Occupational Life Research Articles

Telework and Psychological Health in Hospital Staff during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Epidemic in France.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a change in work organization with the development of telework. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in teleworking staff in a university hospital center in France during the first lockdown, and to identify personal, medical and occupational factors associated with anxiety disorder. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 474 hospital staff working from home during the first lockdown. The sociodemographic, occupational and medical information (anxiety and depressive disorders measured on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale) was collected by an anonymous online self-administered questionnaire. The variables associated with anxiety disorder were investigated by a univariate analysis (chi² and Fisher tests) and a multivariate analysis (logistic regression model). Results: Three hundred and forty hospital staff participated in the study (72% response rate). Of the participants, 106 subjects (32.1%) showed signs of an anxiety disorder and 26 (7.65%) of a depressive disorder. An anxiety disorder was significantly associated with mental workload, changes in working hours, difficulties in teleworking due to issues of internet connection or due to noise, difficulties in combining family and occupational life, sleep disturbance, worry about media information and worry about the health of a loved one. An anxiety disorder remained associated with occupational stress and personal stress during lockdown after a multivariate logistic regression. Conclusions: This study highlighted the association between an anxiety disorder and perceived occupational and personal stress levels in hospital staff teleworking during the first lockdown. Stress management workshops could be proposed to hospital staff. Prevention of anxiety requires reinforced medical monitoring and reduced stress.

PRESENT SITUATION AND TASKS OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS ON HIGH SCHOOL SECTION FOR STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN JAPAN

This study aims to discuss the current situation and the tasks of special schools for high school students with intellectual disabilities in Japan. This study analyzed previous studies. Throughout the curriculum of special schools in relation to high schools, educational practices were conducted for transition to social life\occupational life after graduation. Citizenship education is conducted through lessons of “instruction of domestic and community living skills” and “lifestyle unit-based learning” at some schools. ICT was used in “subjective learning.” Education programs about emotional and behavioral problems, and serious secondary disabilities of students with mild ID are needed. This program is one in which students with mild ID and developmental disabilities promote selfunderstanding and understanding of others. An investigation of graduated students suggested that the high school section provided students with friends, and recreation activity continued after graduation toward a good social and occupational life. Finally, two tasks of special schools（①assessment and support process of serious difficult cases, ②team approach and organized support) were suggested.

Numerical simulation of the influence of pores sizes on moisture migration dynamic in masonry wall

The sometimes extreme hydro-climatic stresses that buildings undergo can lead to significant deterioration which can lead to their collapse. The concern to realize durable works and ensuring a comfortable framework for the life of occupants leads to seek effective solutions, as well for the new construction as for the renovation of old construction, answering the sempiternal problem of harmful action of water on buildings materials. This paper proposes a numerical simulation of moisture migration in concrete building walls, the aim being to highlight the influence of pore size on the kinetics of moisture migration, and its gradient in the wall. A mathematical model taking into account the mechanisms of moisture migration due to liquid moisture gradient and by vapor diffusion is proposed; the discrete formulation of the equa-tion by the numerical scheme of Crank Nicolson is then carried out, and results from computer modeling using Matlab software version 7.10.0.499 (R2010a), show that pore size is a key parameter that influences the dynamics of moisture migration in the wall. Indeed, this parameter qualitatively and quantitatively influences the kinetics of moisture migration, as well as it gradient in the concrete wall. It appears a greater migration dynamic when the pores sizes decrease, means a greater kinetics of moisture migration and lower moisture gradient in the walls at the hygrometric equilibrium, for a decreasing pore size.

