Work Obligations Research Articles

Prácticas diarias del cuidador informal de pacientes oncológicos ambulatorios. Año 2019

Oncological disease is characterized by a profound alteration in the regulation of cell growth and / or death, with the ability to spread remotely. During their treatment they require the help of caregivers who are often their own family, people from their environment who voluntarily assume the role of responsible in a broad sense and are willing to make decisions for and by the patient. Therefore, this study sought to describe the care practices carried out daily by the informal caregiver of assisted outpatient oncology patients in a public hospital in the city of Corrientes during 2019. With a descriptive, cross-sectional and observational design, the sample was made up of informal caregivers who met criteria of inclusion, exclusion and elimination previously defined. Data collection was carried out between August to October 2019 by applying a questionnaire to 90 informal caregivers. The average age was 43 years, 76% were women, in relation 44% were children and 24% were couples. On average they dedicated 14 hours a day to care, with 47% doing it in the three shifts. 42% were dependent workers, 26% housewives, 12% students, 7% retired; freelancers 9% and 4% unemployed. The activity they performed most frequently was accompaniment to clinical consultations with 81%. These caregivers, in addition to developing daily practices with their sick family member, also fulfilled work and study obligations. The existence of this disease affects the life not only of those who suffer it directly but also that of the family and immediately that of the informal caregiver. The repercussions can be minimized if they receive adequate support from the nursing staff, including not only the sick person but also the informal caregiver in their care.

Relevance of Work-Life Balance in India – A Skeptical Analysis among Teaching Professionals

A person has to balance the work and life in all walks of his life. Due to social change in the society, the type of households is changing from the joint family to nuclear family. The family, work, and society demand equal attention and obligation. The person has to balance the work to family interference and family to work interference. The work-life balance has been adopted by various corporate and organization. This paper reviews how various professionals manage work and life. Some factors influence the work-life balance in the day to day life. It is the greatest task for retaining the manpower in an institution. It is important to facilitate the employee to maintain a work-life balance. There are different kinds of professionals who face challenges in managing work-life balance. It is assumed that the teacher with more children finds difficulty in balancing work-life balance than the childless teacher. She may perceive a better work-life balance. The male teachers may experience a higher degree of burnt out than female teachers. These views helped the author to explore the factors involved in balancing work-life balance and to provide suggestions to manage the work-life. The author has taken up empirical study, this paper focuses on understanding the situation of teachers & faculties in terms of Work-life balance, Factor involved in work-life balance, and to provide suggestions to manage the work-life balance in the teaching profession.

Re-boxing seamanship: From individual to systemic capabilities

Seamanship has been associated with certain individual skills and special knowledge related to navigation, operation and safety of sea-going vessels, but also to expected work ethics and obligations to fellow seamen. The term is also used in international shipping regulations, including the ability to make sound judgements.This paper explores how technological and administrative changes in the seafarers work environment influence on their understanding of seamanship and maritime safety. The qualitative design involved interviews of 15 seafarers on two offshore service vessels, in addition to observations of their work.The analysis indicated that the traditional concept of seamanship was challenged by the technology development in the industry, an ongoing proceduralization of their work, and the way new seafarers were trained and educated. Professional competence related to safety was perceived as being marginalized as a result of these developments.Distributed maritime capabilites is coined as a concept, involving a development where knowledge and competence is increasingly distributed to technology, procedures and regulations, thus profoundly changing the role of the individual seafarer. Some negative aspects of this development are addressed, although the ‘net’ effects need to be further explored.

