Self-reported Task Performance Research Articles

Yogi or fireball - or both - a diary study on the interaction between mindfulness and vigor on job performance.

Building upon the conservation of resources theory and the episodic process model of performance, this research addresses the gap in understanding how daily variations in two personal resources, particularly their interaction, affect job performance. Specifically, this study examines the influence of vigor and mindfulness on daily fluctuations in task performance considering the potential compensation effect between these personal resources in the workplace. We conducted a five-day online diary study involving 192 participants (926 daily observations). At the conclusion of each workday, participants were asked to assess their level of mindfulness and vigor in the workplace using validated scales, as well as estimate their task performance. Multilevel analyses showed that both daily mindfulness and daily vigor positively predict self-reported task performance. The interaction between mindfulness and vigor was significant. The results suggest that high levels of mindfulness can compensate for low levels of vigor, and vice versa. Exploring the interplay of personal resources at work provides a valuable starting point for individual-tailored interventions that enable individuals to reach their full potential. Enhancing employees' mindfulness may increase job performance directly and empowers workers to compensate for periods of low energy.

Understanding factors related to teacher job performance during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediating role of emotional well-being

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between teachers’ personal (i.e. psychological capital, social support, ICT skills), job-related factors (i.e. school principal’s transformational leadership), their emotional well-being (i.e. positive and negative affect), and their job performance (i.e. task performance and teaching quality) during remote teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted in Spring 2020 on a sample of 1655 Croatian teachers. The results of the structural equation modelling (SEM) showed that teachers’ positive affect partially mediated the relationship between all examined factors and teacher performance. Teachers who rated their social support, psychological capital, and ICT skills as higher, as well as those who perceived greater transformational leadership of their school principals, also experienced positive affective experience to a greater extent, which, in turn, was positively related to self-reported task performance and teaching quality. However, a mediating effect of negative affect in the relationship between examined factors and job performance was not found. Our results contribute to the understanding of factors that are related to teachers’ emotional well-being and job performance, during challenging situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effect of Mixed Reality on Delivery of Emergency Medical Care in a Simulated Environment

Mixed-reality (MR) technology has the potential to enhance care delivery, but there remains a paucity of evidence for its efficacy and feasibility. To assess the efficacy and feasibility of MR technology to enhance emergency care delivery in a simulated environment. This pilot randomized crossover trial was conducted from September to November 2021 at a single center in a high-fidelity simulated environment with participants block randomized to standard care (SC) or MR-supported care (MR-SC) groups. Participants were 22 resident-grade physicians working in acute medical and surgical specialties prospectively recruited from a single UK Academic Health Sciences Centre. Data were analyzed from September to December 2022. Participants resuscitated a simulated patient who was acutely unwell, including undertaking invasive procedures. Participants completed 2 scenarios and were randomly assigned to SC or MR-SC for the first scenario prior to crossover. The HoloLens 2 MR device provided interactive holographic content and bidirectional audiovisual communication with senior physicians in the MR-SC group. The primary outcome was error rate assessed via the Imperial College Error Capture (ICECAP) multidimensional error-capture tool. Secondary outcomes included teamwork (Observational Teamwork Assessment for Surgery [OTAS]; range, 0-6 and Teamwork Skills Assessment for Ward Care [T-SAW-C]; range, 1-5), scenario completion, stress and cognitive load (NASA Task Load Index [NASA-TLX; range 0-100]), and MR device user acceptability. A total of 22 physicians (15 males [68.2%]; median [range] age, 28 [25-34] years) were recruited. MR technology significantly reduced the mean (SD) number of errors per scenario compared with SC (5.16 [3.34] vs 8.30 [3.09] errors; P = .003), with substantial reductions in procedural (0.79 [0.75] vs 1.52 [1.20] errors; P = .02), technical (1.95 [1.40] vs 3.65 [2.03] errors; P = .01), and safety (0.37 [0.96] vs 0.96 [0.85] errors; P = .04) domains. MR resulted in significantly greater scenario completion rates vs SC (22 scenarios [100%] vs 14 scenarios [63.6%]; P = .003). It also led to significant improvements in the overall quality of teamwork and interactions vs SC as measured by mean (SD) OTAS (25.41 [6.30] vs 16.33 [5.49]; P < .001) and T-SAW-C (27.35 [6.89] vs 18.37 [6.09]; P < .001) scores. As reported via mean (range) NASA-TLX score, there were significant reductions for MR-SC vs SC in participant temporal demands (38 [20-50] vs 46 [30-70]; P = .03) and significant improvements in self-reported task performance (50 [30-60] vs 39 [10-70]; P = .01). Overall, 19 participants (86.4%) reported that they were more confident in making clinical decisions and undertaking clinical procedures with MR support. This study found that the use of MR technology reduced error, improved teamwork, and enhanced practitioner confidence when used to support the delivery of simulated emergency medical care. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05870137.

