Work Situation Research Articles

Work boundary violations and daily goal progress in remote work: the importance of the work role re-engagement

Purpose This paper aims to empirically study the effect of work boundary violations in remote settings on daily goal progress and the important role that work role reengagement plays for remote workers. Design/methodology/approach This paper conducted a five-day diary study in China, involving a total of 118 remote workers, to collect data on the effects of work boundary violations on daily goal progress. Findings The results demonstrated that self-control resource depletion plays a mediating role in the relationship between work boundary violations and daily goal progress. In addition, work role reengagement was found to mitigate the association between work boundary violations and self-control resource depletion. Practical implications This paper provides employees with the signals that cause them to perform less well in remote work situations than in traditional offices. Employees can develop work−family boundary management strategies to reduce work boundary violations while teleworking. Originality/value This paper enriches the existing literature on work boundary violations by incorporating ego depletion theory and integrating it with the current boundary management literature. The paper provides theoretically grounded recommendations for organizations seeking to enhance the efficiency of remote workers.

Empathy and Mentalizing of Mental Health Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Correlational Study.

In mental healthcare, therapists' empathy and mentalizing are associated with better opportunities to establish positive working relations with patients. The present study aimed to explore mental health nurses' level of empathy and mentalizing (compared with reference groups studying or working in different contexts), the association between mental health nurses' level of empathy and mentalizing and sociodemographic characteristics of these nurses, and the association between mental health nurses' level of empathy and mentalizing. A cross-sectional design was used in adherence with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement. The 28-item Empathy Quotient was used to investigate empathy, and the 28-item Mentalisation Scale was used to assess mentalizing. One hundred and seven mental health nurses working in different work-intensity settings (intensive and intermittent-intensive) participated in the study. Our analyses showed that mental health nurses had statistically significantly higher levels of empathy and mentalizing than the matched reference groups. They also showed that most mental health nurses' demographic characteristics were not statistically significantly associated with their level of empathy and mentalizing: not with age, years of work experience, or educational level. Only two aspects were statistically significantly associated: female gender (for higher levels of empathy and mentalizing) and practicing in an intermittent-intensive work setting (for higher scores on the subscale 'Motivation' of the Mentalisation Scale). Furthermore, empathy and mentalizing of mental health nurses were strongly associated and also emerged as two partly overlapping concepts. We conclude that mental health educational institutions and supervisors could pay extra attention to the aspects of gender and work situation concerning mental health nurses' mentalizing and empathy in patient relations.

Professional burnout in doctors in medical institutions in Republic of Ghana

Introduction. Professional burnout among medical workers is known to be associated with increased workloads, for example, when medical institutions are understaffed with medical personnel, overtime work, and stressful situations. These factors also apply to medical staff in Ghanaian health care institutions. However, there is a lack of research examining how different professionals in healthcare settings in Ghana respond to burnout. There is a need to plan and develop interventions aimed at preventing burnout among healthcare workers in Ghana. Materials and methods. Survey questions for the conduct of this study included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) survey, which was used to assess the level of emotional burnout. At the same time, we added special questions to the questionnaire, which assessed the intensity of work of representatives of various specialties of medical institutions in Ghana. We conducted sociological survey to collect data about risk factors for diseases, which were present from the period 2018 to 2022, among workers of medical facilities in Ghana. One thousand eighty three workers participated. In this study, doctors were divided into professional groups, 4 in total. These groups were represented by the following specialties: surgery, therapy, laboratory diagnostics, representatives of the administrative level. We analyzed the data by the use of SPSS, and presented the results in descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Results. The study found differences in the levels of professional burnout, as well as differences in the intensity of work functions among doctors in various specialties. Thus, surgeons were characterized by the highest intensity of work (p <0.001). The therapeutic group, on the other hand, was characterized by an average level. Specialists of laboratory and diagnostic units and administrative level were distinguished by work of the least intensity. However, signs of burnout are common among surgeons, therapists, laboratory technicians, and administrators in Ghanaian hospitals. Limitations. The lack of regulations governing the conduct and assessment of working conditions, a system for recording and investigating cases of occupational diseases, and special equipment for measuring working conditions in Ghana served as limitations to our scientific research. Conclusion. Taking into account the results of our study to establish the facts of the development of professional burnout among medical workers in medical institutions in Ghana, it is necessary to apply preventive measures at the level of the Government of Ghana (development of a legal framework, regulatory documents, accounting and reporting forms for registration, measuring instruments and methods for their use for assessing working conditions, preventive programs).

