Work-related Demands Research Articles

The compatibility of exoskeletons in perioperative environments and workflows: an analysis of surgical team members’ perspectives and workflow simulation

Surgical team members in perioperative environments experience high physical demands. Interventions such as exoskeletons, external wearable devices that support users, have the potential to reduce these work-related physical demands. However, barriers such as workplace environment and task compatibility may limit exoskeleton implementation. This study gathered the perspectives of 33 surgical team members: 12 surgeons, four surgical residents, seven operating room (OR) nurses, seven surgical technicians (STs), two central processing technicians (CPTs), and one infection control nurse to understand their workplace compatibility. Team members were introduced to passive exoskeletons via demonstrations, after which surgical staff (OR nurses, STs, and CPTs) were led through a simulated workflow walkthrough where they completed tasks representative of their workday. Five themes emerged from the interviews (workflow, user needs, hindrances, motivation for intervention, and acceptance) with unique subthemes for each population. Overall, exoskeletons were largely compatible with the duties and workflow of surgical team members.

Surgical stress: the muscle and cognitive demands of robotic and laparoscopic surgery.

Surgeons are among the most at-risk professionals for work-related musculoskeletal decline and experience high mental demands. This study examined the electromyographic (EMG) and electroencephalographic (EEG) activities of surgeons during surgery. Surgeons who performed live laparoscopic (LS) and robotic (RS) surgeries underwent EMG and EEG measurements. Wireless EMG was used to measure muscle activation in four muscle groups bilaterally (biceps brachii, deltoid, upper trapezius, and latissimus dorsi), and an 8-channel wireless EEG device was used to measure cognitive demand. EMG and EEG recordings were completed simultaneously during (i) noncritical bowel dissection, (ii) critical vessel dissection, and (iii) dissection after vessel control. Robust ANOVA was used to compare the %MVCRMS and alpha power between LS and RS. Thirteen male surgeons performed 26 laparoscopic surgeries (LS) and 28 robotic surgeries (RS). Muscle activation was significantly higher in the right deltoid (p = 0.006), upper trapezius (left, p = 0.041; right, p = 0.032), and latissimus dorsi (left, p = 0.003; right, p = 0.014) muscles in the LS group. There was greater muscle activation in the right biceps than in the left biceps in both surgical modalities (both p = 0.0001). There was a significant effect of the time of surgery on the EEG activity (p <0.0001). A significantly greater cognitive demand was observed in the RS than in the LS with alpha, beta, theta, delta, and gamma (p = 0.002 - p <0.0001). These data suggest greater muscle demands in laparoscopic surgery, but greater cognitive demands in robotic surgery.

Examining the Influence of Permissive Parenting on Student Motivation for Learning

The repercussions of permissive parenting practices often elude caregivers, as they grapple with work-related demands that sometimes lead them to delegate their children's education entirely to the school. Permissive parenting, characterized by granting substantial freedom with minimal supervision, can result in children growing up with diminished motivation to learn. This issue necessitates a deeper exploration through literature review to shed light on the extent of the impact of permissive parenting practices on children's motivation for learning. This research adopts a qualitative approach, employing a case study research design, and draws on insights from teachers, students, and student guardians at SDN 08 Purwoharjo. Data collection methods involve observation and interviews, while analysis encompasses three stages: data reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing. The findings reveal instances of permissive parenting practices among students at SDN 08 Purwoharjo, influenced by various factors including economic challenges and parental educational backgrounds. The consequence of permissive parenting manifests as diminished student motivation for learning at the school, resulting in apathy, neglect of assignments and teacher instructions, disrespect for others, social and academic adaptation difficulties, a lack of enthusiasm for learning, and weakened self-control.

Impacts of Symptom Checkers for Laypersons' Self-diagnosis on Physicians in Primary Care: Scoping Review.

