Work-related Variables Research Articles

Associations between Drinking Behaviors and Meaning in Life: Evidence from Primary Care Professionals in China.

(1) Background: Although the associations between drinking behaviors and emotional problems have been supported in several previous studies, the associations between drinking behaviors and meaning in life have not been explored until now. We aimed to test the associations between drinking behaviors and meaning in life among primary care professionals, after controlling for depression. (2) Methods: In the current study, we collected 1453 valid questionnaires based on a cross-sectional design. Meaning in life, drinking behaviors, physical diseases, depression, work-related variables, and some other social-demographic variables were evaluated. (3) Results: The results support that after controlling for depression, regular milk drinking (β = 1.387, p = 0.026), and regular juice drinking (β = 2.316, p = 0.030) were associated with higher meaning in life, while regular water drinking (β = -1.448, p = 0.019) was negatively associated with meaning in life. In addition to this, the results showed that the older age (β = 0.098, p = 0.001), preventive medicine majors (β = 4.281, p = 0.013), working fewer days per week (β = -0.942, p = 0.004), licensed (assistant) technician qualification (β = 2.921, p = 0.036), and no depression (β = -0.203, p < 0.001) were positively associated with meaning in life. (4) Conclusion: This study supported the association between drinking behaviors and meaning in life, even after controlling depression. These findings imply that we can further explore this association and its mechanisms in future studies.

Shoulder work-related musculoskeletal disorders and related factors of workers in 15 industries of China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundChanges in modern industrial production practices can easily lead to shoulder work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD). The current reports on shoulder WMSD are limited to some industries are less well studied, and the sample size is usually small. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and severity of shoulder WMSD in a large sample of Chinese workers from 15 industries, analyze the possible correlations with sociodemographic and work-related variables, and compare the differences between industries.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 55,749 participants from 252 enterprises in 15 industries throughout China. A Chinese version of the musculoskeletal disease questionnaire was used to collect the demographic factors, shoulder symptoms in past 12 months, and work-related factors including posture-related factors, repetition, vibration, work organization, job control, and environmental factors as independent variables. Descriptive statistics were used, and the binary logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the association between shoulder WMSD and potential demographic and work-related factors.ResultsNearly 35.5% of participants reported shoulder pain and discomfort in the previous 12 months. Biopharmaceutical manufacturing (56.2%), medical services (54.4%), and aviation services (50.1%) were the three industries with the highest prevalence of shoulder WMSD. The pain score of aviation services workers was the highest. The related factors for shoulder WMSD varied among the different industries.ConclusionOur study found a relatively high prevalence of shoulder WMSD in China. There were large differences in the prevalence of shoulder WMSD among industries, and the related factors were particular to each industry. Such information is useful to help occupational health practitioners and policymakers conduct preventive programs to reduce shoulder disorders in these working populations.

Impacts of psychological contract fulfillment on work attitudes and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: mediating role of perceived organizational support.

The paradigm shifts in HRM during the outbreak of COVID-19 involve new challenges for organizations, whereas it remains unclear how psychological contract fulfillment works on employees' attitudes and behaviors in the new working settings from organizations. This paper explores the impacts of psychological contract fulfillment on employees' work attitudes and behaviors (work engagement, intrinsic motivation, and affective commitment) during the COVID-19 outbreak, and examines the mediating mechanism of perceived organizational support between psychological contract fulfillment and these work-related variables. For the research, a cross-sectional research design and quantitative analysis were adopted. Data were collected via survey questionnaires and from 405 respondents working remotely during the COVID-19 outbreak. The findings revealed that psychological contract fulfillment positively impacted employees' work engagement, intrinsic motivation, and affective commitment during the COVID-19 outbreak, and indicated that perceived organizational support significantly but partially mediates the positive associations between PCF and these work-related variables.