From Anxiety to Hopelessness: Examining Influential Psychological Processes Affecting Mental Health Status of Spanish Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background and Objective: to test a model aimed at delving into the psychological processes that lead to hopelessness in Spanish nurses two years after a stressful work situation. The model proposed starts with the anxiety experienced at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and includes cognitive fusion and emotional exhaustion, evaluated six months after the end of the confinement, as possible contributing factors to development of hopelessness. Design: prospective study with three data collection periods, May to June 2020 (period 1), January to April 2021 (period 2), April to July 2022 (period 3). Materials and Methods: The sample (n = 131 Spanish nurses) was selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling. The inclusion criteria were as follows: being female, over 18 years of age, and working as a nurse in direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Results: The model proposed was statistically significant (B = 0.34, SE = 0.07, t = 5.15, p < 0.001, 95% CI = [0.21, 0.47]), contributing to the explanation of 28% of the variance of hopelessness, finding that the direct anxiety–hopelessness effect was equally significant (B = 0.19, SE = 0.08, t = 2.46, p = 0.014, 95% CI = [0.04, 0.34]). An effect of anxiety on cognitive fusion and on emotional exhaustion was observed. In turn, cognitive fusion had a significant effect on emotional exhaustion but not on hopelessness. Finally, emotional exhaustion had a significant effect on hopelessness. In this final model, years of experience had a significant effect (p = 0.004) on hopelessness. Conclusions: Cognitive fusion and emotional exhaustion are shown to be relevant psychological processes upon which to intervene to contribute to the improvement of the mental health of nurses regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clustered job characteristics and beginning teachers’ professional identity: a job demands-resources perspective

Teachers perceive the characteristics of their teaching jobs differently. However, little is known about beginning teachers’ perceptions of their teaching job characteristics and how their professional identity differs with these perceptions. Grounded in the job demands-resources model, we clustered three typical types of job characteristics perceived by 1,088 year-1 school teachers in Chinese Mainland: Needy (N = 298), Stressful (N = 344), and Advantageous (N = 446). Across the three clusters, statistically significant differences were observed in these teachers’ professional identity as manifested in job satisfaction, occupational commitment, teacher self-efficacy, and motivation to teach. The advantageous cluster, characterised with ample job resources but average to medium levels of job demands, was found to be the most favourable work situation nurturing strong professional identity. We discussed the mechanism behind the variance in professional identity relative to clustered job characteristics. Implications were suggested for educational policymakers of varying levels.

Reporting client-initiated threats and violence in home care services

Summary Home care workers often work alone and are geographically distant from colleagues, managers, and security services, placing them at a high risk for client-initiated violence. Studies have shown that home care workers are subjected to significant degrees of such violence, yet there is an indication of underreporting. Based on 25 individual and group interviews with 79 staff from various types of home care services in Sweden this study aims to enhance our understanding of why home care workers choose to report or not report violence. Findings Using a theoretical lens of emotional labor, the findings reveal that, in the face of violence, workers manage their emotions in accordance with organizational and professional norms. This contributes to and perpetuates a view of client-initiated violence as something that workers should endure, manage, and prevent, rather than acknowledge and report. In the long run, this idea shifts the focus away from the organization and its responsibilities, redirecting it toward the individual worker. Applications As the findings suggest that violence is often minimized and normalized, finding a common definition of client-initiated violence in the organization could relieve workers from having to define and, at worst, reinterpret violent incidents. Furthermore, norms contributing to an understanding of violence as a professional failure should be addressed. Organizations and cultures that facilitate swift reporting, provide organizational support and work against the stigmatization of those who report are likely to create safer and better work situations for their home care workers.