Exploring motivations and barriers for long-distance trips of adult women Vermonters

Available data on long-distance travel, both quantitative and qualitative, are limited, including measures of relative accessibility to intercity destinations and its role in overall well-being. Moreover, existing travel data only include realized travel, not unmet need. Twenty-four original semi-structured interviews were conducted with women aged 25 years or older in Vermont USA to better understand the motivations and barriers of long-distance travel that cannot be fully explored in quantitative surveys. The relationship between travel, well-being, and social networks is also considered. Those interviewed indicated long-distance travel played a significant role in their lives by facilitating visits to friends and family, leisure, breaks from routine, and fulfilling personal obligations. As expected, long-distance travel was limited by cost as well as both household and work obligations. Physical limitations were noted as a barrier but the number of people raising fears about travel, being away from home, and travel logistics was unexpected. The interviews also revealed intercity travel as a symbol of social status which in turn created negative impacts for some. Latent demand for long-distance travel was common and larger than expected among the interviewees. Finally, results pointed to overlap between work and personal travel as well as a sense of obligation. While long-distance travel is often considered discretionary, this study suggests intercity non-discretionary personal trips as well as unmet demand merit future attention in both surveys and qualitative research.

A Primary Care Response to COVID-19 for Patients with an Opioid Use Disorder.

A Primary Care Response to COVID-19 for Patients with an Opioid Use Disorder.

Developing a Society Journal Utilizing the Triad Framework

Developing a Society Journal Utilizing the Triad Framework

Challenges for Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research in the Era of COVID-19.

Challenges for Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research in the Era of COVID-19.

La responsabilidad civil derivada de accidentes de trabajo

La responsabilidad civil derivada de accidentes de trabajo proviene de la relación trabajador-empleador, pues el empleador garantiza la protección de la vida, la salud y el bienestar de sus trabajadores en el centro de labores, y debe asumir las implicancias de orden económico o legal que se generen por estos, respondiendo por el daño ocasionado, sea este lucro cesante, daño emergente, daño moral y aun el daño a la persona, ya que la jurisprudencia ha establecido sus alcances. Sin embargo, dada la realidad en la actividad laboral respecto a las obligaciones, en especial de riesgo, esta supera largamente las previsiones doctrinarias o jurisprudenciales, sobre todo para determinar el quantum indemnizatorio y establecer en cada caso la responsabilidad del empleador y la reparación del daño.

Religious Volunteer Visitors in the Penal Context of Hong Kong

Abstract Religious faith plays a crucial role in the life of people in penal custody. Research generally focuses on the impact of religion on inmates’ rehabilitation. Studies on volunteers in prison receive scholarly attention but largely in regard to how they affect inmates. This study focuses on Christian visitors in prison and their motives, goals, and experiences. The study evaluates the responses of 152 Christian volunteer visitors around prisons in Hong Kong. The study shows that majority of them are at a time of their life when they are most strongly occupied by work and familial obligations and yet they take time off to visit people in prison. It offers evidence how visits to those in prison contribute to visitors’ own spiritual learning and to a changed view of those in prison. The findings of the study indicate that volunteers see themselves as active agents who help, teach, and transform.

When the Burden Gets Overwhelming: Testing an Inverse U-Shaped Relation between Work-Family Conflicts and Alcohol Use

Background: Combining work and family demands often results in conflicts increasing alcohol use. However, extreme levels of conflict may be associated with low volumes consumed. This study tests such an inverse u-shaped relationship and whether this is influenced by the source from which the conflicts mainly arise (family duties and/or work obligations). Methods: Regression models including linear and quadratic terms were estimated based on a sample of 305 employed parents (mean age = 38.7; 52.1% mothers) in French-speaking Switzerland. Results: No significant gender differences were found for the total level of conflict, but men reported significantly more work conflicts influencing family life than women. A significant positive linear (B = 2.10, SE = 0.72) and negative quadratic (B = −0.60, SE = 0.26) effect was found indicating that parents with low and those with high level of conflict report drinking less alcohol than those with a medium level of conflict. This relation was independent from the underlying sources of conflict and persisted when adjusting for gender, level of employment, number of children, or age of the youngest child. Conclusion: This study extends existing knowledge by demonstrating that the relationship between work-family conflicts (WFC) and alcohol use is more complex than previously assumed. To explain the inverse u-shaped relation, future studies should test two major processes: (a) holding multiple roles may cause more conflicts but will also limit the opportunities to engage in alcohol use, (b) those facing high level of WFC are a particular risk group experiencing detrimental health outcomes other than hazardous drinking, and (c) a combination of both.