A multicomponent structured health behaviour intervention to improve physical activity in long-distance HGV drivers: the SHIFT cluster RCT

BackgroundLong-distance heavy goods vehicle drivers are exposed to a multitude of risk factors associated with their occupation. The working environment of heavy goods vehicle drivers provides limited opportunities for a healthy lifestyle, and, consequently, heavy goods vehicle drivers exhibit higher than nationally representative rates of obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, and are underserved in terms of health promotion initiatives.ObjectiveThe aim of this trial was to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the multicomponent Structured Health Intervention For Truckers (SHIFT) programme, compared with usual care, at both 6 months and 16–18 months.DesignA two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial, including a cost-effectiveness analysis and process evaluation.SettingTransport depots throughout the Midlands region of the UK.ParticipantsHeavy goods vehicle drivers.InterventionThe 6-month SHIFT programme included a group-based interactive 6-hour education session, health coach support and equipment provision [including a Fitbit®(Fitbit Inc., San Francisco, CA, US) and resistance bands/balls to facilitate a ‘cab workout’]. Clusters were randomised following baseline measurements to either the SHIFT arm or the control arm.Main outcome measuresOutcome measures were assessed at baseline, with follow-up assessments occurring at both 6 months and 16–18 months. The primary outcome was device-measured physical activity, expressed as mean steps per day, at 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included device-measured sitting, standing, stepping, physical activity and sleep time (on any day, workdays and non-workdays), along with adiposity, biochemical measures, diet, blood pressure, psychophysiological reactivity, cognitive function, functional fitness, mental well-being, musculoskeletal symptoms and work-related psychosocial variables. Cost-effectiveness and process evaluation data were collected.ResultsA total of 382 participants (mean ± standard deviation age: 48.4 ± 9.4 years; mean ± standard deviation body mass index: 30.4 kg/m2 ± 5.1 kg/m2; 99% male) were recruited across 25 clusters. Participants were randomised (at the cluster level) to either the SHIFT arm (12 clusters,n = 183) or the control arm (13 clusters,n = 199). At 6 months, 209 (54.7%) participants provided primary outcome data. Significant differences in mean daily steps were found between arms, with participants in the SHIFT arm accumulating 1008 more steps per day than participants in the control arm (95% confidence interval 145 to 1871 steps;p = 0.022), which was largely driven by the maintenance of physical activity levels in the SHIFT arm and a decline in physical activity levels in the control arm. Favourable differences at 6 months were also seen in the SHIFT arm, relative to the control arm, in time spent sitting, standing and stepping, and time in moderate or vigorous activity. No differences between arms were observed at 16–18 months’ follow-up. No differences were observed between arms in the other secondary outcomes at either follow-up (i.e. 6 months and 16–18 months). The process evaluation demonstrated that the intervention was well received by participants and that the intervention reportedly had a positive impact on their health behaviours. The average total cost of delivering the SHIFT programme was £369.57 per driver, and resulting quality-adjusted life-years were similar across trial arms (SHIFT arm: 1.22, 95% confidence interval 1.19 to 1.25; control arm: 1.25, 95% confidence interval 1.22 to 1.27).LimitationsA higher (31.4%) than anticipated loss to follow-up was experienced at 6 months, with fewer (54.7%) participants providing valid primary outcome data at 6 months. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a major confounding factor, which limits our ability to draw firm conclusions regarding the sustainability of the SHIFT programme.ConclusionThe SHIFT programme had a degree of success in positively impacting physical activity levels and reducing sitting time in heavy goods vehicle drivers at 6-months; however, these differences were not maintained at 16–18 months.Future workFurther work involving stakeholder engagement is needed to refine the content of the programme, based on current findings, followed by the translation of the SHIFT programme into a scalable driver training resource.Trial registrationThis trial is registered as ISRCTN10483894.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full inPublic Health Research; Vol. 10, No. 12. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Predictors of job satisfaction among German teachers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Abstract Background To contribute the containment of the infections during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, changes in working conditions occurred worldwide. In the school context, teaching was changed several times to distance learning and teachers were forced to work from home. This increasing spatial separation between work and private life increased the potential for conflicts. Based on the theoretical assumption that stressors worsen job satisfaction and resources increase satisfaction, the aim of our study was to identify the predictors of teachers’ job satisfaction during the pandemic. The focus on job satisfaction is interesting because the concept is often related to health-related aspects from a public health perspective. Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted among German teachers in March 2021. After data cleaning, 31,089 participants were included in the analyses. The survey consisted of established instruments (e.g., COPSOQ) and self-developed items if necessary. A multiple linear regression was performed to predict teachers’ job satisfaction by stepwise inclusion of sociodemographic, work-related and covid-specific variables. Results Overall, the regression revealed that especially work-related variables were strong predictors of job satisfaction. The analyses showed that higher levels of meaning of work, autonomy and predictability of work increased job satisfaction. In contrast, increased emotional stress, feelings of unfair treatment, and work-privacy conflicts deteriorated job satisfaction. Conclusions The present study identified important predictors of job satisfaction which may be used to derive specific recommendations for improving teachers’ job satisfaction during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The relevance of job satisfaction for the scientific and public discourse becomes apparent because it was closely related to teachers’ somatic and mental health. Key messages • Teachers’ job satisfaction during the pandemic can be further improved by making appropriate adjustments, particularly in work-specific requirements. • Improving job satisfaction significantly contributes to promoting teachers’ health.