Life Impact of Cluttering: The Adult Perspective.

Though the research on the quality of life of people who stutter is extensive, there is minimal research on cluttering's life impact. Anecdotal reports from people who clutter1 and their significant others have described some elements of cluttering's impact and advocated for these components to be addressed in treatment. Three formal studies have used semistructured interviews to document cluttering's impact. These non-peer-reviewed studies make important contributions; however, more research is needed to add to this existing information. The current study adds perspectives of adults who clutter related to cluttering's impact upon the specific contexts of work, school, and social situations. In this phenomenological study, 10 adults who clutter participated in a semistructured interview. Through grand tour, mini tour, and example questions, participants were asked to provide their perspective on the life impact of cluttering. Each interview was orthographically transcribed, and transcripts were coded for themes. Triangulation and member checking were conducted to establish reliability and validity of themes. Results revealed the following themes: Social impact of cluttering leads to avoidance, misunderstanding, and feelings of isolation; cluttering impacts natural tendencies; educational impact of cluttering results in misunderstanding and struggle; occupational impact of cluttering leads to role entrapment and difficulty maintaining employment. This study adds perspectives of adults who clutter regarding specific aspects of quality of life such as social isolation, frequent misunderstandings, and negative educational and occupational impact. As more voices are heard within the cluttering community, more support is presented for the importance of understanding the negative life impact cluttering can have. Further understanding of these perspectives adds to the information needed to inform holistic cluttering assessment and treatment.

School principals’ proposals for preventive actions to improve mental health

BackgroundSchool principals face a demanding work situation that puts them at risk for stress-related poor mental health. Ideally, preventive actions should be based on knowledge about the underlying notions that motivate action. However, knowledge about prevention areas and suitable initiatives for school principals is scarce or lacking, leaving key stakeholders without the overview necessary for effectively engaging in preventive actions.ObjectiveTo describe school principals’ proposals for suitable target areas and preventive actions that may decrease their workload and improve their mental health.MethodsAn aggregated analysis was conducted using data from a larger project involving two national surveys (N = 2871), nine group interviews (N = 39), and eleven workshops (N = 270). The project was designed a priori to examine multiple questions, including identifying target areas and collecting proposals for preventive actions.ResultsForty-four proposals for preventive actions spanning various levels and six major themes were identified: Role demands and role conflicts (8 proposals); Organizational support (6 proposals); Resources and resource allocation (3 proposals); Continued professional development and coaching (2 proposals); The principal as a coworker (6 proposals); Personal actions (19 proposals).ConclusionsThe considerable number of proposals and their content reveal that preventive actions are needed at all levels of the educational system and that the school principals’ personal resources matter for improving their work situation and mental health. The pattern of results also underscores the importance of having a deep understanding of what problems to address, and in which context they unfold, before engaging in preventive actions.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Health: Quantitative Data Related to Risk and Protective Factors Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women in Puerto Rico

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic affected access to healthcare and social support. This especially impacted vulnerable populations like pregnant and postpartum women. Purpose: The specific aims of the project are the following: (1) examine the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy experiences and outcomes; (2) examine the mental health impact of COVID-19 in pregnant women and mothers of children 12 months or younger; (3) identify risk and protective factors among this population in Puerto Rico. Methods: Participants were recruited from the Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) cohort, which is composed of pregnant women and mothers from the northern karst region of Puerto Rico. This research has a mixed methods approach with a quantitative survey (n = 184) and qualitative interviews (n = 10); data collection was performed remotely. Findings: Results from the survey (n = 184) show that 20% of the cohort gave birth alone, 39% were separated from their baby after birth, 21% experienced isolation before birth, and 20% were separated after birth. In the study, 54% of the women were very worried about giving COVID-19 to their baby and avoided going out, receiving visits, and even canceling baby showers. The most reported sources of stress were their health status, work situation, and childcare, while the most reported coping mechanisms were watching TV or playing video games, using social media, and talking with loved ones. Forty-two percent reported that they frequently stopped enjoying activities that used to make them happy, and only 21% considered seeking mental health support. Conclusion: COVID-19 restrictions changed initial plans for baby showers, births, and childcare, and impacted the participants’ mental health. Physical distance measures have resulted in isolation and stress. We expect these findings to lead to developing interventions for community health centers and parents/caretakers in Puerto Rico.