“Worse than I anticipated” or “This isn’t so bad”?: The impact of affective forecasting accuracy on self-reported task performance

Various motivational theories emphasize that desired emotional outcomes guide behavioral choices. Although motivational theory and research has emphasized that behavior is affected by desired emotional outcomes, little research has focused on the impact of anticipated feelings about engaging in behavior. The current research seeks to partly fill that void. Specifically, we borrow from affective forecasting research in suggesting that forecasts about engaging in performance-relevant behaviors can be more or less accurate. Furthermore, we suggest that the degree of accuracy has implications for self-reported task performance. To examine these ideas, we conducted two studies in which individuals made affective predictions about engaging in tasks and then later reported how they actually felt during task engagement. We also assessed their self-reported task performance. In Study 1, 214 workers provided affective forecasts about upcoming work tasks, and in Study 2, 185 students made forecasts about studying for an exam. Results based on polynomial regression were largely consistent across the studies. The accuracy of the forecasts did not conform to the pattern of affective forecasting accuracy typically found outside the performance domain. Furthermore, anticipated and experienced affect jointly predicted self-reported task performance in a consistent manner. Collectively, these findings suggest that taking into account anticipated affect, and its relationship with later experienced affect, provides a more comprehensive account of affect’s role in task performance.

Problem solving and affect as mechanisms linking daily mindfulness to task performance and job satisfaction.

This study investigated the daily relationships between mindfulness and job satisfaction via affect and mindfulness and task performance via problem solving confidence. Participants were 57 full-time and part-time employees who completed a baseline survey and five daily diary entries. Data were analysed using multilevel modelling. On days when they experienced greater mindfulness, employees also experienced (a) greater daily job satisfaction via high-activation positive affect (but not low-activation positive affect nor negative affect) and (b) greater daily self-reported task performance via problem solving confidence. Our findings suggest that high-activation positive affect and problem solving confidence may be important daily mechanisms of mindfulness at work. Growing evidence links mindfulness to work-related outcomes; however, limited research has investigated the mechanisms involved. The present study is one of the first to collect empirical observations regarding how state mindfulness operates at work on a daily basis, providing support for both affective and cognitive pathways. Advances in this area can underpin a robust theoretical framework to guide the implementation of daily mindfulness practice and interventions targeting specific work-related outcomes.

Childhood atopic dermatitis: A cross-sectional study of relationships between child and parent factors, atopic dermatitis management, and disease severity

BackgroundSuccessful management of atopic dermatitis poses a significant and ongoing challenge to parents of affected children. Despite frequent reports of child behaviour problems and parenting difficulties, there is a paucity of literature examining relationships between child behaviour and parents’ confidence and competence with treatment. ObjectivesTo examine relationships between child, parent, and family variables, parents’ self-efficacy for managing atopic dermatitis, self-reported performance of management tasks, observed competence with providing treatment, and atopic dermatitis severity. DesignCross-sectional study design.Participants A sample of 64 parent-child dyads was recruited from the dermatology clinic of a paediatric tertiary referral hospital in Brisbane, Australia. MethodsParents completed self-report questionnaires examining child behaviour, parents’ adjustment, parenting conflict, parents’ relationship satisfaction, and parents’ self-efficacy and self-reported performance of key management tasks. Severity of atopic dermatitis was assessed using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis index. A routine home treatment session was observed, and parents’ competence in carrying out the child's treatment assessed. ResultsPearson's and Spearman's correlations identified significant relationships (p<.05) between parents’ self-efficacy and disease severity, child behaviour difficulties, parent depression and stress, parenting conflict, and relationship satisfaction. There were also significant relationships between each of these variables and parents’ self-reported performance of management tasks. More profound child behaviour difficulties were associated with more severe atopic dermatitis and greater parent stress. Using multiple linear regressions, significant proportions of variation in parents’ self-efficacy and self-reported task performance were explained by child behaviour difficulties and parents’ formal education. Self-efficacy emerged as a likely mediator for relationships between both child behaviour and parents’ education, and self-reported task performance. Direct observation of treatment sessions revealed strong relationships between parents’ treatment competence and parents’ self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and self-reported task performance. Less competent task performance was also associated with greater parent-reported child behaviour difficulties, parent depression and stress, parenting conflict, and relationship dissatisfaction. ConclusionThis study revealed the importance of child behaviour to parents’ confidence and practices in the context of atopic dermatitis management. Children with more severe atopic dermatitis are at risk of presenting with challenging behaviour problems and their parents struggle to manage the condition successfully.