Experiences of families of public safety personnel: a systematic review protocol of qualitative evidence

BackgroundPublic safety occupations are well-recognized to be dangerous and stressful. Despite recent attention on post-traumatic stress injuries among public safety personnel, there has been considerably less attention paid to the ongoing ways in which the risks and requirements associated with those occupations shape family life, and how families respond and adapt to those lifestyle dimensions. This systematic review aims to understand how day-to-day family life is affected and shaped when a family member works in a public safety sector, such as fire, police, paramedic, corrections, and emergency communications.MethodsQualitative studies that examine the experiences of families or family members of public safety personnel will be included in this review, with no date or language restrictions. An initial search of Embase and CINAHL will be conducted, followed by an analysis of text words contained in the title and abstract, and of the index terms used to describe the articles. Databases to be searched for published studies include MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Sciences, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Sociological s. Titles and abstracts will be screened by two independent reviewers. The full texts of selected studies will be assessed in detail, and findings and their illustrations will be extracted and aggregated. Any disagreements between the reviewers that arise at each stage will be resolved through discussion, or by a third reviewer. Further analysis of the synthesized findings will be informed by family systems theory.DiscussionThe ways that occupational risks and requirements shape family life have been better investigated within other high-risk occupation groups, which has led to productive advancements in organizational policies and supports in the respective sectors. An understanding of the experiences which typify family life ongoing within PSP sectors is a critical gap in the development of meaningful family-informed occupational initiatives and supports.Systematic review registrationSubmitted to PROSPERO for systematic review registration: CRD42020208126

The impact of COVID‐19 restrictions on occupational balance: A mixed method study of the experience of Australian occupational therapists

IntroductionCOVID‐19 has seen unprecedented changes to the daily occupational lives of citizens across the globe as a result social and physical restrictions. Frontline healthcare workers health and wellbeing have been impacted but what of occupational balance? The aim of this study was to investigate if there was a change in the occupational balance of occupational therapists working in a metropolitan hospital during a COVID‐19 lockdown.MethodsAll occupational therapists working in a metropolitan hospital were invited to participate in an online survey. Occupational Balance was measured using the Occupational Balance Questionnaire‐11 (OBQ11). Participants retrospectively rated their occupational balance before COVID‐19 restrictions were in place and again rated their current status during the restrictions. Participants were also asked to comment on strategies used to help them during the COVID‐19 restrictions.ResultsForty‐two occupational therapists completed the survey. The mean total score prior to the COVID‐19 restrictions was 19.4 and during restrictions was 19.0 (Z = −0.4, p = 0.68). There was a significant decrease in having sufficient to do during the COVID‐19 restrictions (Z = −3.6, p < 0.001). Satisfaction with how time was spent in rest, recovery and sleep significantly increased during the restrictions (Z = −3.3, p = 0.001). Strategies used included engaging in valued activities, finding alternate ways of doing and showing gratitude.ConclusionOccupational balance of occupational therapists remained high and satisfaction in how time was spent improved during COVID‐19 restrictions. Occupational therapists implemented their own theoretical approach of adaptation to cope with the COVID‐19 restrictions.

Taking Up and Terminating Leisure-Time Physical Activity over the Life Course: The Role of Life Events in the Familial and Occupational Life Domains.

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with various health-promoting effects. However, little is known about the relationship between life events and changes in LTPA over the life course, especially when multiple life events occur simultaneously. Therefore, this study examines taking up and terminating LTPA associated with life events in the familial and occupational life domains over 16 years of 16–76-year-old Swiss inhabitants (n = 1857) in a retrospective longitudinal cohort design, using a validated telephone survey and multilevel discrete-time event-history analyses. The results show that taking up LTPA was more likely when ending a relationship and retiring and less likely when becoming a parent; terminating LTPA was more likely when ending a job, starting vocational training after 30 years, a relationship ended for men, and becoming a mother with increasing age. If experiencing multiple life events simultaneously, the greater the number of life events, the more likely persons aged 45–70 years were to take up LTPA and, conversely, the more likely persons aged 15–44 years to terminate LTPA. The relationship between life events and changes in LTPA over the life course was often age dependent, especially when experiencing multiple life events simultaneously. The findings should be considered when promoting LTPA.