Digital Mental Health Tools for Caregivers of Older Adults-A Scoping Review.

Aim: Informal caregivers have an important role in bridging the gap between the assistance care recipients need and what can be provided by the health care systems across Europe. The burden of the caregiving role places a significant threat to caregiver health, and the vast majority of caregiver's report stress and emotional strain, depression, and increased rates of chronic diseases. In line with this, strengthening the caregiver's mental health is one of the main goals for optimal caregiving. Caregivers already struggle with the demand of their role while coping with health problems, social, family, and work obligations. The solution for the caregiver's mental health needs to be accessible, low cost, and time-effective. This scoping review investigates digital mental health tools available as a mean of supporting the mental health of caregivers.Method: Databases searched include Summon search box, the Cochrane Library, and PubMed. Three groups of keywords were combined: relating to digital mental health interventions for caregivers, digital mental health interventions and stress in elderly care, and digital mental health interventions and burden in elderly care.Results: Caregivers reported that digital mental health tools have an overall positive role in their health. Coping skills, emotion regulation, skill building, and education are found to be important aspects of digital mental health tools. There was a noted lack of digital mental health apps available specifically for the caregiver of older adults. Furthermore, the digital mental health tools, divided into three categories in this review, focused either on building skills or educating caregivers and assisting with the duties rather than the mental health of the caregiver itself. As repeatedly suggested in the reviewed studies, digital mental health interventions overall contribute to reducing the caregiver burden with a limitation of addressing one aspect of caregiver needs –i.e., specific coping skills or education regarding illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease and Dementia. The lack of all-encompassing, data and theory-driven digital mental health tools for addressing and supporting the caregiver's mental health is evident.

Commentary: No-test medication abortion: A sample protocol for increasing access during a pandemic and beyond

Author(s): Raymond, Elizabeth; Grossman, Daniel; Mark, Alice; Upadhyay, Ushma; Dean, Gillian; Creinin, Mitchell; Coplon, Leah; Perritt, Jamila; Atrio, Jessica; Taylor, DeShawn; Gold, Marji | Abstract: No abstract

Providing informal care next to paid work: explaining care-giving gratification, burden and stress among older workers

AbstractWith an increasing retirement age, more older adults are combining employment with informal care-giving responsibilities. However, little is known about how older workers experience care-giving activities next to their paid jobs. This study aims to fill this gap by examining how the work situation (i.e. working hours, occupational status and perceived access to human resources practices) is associated with feelings of gratification, burden and stress in care-giving. Using data from the NIDI Pension Panel Survey, we study care-giving experiences – in other words, the extent to which care-giving activities are gratifying, burdensome or stressful – of 1,651 Dutch older workers (age 60–65) who provide care at least once per week. Multivariate analyses reveal that the work situation plays an explanatory role next to socio-demographic factors and indicators of the care-giving situation. Working care-givers who feel they have access to phased retirement and organisational health support experience care-giving as relatively less burdensome and stressful. Moreover, those with access to phased retirement experience relatively higher levels of gratification in care-giving. Our findings suggest that the availability of organisational support relates to lower levels of care-giving burden and stress, and to some extent to higher levels of gratification. Organisations thus play an important role in facilitating the combination of work and care-giving obligations in a context of longer working lives.

