Work Roles Research Articles

Returning to work after lockdown: A multi‐study investigation into the temporal effects of directive leadership

AbstractLeaders' use of directive leadership has been found to increase when they face an unprecedented crisis. However, extant literature has failed to answer how directive leadership functions in this specific situation. Using the return‐to‐work after COVID‐19 lockdown as an example, we drew upon regulatory focus theory and conducted three studies to investigate the temporal effects of directive leadership on followers' regulatory foci and work role performance. In Study 1, we conducted an experience sampling method (ESM) study tracking a sample of 250 employees over 1 week when the COVID‐19 was originally reported in China. In Study 2, we conducted another ESM study on 125 employees over 2 weeks when the Omicron variant was surging in China. Both studies showed that the positive effect of daily directive leadership on followers' work promotion focus was strongest on the first day upon returning to work after lockdowns but decreased over time. In contrast, the positive effect of daily directive leadership on followers' work prevention focus increased throughout our sampling periods and became strongest on the last day. Moreover, our results indicate that daily directive leadership interacts with the elapsed time to influence two forms of work role performance – task proactivity and task proficiency – through the mediating roles of promotion focus and prevention focus, respectively. In Study 3, we conducted a vignette experiment employing a within‐ and between‐subject design on a sample of 171 U.S. participants. The results further supported the moderating role of elapsed time after returning to work in the differential effects of directive leadership on followers' two regulatory foci.

Work Role Commitment and Interference of Work with Family Among Asian and White Americans: A Self-Verification Perspective

Based on a sample of 168 Asian Americans and 248 White Americans, we found that Asian Americans were more prone to experience interference of work with family life when they were highly committed to their work role compared to White Americans. This difference was more pronounced for Asian Americans with low self-esteem, whereas there were no differences between the ethnic groups for those with high self-esteem. In sum, we find that examining the level of commitment of Asian Americans to a work role is insufficient for understanding how their work interferes with family life. Our findings reflect that, for Asian Americans, their cultural values, traditions, and heritage also play a significant role, especially for those individuals with low self-esteem. The article also addresses practical implications and future directions for research.

Career Planning of Higher Secondary School Students

The research aimed to assess the career planning of higher secondary students. The main focus of the study is concerned with career planning and management of 10 + 2 students under HSEB. Only the respondents are the 10 + 2 students studying in Kathmandu Valley. The survey design adopted by this study appeared to be a successful research attempt. Findings showed similarities of responses among different groups therefore, the findings of the study could be generalized among the respondents. The research revealed that a career is the pattern of job related experiences gained during ones working life. Career planning itself is changing rapidly to respond to dynamic world economy. Career planning is career building in which the emphasis is to help people become healthy, self-reliant citizens able to cope with constant change in rapidly changing labour market and maintain balance between work and life roles.

Illegitimate Tasks and Work–Family Conflict as Sequential Mediators in the Relationship between Work Intensification and Work Engagement

Organizational restructuring and technological developments have been associated with working for longer hours, assuming more responsibilities, and feeling more pressure to reach demanding work targets leading to work intensification. Guided by the framework of the JD Resources and stress-as-offense-to-self theory, the aim of the present study was to explore how work intensification decreases work engagement. We posit that illegitimate tasks and work–family conflict could play a mediator role between work intensification and work engagement. A total of 480 employees in Portugal completed an online survey. The results showed a negative correlation between work intensification, illegitimate tasks, and work–family conflict. Work identification can affect work engagement indirectly through two paths: the separate intermediary effect of illegitimate tasks or work–family conflict and the continuous mediating role of illegitimate tasks and work–family conflict. The results indicate that work intensification decreases work engagement through the role of illegitimate tasks and work–family conflict. This study contributes to the literature on the impacts of work intensification by considering the sequential mediating effect of illegitimate tasks and work–family conflict on work engagement. Although past research has claimed that work intensification negatively impacts work engagement, our results showed that illegitimate tasks and work–family conflict play a critical role in this process.

Changing Roles and Responsibilities of Dietitians from Diverse Settings During the First Three Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nova Scotia.

Purpose: To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nova Scotian dietitian's roles, responsibilities, and professional development needs.Methods: We conducted a province-wide, online, exploratory survey with registered dietitians during the initial waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Differences were explored with descriptive statistics by work sector (hospital/acute care; primary health/community or public health (PH); long-term care [LTC]; other [e.g.,private practice, retail]).Results: Dietitians (n = 122) reported being most frequently challenged by stress and anxiety, changing work expectations, and rapidly evolving safety protocols during the pandemic. Those working in PH, primary health, and LTC reported experiencing more work responsibilities, more change, and perceived less employer support than dietitians in other sectors. Despite the identified challenges, most participants (70.7%) felt their education and training were sufficient to take on these new work roles. Primary and PH dietitians, however, more frequently perceived their skill sets to be under-utilized than other sectors. Key learnings from practice identified as being important for dietetic education included qualities such as resilience, problem-solving, flexibility, and self-care.Conclusion: These findings will be of interest to health administrators, professional bodies, and academic institutions to inform strategies for strengthening dietetic practice, building resilience, and preparing for future emergencies.