The mental health status of offshore oil platform workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BackgroundPrevious studies indicated that offshore workers have a high level of work-related stress on an everyday basis. This study aims to assess the prevalence and determinants of mental health conditions in offshore oil platform workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWorkers of three oil and gas platforms were assessed in this cross-sectional study. Their mental status was evaluated by the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD-8) questionnaire, and Depression Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS) questionnaires. Furthermore, we assessed satisfaction with life (SWL) with a single question. Finally, multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the association of demographic and work-related variables with mental health outcomes.ResultsOverall, 278 (Males:197, Females: 81) out of 315 invited workers with a mean age of 35.6 (SD: 7.2) years were included in this study using a random sampling method (participation rate: 88.2%). PTSD symptoms and Insomnia were observed in 9 (3.2%) and 138 (49.6%) of the participants, respectively. The prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were 72 (25.9%), 70 (24.6%), and 85 (30.5%), respectively. Based on multivariable (adjusted) logistic regression analysis, women had significantly higher odds of stress and anxiety than men; those with an academic education were significantly more dissatisfied with their lives than those without an academic education.ConclusionOur findings revealed a high prevalence of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and stress among offshore oil platformers during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in women. Indicating that women and those with a higher education level in the oil platform work settings are more susceptible to stressors.

Contributions of Work-to-Family Enrichment to Parental Food Monitoring and Satisfaction with Food-Related Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Dual-Earner Parents and Their Adolescent Children.

Evidence shows that numerous family-related variables influence parents’ use of different food parenting practices (FPP), but less is known about the influence of parents’ work-related variables on their use of FPP, and their own and their children’s outcomes in the food domain. To fill this gap, the present study explored intra-individual and inter-individual effects between work-to-family enrichment (WtoFE), parents’ monitoring practices, the adolescent’s perception of their parents’ monitoring practices, and the three family members’ satisfaction with food-related life (SWFoL), in different-sex dual-earner parents with adolescent children. The mediating role of monitoring between WtoFE and SWFoL was also tested. A sample of 430 different-sex dual-earner parents and one of their adolescent children (average age 13.0 years, 53.7% female) were recruited in Rancagua, Chile, during March and June 2020. The three family members answered the monitoring dimension of the Compressive Feeding Practices Questionnaire and the Satisfaction with Food-Related Life Scale. Parents answered a measure of WtoFE based on the Work–Home Interaction Survey. Analyses were conducted using the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model and structural equation modelling. Results showed a positive association between WtoFE and SWFoL, directly (p < 0.001) and through monitoring in fathers (95% confidence interval [0.010, 0.097], actor effect). The father’s (p = 0.042) and mother’s (p = 0.006) WtoFE was positively associated with their adolescent’s SWFoL (partner effects). The father’s (p = 0.002) and mother’s (p = 0.036) WtoFE were positively associated with their own monitoring (actor effect), while only the father’s WtoFE (p = 0.014) was positively associated with the adolescent’s perception of their parents’ monitoring (partner effect). The father’s (p = 0.018) and mother’s (p = 0.003) monitoring, as well as the adolescents’ perception of their parents’ monitoring (p = 0.033), were positively associated with their own SWFoL (actor effects), while the mother’s monitoring (p = 0.043) was also associated with the father’s SWFoL (partner effects). Findings suggest that both parents’ WtoFE improved their monitoring practices, which, in turn, improved their own SWFoL and their adolescent child’s SWFoL. Policymakers and organizations must aim to promote the WtoFE of working parents.