Exploring occupational transitions of Syrian refugee youth to Canada

ABSTRACT Introduction Since 2015, nearly 45,000 Syrian refugees who fled the civil war have resettled in Canada. This forced migration can present significant disruptions for Syrian refugees’ everyday lives. Refugee youth may experience distinct changes in their occupations and roles, such as schooling and caring for family. Research exploring Syrian refugee youth’s experiences of occupational transition to Canada is largely absent. Objectives This study explores the experiences of occupational transition of Syrian refugee youth along their migration journey to Canada. Method Using narrative inquiry, two individual semi-structured interviews incorporating a co-created occupational life course timeline were conducted via videoconferencing with two 19-year-old and two 20-year-old Syrian refugee youth. Generated narratives were thematically analyzed to explore their experiences of occupational transition and how participants’ occupations evolved through the migration journey. Findings The findings revealed an overarching grand narrative of “occupational possibilities unfolding through the migration journey.” Within this grand narrative, four themes were generated: finding a place in society, contributing to the family, experiencing structured autonomy, and giving back to the community. These findings illustrate how occupations and roles are shaped by sociocultural contexts across the migration journey. Conclusion The Syrian refugee youth who participated in this study illustrated through their narratives how their personal occupational experiences were shaped by cultural and sociopolitical contexts of the countries in which they lived along their migration journey to Canada. These contexts shaped their self-development, advocacy, and roles due to variability in access to occupations and their level of engagement.

Domestic Violence and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 lockdown, the advent of working from home, and other unprecedent events have resulted in multilayer and multidimensional impacts on our personal, social, and occupational lives. Mental health conditions are deteriorating, financial crises are increasing in prevalence, and the need to stay at home has resulted in the increased prevalence of domestic violence. In Bangladesh, where domestic violence is already prevalent, the lockdown period and stay-at-home orders could result in more opportunities and increased scope for perpetrators of domestic violence.ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of domestic violence during the initial COVID-19 lockdown period in Bangladesh and the perceptions of domestic violence survivors with regard to mental health care.MethodsWe conducted this cross-sectional web-based study among the Bangladeshi population and used a semistructured self-reported questionnaire to understand the patterns of domestic violence and perceptions on mental health care from August to September 2020. The questionnaire was disseminated on different organizational websites and social media pages (ie, those of organizations that provide mental health and domestic violence services). Data were analyzed by using IBM SPSS (version 22.0; IBM Corporation).ResultsWe found that 36.8% (50/136) of respondents had faced domestic violence at some point in their lives; psychological abuse was the most common type of violence. However, the prevalence of the economical abuse domestic violence type increased after the COVID-19 lockdown was enforced. Although 96.3% (102/136) of the participants believed that domestic violence survivors need mental health support, only 25% (34/136) of the respondents had an idea about the mental health services that are available for domestic violence survivors in Bangladesh and how and where they could avail mental health services.ConclusionsDomestic violence is one of the most well-known stressors that have direct impacts on physical and mental health. However, the burden of domestic violence is often underreported, and its impact on mental health is neglected in Bangladesh. The burden of this problem has increased during the COVID-19 crisis, and the cry for mental health support is obvious in the country. However, it is necessary to provide information about available support services; telepsychiatry can be good option for providing immediate mental health support in a convenient and cost-effective manner.

Occupational Lives in Sustained Recovery From Alcohol Dependency: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.

Alcohol use is a significant risk factor for ill health. Although many people complete treatment, only one third maintain their sobriety. Research has suggested that occupational engagement supports early recovery, but its role in sustained recovery is not known. This study aimed to explore the occupational lives of individuals in sustained recovery from alcohol dependency. An interpretive phenomenological analysis methodology was used, utilizing an occupational perspective. Participants were recruited from a substance use recovery center. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed thematically. This study had three participants. Four themes emerged: (a) shaping occupational lives, (b) shifting coping strategies, (c) finding a gateway to new social connections and a sense of belonging, and (d) establishing a new role in the context of recovery. Findings suggest that in sustained recovery, occupations develop new meanings and purposes that have the potential to support recovery.