Symptom checkers (SCs) for laypersons' self-assessment and preliminary self-diagnosis are widely used by the public. Little is known about the impact of these tools on health care professionals (HCPs) in primary care and their work. This is relevant to understanding how technological changes might affect the working world and how this is linked to work-related psychosocial demands and resources for HCPs. This scoping review aimed to systematically explore the existing publications on the impacts of SCs on HCPs in primary care and to identify knowledge gaps. We used the Arksey and O'Malley framework. We based our search string on the participant, concept, and context scheme and searched PubMed (MEDLINE) and CINAHL in January and June 2021. We performed a reference search in August 2021 and a manual search in November 2021. We included publications of peer-reviewed journals that focused on artificial intelligence- or algorithm-based self-diagnosing apps and tools for laypersons and had primary care or nonclinical settings as a relevant context. The characteristics of these studies were described numerically. We used thematic analysis to identify core themes. We followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist to report the study. Of the 2729 publications identified through initial and follow-up database searches, 43 full texts were screened for eligibility, of which 9 were included. Further 8 publications were included through manual search. Two publications were excluded after receiving feedback in the peer-review process. Fifteen publications were included in the final sample, which comprised 5 (33%) commentaries or nonresearch publications, 3 (20%) literature reviews, and 7 (47%) research publications. The earliest publications stemmed from 2015. We identified 5 themes. The theme finding prediagnosis comprised the comparison between SCs and physicians. We identified the performance of the diagnosis and the relevance of human factors as topics. In the theme layperson-technology relationship, we identified potentials for laypersons' empowerment and harm through SCs. Our analysis showed potential disruptions of the physician-patient relationship and uncontested roles of HCPs in the theme (impacts on) physician-patient relationship. In the theme impacts on HCPs' tasks, we described the reduction or increase in HCPs' workload. We identified potential transformations of HCPs' work and impacts on the health care system in the theme future role of SCs in health care. The scoping review approach was suitable for this new field of research. The heterogeneity of technologies and wordings was challenging. We identified research gaps in the literature regarding the impact of artificial intelligence- or algorithm-based self-diagnosing apps or tools on the work of HCPs in primary care. Further empirical studies on HCPs' lived experiences are needed, as the current literature depicts expectations rather than empirical findings.

Work-related demands and resources as predictors of well-being at work among health care workers in Switzerland.

The aim was to examine the effects of work-related demands and resources on well-being at work among employees in Swiss hospitals. Self-reported survey data from 1'840 employees of six hospitals/clinics were analyzed using multivariate linear regression analyses (all professions included). Of all demands, work-life imbalance had the strongest negative effect on well-being at work. The most relevant resource varied depending on the dimension of well-being: for job satisfaction it was good leadership, for work engagement job decision latitude and for satisfaction with relationships at work social support at work. The resources were more relevant for well-being at work than the demands. They also buffered against the negative effects of the demands. In order to enhance well-being at work in hospitals, it is necessary to enable a good work-life balance and to strengthen work-related resources.

Career Vitality: Perceptions from Women Faculty in Health Professions

ObjectiveCareer vitality is experienced when personal and professional life commitments align. To examine perceptions of and strategies used by women faculty in health professions to achieve career vitality. MethodsA 2-round Delphi method was used to identify career vitality descriptors, personal-professional-life equilibrium, and strategies for achieving career vitality among 16 women faculty recruited from the National Academies of Practice. Qualitative analysis identified themes. ResultsThe consensus-generated descriptors of career vitality were ‘growth mindset’, ‘motivated/passionate’, and ‘collaborative’. Descriptors of personal-professional-life equilibrium were ‘prioritize’, ‘balance’, and ‘nimbleness’. Personal resilience was the major strategy to gain equilibrium. Challenging perceptions to overcome included role expectations for women working outside the home, which correlated with a system strategy such as organizational tools. ConclusionAchieving career vitality and personal-professional-life equilibrium is challenging. The strategies generated can be utilized by women faculty to better align work-related demands when challenges are high, and resources are low.