Analytic Determination of the Roller Length of a Hydraulic Jump in an Open Channel Flow Using a Bouncing Ball

A hydraulic jump is a natural occurrence that occurs in spillways, rivers, and other open channel flows when water or other liquid flowing with a high velocity discharges into a region of lower velocity with an attendant abrupt rise in the liquid surface. Such a phenomenon, known as hydraulic jump, is normally accompanied by substantial dissipation of energy. Many researchers, in the past, focus attention in the numerical study of the hydraulic jump, under varied working situations. Few attempts are made to study the occurrence analytically. In this paper, the author studied the incident analytically using a bouncing ball to develop a model to examine the lengths of hydraulic jumps in a horizontal open channel flow. The model development is based on the laws of motion, the principles of impulse and momentum, and the classical hydraulic jump formula. The model was later verified with the roller length obtained from the series of experiments conducted in a large-size facility. The roller length that the new model estimated compared well with the experimental results conducted within the Froude number ranges of 2.00 and 16.00. The model is ease to use and its accuracy as determined by the Pearson correlation coefficient is between 0.93 and 1.00.

Improving ADR reporting in Jordan: a qualitative exploration of pharmacists' perspectives.

Community pharmacists are most accessible to patients. Hence, they have a crucial role in ensuring drug safety by detecting and reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, there may be gaps in their knowledge of ADR reporting systems and barriers they face in reporting. This study aims to assess community pharmacists' knowledge of ADR reporting systems in the Kingdom of Jordan, identify the barriers they face in reporting ADRs, and explore the broader factors that influence their involvement in pharmacovigilance activities. In-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were held with 20 community pharmacists from different regions of Jordan to evaluate their understanding of ADR reporting, the obstacles they encountered, and the elements that could motivate them to report ADRs. The interviews were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis to find recurrent themes and insights. The thematic analysis highlighted opportunities for continuing education and an absence of formal training as the main barriers to ADR reporting. Pharmacists reported dissatisfaction with time limits in their hectic work situations and the complexity of reporting procedures, especially the length and information demanded by ADR reporting forms. Another factor influencing low reporting rates was a perceived lack of acknowledgment and feedback. Participants proposed that encouraging ADR reporting with professional recognition or compensation and improving and digitizing the reporting process would promote increased participation. ADR reporting presents considerable difficulties for community pharmacists in Jordan, mostly because of administrative obstacles and an absence of official support and training. Enhancing pharmacovigilance efforts in Jordan could be achieved by providing incentives, simplifying the reporting procedure, and incorporating reporting into the current pharmacy management software.

Breastfeeding Practices and Food Consumption of Socially Vulnerable Children.

Promoting child well-being and development requires a multidimensional approach, including the right to adequate food practices. Socially vulnerable children are more exposed to adverse experiences, such as inadequate food consumption due to poverty. In this context, home-visiting programs are an important strategy for nutritional and health care education to provide relevant guidelines. This study describes breastfeeding and food consumption of children aged 0 to 24 months assisted by the Happy Child Program (Programa Criança Feliz-PCF) and aimed to investigate their association with socioeconomic factors and adherence to the program. This is an observational study, with a cross-sectional design, carried out with children assisted by the PCF in the Federal District, Brazil. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify sociodemographic and income factors, and household visits characteristics associated with breastfeeding, dietary diversity, and the consumption of ultra-processed food. A total of 301 children were assessed, 51.16% of whom were female. In 58.99% of households, the reference person was the mother; 86.20% were unemployed, and 27.08% had a low education degree. About 62.65% of beneficiaries lived on up to USD 200.00 per month and the majority faced food insecurity. The child's age, and the mother's current work situation were independently associated with the current breastfeeding situation, especially higher among women who did not work (p = 0.015). The minimum dietary diversity among children over 6 months old was 62.21% and presented a positive association with adherence to the program (p = 0.005). On the other hand, the consumption of ultra-processed foods was 77.21% and was associated with a longer follow-up time within the program (p = 0.047). The associations observed revealed the need to integrate family food choices and nutritional education into public policies for early childhood.

