Occupational Functioning Research Articles

Perceived cognitive impairment and occupational functioning in prostate cancer survivors: an exploratory cross-sectional analysis

Abstract Purpose Perceived cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has been reported in prostate cancer survivors. Little is known about how CRCI impacts occupational functioning in working-aged prostate cancer survivors (PCS). This study aimed to investigate the association between CRCI and occupational functioning in PCS. Methods Data from 51 PCS, who were employed at the time of diagnosis, undergoing hormonal treatments (e.g., androgen deprivation therapy) or ‘watchful waiting’/ ‘active surveillance’, were analysed. An online survey assessed CRCI using the FACT-Cog Perceived Cognitive Impairments (PCI20) subscale, the EORTC-QLQ-30 two-item cognitive functioning scale, and a single ‘Yes/No’ CRCI item (i.e., were ‘changes in thinking (e.g., memory, attention)’ experienced as a treatment side effect). PCS also indicated ‘Yes/No’ to changes to their ability to work, performance of work duties, and decreased work hours. Logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between CRCI measures and occupational outcomes. Results Of the 51 PCS, 19 (37%) endorsed experiencing cognitive side effects from treatment. The single ‘Yes/No’ CRCI question was significantly associated with perceived changes in work ability and ability to perform work duties at the same level. PCI20 and the EORTC-QLQ-30 cognitive functioning scale were not significantly associated with any occupational outcomes. Conclusion Perceived CRCI is associated with adverse changes to occupational functioning and is important to consider when PCS are making plans to return-to-work following treatment. Implications for Cancer Survivors Prostate cancer survivors may experience cognitive changes, which may impact their work ability.

Occupation and 11-year lung function decline in the HUNT Study.

The association between occupational titles and lung function has mostly been examined through cross-sectional studies. Preventive measures are expected to mitigate adverse effects; hence, updated estimates are necessary. To study change in lung function measured by spirometry across occupations. This population-based prospective cohort study comprised 5618 working adult participants of the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT3, 2005-07), Norway. Among these, 3800 individuals (43% men, mean age 42 years, range 20-55) also attended HUNT4 (2017-19). We analysed longitudinal decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) z-score during the 11-year follow-up by occupation (white-collar workers as reference category), in mixed models, adjusting for age, sex and smoking. We assessed the prevalence of self-reported respiratory symptoms and disease in the working population in HUNT4 (n = 32 124) and HUNT3 (n = 32 070). Compared with white-collar workers, agricultural workers and 'drivers and mobile plant operators', had larger declines in FEV1 z-score during follow-up. In sex-stratified analyses, men defined as agricultural workers and 'drivers and mobile plant operators' had larger declines than white-collar workers. Among women, who were underrepresented in many blue-collar jobs, workers classified as 'machine operators and assemblers' experienced greater declines. In the working population in HUNT4, the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in connection with work was 8%, and lower among white-collar workers (6%) than blue-collar workers (14%). Although certain workers in Norway remain at risk for occupational lung function decline, there were modest differences between occupations. The findings encourage continuous efforts to implement preventive measures in high-risk jobs.

The Relationship Between Longest-Held Occupation and Hand Function in Older Adults.

Objective: Hand function, an important component of daily functioning, declines with age, yet the degree to which occupation modifies such declines is largely unknown.Methods: Older adults (≥65) completed an online cross-sectional survey containing a standardized hand function questionnaire, occupation-related questions, and demographic information. Participants were then categorized by their longest-held occupation as Blue Collar or White Collar.Results: Hand impairments were more common in the Blue Collar group (51.5% versus 28.9%, p < 0.05). Odds ratios indicated that Blue Collar workers were 2.71 times more likely to report hand impairments in older adulthood than White Collar workers.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated strong associations between occupation type and hand function, underscoring the importance of implementing hand-specific preventative workplace measures and highlighting the need to consider additional risk factors for hand impairments, including occupation, during routine clinical exams.