A Qualitative Study to Assess the Psychosocial Stressors among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients under Hemodialysis in Selected Dialysis Unit, New Delhi

Patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have to suffer physical, psychological, social and financial problems and undertake a lot of stress and challenge while carrying themselves with the disease. Therefore, in order to understand the lived experiences and stressors faced by CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis, a qualitative study was conducted to assess the psychosocial stressors among CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis under 4 domains: Physical, Psychological Social and Financial. The research questions assessed were: How the disease condition and treatment regimen affected your physical well being? What are the psychological experiences faced by you as a patient of CKD under hemodialysis? How the disease condition and treatment regime affected your social life? How the disease condition and treatment regimen affected your financial status? Methods: A Qualitative approach with phenomenological design was implemented. Participants were selected through purposive sampling technique and data was collected using semi-structured in-depth interview schedule. Result and Conclusion: Data was analyzed using thematic analysis and subsequent themes, subthemes and categories emerged, which were: Physical struggles, Lack of knowledge of disease condition, Disturbed family life, Distorted personal life, psychological break down, Fear and anxiety, Anger and frustration, social isolation, financial burden. The participants expressed fear of death and hospital re-admission related to deterioration disease condition. Anger and frustration related to restricted food and fluid intake. The major stressors they confronted that is financial burden, disturbed personal life and distorted occupational life and low social support. The participants in this study had limited resources at hand, including treatment modalities, either hemodialysis or kidney transplantation. Patients with CKD experiences considerable levels of stressors which has direct and indirect impact not only their lives as well as to their family life. Thus, it showed that patient with CKD not leading good quality of life, everyday they face new challenges for spending trouble free life.

Vulnerability of personality disorder during COVID-19 crises: a multicenter survey of mental and social distress among patients referred to treatment

Background Relational and emotional problems, dysregulation, self-harming or substance abuse often characterize personality disorders (PD). In Norway, COVID-19 restrictions led to an abrupt shutdown of services from 12 March 2020 also including specialized PD treatments. Aims The objective of this study was to investigate social and mental distress among patients with PDs during the first COVID-19 wave. Design A survey was distributed after the first COVID-19 wave (June–October 2020) among 1120 patients from 12 PD treatment units. Results The response rate was 12% (N = 133). The survey reflected impairment of occupational activity (53% <50% activity last 6 months), life quality (EQ-5D-VAS: 56, SD 19), and personality functioning (LPFS-BF ≥12: 81%, 35% avoidant PD, 44% borderline PD) and high levels of depression and anxiety (PHQ-9 ≥ 10: 84%, GAD-7 ≥ 10: 68%), 49% with health-related anxiety. Problem increase was reported for anxiety (28%), depression (24%), aggression (23%), substance use (14%), and 70% of parents had more child-care difficulties. Self-destructive behaviors (26%) did not increase. The majority (78%) reported increased or unchanged social isolation and loneliness. Occupational activity declined with negative effects on part-time jobs/rehabilitation. Therapist contact was mainly telephone-based (63% ≥ weekly contact). More severe personality problems, current depressive symptoms, and self-harming before 12 March were associated with more frequent consultations. Conclusion The survey confirms severe, enhanced levels of mental distress among patients receiving telephone-based consultations as the main alternative to specialized PD treatment during the COVID-19 shutdown. The most vulnerable patients received more frequent consultations and self-destructive actions did not increase.

Exploring the occupational lives of Syrians under temporary protection in Turkey.

Persons who become displaced due to situations such as war and natural disasters face extreme challenges in maintaining their occupational repertoires. This study aimed to explore the occupational lives of Syrians under temporary protection in Turkey. This mixed method study used a cross-sectional design with a predominantly qualitative focus. Syrians living under temporary protection in Turkey were interviewed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) to identify their perceived performance problems in the areas of self-care, productivity, and leisure. Additional probes were used to explore participants' reasoning for the choice of occupations and scoring, and occupational changes since arriving in Turkey. Socio-demographics were collected on the participants' age, gender, educational level, marital status, monthly house budget, social security, and number of persons within the household. Thematic analysis was used to undercover themes from the qualitative data. Thirty Syrians living under temporary protection in Turkey in Hatay province participated in this study (mean age: 29.66 ± 7.97 years [range = 18 to 50 years]): 16 women (mean age: 28.64 ± 8.04 years) and 14 men (mean age: 30.56 ± 8.05 years). Participants identified more significant problems in their performance of productive and leisure occupations than in self-care occupations. The following themes emerged: (a) having a house of our own: meeting basic needs and completing activities of daily living; (b) no money for shopping: past everyday occupations now luxuries; (c) feeling valued and important: having the ability but no job; (d) living day to day: Education, career, and marriage on hold; and (e) enjoyment in life: leaving behind family, friends, and occupational spaces. Syrians living in temporary protection in Turkey experience uncertainty within their occupational lives. Participants were able to meet their basic needs; however, precarity of employment limited their participation in previous occupations contracting their repertoires.