Does workplace telepressure get under the skin? Protocol for an ambulatory assessment study on wellbeing and health-related physiological, experiential, and behavioral concomitants of workplace telepressure

BackgroundThe daily working life of many employees requires the use of modern information and communication technology (ICT) devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. The double-edged nature of digital work environments has been increasingly highlighted. Benefits such as increased flexibility come at a personal cost. One of the potential downsides is workplace telepressure, i.e., the experience of urge and preoccupation to quickly reply to work-related messages and demands using ICT. There is initial − mainly survey-based−evidence that workplace telepressure may have negative effects on a variety of wellbeing and health outcomes.Aims and hypothesesAdopting the Effort-Recovery Model and the concept of allostatic load as theoretical frameworks, the present study aims to investigate the hypothesis that workplace telepressure is significantly associated with increased “wear and tear”, in the form of more psychosomatic complaints, worse sleep quality (self-reported and actigraphy-based), worse mood, and biological alterations (lower cardiac vagal tone, lower anabolic balance defined as the ratio of salivary dehydroepiandrosterone to salivary cortisol, and higher salivary alpha-amylase). Additionally, the study aims to investigate the hypothesis that connection to work defined as work-related workload and work-related perseverative cognition plays a significant role in the mediation of these relationships.MethodsTo test our hypotheses, we will conduct an ambulatory assessment study with a convenience sample of 120 healthy workers regularly using ICTs for job communication. For one week, participants will be asked to complete electronic diaries assessing their level of workplace telepressure, psychosomatic complaints, sleep quality, mood, work-related workload, and work-related perseverative cognition. They will also continuously wear the Bittium Faros 180L ECG monitor, the wrist-worn actigraph MotionWatch 8, and perform saliva sampling five times per day.DiscussionThis study will be the most comprehensive ambulatory investigation of workplace telepressure and its psychophysiological concomitants to date and constitutes an important step towards understanding how high levels of workplace telepressure may lead in the long term to secondary alterations (e.g., hypertension, chronic inflammation) and disease (e.g., heart disease). The findings of this study are also anticipated to contribute to guiding the development and implementation of interventions, programs, and policies relevant to employees’ digital wellbeing.

Cross-sectional associations between work and commute hours with frequency and location of food outlet visits: The moderating role of 20-minute neighbourhoods

The 20-minute neighbourhood (20MN) concept seeks to promote healthy and local living through the provision of everyday amenities and services close to home. This study explored if 20MNs benefit workers with long work-related time demands who may have less time to interact with their local neighbourhood. It assessed associations between work and commute hours with frequency and location of food outlet visits, and tested whether neighbourhood type (20MN vs. non-20MN) moderated these associations. Results suggested up-to-full-time (1–38 h/week) and overtime workers (>38 h/week) tend to visit their primary supermarket less often than non-workers (0 h/week). Overtime workers were more likely to frequently visit out-of-home food outlets than non-workers. Up-to-full-time workers were more likely to visit a greater variety of food stores than non-workers if they had a 20MN but not if they had a non-20MN. Compared to non-workers, overtime workers with a non-20MN more frequently visited cafés and used delivery services from supermarkets or meal/recipe box suppliers, but that was not the case for those with a 20MN. Most frequently visited outlets were closer to home for those with a 20MN, suggesting the 20MN concept holds the potential to encourage more local living.

Work Stress, Overcommitment and Somatization among Early Childhood Professionals during COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Study