Relative frequency of primary headaches in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A cross-sectional study

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare autoimmune inflammatory disease predominantly affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Headaches, although common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), have been less studied in NMOSD. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and associated symptoms of headaches in patients with NMOSD. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 120 patients with NMOSD recruited from MS clinics in Isfahan City, Iran, between 2023 and 2024. Patients were assessed for headache prevalence and characteristics. An expert neurologist conducted examinations to exclude secondary causes of headaches and classified headache types according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3). Results: Eighteen patients (15%) reported headaches, all of whom were women. The average age of these patients was 41.27 ± 11.33 years, and the average onset age of NMOSD was 34.60 ± 12.12 years. Of the 18 patients, 14 were diagnosed with migraine and 4 with tension headaches. Patients with migraine reported more severe pain (severity score: 6.00 ± 1.42) than those with tension headaches (4.20 ± 1.35). Headache onset was equally likely to occur before or after an NMOSD diagnosis. photophobia, phonophobia, and nausea in patients with migraine, with a substantial impact on occupational disability reported by 57% of migraine sufferers and 50% of tension headache sufferers. Conclusion: Headaches, particularly migraines, are prevalent in patients with NMOSD and significantly impact their quality of life (QOL) and occupational functioning. These findings emphasize the need for clinicians to recognize headache patterns in NMOSD for accurate diagnosis and effective management. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to explore causal mechanisms and develop targeted interventions.

A Systematic Review Exploring the Relationship Between Family Factors and Symptom Severity, Relapse and Social or Occupational Functioning in First-Episode Psychosis.

Research on family functioning in psychosis has typically focused on specific family-related factors and their impact on symptomatology, finding strong associations between high expressed emotion and poor outcomes, especially in those with long-term illness. The objective of this review is to examine the impact of a broad range of family-related factors and their relationship with clinical, social, occupational and relational outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP). A systematic search of databases PsycInfo, Pubmed, Embase and CINHAL between 1990 and August 2023 was completed. In total, 1408 articles were screened, and study quality was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal checklists for analytical cross-sectional studies and cohort studies. A narrative synthesis approach was used to analyse the data. Of the 1408 identified articles, 80 full-text articles were screened. Fifteen studies were included for data extraction. The objectives and scope of the selected studies varied considerably. Studies consisted of cross-sectional and prospective cohort designs. Participants consisted of FEP patients and family members, with the patient age range varying from 15.9 to 30.8 (MD = 24.5). Significant associations were identified between family factors (high EE, family environment and carer burden) and symptom and social outcomes. While findings emphasised the significant impact of family factors on symptomatic and social outcomes, the literature had significant limitations due to the absence of underlying theoretical models and understanding of the dynamics of distress in families within FEP. Future research should seek to develop a model accounting for such processes.

Successful Multi‐Modal Laser Intervention and Histopathological Evaluation of Multiple Glomangiomas

ABSTRACTObjectivesGlomangiomas are benign vascular malformations that exist within the spectrum of glomuvenous malformations which consist of varying amounts of glomus cells, vascular spaces, and smooth muscle. Glomangiomas are often treated due to associated pain, particularly when located on pressure areas such as the back or extensor surfaces, which can cause difficulty with certain activities and occupational functions. Histologically glomangiomas consist of prominent dilated vascular spaces lined by glomus cells typically situated in the deep‐dermis to subcutaneous fat which limits treatment to modalities capable of reaching the depth of the tumor including excision, sclerotherapy, and laser therapy. To our knowledge laser treatment of glomangiomas has been reported with Nd:YAG (neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet), long‐pulsed KTP (potassium‐titanyl‐phosphate), and PDL (pulsed‐dye laser). The objective of our case is to compare the clinical and histologic treatment response of glomangiomas to the 595 nm PDL, 755 nm Alexandrite, and 1064 nm Nd:YAG lasers.Materials and MethodsTwo different laser sessions were performed consisting of PDL (Vbeam Prima Pulsed Dye Laser, Candela), Nd: YAG and Alexandrite (GentleMax Pro, Candela) laser pulses. The GentleMax Pro was utilized for both Nd:YAG and Alexandrite laser pulses as it is capable of functioning in both modalities to deliver 1064 nm and 755 nm wavelengths, respectively. Settings were selected to minimize any risk of potential scarring. Punch biopsies were performed following the second session to assess the histologic response to each laser modality.ResultsTreatment response, as measured by clinical flattening, clearance of obvious blue‐red vascular coloration, and resolution of pain, was noted to be most effective for the Alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers. Procedural and post‐procedural pain was noted to be the lowest with Alexandrite. Anatomically, greatest degree of clinical flattening, color normalization with surrounding skin, and sustained clearance was noted for glomangiomas located on acral sites and the trunk.ConlusionsOptimal treatment of glomulovenous malformation while minimizing patient discomfort may best be achieved with Alexandrite. The exception would be palmar glomangiomas which appeared to respond better to Nd:YAG.

A four-year longitudinal evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with a range of mental health disorders.