Stress and work motivation of primary and secondary school teachers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the levels of stress and work motivation of primary and secondary school teachers, investigate factors affecting stress of teachers and validate the consistency of the model and empirical data.Design/methodology/approachThe sample consisted of 400 teachers of primary and secondary schools. Questionnaire was implemented as the instrument and the data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA and confirmatory factor analysis.FindingsThe results indicated that teachers of secondary schools have higher overall stress than teachers of primary schools for many reasons, such as financial issues and work obligations. Stress was found to be significantly positively associated with work motivation in secondary school teachers. The study revealed that demographic and work motivation factors influence teacher stress. The validation of a goodness of fitted model demonstrated an acceptable model fit with empirical data (χ2 test/df = 1.913, GFI = 0.934, CFI = 0.965, NFI = 0.930, AGFI = 0.893).Originality/valueTeachers under stress could negatively influence their students’ academic performance and might be more vulnerable to occupational diseases. Therefore, the teachers should find favorite activities that reduce stress and thereby contribute to effective teaching. This study would be beneficial for anyone who works to support teachers and wants to reduce turnover among teachers.

Non-pharmacological Weight Loss Program in a Rural Community: Feasibility Study

Background Obesity is a complex health problem that affects over one-third of US adults. Obesity rates are higher in rural communities, which may not have the resources to address. A community-based non-pharmacological weight loss program was implemented to address the limitations of managing rural obesity, specifically cost and transportation. Methods A descriptive study was used to explore the feasibility of an 8-week non-pharmacological weight loss program that included nutrition and healthy lifestyle education for overweight or obese adult residents of a rural community in Western Maryland (n=23). Results The program was low-cost and had high participant satisfaction. Participants whom completed the program showed an increase in motivation to making lifestyle changes (p=0.0002); consumed fewer calories from fat (p=0.029); and had a small change in BMI (p=0.0389). The increase in physical activity minutes with program completion was not statistically significant (p=0.2285). Weather, family and work obligations were barriers to attendance. Conclusions This rural community-based weight loss program was feasible, addressed the barriers of cost and transportation, and can be adapted to meet the needs of other rural communities. Keywords: obesity, obesity intervention, rural, community, feasibility, non-pharmacological DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v19i2.516

Fatigue in ferry shipping employees: the role of work-family conflict and supervisor support

BackgroundFatigue is a concern in ferry shipping as it has a negative impact on crew members health and plays a major role in marine incidents and accidents. Research within land-based occupational settings has found that work-family conflict is an important risk factor for fatigue and that support from leaders constitutes a possible resource with the potential to buffer a negative impact from work-family conflict. Though, the working conditions of ferry shipping are likely to interfere with employee’s family life those two factors have received little attention in research on seafarers’ health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the direct associations between work-family conflict as well as leaders’ support with fatigue in employees of the Danish ferry shipping industry. Further, the study aimed at testing whether support could buffer potential detrimental associations between work-family conflict and fatigue.MethodsThe study design was cross-sectional, and 193 respondents answered to a self-administered questionnaire. Fatigue was measured with the Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory. Perceived work-family conflict and perceived supervisor support were assessed with two subscales from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire. The association of potential risk factors with fatigue was determined using hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses.ResultsAfter controlling for confounding, work-family conflict was found to be positively associated with four of the five subdimensions of fatigue; lack of energy, physical discomfort, lack of motivation and sleepiness, while more support from supervisors was related to less lack of energy, physical exhaustion and lack of motivation. Further, supervisor support was found to moderate the effect from work-family conflict on the physical subdimensions of fatigue.ConclusionAlthough restricted by its cross-sectional design and a limited sample, this study provides support for the independent relevance of work family conflict and support from nearest superior for employee fatigue in ferry shipping. Further, there was evidence for a moderating role of such support on the negative impact of work-family conflict on the physical aspects of fatigue. Shipping companies may consider commencing initiatives which reduce conflicts between family life and work obligations, and that leader support may be a relevant component in such initiatives.