Effects Of Boreout And Burnout On Workers' Well-Being

This research is relevant in the legal field, since the pandemic altered the social reality and forced countries such as Ecuador to abruptly implement teleworking, a modality already foreseen in its regulations. This change generated psychological effects on workers, such as burnout and boreout, which affect their productivity. The study, with a qualitative approach and hermeneutic and inductive methods, analyzes the legal consequences of these syndromes. It is concluded that, although different, both can coexist. Boreout is related to boredom and underexertion, while burnout reflects extreme exhaustion caused by overwork, harassment at work or other stressful situations in the work environment

Faktor yang Memengaruhi Kinerja Verifikasi Dokter Verifikator Internal Medis dalam Proses Klaim Pasien Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional di Rumah Sakit Cipto Mangunkusumo

Since the implementation of the National Health Insurance, hospitals must be able to manage JKN claims properly. One way to properly manage the situation is by employing a medical internal verification doctor. This study aims to determine the factors that influence the performance of medical internal verification doctor based on the percentage of claim eligibility that has been verified. The research was conducted using a case study method with a qualitative and quantitative approach. The study was conducted on 16 medical internal verification doctors using questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The results of the study found that the performance of medical internal verification doctors in January-June 2022 was 81.45%, lower than other hospital owned by the ministry of health (85-94%). This study also found that the factors related to the verification performance of medical internal verification doctors were demographic in the form of years of service as medical internal verification doctors and other workloads, knowledge, job satisfaction in general, satisfaction with salary, benefits and rewards for work, satisfaction with the nature of work, as well as satisfaction with the operational situation of work and colleagues. Other factors in medical internal verification doctors verification performance is organizational support, such as standard operating procedures, training and education opportunities and opportunities for communication with external parties. Other factors related to the verification performance of VIM doctors are the passion as a medical internal verification doctor, tasks assignment, feedback on performance and criteria or standards for becoming a medical internal verification doctors.

Using the INRS QECPT method for ergonomic assessment and prevention strategies in an Algerian maternity ward

Introduction: Physical workload is a significant challenge in maternity wards, where healthcare workers face intense demands such as patient handling, prolonged postures, and repetitive efforts. This study, conducted in an Algerian maternity ward, uses the INRS (National Institute for Research and Safety) method to evaluate physical workload, identify biomechanical, organizational, and environmental risks, and propose improvement strategies. Methods: This study followed a structured three-step approach. First, risks were identified and prioritized using ergonomic indicators to highlight critical situations. Second, a detailed evaluation of physical workload was conducted based on five dimensions: physical effort, staffing levels, temporal constraints, organizational factors, and environmental conditions. Risks were stratified into moderate and high levels to focus on key areas for intervention. Finally, preventive strategies were proposed to reduce constraints and improve working conditions for healthcare workers. Results: Out of 31 work situations analyzed, 47.2% exhibited moderate to high-risk levels. The gynecology, high-risk pregnancy, and neonatology units concentrated critical constraints, including prolonged postures and intense physical efforts. Conclusion: The study highlights key priorities such as improving ergonomic equipment and reorganizing workflows to reduce physical strain and preserve healthcare workers’ health while ensuring quality patient care. This provides a foundation for targeted preventive strategies.

The Influence of Toxic Leadership, Work Conflicts and Work Situations on Employee Performance through Employee Satisfaction at the Job Training Center East Java Province