To examine if the COVID-19 pandemic had a differential impact longitudinally over four years on psychological and functional impact in individuals with a pre-existing anxiety, bipolar or emotionally unstable personality Disorder (EUPD). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 52 patients attending the Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services with an International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 diagnosis of an anxiety disorder (n = 21), bipolar disorder (n = 18), or EUPD (n = 13) at four time points over a four-year period. Patients' impression of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed in relation to anxiety and mood symptoms, social and occupational functioning and quality of life utilising psychometric instruments and Likert scale data, with qualitative data assessing participants' subjective experiences. Individuals with EUPD exhibited higher anxiety (BAI) symptoms compared to individuals with bipolar disorders and anxiety disorders (F = 9.63, p = 0.001), with a more deleterious impact on social functioning and quality of life also noted at all time points. Themes attained from qualitative data included isolation resulting from COVID-19 mandated restrictions (N = 22), and these same restrictions allowing greater appreciation of family (n = 19) and hobbies/nature (n = 13). Individuals with EUPD reported increased symptomatology and reduced functioning and quality of life as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic over a four-year period compared to individuals with either an anxiety or bipolar disorder. This could be related to the differing interaction of the COVID-19 pandemic's restrictions on the symptoms and support requirements of this cohort.

Frontal Pole Neuromodulation for Impulsivity and Suicidality in Veterans With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Common Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Suicide remains a leading cause of death among veterans in the United States, and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) increases the risk of suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SAs). mTBI worsens impulsivity and contributes to poor social and occupational functioning, which further increases the risk of SI and SAs. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is a neuromodulatory treatment approach that induces neuroplasticity, potentially repairing neurodamage. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is a second-generation form of transcranial magnetic stimulation that is safe, shorter in duration, displays a minimal side effect profile and is a promising treatment approach for impulsivity in mTBI. Our novel proposed treatment protocol uses frontal pole iTBS to target the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which may reduce impulsivity by strengthening functional connectivity between the limbic system and frontal cortex, allowing for improved top-down control of impulsive reactions, including SI and SAs. The objectives of this study are to (1) develop an iTBS intervention for veterans with mTBI, impulsivity, and SI; (2) assess the feasibility and tolerability of the intervention; and (3) gather preliminary clinical outcome data on SI, impulsivity, and functions that will guide future studies. This is a pilot, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. In developing this protocol, we referenced the SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) guidelines. We will enroll 56 participants (28 active iTBS and 28 sham iTBS). The iTBS intervention will be performed daily, 5 days a week, for 2 weeks. We will collect 10 validated, psychometric, quantitative outcome measures before, during, and after the intervention. Measures included will assess functioning, impulsivity, suicidality, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depressive symptoms. We will collect qualitative data through semistructured interviews to elicit feedback on the participants' experiences and symptoms. We will perform quantitative and qualitative analyses to (1) assess the feasibility, tolerability, and acceptability of the treatment; (2) gather advanced neuroimaging data to assess neural changes elicited by treatment; and (3) assess improvements in outcome measures of impulsivity and suicidality in veterans with mTBI. This study protocol was approved by the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital Institutional Review Board (Hines IRB number 14-003). This novel treatment is a 5-year research project (April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028) funded by the Veterans Administration Rehabilitation Research and Development service (CDA2 award IK2 RX002938). Study results will be disseminated at or before the project's end date in March 2028. We will provide preliminary evidence of the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of a novel frontal pole iTBS treatment for mTBI, impulsivity, SI and SAs, and functional deficits. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05647044; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05647044. PRR1-10.2196/58206.

Predicting Occupational Outcomes for Individuals with ADHD: The Role of Hyperactivity/Impulsivity and Executive Functioning.

The present study adds to the literature by evaluating the differential risk of ADHD symptom dimensions and executive functioning (EF; time management, organization, motivation) to key occupational outcomes. Participants were adults (N = 100; 51% male) with ADHD working full-time between the ages of 19-30 (M = 26.61, SD = 2.28). Participants reported on their ADHD symptoms and EF as well as on five areas of occupational functioning (income, written warnings, boredom at work, satisfaction with coworkers and supervisors). Over and above medication status, sex, and age, path analyses revealed hyperactivity/impulsivity and time management were the most consistent predictors of outcomes. Higher levels of each predictor were associated with lower income, more written warnings, greater boredom at work, as well as lower satisfaction with coworkers and supervisors. Executive function difficulties with organization and motivation were risk factors for all evaluated outcomes, except written warnings. Higher levels of inattention symptoms were associated with more written warnings and lower satisfaction with coworkers. The present study is one of the first to document the differential risks of ADHD symptoms and EF to a comprehensive set of occupational functioning outcomes. Future research is needed to replicate the present findings and expand this line of work to identify factors that may protect against these ADHD-related risks on workplace success.