Public opinion on basic income: Mapping European support for a radical alternative for welfare provision

The idea of a universal basic income (BI) is both radical and simple. Obtaining a sufficient citizenship-based income without work obligations is fundamentally opposing the foundations of the welfare systems that are in place nowadays. As BI has gained increasing attention in public debates and among policymakers, questions arise about its social legitimacy. This study is the first to analyse a broad range of explanatory individual and contextual factors that may affect popular support for BI. In addition, we study how BI support is related to support of current welfare provisions, to analyse how radically different people perceive a BI to be. We use a unique survey question – available for 23 European countries, from the recent release of the European Social Survey (2016) –that introduces BI with an extended definition, emphasizing its universal and unconditional character and that it will replace other benefits and services and is paid for by taxes. Results show relatively high, but varying levels of support among European countries and social groups. People who are in a more vulnerable socio-economic position support BI more, as well as political left-wingers, egalitarianists and people who support targeting benefits at the poor. Also, a BI is more supported in countries with higher levels of material deprivation. This pattern of relations on both the individual and contextual levels seems to suggest that it is not the universal character or its unconditionality that makes a BI so attractive to a large share of the European population, but the fact that it provides (poor) people with a guaranteed minimum income. We also find that people who support other welfare reforms are more supportive of a BI. This, and the fact that younger people are more pro-BI might give hope to BI advocates who present the proposal as a social system of the future.

WORKPLACE SUPPORTS FOR WORKING LONGER: A CASE FOR THE BLACK LOW-WAGE WORKER

Government-sponsored retirement programs and employer benefits are directly tied to individual employment history and wages. Consequently, Black workers disproportionally face challenges in labor market compensation and retirement benefits. Due to a history of racial discrimination and economic oppression, Black workers earn less income over the life course and are less likely to have insurance support in comparison to their white counterparts in older age. This leads Black adults to remain in the workforce longer for financial support and presents unique physical and psychosocial challenges balancing work obligations and family responsibilities. Further, Black adults also suffer from more chronic illnesses, poor health outcomes, and death at higher rates compared to nearly all other racial groups. Drawing on data derived from a workplace case-study with interviews from 15 low-wage Black workers aged 50+ years, with multiple chronic conditions in the Southern United States. My aims are to (1) understand what workplace supports enable vulnerable workers to remain in the workforce, and (2) identity other buffers (i.e., resilience) to working with chronic conditions that enable prolonged work engagement. Findings suggest that workplaces can better support low-wage workers who cannot afford to retire by offering better pay and health benefits. Supervisor and coworker supports, flexible work arrangements and scheduling, and less stressful work environments also enable sustained work engagement. Research, policy and practice implications of this research include identifying workplace attributes and determining strategies to strengthen them, which is paramount to addressing disparities in work and health outcomes in the vulnerable communities.

“Miss, this is a lot of work”: Exploring Part-Time Students Experiences of Qualitative Research

Qualitative research can be time consuming and intensive as researchers engage in data collection, analysis, and interpretation of rich, detailed, multi-layered, and voluminous data. For Master’s level students struggling to balance full-time work, family, part-time studies, and other obligations, the nature of qualitative research can be overwhelming and discouraging as they learn about and engage in the research process. However, if students’ experiences are rich and meaningful, the time investment can be worthwhile. In this generic qualitative study, Master’s Level Education students’ experiences in an Introduction to Qualitative Research in Education course are explored. Drawing on data from semi-structured one-to-one interviews, as well as students’ written reflections from course assignments, we (i) explore the conceptual and personal challenges that students describe as they learn about and engage with qualitative research; (ii) explore students’ perceptions of class readings, activities, and assignments; and (iii) discover students’ perceptions about how class readings, activities, and assignments shape their experiences in the course. Findings suggest that although these part-time adult learners encounter difficulty in balancing their adult roles and responsibilities with the time consuming nature of the qualitative research process, they still find the course experience valuable due to the practical, experiential activities utilised; the connection of content to their professional and academic lives; and the collaborative experiences with their peers.

Strategies to Support Physical Activity for Parents and Caregivers of Young Children

Strategies to Support Physical Activity for Parents and Caregivers of Young Children