Occupational burnout among teachers: is it seasonal?

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare occupational burnout in two groups of teachers from the district of Bijeljina (Bosnia and Herzegovina) measured with the Serbian version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory survey for workers in human services (MBI-HSS) at the beginning (group 1) and the end of the school year 2018/2019 (group 2) to see if there are seasonal differences. The questionnaire also included standard sociodemographic data and job description (primary and/or secondary school position, length of service, and overtime work). The prevalence of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation was low in both groups. However, emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation scores significantly shifted to higher values between the beginning and the end of the school year. We also found a statistically significant association between emotional exhaustion and overtime and between depersonalisation and work in a secondary school (p<0.05). These findings invite further research of occupational burnout seasonality in schoolteachers, preferably by following up cohorts which would be controlled for sociodemographic and work-related variables.

Wellbeing and coping of UK nurses, midwives and allied health professionals during COVID-19-a cross-sectional study.

Nurse, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), along with other health and social care colleagues are the backbone of healthcare services. They have played a key role in responding to the increased demands on healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper compares cross-sectional data on quality of working life, wellbeing, coping and burnout of nurses, midwives and AHPs in the United Kingdom (UK) at two time points during the COVID-19 pandemic. An anonymous online repeated cross-sectional survey was conducted at two timepoints, Phase 1 (7th May 2020-3rd July 2020); Phase 2 (17th November 2020-1st February 2021). The survey consisted of the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, the Work-Related Quality of Life Scale, and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (Phase 2 only) to measure wellbeing, quality of working life and burnout. The Brief COPE scale and Strategies for Coping with Work and Family Stressors scale assessed coping strategies. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regressions examined the effects of coping strategies and demographic and work-related variables on wellbeing and quality of working life. A total of 1839 nurses, midwives and AHPs responded to the first or second survey, with a final sample of 1410 respondents -586 from Phase 1; 824 from Phase 2, (422 nurses, 192 midwives and 796 AHPs). Wellbeing and quality of working life scores were significantly lower in the Phase 2 sample compared to respondents in Phase 1 (p<0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on psychological wellbeing and quality of working life which decreased while the use of negative coping and burnout of these healthcare professionals increased. Health services are now trying to respond to the needs of patients with COVID-19 variants while rebuilding services and tackling the backlog of normal care provision. This workforce would benefit from additional support/services to prevent further deterioration in mental health and wellbeing and optimise workforce retention.

The moderating role of sociodemographic and work-related variables in burnout and mental health levels of Mexican medical residents.

ObjectiveTo explore the moderating effects of sociodemographic and work-related variables on levels of burnout and mental health among medical residents.MethodA cross-sectional online survey was administered at the beginning of the second wave of COVID-19 at different public teaching hospitals where medical residents practiced in Mexico City. A total of 201 medical residents of different years completed the survey.ResultsDifferent univariate inferential analyses on the level of burnout and mental health indices showed significant differences between sex, marital status, previous reports of physical illness or psychological conditions, and residency ranking. However, the effect sizes of those differences were of low to medium size. A predictive path analysis revealed that the three stages of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and achievement dissatisfaction) negatively affect psychological wellbeing and positively affect psychological distress. Finally, even though sociodemographic variables showed some significant variation, the effect sizes were small and did not moderate the direct effect of burnout on mental health indices.ConclusionsMedical residents deling with every day medical situations, will be exposed to stressors that might increase the probability to experience emotional exhaustion. This would negatively affect levels of wellbeing and positively affect distress, despite their sociodemographic characteristics.