Abundance-mediated species interactions.

Species interactions shape biodiversity patterns, community assemblage, and the dynamics of wildlife populations. Ecological theory posits that the strength of interspecific interactions is fundamentally underpinned by the population sizes of the involved species. Nonetheless, prevalent approaches for modeling species interactions predominantly center around occupancy states. Here, we use simulations to illuminate the inadequacies of modeling species interactions solely as a function of occupancy, as is common practice in ecology. We demonstrate erroneous inference into species interactions due to error in parameter estimates when considering species occupancy alone. To address this critical issue, we propose, develop, and demonstrate an abundance-mediated interaction framework designed explicitly for modeling species interactions involving two or more species from detection/non-detection data. We present Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) samplers tailored for diverse ecological scenarios, including intraguild predation, disease- or predator-mediated competition, and trophic cascades. Illustrating the practical implications of our approach, we compare inference from modeling the interactions in a three-species network involving coyotes (Canis latrans), fishers (Pekania pennanti), and American marten (Martes americana) in North America as a function of occupancy states and as a function of abundance. When modeling interactions as a function of abundance rather than occupancy, we uncover previously unidentified interactions. Our study emphasizes that accounting for abundance-mediated interactions rather than simple co-occurrence patterns can fundamentally alter our comprehension of system dynamics. Through an empirical case study and comprehensive simulations, we demonstrate the importance of accounting for abundance when modeling species interactions, and we present a statistical framework equipped with MCMC samplers to achieve this paradigm shift in ecological research.

Loneliness in Bereaved Children and Adolescents

Introduction: Bereavement in children and adolescents was a common life event, but often unrecognized. It is potentially followed by a reaction of grief. Bereavement may cause feelings of loneliness, which is associated with poor mental well-being. This study aims to understand the impact of loneliness on bereaved children and adolescents. Methods: Literature Review. Results: Childhood loss is a significant social and public health problem associated with developmental disorders — including relational, academic, and occupational functioning — as well as an increased risk of mental health problems. Loneliness occurs in childhood and adolescence is a risk factor for poorer well-being. Loneliness in children and adolescents is a risk factor for depression, social anxiety, behavioral disorders, hyperactivity, substance abuse, suicide, and premature death. Studies showed more than 50% of mental health problems develop during childhood and adolescence, with the average age being 14.5, and poorer well-being resulting from loneliness has a long-term impact on health and well-being during adulthood. Conclusions: Bereavement during childhood and adolescence period is a risk of loneliness, which is associated with a variety of mental and behavioral health problems, decreased academic performance, and impairments in developmental tasks. Early prevention and intervention are needed to reduce the risk of disorders later in life and to increase resilience among bereaved children and adolescents. Keywords: Bereavement, Loneliness, Well-Being, Children And Adolescent

The Real-world Effect of Long-acting Injectable Antipsychotics on Annual Medical Costs of Korean Schizophrenia Patients.

Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic mental disorder that significantly impacts cognitive, social, and occupational functions, leading to substantial economic burdens. Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics have been introduced to improve treatment adherence and outcomes, yet their economic impact remains debated. We aim to analyze the impact of LAIs on the medical costs of Korean schizophrenia patients. A retrospective analysis of 164 schizophrenia patients treated with LAI antipsychotics, paliperidone palmitate, and aripiprazole monohydrate at Korea University Guro Hospital between January 2017 and July 2022 was performed. Comparisons of inpatient department (IPD) and outpatient department (OPD) healthcare expenditures one year before and after LAI initiation were conducted. LAIs led to an increase in annual OPD costs (1,437.44 ± 1,127.60 to 4,015.42 ± 1,204.59; units: 1,000 KRW) but significantly reduced IPD admission associated costs (3,826.06 ± 5,500.63 to 698.06 ± 3,619.38; units: 1,000 KRW). After LAI administration, there was an overall reduction in total annual healthcare costs (5,263.49 ± 5,333.11 to 4,713.48 ± 3,625.89; units: 1,000 KRW), but it was not statistically significant. Although the use of LAIs did not significantly lower the first-year medical costs of schizophrenia patients, they offer beneficial economic impacts over time by reducing hospitalization-associated costs. Future research should focus on long-term cost analyses and the impacts of newer LAI formulations.