The UPT East Java Job Training Center (BLK) is a key organization providing job training services amidst increasing competition in the field. To remain competitive, the BLK must enhance its performance, particularly as the workforce is required to rapidly adapt to changes, possess advanced skills, and demonstrate creativity to stay relevant. Aligning with its mission, the BLK aims to improve workforce competence through competency-based training programs. However, a persistent issue is the suboptimal performance of employees, largely attributed to leadership that has not sufficiently supported staff. Despite efforts such as incentive improvements and fostering a comfortable work environment, employee performance remains below expectations. This study investigates the effects of toxic leadership, work conflicts, and work situations on employee performance, mediated by employee satisfaction, at the East Java Job Training Center. A quantitative research method was employed, utilizing primary data gathered through questionnaires. The study population included all 90 employees at BLK East Java, with a saturated sampling method applied as part of non-probability sampling. Data analysis involved descriptive and Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) techniques. The findings revealed that toxic leadership, work conflicts, and work situations significantly impact employee performance through employee satisfaction. These results underscore the importance of leadership style and workplace dynamics in shaping employee performance, providing valuable insights for the East Java Job Training Center to implement targeted strategies for improvement.

Creating a world social work map: The need for an International Social Work Observatory (ISWO)

Social work is a global force as seen in international/regional organisations such as the International Federation of Social Work, the International Association of Schools of Social Work and the European Social Work Research Association. In this brief note, it is shown that though several papers have analysed the development of social work in different countries, there does not seem to be a tool that facilitates a cross-analysis of the social work situation around the globe. The author addresses this gap and suggests an International Social Work Observatory that collects and analyses data worldwide and publishes a social work index. The author also presents a questionnaire that this observatory could use to produce a world map of social work periodically.

INTERACTIVE TRAINING OF PERSONNEL ON ELECTRICAL SAFETY ISSUES FOR AN OIL PUMPING COMPANY

The article is devoted to electrical safety issues in the oil industry, where a significant proportion of injuries are associated with personnel errors in the performance of their work functions. In order to reduce personnel errors and, consequently, reduce the level of injuries and accidents associated with the action of the human factor, a simulator has been developed for training employees of an oil pumping enterprise in the safe handling of electrical equipment. The article analyzes modern approaches to training, including traditional methods and the use of simulators that simulate both current work and emergency situations. Practical application of such solutions will improve the competence of workers in electrical safety issues by practicing the skills of performing work in conditions close to real ones, which emphasizes the relevance of developing simulators for the oil industry. The simulator includes the creation of an intuitive interface and integration with training management systems, consisting of two modules covering safety procedures, working with electrical equipment and filling out work permits. In conclusion, areas for further research are outlined, including the development of new modules to improve work efficiency.

Distribution of Work Time in the Maternity Wards of Batna: Inter-Service Comparative Analysis

Introduction. Optimizing the working time of healthcare staff is important to improve the efficiency of health services. This study aims to analyze the distribution of working time in the maternity wards of Batna. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in six maternity hospitals in Batna in 2022. Data on total available time (TAT) and its distribution between care activities, support activities, and additional activities were collected for 105 work situations. Descriptive and ANOVA analyses were performed. Results. The average annual TAT was 1528.81 hours (standard deviation: 184.94). On average, 52.65% of the time was dedicated to care activities, 42.38% to support activities, and 4.96% to additional activities. Significant differences were observed between services for care activities (p<0.001) and support activities (p<0.001). The blood banks (88.04%) and operating rooms (72.56%) dedicated the most time to care activities, while pediatric emergencies (60.36%) and laboratories (54.86%) allocated more time to support activities. Conclusion. This study reveals significant variations in the distribution of working time between services and professional categories. These results can guide the optimization of work organization in maternity wards to improve the efficiency of care.

The Impact of Apple's RTO Policy on Employee Motivation

In 2021, many companies around the world have introduced RTO (Return to Office) policies to allow employees who work from home to return to the office. In this regard, Apple, as an internationally strong technology company, is attractive for analyzing the effects of the RTO policy due to its unique corporate culture and management style. This paper mainly tries to analyze the influence of Apple's RTO policy on the motivation of its employees and specifically examines the effects on work efficiency, job satisfaction, and employee resignation conditions. By analyzing employee questionnaires, interviews, and public internal documents, this article explores employee reactions and work situations after Apple implemented the RTO policy. The study found that although face-to-face communication and collaboration can help improve teamwork efficiency and innovation, the loss of the flexibility of remote work has led to a decline in job satisfaction for some employees and even caused high-skilled employees to leave. The evidence-based findings will enable companies to design more flexible work modes after 2021.