Factors influencing mindfulness among Jordanian nurses: A cross-sectional study.

The current study aimed to examine if work-related factors, psychological variables and selected demographics predict mindfulness among Jordanian nurses. Mindfulness has been associated with various work-related variables. Studies examining mindfulness antecedents in nurses are scarce. A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from 173 nurses currently employed in three major referral hospitals. A demographic questionnaire and instruments to collect data about nursing mindfulness, depression, stress, work-family conflict, and family-work conflict were used. The bivariate analysis showed that all study variables combinations were significant except for the correlation between income and mindfulness. The best fit model showed that only four variables significantly contributed to the model: depression, stress, family-work conflict, and educational level. These variables explained 57% of the variance in mindfulness in our sample. Depression, stress, family-work conflict and educational levels contributed to mindfulness levels in Jordanian nurses. Nurse managers should be aware of the factors that may affect their employees' mindfulness levels and target these factors through the application of evidence-based interventions to improve nurses' levels of mindfulness, which in turn will mitigate the negative impact of lower levels of mindfulness.

Perception of work in the IT sector among men and women-A comparison between IT students and IT professionals.

Lack of gender balance within STEM fields is caused by many complex factors, some of which are related to the fact that women do not perceive certain occupations as congruent with their career and personal goals. Although there is a large body of research regarding women in STEM, there is a gap concerning perception of occupations within different STEM industries. IT is a domain where skilled employees are constantly in demand. Even though the overall female representation in STEM fields is rising and that the IT industry is undertaking numerous interventions to attract women to careers in IT, the representation of women in this domain is still disappointingly low. Therefore, the goal of our study was to examine the possible differences among male and female IT and non-IT students and employees in terms of their perception of IT and other key factors influencing the feeling of aptness of IT as a potential sector one's career: goal congruence, sense of belonging and self-efficacy. In this paper we present the results of a study conducted in Poland among working IT professionals (N = 205) and IT students (N = 127) that we compare with individuals from non-IT sectors (N = 222 employees, 107 students). Our results showed significant gender differences between IT students and IT professionals. We found that communal goals are more important for IT employees than for IT students (both male and female) and that a sense of social belonging is stronger among female IT employees than among male IT employees and IT students. Women employed in IT also had the same level of sense of social belonging as women in non-IT group. These findings suggest that after entering IT positions, women's perception of the domain might become potentially more favorable and attuned with their needs. We also found that female IT students value agentic goals more than communal goals which was not the case for female IT employees. The results highlight the importance of investigating women's perception of the IT sector at different levels of career in terms of their goals and other work-related variables. Such lines of research will help develop more effective interventions in attracting women to enter the IT field.

Work-Related Traumatic Stress Response in Nurses Employed in COVID-19 Settings.

Nurses may be at a higher risk of experiencing work-related traumatic stress response during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to other clinicians. This study aimed to investigate the correlations between work-related trauma symptoms and demographic factors, psychosocial hazards and stress response in a census sample of nurses working in COVID-19 settings in Cyprus. In this nationwide descriptive and cross-sectional study, data were collected between April and May 2020 using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic, educational and employment and work-related variables, as well as a modified version of the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) for the assessment of work-related trauma symptoms during the pandemic. Overall, 233 nurses participated (with a response rate of 61.3%) and 25.7% of them reported clinical work-related trauma symptoms (STSS-M > 55; actual scale range: 17–85). The mean value for emotional exhaustion was 7.3 (SD: 2.29; visual scale range: 1–10), while the value for distress that was caused by being avoided due to work in COVID-19 units was 6.98 (SD: 2.69; visual scale range: 1–10). Positive associations were noted between trauma symptoms and both emotional exhaustion and distress from being avoided by others due to work in a COVID-19 setting and a negative association was also found between trauma symptoms and satisfaction from organizational support variables (all p < 0.002). Working in COVID-19 settings during the pandemic is a stressful experience that has been linked to psychologically traumatic symptoms Thus, supportive measures are proposed for healthcare personnel, even in countries with low COVID-19 burden.