Association between sleep quality and polymorphisms of the genes COMT, HTR2A and FKBP5 in individuals with and without dentofacial deformity

Sleep is a fundamental biological function, and any disturbances can lead to alterations in an individual’s physical, occupational, cognitive, and social functioning. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of sleep and its association with factors such as age, sex, facial profile, and genetic polymorphisms in individuals who underwent dental treatment. Methods: The study comprised a total of 227 individuals. The “Sleep Assessment Questionnaire” was utilized to evaluate sleep quality. For the genetic assessment, oral mucosa cells were collected and markers from the COMT (rs174675, rs165656), HTR2A (rs4941573, rs6313), and FKBP5 (rs1360780, rs3800373) genes were selected for real-time PCR analysis. The data were subjected to statistical analysis with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results showed that women had a poorer perception of sleep quality (p&lt;0.05). There was a significant association between sleep quality and facial profile (p&lt;0.05). Individuals with facial profiles I and II had a poorer perception of sleep quality in general and in the domains of non-restorative sleep, sleep time disturbance, and restlessness. Individuals with facial profile II had a poorer perception of sleep apnea than those with profile III (p=0.034). There was a significant association between the COMT rs174675 polymorphism and restlessness (p=0.035). Conclusion: The poorest perception of sleep quality was associated with women and individuals with facial profiles I and II. The poorest perception of restlessness was associated with COMT rs174675 polymorphism.

Burnout and Post-traumatic Stress Disorders in Police Officers: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

AbstractThe occupational environment of law enforcement officers, characterised by high-stress situations and critical societal roles, necessitates continuous monitoring of their mental health. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to explore the associations and impacts of burnout and PTSD among police officers, shedding light on how these conditions are influenced by evolving job demands and societal expectations. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we searched four databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from January 2000 to January 2024. Studies involving active-duty police officers that assessed burnout and PTSD using validated tools were included. A risk of bias was assessed using an eight-criteria scale, focusing on methodological strengths and weaknesses across studies. We analysed data from 10 studies comprising 4572 officers worldwide. The results indicated variable relationships between burnout, PTSD, and their impacts on occupational functioning, with significant heterogeneity across studies (I2 &gt; 75%). Despite the variability, there was a consistent trend showing that occupational stressors are linked to both burnout and PTSD, suggesting a pervasive influence of job-related demands on officer mental health. The findings reveal a complex interaction between burnout and PTSD in police officers, influenced by both individual and occupational factors. This interplay highlights the need for interventions that are sensitive to cultural and contextual nuances of policing. Future strategies should prioritise individual, organisational, and societal dimensions to reduce the psychological burden and enhance resilience among officers.

Unreal that feels real: artificial intelligence-enhanced augmented reality for treating social and occupational dysfunction in post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders

ABSTRACT Background: Fear- and trauma-related conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social phobia, often manifest as socially avoidant behaviours, which commonly contribute to social and occupational disability transdiagnostically. While gold-standard treatments (i.e. exposure therapy, psychotropic medications) are effective, they are hindered by high dropout rates and limited impact on real-world functioning. Furthermore, most existing interventions only target symptom reduction, with few addressing avoidance-related deficits in social and occupational functioning. Objectives: This methods paper introduces an innovative augmented reality exposure therapy (ARET) technology designed to address the limitations of traditional interventions for anxiety disorders and PTSD, by directly targeting social and occupational dysfunction through exposure to real-life social contexts. Method: We introduce an ARET system, using artificial intelligence (AI)-driven, augmented reality (AR) technology, that enables exposure to realistic scenarios within the patient's real-world environment, fostering contextual generalization and functional improvement. Featuring holographic three-dimensional humans, precise surface mapping, wireless mobility, and telemedicine capabilities, the software provides customizable exposure scenarios to transform an environment into various spaces (e.g. grocery store, house party) with diverse human characters, as well as flexible AI-driven human interactions tailored to individual needs. Results: We share observations and feedback from the treatment of first responders with PTSD. Patients found the technology easy to use, with immersive realism, active engagement, and strong emotional responses needed for effective exposure therapy. Advances in AI-driven character development and AR hardware accessibility support the wider adoption of ARET by clinicians. Conclusion: By bridging the gap between clinical interventions and real-world functioning, ARET offers a transformative approach to addressing the pervasive impact of psychiatric disorders on social and occupational outcomes.

