Job-related Functions Research Articles

“They kill us mentally”: exploring microaggression towards LGBTQIA+ employees in Indian workplaces

PurposeThe current study aimed to (1) explore the prevalence and processes associated with microaggression, along with (2) the consequences of such instances on the queer employees’ life.Design/methodology/approachFor this purpose, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted on 29 LGBTQIA + persons (21–42 years). The qualitative data were analysed through the thematic analysis method (a hybrid of theoretical and inductive thematic analysis). Nadal and colleagues’ (2010) taxonomy on sexual orientation and transgender microaggression was used as a theoretical lens for detecting the acts of microaggression.FindingsThe result revealed eight themes: i.e. (1) overt discrimination (bullying and sexual harassment); (2) workplace discrimination; (3) environmental microaggressions; (4) interpersonal microaggressions; (5) mental health effects; (6) disclosure dilemma; (7) consequences on job-related functioning; and (8) policy changes. Microaggression was more common as compared to overt forms of aggression such as bullying. The study detected a serious lag in the implementation of queer-friendly policies in Indian organizations. Experiences of overt discrimination and microaggressions hinder the work performance and the psychological well-being of queer employees.Originality/valueLGBTQIA + microaggression is not explored in the Indian workplace context.

From Pedagogy to Andragogy in Post Covid-19 ESP Courses: A Customized Blended Learning Model for English in Medicine at a Saudi University

Teaching an ESP course is significantly challenging due to its practical, contextual, and communicative nature as a “language in context” and a prerequisite for acquiring professional skills and job-related functions that require real life learning situations to imitate specific professional settings and accentuates practicing the essential English language skills that students would primarily employ in their future fields. This paper presents an andragogy-based customized blended learning model for English in Medicine course introduced to students of the preparatory year program during COVID-19 pandemic. Integrating andragogical principles, the course identifies students’ access to multimodal tools for required English Language skills and medical vocabulary, including a virtual listening lab for augmenting listening skills, a virtual medical library for boosting online medical reading, a virtual hospital of different doctor-patient interaction scenarios for practicing the use of language in context, course community blogs and audio discussion forums for enhancing writing and speaking skills, an online medical dictionary for understanding and translating medical terminologies and integrated Kahoot games for testing field related knowledge. A mixed methodology of pre-test and post-test research design along with a learning satisfaction survey were used to evaluate the change in variables which were students’ English Language proficiency, cognitive competence, learning motivation, and learning styles. The study findings establish the effectivity of the shift from pedagogic to andragogic strategies in the course. It supports integrating pedagogic constructive theories along with adult learning theories and blended education theories to ensure productive teaching and learning of ESP courses in accordance with the constrictions of quality modern education.

Методы обучения английскому языку для специальных целей

Foreign Language Teachers for Specific Purposes have a lot in common with teachers of general foreign language. For both it is necessary to consider linguistic development and teaching theories, to have insights in contemporary ideas regarding their own position and role as well as the position and role of foreign language learners in education and to face new technologies offered as an aid to improve their methodology. The most important difference lies in the learners and their purposes for learning English. ESP students are usually adults who already have some acquaintance with English and are learning the language in order to communicate a set of professional skills and to perform particular job-related functions. An ESP program is therefore built on an assessment of purposes and needs and the functions for which English is required.

TEACHING ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES

The most important difference lies in the learners and their purposes for learning English. ESP students are usually adults who already have some acquaintance with English and are learning the language in order to communicate a set of professional skills and to perform particular job-related functions. An ESP program is therefore built on an assessment of purposes and needs and the functions for which English is required. ESP concentrates more on language in context than on teaching grammar and language structures.

Is common carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) a risk assessment marker in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder?

Objective Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with impairment in social, academic and job-related functioning in both children and adults. The purpose of this study is to investigate the susceptibility to cardiovascular risk factors in children with ADHD diagnosis through common carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) measurement, to compare cIMT in ADHD and control groups and to evaluate the association between cIMT and ADHD symptom severity. Methods The mean cIMT of 42 children with ADHD, ADHD symptom scales and a semi-structured psychiatric interview, and 42 age and sex matched healthy controls were measured with B-mode Doppler neck ultrasonography. Results The median cIMT was significantly higher for the ADHD group compared to the healthy controls. There was a statistically significant, negative, moderate correlation between cIMT and Conners ADHD index score, hyperactivity score, oppositional score and the presence of ODD comorbidity. Conclusions In this study, we found significantly higher cIMT in children with ADHD when compared to healthy controls. Considering that increased cIMT is a sign of atherosclerosis and it can be used as a marker of cardiovascular risk factors, our finding may indicate that children with ADHD are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Keypoints cIMT was significantly higher in children with ADHD when compared to healthy controls. Higher cIMT in children with ADHD may indicate that children with ADHD are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. cIMT measurement may be studied as a potential tool for risk assessment before a child with ADHD is started on psychostimulant medications.

