findings indicate that the majority of respondents reported high levels of satisfaction with IAQ, attributing improvements in their health, productivity, and comfort to the building’s green design features. Specifically, low-emission materials and enhanced ventilation systems were highly praised for reducing pollutants and maintaining a healthy indoor environment. However, a few respondents expressed concerns about inconsistent thermal comfort in certain areas. These results underscore the importance of sustainable design in creating healthier, more productive indoor environments. Recommendations for future green building projects include fine-tuning HVAC systems to improve thermal comfort and enhancing occupant education on the benefits of sustainable features.

Impact of developmental language disorders on mental health and well-being across the lifespan: a qualitative study including the perspectives of UK adults with DLD and Australian speech-language therapists

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the educational, occupational and socioemotional experiences of people with developmental language disorder (DLD) across the lifespan to gain insight into risk and protective factors for...

The influence of occupational noise exposure on blood pressure and hearing loss among female workers of childbearing age

ObjectivesWomen exposed to occupational noise experience adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, we initiated a large, population-based, cross-sectional study to further investigate the effects of occupational noise on hearing and blood pressure among female workers of childbearing age.Study design and settingA total of 6981 childbearing-aged female workers were selected for this cross-sectional study. Basic characteristics of participants were analyzed by comparing the exposed and control groups. Logistic regression models were employed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidences intervals (CIs) for the associations of occupational noise with levels of hearing loss and blood pressure. The associations were further explored through stratification by age and duration of noise exposure.ResultsCompared with participants not exposed to occupational noise, increasing years of occupational noise exposure were independently associated with an elevated risk of hypertension after adjustment of age, industry classification, enterprise size and economic type. Compared to participants not exposed to occupational noise, only the prevalence of bilateral hearing loss was significantly higher after adjustments for age, industry classification, enterprise size and economic type. Compared with those with normal hearing, the ORs and 95% CIs were 1.97 (0.95–4.07), 2.22 (1.05–4.68) and 1.29 (1.06–1.57) for bilateral, unilateral and any ear hearing loss, respectively.ConclusionsOccupational noise exposure is positively associated with both hypertension and bilateral hearing loss among female workers of childbearing age. Those exposed to occupational noise show an increased risk of hypertension after adjusting for potential confounders.