Socio-professional Antecedents of Conciliation between Work and Family Role among Tunisian Physical Education Teachers

Background: Balancing work and family are an important issue these days, as demands and commitments in both contexts have increased. Aims: The aim of this study was to study the issue of family-work balance among Tunisian physical education teachers, and to identify the differences between men and women as well as the main factors influencing the relationship family-work. Method: 486 physical education teachers (342 men, mean age = 42.35 ±5.554, and 144 women, mean age = 42.80 ±7.708) belonging to three Tunisian governorates participated voluntarily to our study. Results: The results obtained from the MANOVA analysis showed the impact of gender and family status on reconciliation (Gender: [Lambda of Wilks = ,978 < 1, D = 3,551, p = 0,014 < p = 0,05]; Marital status: [Lambda de Wilks = ,906 < 1, d = 8,134, p = 0,000 < p = 0,05]), but work place had no effect: [Wilks' Lambda = .990 < 1, D = .830, p = 0.546 > p = 0.05]. Conclusion: Our statement therefore underlines the fact that the work-family conflict is very present among PE teachers in the south-western of Tunisia, contrary to the image perceived by society which provides that teachers have a working time that allows them to live comfortably.

Work, Self, and Society: A Socio-historical Study of Morita Therapy

Morita therapy is known as a psychotherapy grounded in the culture of Japan, particularly its Buddhist culture. Its popularity in Japan and other East Asian countries is cited as an example of the relevance and importance of culture and religion in psychotherapy. To complement such interpretations, this study adopts a socio-historical approach to examine the role and significance of work in Morita’s theory and practice within the broader work environment and culture of the 1920s and 1930s in Japan. Morita conceptualized shinkeishitsu as a personality disease and a social illness caused by an alienating work environment. He proposed a remedy that emphasized the subjective emotional experience of work. To his primarily middle-class clients and readers, Morita’s reconciliation between the self and society and that between autonomy and compliance was persuasive and useful, providing a philosophy whereby they could integrate into the work environment without loss of self-worth. The socio-historical character of Morita therapy is vital to understanding its power and appeal during Morita’s time. Moreover, it sheds light on the complex interrelationships between work, mental health, and society.

Renegotiating Skills, Wages, and the Right to Work: On the Gender of Labor Activism around Rationalization in the Bulgarian Tobacco Industry in the Early 1930s

AbstractStarting from the early 1930s, structural changes in the Bulgarian tobacco industry, prompted by the advent of the world economic crisis and German economic expansionism into Southeastern Europe, led to a deep restructuring of the labor processes, known in the terminology of the time as rationalization, in the Bulgarian tobacco industry. The introduction of the tonga rationalization technology had a deskilling and deeply gendered effect on the industry, making a significant number of skilled male workers redundant, disproportionately decreasing average male wages and leading, in turn, to a further feminization of an already majority-female workforce.The introduction of the new system provoked a strong response from the organized labor movement, which used a variety of tactics to fight against the new technology: from strikes to petitions to tripartite negotiations. Organized labor's reaction was deeply gendered, an aspect that only becomes truly visible if, in addition to gender and skill, we employ the analytical lens of scale. By following trade union policies on the local, national, and international levels, the article goes beyond the carefully crafted gender-neutral language in official documents to reveal tensions between the conservative attitudes of rank-and-file activists and the official trade union agenda. This is especially evident in communist labor politics, where Bulgarian trade union policies on the local and national levels provoked an intervention on the part of the Profintern between 1930 and 1931. The movement's internal contradictions resulted in a polyvalent, ambiguous, and non-linear trade union policy formed through the clash of and negotiations between local activists’ conservative notions of gendered work and family roles and the radical gender program of international communism.

Children's socioemotional skills and fathers' work satisfaction: Mediation of fathers' parenting

AbstractObjectiveIn this study, we examined the bidirectional association between fathers' work satisfaction and children's socioemotional skills from T1 (age 2) to T2 (age 4–5) and the mediating role of fathers' parenting.BackgroundFor many parents, balancing family and work roles can be challenging, particularly for fathers who are now expected to be both “ideal workers” and “involved fathers.” With multiple roles, fathers' experiences at work and in the family may have a mutual influence on each other.MethodThis study used structural equation modeling on secondary data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort, to examine the associations and mediation mechanisms.ResultsResults indicate a positive association between fathers' work satisfaction at T1 and children's socioemotional skills at T2 through fathers' higher self‐efficacy and lower parenting stress. Additionally, there was a positive association between children's socioemotional skills at T1 and fathers' work satisfaction at T2 through fathers' higher responsibility and lower parenting stress.ConclusionFindings provide support for the spillover theory regarding the mutual influence of fathers' work‐related experiences and children's development.ImplicationsTo help parents balance the demands of work and family, effective parenting education programs and supportive or person‐centered workplace policies are both essential.