Correlation of urinary incontinence with depression severity of patients treated for depression.

IntroductionUrinary incontinence (UI) is a major public health issue because of the high number of individuals affected, its adverse effects on job-related functioning, and the decline in quality of life. The association between UI and symptoms of depression has been evaluated extensively for the general population. However, relationships between UI and depression have not been adequately assessed for specific patient groups. Thus, we investigated the association between UI and depression severity in patients treated for depression.Material and methodsThis study was a single-center, prospective, cross-sectional inquiry. We analyzed questionnaire data on UI and depression from depressed patients treated in our Department of Adult Psychiatry. Patients completed the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form and General Health Questionnaire whereas psychiatrists administered the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.ResultsOne hundred two patients were enrolled in the study. Most patients had mild depression. Patients who were incontinent mostly reported moderate UI and UI was statistically more prevalent in women than in men. Further, with the General Health Questionnaire, depression severity in women was significantly associated with the severity of UI. We did not observe correlation between depression severity analyzed with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and UI.ConclusionsIn the cohort of patients treated for depression, UI affected more women than men. In wo- men, UI was associated with the severity of depression. Because UI and depression may coexist and share the symptom burden, particularly in women, clinicians should be aware of the interconnection between these two conditions.

Value Profiles and Perceived Job Performance of Social Workers in Israel

AbstractValues play a crucial role in the credo of social work. Recent definitions of the profession delineate the values that should guide social work worldwide. At the same time, social workers’ employment patterns and changes in the traditional welfare state have resulted in fragmentations in the profession, highlighting the importance of shared professional values. This study is the first to examine value profiles endorsed by social workers, as well as the association between such profiles and social workers’ perceived job performance. Participants in the study were 519 social workers, working in various organizations and with diverse populations in Israel. Its findings delineate three value profiles identified among our sample—growth-focused, social-focused and growth-self-focused. Differences between social workers endorsing each profile were found in terms of workers’ perceived job performance and perceived job-related abilities. These findings are discussed with relation to their unique contribution to what is known about values supported by social workers, as well as concerning the relationship between these values and social workers’ job-related functioning in the context of the social work profession and social services in Israel.

Research on Chinese ESP Teaching and Practice

If you have had previous experience as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), your first question on receiving your current assignment to teach ESP may be: "How is ESP different from EFL?" The major difference between ESP and EFL lies in the learners and their purposes for learning English. ESP students are adults who already have some familiarity with English and are learning the language in order to communicate a set of professional skills and to perform particular job-related functions. An ESP program is therefore built on an assessment of purposes and needs and the functions for which English is required.

TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES: CHALLENGES, PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Teaching a foreign language for specific purposes concentrates on the specific needs of the learners, focusing more on language in context and on the course participants` need to acquire a set of professional skills and particular job-related functions. The process of teaching foreign languages in a professional higher education institution is a unique and differs in many aspects, it is directed and addresses immediate and very specific needs, moreover the trend of educational paradigm nowadays is the competency building approach which in turn involves the development of learners` ability to apply existing knowledge and skills in order to solve specific practical work –related problems. The paper is the result of personal professional teaching experience as well as it contains theoretical analysis of teaching foreign language for specific purposes as well as authors reveal the current challenges that teachers encounter in the process of teaching language for specific purposes in the State Border Guard College of the Republic of Latvia.

The Sufficiency and Efficiency of the New Curriculum of English Language (EL) in the College of Administrative and Financial Sciences. A Case Study at Cihan University

ESP (English for Specific Purposes) and ESL (English as a Second Language) have been for many years a material of controversial discussion. The most important difference lies in the learners and their purposes for learning English. ESP students are usually adults who already have some acquaintance with English and are learning the language in order to communicate a set of professional skills and to perform particular job-related functions. An ESP programme is therefore built on an assessment of purposes and needs and the functions for which English is required ( Fiorito, 2005).
 This study has been conducted to investigate the opinions of ESP lecturers in four departments in addition to fifty students from each department about adapting an ESP curriculum instead of the general one by two questionnaires for the two parties. The problem of the study has been stated with a literature review. The purpose of the study has been illustrated in addition to the methodology adopted in data collection and it is supported by tables and charts. Conclusions have been drawn at the end of the study.
 The method used in conducting the study is applied by collecting data from two different questionnaires distributed to lecturers and to students as well. All lectures who teach English in the four departments have answered this questionnaire. The sample of students is 50 students from each department from the 2nd year. So, the total number is 200 students.