IntroductionIn addition to posing major public health challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected psychological and physical stressors in workplaces as well as strain by workers worldwide. Even prior COVID-19, the working conditions of early childhood professionals (ECPs) were described as critical leading to (psycho)somatic complaints. Despite the high societal relevance of ECPs and the potential increase in stressors caused by COVID-19, there is a lack of empirical evidence to which extent work-related demands had an adverse effect on ECPs health during COVID-19.ObjectivesWe aimed to obtain updated prevalence rates of somatic symptoms of ECPs as well as unfavourable working conditions inducing stress (in terms of an effort-reward imbalance; ERI) in childcare. The overall objective was to establish associations between work stress and health during the early phase of the pandemic. Given the tendency of ECPs to overcommit themselves, we further explored the potential moderating role of overcommitment.MethodsBetween June 2020 and May 2021, questionnaire data was collected using validated instruments (i.e., ERI, PHQ-15) from ECPs in childcare centers as well as from family providers (N = 1.009). ECPs were informed about the study and contacted through the youth welfare office. Multiple logistic regression tested the influence of ERI and overcommitment on the severity of somatic symptoms. It was controlled for age, gender as well as leadership position. SPSS 28.0 was used to analyze the data.ResultsThe ERI ratio of the sample averaged 1.28 (SD = 0.45), with 72.7% of subjects exceeding the critical cut-off value &gt; 1, indicating a gratification crisis. The averaged sum score of the PHQ-15 was 8.99 (SD = 5.43). Based on a PHQ-15 cut-off ≥ 10, the overall prevalence of somatization at a moderate to high level is estimated to be 44.6%. The mean overcommitment score was 15.14 (SD = 3.55) and 23.4% of ECPs were in the highest overcommitment tertile. ERI (OR = 4.12, 95% CI: 2.73 - 6.22) and overcommitment (OR = 5.20, 95% CI: 2.17 - 12.47) were associated with an increased likelihood of greater severity of somatic symptoms. Yet, the interaction effect between both predictors remained non-signifcant. Being female and having no leadership position were predictors for a moderate to high level of somatization.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate the high relevance of work stress for somatic health among ECPs in the midst of a pandemic. Given the high overall prevalence of somatic symptoms and the female-dominated work sector, ECPs may be at high risk for somatoform disorders. There remains a strong need for action to reduce work-related stress in order to decrease the somatic symptom burden. Large-scale and longitudinal studies are needed to further investigate coping with and persistence of somatic symptoms among this occupational group.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Keep it steady? Not only average self-control demands matter for employees’ work engagement, but also variability

ABSTRACT Previous research has demonstrated that work-related self-control demands deplete regulatory resources and thus impair employees’ functioning. But what is more harmful to employees – facing consistent self-control demands throughout the day or frequently switching between activities that require varying levels of self-control (i.e. self-control demands variability)? To answer this question, we draw from theories of psychological contrast to propose the variability of self-control demands (i.e. changes in self-control demands within a day) as a contingency that amplifies the negative impact of daily (mean) self-control demands on evening ego depletion, which in turn spills over to next-day work engagement. This amplifying effect occurs because on days with high self-control demands variability, the contrast between unpleasant and pleasant activities at work becomes particularly salient, which requires additional self-control due to stronger experienced goal-desire conflicts. We propose that employees with high levels of burnout may be particularly vulnerable to the exacerbating effects of self-control demands variability because they suffer from chronic impairments of their ability to exert self-control. A daily diary study with 86 employees across ten days (N = 525 measurement points) largely supports our conceptual framework.

Lower Extremity Posture Assistive Wearable Devices: A Review

Many work-related tasks demand able-bodied employees to assume uncomfortable postures for long periods. This can lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The situation demands the employees to be physically empowered while ensuring their agility and flexibility. In that context, wearable bodyweight support systems have come to the forefront as a futuristic solution to reduce the stress on the human body when assuming sitting and/or crouched postures. Recently, heightened attention on these posture assistive devices was evident with an increasing number of products, patents, and research articles. However, reviews of such wearable posture assistive devices for the lower limbs are lacking in the literature. Thus, this article specifically focuses on reviewing existing methods and technologies to assist workers in the industrial or service sectors to work in uncomfortable or crouched postures. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews method was used to identify and analyze 43 unique designs from research and patent databases. The critical review of the technologies was performed after classifying these devices into commercial phase, lab/research phase, and conceptual design phase. This review has comprehensively covered the trends and patterns of the modern developments in posture assistance and includes future directions for the research community. Holistically, this article serves as a reference to set up a benchmarking system for wearable posture assistive devices.