Acute effects of a single dose of 2 mA of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on executive functions in patients with schizophrenia—A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveCognitive impairments are a frequent and difficult to treat symptom in patients with schizophrenia and the strongest predictor for a successful reintegration in occupational and everyday life. Recent research suggests transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance cognition in this patient group. However, the question regarding its acute effectiveness on executive functions remains largely unanswered. Here, we examined in a randomized, double blind, sham-controlled repeated-measures design the impact of tDCS on performance in several executive functions in patients with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or acute transient psychotic disorder.MethodsPatients (N = 48) were tested twice using standardized, well-constructed and clinically validated neuropsychological tests assessing verbal working memory, response inhibition, mental flexibility and problem solving. In session 1 they solely underwent the neuropsychological assessment, whereas in session 2 they additionally received 2 mA of anodal tDCS stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), cathode right supraorbital ridge, or sham stimulation for 20 minutes.ResultsPatients of both groups were not able to correctly discriminate the type of stimulation received confirming the success of the blinding procedure. However, analyzing the whole sample the change in performance from session 1 to session 2 was the same in the verum as in the sham condition (all p >.5). Moreover, a subsequent exploratory analysis showed that performance in the response inhibition task was worse for patients that engaged in the task within 20 minutes after the end of the verum stimulation.ConclusionHence, 2 mA of anodal tDCS applied over the left DLPFC did not acutely enhance executive functions in patients with schizophrenia or related disorders but impaired performance in the response inhibition task shortly after. Future studies should continue to seek for effective stimulation configurations for this patient group.Clinical trial registrationThe study is registered in the “Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien DRKS”, German Clinical Trial Register and has been allocated the following number: DRKS00022126.

Fatigue, Stress, and Performance during Alternating Physical and Cognitive Tasks-Effects of the Temporal Pattern of Alternations.

In occupational life, performing cognitive work tasks in between fatiguing physical work tasks may allow recovery and reduce stress without losing productive working time. The temporal pattern of such alternations is likely a determinant of the recovery effect, influencing both stress and fatigue; the difficulty of the cognitive task (CT) would also be a likely determinant. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent the temporal pattern of alternations between a repetitive physical task and a CT of different difficulties influenced perceived fatigability, performance fatigability, stress-related outcomes, and performance. Fifteen women performed four work sessions comprising 110 min of repeated bouts of a repetitive physical task (pipetting), alternating with a CT (n-back). Sessions differed in bout cycle time (short: 7 + 3 min versus long: 14 + 6 min) and CT difficulty (CTdiff; easy versus difficult). Fatigue was assessed from recordings of maximal voluntary contraction force in shoulder elevations and handgrip pre- and post-work, electromyography (EMG) from the right trapezius and right forearm extensors during work, and repeated self-ratings of fatigue and pain throughout the session. Stress was assessed using electrocardiography (heart rate variability), salivary alpha-amylase, and self-reports. Perceived fatigue increased significantly over time for all protocols and more in long-cycle than short-cycle conditions. EMG activity did not increase markedly over time in any condition. Neither objective nor subjective indicators suggested that stress increased over time, regardless of the temporal pattern. Pipetting performance remained stable in all conditions. Cognitive performance, measured by the proportions of correct positive and false positive answers, differed between CTdiff levels but remained stable over time, with no significant difference between temporal patterns. In summary, temporal patterns of alternating tasks influenced fatigue to some extent but had no obvious influence on stress indicators or performance. Thus, designing job rotation with alternating physical and cognitive work should consider the temporal patterns of alternations to minimize fatigue.