The interplay between emotional exhaustion, common mental disorders, functioning and health care use in the working population

ObjectivesPrevious research established that emotional exhaustion - the often assumed core dimension of burnout - diminishes job-related functioning, but knowledge of its association with functioning and health care utilization is largely lacking. Moreover, as exhaustion frequently co-occurs with mood and anxiety disorders (i.e. common mental disorders (CMD)), the question should be addressed whether these associations hold after adjustment for CMD, and whether CMD intensifies the burden of exhaustion. MethodsCross-sectional data was used from 2902 workers included in the third wave of the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study-2, a nationally representative face-to-face survey. Exhaustion was assessed with the exhaustion scale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory; work loss (including presenteeism and absenteeism) with the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule; and general functioning with the 36-item Short Form. Health care use is defined as ≥1 general or mental health care contact for mental health problems. Confounders included sociodemographics, job characteristics, CMD, and physical health. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview assessed CMD. ResultsMild and severe exhaustion occurred in 14.9% and 2.3% of the workers, respectively, and was significantly associated with work loss, impaired emotional, physical and social functioning, and health care use, even after adjustment for confounders. Co-occurrence of CMD strengthened the association between exhaustion and work loss as well as impaired emotional and social functioning. ConclusionsExhaustion is uniquely associated with work loss, impaired functioning and health care use. Moreover, co-occurring CMD intensified impairments in functioning. This stresses the need for clinical attention to the exhaustion dimension of burnout.

The current challenges of teaching ESP

Although the status of lingua franca can easily be claimed by English nowadays, there are always plenty of challenges involved in the process of teaching a foreign language. The simple mastering of the four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and the acquisition of general grammar and vocabulary may not be enough in some circumstances. ESP focuses on the specific needs of the learners, concentrating more on language in context and on the students’ need to acquire a set of professional skills and particular job-related functions. This paper, consequently, focuses on identifying the current challenges that teachers and students may encounter in the process of teaching and learning English for Specific Purposes.

Abstract P6-08-08: Adjuvant breast cancer therapy: Correlation of treatment data with patient reported outcomes in a German breast cancer centre

Abstract Objectives: Clinical diagnosis and treatment data lack a subjective perspective of the affected patients. Patient reported outcomes on the other hand often provide only basic information of the medical background. In this analysis we matched treatment data from clinical files and subjective experiences of breast cancer patients. Methods: Identification of breast cancer patients who had their primary surgery between 2006 and 2010 at a breast cancer centre followed by systemic adjuvant treatment. Relevant medical data were transferred from clinical files into a database and patients were asked to fill in a standardized paper pencil interview. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 19. Results: 1044 unselected female patients who suffered from invasive breast cancer were contacted, 740 responded (return rate 70.9%) and 734 questionnaires could be analyzed. Non-responders showed no systematic differences in diagnosis or treatment. Median age at the time of the interview was 65 (30-91) for responders and 66 (33-96) for non-responders respectively (p = .412). Further analyses were conducted for the 734 responders only. Distribution according to UICC criteria at initial diagnosis was as follows: stage I 46%, stage II 42%, stage III 12%. 78% received breast-preserving surgery, 22% mastectomy. 3% received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, 85% radiotherapy and 85% anti-hormonal therapy. 49% received adjuvant chemotherapy with taxane containing regimens in 60%. 91% were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the surgical result, in which patients with breast-preserving surgery were more satisfied than patients after mastectomy. 66% indicated a complete freedom of pain, 65% reported no limitations of arm or shoulder function. In both cases the results improved with increasing age. In frequency of antihormonal therapy a correspondence of 91% between data from medical records and subjectively reported treatment could be observed. Psychological distress, cognitive limitations and physical consequences were rated on a scale from 1 - “not at all” to 4 - “very much”. The highest average values were found for the items sleep disturbances (2.3) and exhaustion (2.3), the lowest for depression (1.7). Patients up to 60 years suffered more from the psychological consequences than older patients. 44% were in employment before the disease, 66% of them could return to their workplace. The return to work was as easier the younger the patients were. For 75% their partnership did not change, 12% experienced deterioration, 12% improvement. No effect of surgery or systemic treatment could be found here. Before the illness 9% consulted a psychiatrist / psychotherapist, after the illness 19%. Before the diagnosis of breast cancer 14% received antipsychotic drugs, after the disease 26%. In both cases is the increase in frequency stronger for younger patients and for patients who had received chemotherapy. Multivariate analyses will be presented. Conclusions: Adjuvant breast cancer therapy leads to long lasting impairment of physical, psychological, social and job-related functioning in a significant number of patients. Depending on age, surgery and systemic treatment patients are affected differently. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P6-08-08.