Factors Affecting Employees Work Engagement in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.

Background: Improving the labor productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is essential because of the aging population and predicted reduction in the labor force. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that employees are in good health to work for long times. In this regard, the purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between work engagement (WE) and related variables among SME employees. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the baseline data of the prospective cohort study, which included 377 employees from three SMEs headquartered in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Results: A multiple regression analysis was performed to see the associations between Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) scores and other variables. Significant associations were found with job satisfaction, age, health literacy (HL), and quality of sleep (all, p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference observed in WE, quality of sleep, concern for own body, job satisfaction, and family life satisfaction (all, p < 0.001) with respect to high and low HL levels. Conclusions: The results of this study reveal that while implementing health and productivity management in SMEs to increase WE, it is best to concentrate on raising HL, job satisfaction, and sleep quality. To increase generalizability, further research could be conducted with more SMEs companies.

Quality of life of fitness professionals in Portugal: Comparative and correlation study.

Fitness has been revealing a positive impact on the quality of life (QoL) of practitioners and fitness professionals (FPs) represent a role model for their customers in the fitness industry, emphasizing the need to know their QoL indices. The purpose of this study is to characterize the QoL of FPs in Portugal, compare it between groups and correlate QoL with sociodemographic and work-related variables. A total of 388 FPs answered an online survey about sociodemographic and work-related variables and the Portuguese version of the World Health Organization Bref QoL Assessment. Descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson and Spearman were used for statistical analysis. The results suggest that FPs in Portugal have different levels of QoL, considering the high standard deviation, with lower average indices than other countries. The lowest scores of QoL were verified in the environment domain. The results of the comparison between groups suggest that being male, married and having a master’s degree or higher were the characteristics with better indices of QoL. Age, professional experience and net salary reveal a positive relation/association with QoL. Body&mind group classes (GC) per week, maximal GC per day, paid and unpaid working hours per week and annual expenses related to the profession reveal a negative relation/association. Maximal GC per day results could be an important finding to help minimize the physical problems among FPs and body&mind GC per week results could be an indicator of the FPs adaptation that allows them to remain on the profession. Unpaid working hours per week has the highest number of significant relations/associations with QoL. These findings could be important to improve the QoL of FPs. Thus, they could result in better work capacity and, therefore, fewer professionals would abandon the profession. It would also have a positive impact on the fitness industry and on the promotion of physical activity for a healthier society. More research is needed regarding the QoL of FPs.

The role of irrational beliefs and motivation regulation in worker mental health and work engagement: A latent profile analysis.

Research concerning rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) and autonomous and controlled motivation within athletic settings is burgeoning. It is proposed that irrational beliefs (i.e., illogical, rigid, and extreme) together with controlled forms of motivation, can determine psychological well-being and physical health in these contexts. For example, research indicates that extreme negative self-evaluation (i.e., self-depreciation) is related to more controlled (less autonomous) motivation regulation, which may underpin poorer health. Though, research is yet to understand the concomitant influence of both irrational beliefs and motivation regulation on work related variables such as presenteeism, persistence and turnover intention, as well as non-work-related variables such as life satisfaction and mental-wellbeing. The present two study paper examines the latent profile structure of irrational beliefs and motivation regulation, and how these latent profiles relate to health and work-related variables. Across studies 1 and 2, results indicated a two-class profile whereby class 1 is characterised by low irrational beliefs and high self-determined motivation (low irrational engagement), and class 2 is characterised by high irrational beliefs and low self-determined motivation (high irrational engagement). Those in Class 2 reported poorer life satisfaction, persistence, and presenteeism, as well as greater depression, anxiety, stress, intention to quit, and absenteeism than those in class 1. Thus, findings indicate that poorer work and health outcomes are associated with greater irrational work engagement. The findings are discussed in relation to the practical implications for occupational workers.

The Sociodemographic-Professional Profile and Emotional Intelligence in Infant and Primary Education Teachers.