Moral Distress in Canadian Intensivists: A Complex Interplay of Contextual and Relational Factors

Health care professionals experience moral distress when they cannot act based on their moral beliefs because of perceived constraints. Moral distress prevalence is high among critical care (ICU) clinicians, but varies significantly between and within professions. How can the interindividual variability in moral distress of Canadian ICU physicians be explained to inform future system-based interventions? We analyzed 135 free-text comments written by 83 of the 225 ICU physicians who participated in an online cross-sectional wellness survey. An interdisciplinary team of five investigators completed the thematic analysis of anonymized survey comments according to published guidelines. Physicians identified contextual and relational factors that contributed to moral distress and work-related stress. Combined sources of distress created high work-related demands that were not always matched by equally high resources or mitigated by work-related rewards. An imbalance between demands and rewards could lead to undesirable individual and collective consequences. Moral distress is experienced variably by ICU physicians and is linked to contextual and relational factors. Future studies should evaluate modifiable factors such as team interactions and the role of professional rewards as mitigators of distress to bring new insights into strategies to improve ICU clinician wellness and patient care.

Physician challenges and supports during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians encountered significant COVID-19-related negative experiences and psychological distress in both their personal and professional lives. To understand the factors that negatively impact physician well-being, a number of studies have pointed to multiple work system factors such as excessive workload and workflow interruptions. In addition, studies have shown that positive interpersonal relationships that provide social support may also serve as a buffering role against psychological distress. The aim of our study explores the challenges and sources of support for physicians relative to mental health symptoms. In this study, We used a cross-sectional study design with a convergent parallel mixed method approach combining both qualitative and quantitative data collected in parallel from a self-report questionnaire immediately following the first wave of COVID-19. The aim of our study explores the challenges and sources of support for physicians relative to mental health symptoms. Of the 457 physicians in the study, the most frequently potential negative occupational experiences were, "Being at risk of contracting COVID-19 from patients/co-workers" (90.5%) and "Contact with distressed family members who cannot be with a loved one" (69.5%). We identified five common themes for main sources of social support (e.g. emotional support from family/friends) and six themes for challenges (e.g., work-related demands exacerbated by the pandemic). Our study highlights COVID-19 and other pandemic-related challenges that negatively impacted the mental health of physicians. Interventions that provide targeted organizational supports (e.g. sufficient PPE and child support), as well as specific sources of support (e.g. family and emotional), can attenuate those challenges and stressors experienced during a pandemic.

Burnout among hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic: Longitudinal results from the international Cope-Corona survey study

ObjectiveLong-term changes in burnout and its predictors in hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated in an international study. MethodsTwo online surveys were distributed to hospital staff in seven countries (Germany, Andorra, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Romania, Iran) between May and October 2020 (T1) and between February and April 2021 (T2), using the following variables: Burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization), job function, age, gender, and contact with COVID-19 patients; individual resources (self-compassion, sense of coherence, social support) and work-related resources and demands (support at the workplace, risk perception, health and safety at the workplace, altruistic acceptance of risk). Data were analyzed using linear mixed models repeated measures, controlled for age. ResultsA total of 612 respondents were included (76% women). We found an increase in burnout from T1 to T2. Burnout was high among personnel with high contact with COVID-19 patients. Individual factors (self-compassion, sense of coherence) and work-related factors (support at the workplace, risk perception, health and safety at the workplace) showed associations with burnout. Low health and safety at the workplace at T1 was associated with an increase in emotional exhaustion at T2. Men showed an increase in depersonalization if they had much contact with COVID-19 patients. ConclusionBurnout represents a potential problematic consequence of occupational contact with COVID-19 patients. Special attention should be paid to this group in organizational health management. Self-compassion, sense of coherence, support at the workplace, risk perception, and health and safety at the workplace may be important starting points for interventions.Registration.Müller, M. M. (2020, August 30). Cope-Corona: Identifying and strengthening personal resources of hospital staff to cope with the Corona pandemic. Open Science Foundation.