An exploration of how people living in Belem, a city in the Amazon region of Brazil, perceive their occupational lives: considerations to identify potential implications for occupational therapy services

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine the occupational lives of persons served in the Basic Health Unit or employed in the National Institute of Social Security within communities in Belem, Brazil. A mixed-method design was performed with qualitative interviews and two quantitative measurements, the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, and the Health Assessment Questionnaire. The intent was to provide occupational therapists a better understanding of the need for their service in both institutions. The two populations included were similar regarding age, gender, and race, however, although connected geopolitically, differences in educational level, income, and access to goods and services were noted. The results demonstrated that both groups experienced difficulties and unfulfilled wishes for their occupational performances and lack of occupational engagement, due to environmental circumstances, which may lead to a risk of occupational injustice. This study contributes valuable knowledge which may determine if occupational therapy services could benefit these populations.

Cancer Awareness and Stigma in Rural Assam India: Baseline Survey of the Detect Early and Save Her/Him (DESH) Program.

India has an estimated incidence of more than one million cancers annually. Breast, oral, and cervical cancers account for over one-third of newly diagnosed cases. With the introduction of pilot cancer screening programs in India, little is known about current sociocultural barriers that may hinder acceptance of screening and treatment. We sought to identify knowledge gaps, misconceptions, and stigmas surrounding cancer diagnosis. A baseline survey was conducted in Assam, India, as part of the Detect Early and Save Her/Him program, a mobile screening program for breast, oral, and cervical cancer. Data were collected on participants' cancer knowledge, and attitudes towards screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Of the 923 residents who participated, a large majority (92.9%; n = 858) were neither aware of cancer screening availability nor had prior screening. Low-medium awareness was demonstrated regarding the carcinogenic effects of betel nuts (n = 433, 47%). Only one-third of participants recognized oral ulcers and dysphagia as cancer symptoms. Approximately 10% of respondents had misconceptions about cancer etiologies, and 42-57% endorsed statements reflecting a negative stigma towards cancer, including its long-term detrimental effects on personal, occupational, and familial life. However, the majority (68-96%) agreed with statements endorsing positive community support and medical care for cancer patients. This study identifies actionable targets for intervention in cancer education and awareness within a large rural Indian population. Education to address preventable causes of cancer and to correct misconceptions and stigma is a critical component in ensuring the successful implementation of cancer screening programs.

A Policy Agenda for Legal Education and Training and the Fourth Industrial Revolution: The Case of England and Wales

While the full impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution remains uncertain, it is by now generally accepted that highly intelligent technologies and their applications – such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, digitialisation, and big Data – will continue to fundamentally transform all aspects of our occupational and personal lives. Yet, in the realm of higher education policy and specifically with regard to non-STEM disciplines like law, thorough-going engagement with this most recent wave of technological development remains lacking. It is the aim of this article to set a policy agenda for legal education and training that is sensitive to the opportunities and potential negative outfall of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (now exacerbated by COVID-19), while also taking into consideration the distinctive nature of legal education and training in England and Wales. Set against the higher education policy landscape of England and Wales, a number of concrete recommendations are made for bringing legal education and training into the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. These include, for example, a call for the radical transformation of the traditional, linear, and monodisciplinary LLB degree, addressing current and projected skills gaps and skills shortages by way of, inter alia, curriculum reform, and working towards greater mobility of law graduates between different legal jurisdictions and also within one jurisdiction but amongst different roles. These changes are necessary as legal education and training in England and Wales currently leave law graduates ill-equipped for the future labour market and do not adequately value and build on the job-tasks that legal professionals uniquely supply.

Protecting pregnancy at work: Normative safety measures and employees’ safety strategies in reconciling work and pregnancy