Emotional intelligence is the key to students’ psychological-social well-being and academic performance, and teachers must provide socioemotional education in the classroom. To achieve this, teachers must display high levels of socioemotional skills that ensure their own personal, social, and career well-being and, as a result, that of their students. This study seeks to gain an insight into the levels of socioemotional skills of emotional perception, emotional understanding, and emotional regulation and how these are linked to the sociodemographic and career profile of teachers in infant and primary education. For this, we surveyed 351 teachers—310 female and 41 male—aged between 20 and 69. We used the Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24 (TMMS-24) together with a questionnaire (ad hoc) to determine the sociodemographic and career profile of participating teachers. Statistical analysis of the data showed that gender impacts on emotional regulation and emotional perception, while age and number of the children were also seen to have significant difference on emotional regulation and emotional perception. In contrast, professional qualifications were only seen to affect emotional perception. The variable reflecting the level at which staff teach showed significant difference on emotional perception and emotional understanding, while administrative posts held by teachers also demonstrated significant difference on their emotional understanding. The results confirm that sociodemographic and work-related variables impact the level of socioemotional skills of infant and primary education teachers. These aspects should be taken into account in the structure and planning of training aimed at developing socioemotional skills in order to ensure their success.

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

Assessment of burnout and pandemic fatigue among pharmacy leadership in the Veterans Health Administration healthcare system.

PurposeFactors associated with burnout in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) pharmacy leadership positions were examined during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.MethodsA questionnaire was distributed to all pharmacy executives of the VHA healthcare system. It collected demographic and employment characteristics, career satisfaction and work-related variables, indicators of burnout using validated single-item measures adapted from the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychosocial and work-related variables. A χ 2 test with Bonferroni correction was used to evaluate the data. Burnout was defined as a score of 4 or greater on either of the 2 single-item validated statements adapted from the Maslach Burnout Inventory to assess emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.ResultsIn total, 407 (of 1,027; 39.6%) VHA pharmacy leaders representing Veterans Integrated Service Network pharmacy executives, chiefs of pharmacy, associate chiefs of pharmacy, and inpatient and outpatient supervisors completed the survey. The overall prevalence of burnout was 68.6% using the aggregate measure of emotional exhaustion or depersonalization. Pharmacy leaders who worked more than 60 hours a week reported significantly greater rates of burnout than those who worked 40 to 60 hours a week (86.7% vs 66.9%, χ2 = 7.34, degrees of freedom = 1, P < 0.05). Those experiencing increased workload related to COVID-19 also reported high burnout rates (72.1%, χ2 = 16.40, degrees of freedom = 1, P < 0.001). Burnout scores were similar across groups when respondents were stratified by leadership position, gender, age, or years in position.ConclusionAs of March 2021, two-thirds of pharmacy leaders were experiencing burnout. It is important for healthcare system leadership to identify patterns of burnout among their pharmacy leaders to ensure a productive and sustainable workforce.

Sociodemographic and Work-Related Variables Affecting Knowledge of, Attitudes toward, and Skills in EBNP of Nurses According to an EBPPQ.

(1) This study examines sociodemographic and work-related variables to determine their impact on the knowledge of, attitudes toward, and skills in Evidence-Based Nursing Practice (EBNP). (2) The study included 830 nurses from four voivodships in Poland, Dolnośląskie, Łódzkie, Podlaskie, and Zachodniopomorskie and was conducted by the diagnostic survey method, using the questionnaire technique. The following research tools were applied in the study: an Evidence-Based Practice Profile Questionnaire (EBPPQ) and a survey questionnaire developed by the authors, containing questions on sociodemographic data and work-related variables. (3) Sociodemographic variables with an impact on the knowledge of, attitudes toward, and skills in EBNP include age, marital status, and educational background. Older nurses find it problematic to apply EBNP, and their level of relevant knowledge and skills is lower; whereas, those with university education possess the best EBNP-related skills, and they are also more eager to expand them and apply them in their work. The work-related variables with an impact on the knowledge of, attitudes toward, and skills in EBNP among nurses include work experience, which has a negative effect on applying EBNP and the skills associated with it. The type of school from which the nurses graduated and the nursing specialisation training also have a strong impact on expanding nurses’ competence in EBNP.