Save our surgeons (SOS) – an explorative comparison of surgeons’ muscular and cardiovascular demands, posture, perceived workload and discomfort during robotic vs. laparoscopic surgery

PurposeConventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) imposes an increased risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Technical innovations, such as robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS), may provide ergonomic benefits. We compare the surgeon`s work-related demands of CLS vs RALS for benign hysterectomies.MethodsFive specialists (3 females, 2 males) each performed four RALS and four CLS as part of their daily clinical routine. During the surgical procedures, muscular demands were assessed by bipolar surface electromyograms of the descendent trapezius, extensor digitorum and flexor carpi radialis muscles as well as cardio-vascular demands by electrocardiography, and neck, arm and torso posture by gravimetrical position sensors. Additionally, the subjects rated their level of perceived workload (NASA TLX questionnaire with 6 dimension) and musculoskeletal discomfort (11-point Likert-scale, 0–10).ResultsMuscular demands of the trapezius and flexor carpi radialis muscles were lower with RALS but extensor digitorum demands increased. Cardiovascular demands were about 9 heart beats per minute (bpm) lower for RALS compared to CLS with a rather low median level for both surgical techniques (RALS = 84 bpm; CLS 90 bpm). The posture changed in RALS with an increase in neck and torso flexion, and a reduction in abduction and anteversion position of the right arm. The perceived workload was lower in the physical demands dimension but higher in the mental demands dimension during RALS. Subjective musculoskeletal discomfort was rare during both surgical techniques.ConclusionsThis explorative study identified several potential ergonomic benefits related to RALS which now can be verified by studies using hypothesis testing designs. However, potential effects on muscular demands in the lower arm extensor muscles also have to be addressed in such studies.

Some positivity per day can protect you a long way: A within-person field experiment to test an affect-resource model of employee effectiveness at work

ABSTRACT We expand research on the daily dynamics of employee effectiveness at work by integrating the core tenets of the Conservation of Resources Theory with the Broaden-and-Build Theory of positive emotions. Specifically, we argue that daily work-related self-control demands as a stressor deplete employees’ regulatory resources, which in turn impair work effectiveness because employees try to protect their remaining regulatory resources. Assuming that positive affect can replenish regulatory resources, we further propose that enhancing positive affect can alleviate employees from entering a resource preservation state on days with high self-control demands at work. We examined this integrated affect-resource model in a within-person field experiment over 12 workdays with 85 employees who received a daily text- or video-based positivity micro-intervention. Consistent with our predictions, the adverse effects of noon self-control demands on afternoon measures of employee effectiveness (work engagement, organizational citizenship behaviour, and creativity) via regulatory resource availability were attenuated on days when participants experienced positive affect, which was enhanced through the positivity micro-intervention. We discuss theoretical implications for the regulatory resource literature, methodological implications for the growing body of research on within-person field experiments in organizational research, and practical implications for introducing short interventions in daily working life.

Independent Supported Housing Versus Institutionalised Residential Rehabilitation for Individuals with Severe Mental Illness: A Survey of Attitudes and Working Conditions Among Mental Healthcare Professionals

Despite widespread support for Independent Supported Housing (ISH) interventions, psychiatric housing rehabilitation still commonly takes place in residential care facilities (RCFs). This study compares preferences, attitudes and working conditions of mental healthcare professionals (MHCPs) in ISH and RCFs using an online survey. The survey included setting preferences, stress and strain at work, recovery attitudes, stigmatisation, and factors experienced as particularly important or obstructive in housing rehabilitation. Data were analysed using quantitative and qualitative approaches. Of the 112 participating MHCPs, 37% worked in ISH and 63% in RCFs. Professionals’ education, work-related demands and influence at work were higher in ISH, stigmatising attitudes were higher in RCFs. MHCPs in both settings endorsed ISH. The support process was seen as particularly important whereas stigmatisation, regulatory and political requirements were seen as obstructive for successful housing rehabilitation. Results indicate that social inclusion of individuals with severe mental illness is seldom feasible without professional support.

Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention Comprising an App, Web-Based Workshops, and a Workbook on Perceived Stress Among Nurses and Nursing Trainees: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundPrevious research has found digitally supported mindfulness interventions to be effective when used for stress management among workers in high-stress occupations. Findings on digitally supported mindfulness interventions among nurses working in acute inpatient care settings are heterogeneous, lack long-term follow-up, and do not assess adherence and acceptability.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and efficacy of a digitally supported mindfulness intervention designed to improve health- and work-related outcomes among nurses and nursing trainees working in acute inpatient care settings.MethodsWe will conduct a multicenter randomized controlled trial using a wait-list control group design. Randomization will be stratified by hospital and job status (nurse or nursing trainee). Recruitment will take place on the web and offline during the working hours of nurses and nursing trainees. The intervention group will receive a digitally supported mindfulness intervention, which will comprise an app, 2 web-based workshops, and a workbook, whereas the wait-list control group will be scheduled to receive the same intervention 14 weeks later. The 2 web-based workshops will be led by a certified mindfulness-based stress reduction trainer. Nurses will use the app and the workbook independently. Self-report web-based surveys will be conducted on the web at baseline, at 10 weeks after allocation, at 24 weeks after allocation, and at 38 weeks after allocation. Outcomes of interest will include perceived stress (primary outcome), health- and work-related variables, and variables related to adherence and acceptability of the digitally supported mindfulness intervention. We will perform intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses.ResultsData collection will be completed by the beginning of August 2022. Data analyses will be completed by December 2022.ConclusionsOur study design, including long-term follow-up and the investigation of variables related to adherence and acceptability, will ensure rigorous evaluation of effectiveness and efficacy. Relative to costly in-person intervention efforts, this program may present a cost-effective and potentially highly scalable alternative. Findings regarding effectiveness, efficacy, adherence, and acceptability will inform stakeholders’ decisions regarding the implementation of similar interventions to promote the well-being of nurses and nursing trainees, which may, in turn, alleviate detrimental stress-related outcomes (eg, burnout) because of work-related demands.Trial RegistrationGerman Clinical Trials Register DRKS00025997; https://tinyurl.com/433cas7uInternational Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/37195

Why Leader Workaholism is Linked to Subordinate Work Withdrawal? A Moral Licensing Perspective

Based on moral licensing theory, we propose that employees who work with a leader that shows high workaholism are more likely to experience after-hours work-related ICT demands, which would be considered morally praiseworthy under a leader who spends more time on work than on other activities in life. After-hours work-related ICT demands, in turn, activate two psychological mechanisms that ultimately affect work withdrawal. First, after-hours work-related ICT demands are associated with greater psychological entitlement, which increases work withdrawal. Second, after-hours work-related ICT demands are associated with greater emotional exhaustion, which increases work withdrawal. Results show that the serial mediation relationship between leader workaholism and work withdrawal was positive and significant for subordinates with high and low family identity salience, but the effect was stronger for subordinates with high family identity salience. Therefore, this study illustrates that leader workaholism and subordinates' work withdrawal are related through subordinates’ after-hours work-related ICT demands and two psychological mechanisms (psychological entitlement and emotional exhaustion). The strength of this serial mediation relationship varies depending on the family identity salience.

Spaces of Compassion: Organizing Care at Good Samaritan Hospice

Finding a balance between work-related emotional demands and protecting the self is a challenge for all organizations, but it is critical for organizations that face, in their everyday activities, suffering and death. Drawing on an ethnographic study at Good Samaritan Hospice, an end-of-life organization supporting poor, terminally ill patients, we investigate the creation and repair of spaces of compassion. In examining this case, we add to the literature of compassion by identifying four sets of practices contributing to the creation and reparation of such spaces. These practices are: embracing death, demarcating places, enacting spirituality, and reconfiguring time. Together they highlight how compassion and care of demanding others go beyond the individual, deviant or heroic episodes but is sustained in time within an organization.