BackgroundIn Switzerland, occupational risks for pregnant workers are covered by specific maternity protection legislation (MPL); however, studies show significant shortcomings in the implementation of these policies among companies. AimsAnalyse the gaps between the provisions of Switzerland’s MPL, the protective measures companies plan to take and actual protection practices. We also aim to understand how employees develop their own strategies in order to make up for the shortcomings or contradictions of companies’ measures. MethodsInterviews with 46 different stakeholders from organisations in the healthcare sector and the food industry were transcribed and analysed thematically. ResultsSome of the organisations used procedures apparently in line with legislation, while others planned more informal approaches to managing on a case-by-case basis. Normative safety measures within the framework of national legislation served as resources for both managers and their employees. However, implementing these measures ran up against real-world workplace constraints, which sometimes rendered them impracticable. Employees adapted some measures considered insufficient or developed their own strategies to reconcile work and pregnancy. ConclusionsBeing pregnant is challenging to represent in occupational settings; it is not a disease, but it involves important physical and biopsychosocial changes, which affect women’s occupational life. The multidimensional, evolving, and yet temporary nature of pregnancy represents a significant challenge to the implementation of MPL within companies. Linking the normative safety measures stipulated in the legislation with pregnant employees’ needs—and their job-related knowledge and skills—could be an interesting pathway towards improving maternity protection at work.

Visualising the Intended Practical Doing: Future-Oriented Movements in Swedish Vocational School Workshop Settings

Context: This article focus on teaching and learning processes in a vocational classroom in Swedish vocational education. There are few studies within the field of vocational education that have a focus on how vocational learning is done in interaction in the vocational classroom/workshop, and what vocational learning content is displayed in the interaction between teacher and student, and thus made possible to learn. This article aims to fill this gap by exploring the future-oriented movements that take shape when a vocational teacher and vocational students negotiate how a practical task could, and should, be handled and solved in vocational teaching situations in vocational plumbing school workshop settings. An increased understanding of these processes can help to improve the actual teaching of a specific subject content to support students in their vocational learning, aiming for learning a professional trade.Methods: The data consists of video recorded lessons from the Sanitary, Heating and Property Maintenance Programme in Swedish upper secondary school. Through concrete empirical examples from video recorded lessons the article explores the interaction between teachers and students in vocational school workshop settings using CAVTA. CAVTA is based on Conversation Analysis (CA) and Variation Theory (VT) and is a theoretical and methodological framework that can be used together and integrated to reach understanding of both how- and what-aspects of the learning process in practice, when analysing teaching and interaction.Findings: Findings shows how aspects concerning a specific vocational learning content that revolves around a vocational practical doing compete for the space with a vocational learning content of a more general nature. These general objects of learning are also related to work-specific vocational learning and knowledge in relation to the future profession, but on a more general level than the task specific vocational knowledge. Altogether, this illuminates how different layers of work-specific vocational learning are made visible in the interaction, and how they mutually contextualise each other in the here and now.Conclusion: This article illustrates that the specific and the general vocational learning content can complement each other and open up for a more in-depth vocational learning. In conclusion, this article emphasises the importance for vocational teachers to develop teaching strategies to navigate between helping the students in their problem solving here and now, and contextualising the specific vocational learning content and making vocational learning relevant for future vocational occupation and working life.

Temperament and Character Relations in Borderline Personality Disorder

Aim: Understanding human behavior is a common struggle among psychology researchers and clinicians. One of the mysteries in psychology is the relation of temperament with a psychiatric disorder. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate this association with other perspectives. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted between 2017 and 2018. Participants consisted of 88 people, who were freely selected and separated as treated and untreated from NP Istanbul Hospital and Polyclinics. There are two groups of paticipants who have borderline personality disorder; 48 untreated patients which are 24 men and 24 women and 40 treated patients which are 20 men and 20. The evaluations were made through the Demographic Information Form, Temperament and Character Inventory, and Borderline Personality Inventory prepared by the researcher. Results: People under treatment had different scores than the control group. It could be thought that it is evidence that treatment is effective and it may change the temperamental dimensions for people with borderline personality disorder. Many of the results came significantly different between the groups after temperament and character inventory had been applied. The dimensions had differed between the groups. Discussion: People with scores below borderline personality inventory's cutoff value had higher scores with the features that might be helpful for a person to cope with their problems in social and occupational life and to persist in their projects. Patients under treatment had been found to have more features that might negatively affect one's life. It could be thought that people under treatment might have more severe symptoms or might have additional psychiatric problems. Conclusion: This study revealed a few contradictions between DSM-5 and Borderline Personality Inventory and between Borderline Personality Inventory and Temperament and Character Inventory. This study may lead practitioners and researchers to further investigate the field.