COVID-19 Traumatic Stress, Working Memory Deficits, and Mindfulness

Stress is known to be a risk factor for deficits in working memory creating profound cognitive disturbances resulting in lingering impairments and losses in social and occupational functioning. Although a body of research has identified mindfulness as a potential means of mitigating deficits in working memory, there is a paucity of studies on the association between mindfulness and deficits in working memory among those who have experienced COVID-19 traumatic stress. This exploratory cross-sectional study sought to examine the mitigating effect of mindfulness on COVID-19 stress impacting working memory. The sample included 484 college students in Israel and the USA. Correlation and multiple regression analyses indicated that COVID-19 stress had a modest, inverse association with both a self-report and task-based indicator of working memory. In separate models predicting the different operationalizations of working memory, results revealed different effects for Israeli and USA students. Mindfulness was significantly associated with task-based but not self-reported working memory. The results offered evidence for a small but significant effect of mindfulness as moderating the impact of COVID-19 stress on working memory deficits. This exploratory, cross-­sectional study, used a convenience sample limiting the generalizability and its ability to test causal effects, calling for replication.

Examining the Empathy Profiles and Work Outcomes of Trauma Workers

Trauma work involves intervening with others enduring acute pain and suffering, often with heavy psychological and physical health impacts. An important question is whether dispositional empathy helps or hurts trauma workers in their occupational functioning. The current study addresses this gap in the research literature by using a person-centered approach to examine the empathy profiles and professional outcomes of a broad sample of trauma workers ( n = 315). We measured their trait empathy and organizational outcomes (occupational burnout, person-job fit, turnover intentions, job performance), and found three distinct empathy profiles which differed significantly in their occupational functioning. A ‘self-focused’ empathy profile (dominated by high personal distress responding) reported the worst functioning; an ‘other-oriented’ profile (high on perspective taking and empathic concern) had more positive functioning, and an unexpected ‘low reactivity’ profile (a full SD below the general population on empathy facets) showed the lowest exhaustion. Exploratory analyses revealed that first responders (e.g., police, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics) were overrepresented in the ‘low reactivity’ profile, while psychology-related professions (e.g., psychologists, counsellors, social workers) were underrepresented in that profile. The significance of these results, as well as their implications for empathy research and vocational counselling in the field of trauma work, are discussed.

A systematic review of problematic social media use and occupational functioning

A systematic review of problematic social media use and occupational functioning

Severity of Depression among Incarcerated Men in Meru, Main Prison

Purpose: Depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders globally and it is known to cause impairment in cognitive, social, emotional and occupational functioning. In Kenya, a moderate to high prevalence of depression has been established among incarcerated men in several prisons, Meru main prison included. This study, therefore sought to assess the severity of depression among incarcerated men in Meru, Main Prison. Methodology: The study employed a quasi-experimental research design. The study was conducted in Meru, Main Prison. A sample size of 148 inmates was selected using a simple random sampling technique. Quantitative data was obtained from the social demographic questionnaire and the BDI-II. Results: The study found that the severity of depression among incarcerated men in Meru main prison was higher at 46.3% as opposed to moderate depression at 27.9%, and mild depression at 18%. This implied that prisoners going through severe depression are more than those other levels of depression. Conclusion: The study concluded that severity of depression was higher among the participants aged 20 to 30 years compared to other age categories and among the first time in prison. The proportion of clinical depression was higher among young adults aged 20-30 years in prison compared to the middle adults and adults 30-50 years. Therefore, it is recommended that the government of Kenya may engage young adults with job opportunities, and social engagement. This might limit the proportion of young adults languishing in prison instead of utilizing their youthful strength productively in society.

Sleep Disorders in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Patients typically exhibit cognitive impairment, memory loss, diminished social and occupational functioning, as well as language and motor disorders. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau in the brain. These pathological changes not only disrupt neuronal function and lead to cognitive deficits, but also interfere with sleep regulation, resulting in sleep disorders. Such disturbances can diminish nighttime sleep quality and contribute to daytime functional impairments, further exacerbating cognitive decline. Therefore, exploring the interplay between cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and sleep disorders is crucial for enhancing the quality of life of Alzheimer’s patients. This review summarizes current literature on the interconnections among Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive impairment, and sleep disorders. Sleep disturbances are prevalent in Alzheimer’s patients and can also occur in those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, which often precedes Alzheimer’s onset. Such sleep disorders may promote and accelerate the accumulation of amyloid-β and tau proteins [1-3]. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s patients may be more vulnerable to sleep disturbances, creating a potential vicious cycle. Further investigation into these relationships may provide valuable insights for the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.