Parents’ self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and self-reported task performance when managing atopic dermatitis in children: Instrument reliability and validity

BackgroundSupport and education for parents faced with managing a child with atopic dermatitis is crucial to the success of current treatments. Interventions aiming to improve parent management of this condition are promising. Unfortunately, evaluation is hampered by lack of precise research tools to measure change. ObjectivesTo develop a suite of valid and reliable research instruments to appraise parents’ self-efficacy for performing atopic dermatitis management tasks; outcome expectations of performing management tasks; and self-reported task performance in a community sample of parents of children with atopic dermatitis. MethodsThe Parents’ Eczema Management Scale (PEMS) and the Parents’ Outcome Expectations of Eczema Management Scale (POEEMS) were developed from an existing self-efficacy scale, the Parental Self-Efficacy with Eczema Care Index (PASECI). Each scale was presented in a single self-administered questionnaire, to measure self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and self-reported task performance related to managing child atopic dermatitis. Each was tested with a community sample of parents of children with atopic dermatitis, and psychometric evaluation of the scales’ reliability and validity was conducted. Setting and participantsA community-based convenience sample of 120 parents of children with atopic dermatitis completed the self-administered questionnaire. Participants were recruited through schools across Australia. ResultsSatisfactory internal consistency and test–retest reliability was demonstrated for all three scales. Construct validity was satisfactory, with positive relationships between self-efficacy for managing atopic dermatitis and general perceived self-efficacy; self-efficacy for managing atopic dermatitis and self-reported task performance; and self-efficacy for managing atopic dermatitis and outcome expectations. Factor analyses revealed two-factor structures for PEMS and PASECI alike, with both scales containing factors related to performing routine management tasks, and managing the child's symptoms and behaviour. Factor analysis was also applied to POEEMS resulting in a three-factor structure. Factors relating to independent management of atopic dermatitis by the parent, involving healthcare professionals in management, and involving the child in the management of atopic dermatitis were found. Parents’ self-efficacy and outcome expectations had a significant influence on self-reported task performance. ConclusionsFindings suggest that PEMS and POEEMS are valid and reliable instruments worthy of further psychometric evaluation. Likewise, validity and reliability of PASECI was confirmed.

Recovery, well-being, and performance-related outcomes: The role of workload and vacation experiences.

On the basis of theoretical assumptions regarding resource gain and loss (S. E. Hobfoll, 1998), the authors used a longitudinal study to examine effects of vacation on well-being and performance-related outcomes. University employees (N = 221) completed measures of well-being (health complaints and burnout) and performance-related outcomes (self-reported task performance and effort expenditure) 1 week before and 2 days and 2 weeks after vacation and measures of workload 2 days after vacation. Specific vacation experiences (positive and negative work reflection, relaxation, mastery experience, and nonwork hassles) were assessed during vacation. Results showed changes in well-being and self-reported effort expenditure from before to after vacation, revealing vacation effects and partial fade-out effects. In addition, vacation experiences and workload significantly predicted some of the outcomes. The authors discuss applicability of the theoretical approach in the context of vacation and fade-out effects, implications for future research on recovery processes, and practical implications.

How does low back pain impact physical function in independent, well-functioning older adults? Evidence from the Health ABC Cohort and implications for the future.

To determine the relationships between low back pain (LBP) frequency and intensity and self-reported and performance-based physical function in a large cohort of well-functioning older adults. Cross-sectional survey and examination. Community-based cohort of the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) study. Participants were 2,766 community-dwelling adults, aged 70-79; 42% were African American, 52% were men. 1) Back pain-location, frequency, intensity; 2) Hip and/or knee pain; 3) Body mass index (BMI); 4) Self-reported difficulty doing functional tasks; 5) Lower extremity function, using the battery from the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies in the Elderly (EPESE); 6) Self-rated health; 7) Comorbidity; 8) Depressive symptoms, using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale. LBP was common (36%), and its frequency/intensity was significantly associated with other pain and comorbidities. In gender-specific models, LBP frequency/intensity was not significantly associated with EPESE performance score after adjusting for age, race, BMI, CES-D score, knee pain, hip pain, and other comorbidities. LBP frequency/intensity, however, was significantly associated with self-reported difficulty with most functional tasks after adjusting for important confounders. Among well-functioning community-dwelling older adults, LBP frequency/intensity was associated with perceived difficulty in performing important functional tasks, but not with observed physical performance. The demonstrated dose-response relationship between pain frequency/intensity and self-reported task performance difficulty underscores the importance of clinical efforts to treat pain without necessarily eradicating it. Additional work is needed to determine whether back pain is associated with a risk for progressive functional decline and loss of independence in older adults and whether therapeutic interventions can ameliorate decline and, therefore, preserve independence.