Abstract P2-11-11: Patient Reported Outcomes after Breast Cancer Surgery and Adjuvant Therapy from a German Breast Cancer Centre

Abstract Objectives: Evaluation of the subjectively experienced physical, psychological, social and job-related consequences of breast cancer. Methods: Standardized paper pencil interview of patients with the initial diagnosis of breast cancer who had their primary surgery between 01/2006 and 12/2010 at an accredited breast cancer centre followed by systemic adjuvant treatment. The data collection was conducted with the help of a self-developed scanner-readable questionnaire which had been evaluated in a pretest. Results: 1260 patients were contacted, 871 completed questionnaires (return rate 72%) were analyzed. Median age of the patients (99.5% women) at the time of the interview was 65 years (30–91). 6% relapsed during the observation period. 91% were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the surgical result. 67% indicated a complete freedom of pain. 23% received lymphatic drainage at the time of the questioning (11/2011), 33% complained about limitations of arm and/or shoulder function. 76% received anti-hormonal therapy, 13% stopped the anti-hormonal medication prematurely. Patients received a mean of 1.3 different anti-hormonal therapies, 54% took Tamoxifen. Psychological distress, cognitive limitations and physical consequences were rated on a scale from 1 – “not at all” to 4 – “very much”. The highest average values were found for the items sleep disturbances (2.3) and exhaustion (2.3), the lowest for depression (1.7) and word-finding difficulties (1.8). After therapy only 39% described a complete recovery of their physical capacity, 62% regained their previous mental capacity. 44% were in employment before their disease. 67% returned to their workplace but only 65% of them with their previous number of hours. 15% indicated disadvantages in their workplace due to the breast cancer disease. For 75% their partnership did not change, 12% experienced a deterioration, 13% an improvement. Before the illness 9% consulted a psychiatrist/psychotherapist, after the illness 18%. Before the diagnosis of breast cancer 13% received antipsychotic drugs, after the disease 25%. Conclusions: Breast cancer diagnosis and therapy leads to long lasting impairment of physical, psychological, social and job-related functioning in a significant number of patients. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-11-11.

Domain-dependent information gathering agent

Abstract A universal agent should be capable of gathering information from arbitrary heterogeneous sites and offer intelligent information services on its own based on information so gathered. We present a domain-dependent agent for information gathering. It can visit an arbitrary domain-related site by observing a user perform the first query. By understanding key concepts of the first query, the agent performs subsequent queries autonomously. When a user asks the agent about a particular item, the agent gathers relevant information from various sites. The major advantage of the agent is a semi-automatic creation of a wrapper around a particular site with few human interventions. We have implemented two versions of such information gathering agents: ShinA (SHoppINg Assistant) for e-trading tasks, and EMA (EMployment Agent), which performs employment and job related functions over the Internet.

O*NET Job Analysis and Vocational Evaluation for the 21st Century

Functional Job Analysis will continue to be the preferred method for accurate, reliable, and legally defensible determination of job duties. With the implementation of the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), job-related functions to be evaluated will expand and the potential applications and problems, both practical and research, will increase. The O*NET system is described, as are potential uses and shortcomings of O*NET, as well as the importance of O*NET to job analysis and vocational evaluation.

Toward a Model of Factors Influencing the Hiring of Women with a History of Breast Cancer

Whether surgical treatment for cancer which results in the removal of an external part of the body is viewed by employers as a medical disability that interferes with the performance of job-related functions, or fits a more stereotypic definition of a physical handicap that might even prevent an employee from being hired, has not been adequately studied. To identify factors which influence employers' decisions to hire women who have had breast cancer, a model of factors influencing the decision to hire was developed. A random sample of personnel directors from an industrialized North Carolina county was surveyed. A majority had personal experience with breast cancer patients and had had mastectomy employees leave work. Five factors were found to explain 69% of the variance in hiring practices: size of company, level of sick leave benefits, company involvement in employees' medical insurance, employers' education and personal experience with breast cancer. Knowledge level about the disease did not predict the hiring decision. Regardless of whether medical personnel made the final decision, the influence of non-medical factors was found to be quite strong in determining whether a former breast cancer patient was actually hired.

Alcoholism Counselor Trainees: Some Changes in Job Related Functioning following Training

41 alcoholism counselor trainees were evaluated on changes in five parameters of job related functioning by their supervisors, following an intense training program. A rating scale, completed by agency supervisors at 7 and 14 week intervals following training, indicated positive changes in trainee's clinical competence, utilization in alcoholism work, personal involvement in alcoholism work, degree of assigned responsibilities, and overall job performance, relative to pre-training. Some implications and limitations of the present study are discussed.