Social Work and Motivation for Rehabilitation in Children with Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System

ABSTRACT The relevance of the presented article is due to the lack of information on the impact of social work in the development of rehabilitation motivation in children with disorders of the musculoskeletal system. This research aimed to evaluate the role of social work in shaping rehabilitation motivation in children with musculoskeletal disorders. Using a questionnaire, the study involved 43 children and their carers who received social support and 20 who did not. Analysis revealed a significant correlation between the absence of social support and rehabilitation outcomes. The results underlined the value of rehabilitation, with a predominantly positive response to its methods and outcomes. The data also suggested that the absence of social work could increase the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes. By highlighting the need for comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation strategies, this research provides a basis for improving rehabilitation approaches. Addressing the challenges highlighted could pave the way for optimized public health strategies.

Effect of Centella asiatica ethanol extract on zebrafish larvae ( Danio rerio) insomnia model through inhibition of Orexin, ERK, Akt and p38.

Background: Insomnia is difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep for at least three nights a week or more and lasting for at least 3 months. One of the molecules that play a role in the circadian rhythm of arousal system is hypocretin/orexin. Orexin activates the p38-MAPK signaling pathway and increases phosphorylated ERK1/2 levels. Centella asiatica (CA) has a role in the signal work of the MAPK/ERK, Akt, and p38 path in many various diseases. Methods: The research method used is true laboratory experimental. The research approach used was randomized control group post-test only. Zebrafish embryos aged 0-7 dpf were used in this study. The treatment group consisted of 5 groups: normal, insomnia, insomnia + 2.5 μg/mL CA, insomnia + 5 μg/mL CA, and insomnia + 10 μg/mL CA. The locomotor motion of zebrafish larvae was observed using Basler cameras on days five-, six- and seven-day post fertilization (dpf), then analyzed by using Western Blot method. Results: The results proved that exposure to CA extract was able to reduce the expression of orexin (91963 ± 9129) and p38 (117425 ± 6398) as an arousal trigger in the sleep-wake cycle, with the most optimal concentration of CA 5 μg/mL. Exposure to CA extract was also able to reduce the expression of ERK (94795 ± 30830) and Akt (60113.5 ± 27833.5) with an optimum concentration of CA 2.5 μg/mL. Conclusion: Exposure to CA extract was able to improve the sleep activity of zebrafish larvae insomnia model by extending the total inactivity time ( cumulative duration) and shortening the duration of first sleep ( latency to first) in light and dark phases through inhibition of orexin, ERK, p38, and Akt.

Rectifying the Image of Arabs in the World: The Necessity of Translation in The Great Satirist by AmjadTawfiq

This study delves into the profound impact of Iraqi novelist Amjad Tawfiq’s groundbreaking work, The Great Satirist, on illuminating the intricate tapestry of Arab and Iraqi societies. Spanning historical epochs to contemporary times characterized by the ominous presence of extremist groups in Mosul and the broader Middle East, the novel serves as a poignant window into the heart and soul of these regions. Employing a meticulous stylistic-thematic analysis, this paper aspires to pave the way for an authentic translation of the novel, primarily into English, to broaden its reach to a Western audience. By preserving the rich tapestry of human experiences and nurturing a profound sense of national identity, this translation seeks to be a catalyst for peaceful coexistence and mutual comprehension among diverse ethnicities within the Arab world. As the study culminates, it underscores the pivotal role of Arabic literary works in the documentation of historical events and their unique capacity to advocate for a sense of belonging and unity within societies. In an increasingly interconnected world, the transcendent power of literature to bridge cultural divides and foster an appreciation of shared humanity becomes more pronounced, highlighting the importance of endeavors such as this in promoting global harmony and understanding.

The impacts of a high commitment work system on well-being: the mediating role of organization support and employee work-life balance

PurposeThis study aims to examine the effect of a high commitment work system (HCWS) on employee well-being and the mediating role of organizational support and work–life balance.Design/methodology/approachUsing structural equation modeling (SEM) for analysis, a quantitative approach was adopted to collect data from the 235 employees from the public sector in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).FindingsResults show that HCWSs have a significant influence on organizational support and employee work–life balance. Therefore, there is a significant positive effect on employee well-being. The consequence of HCWS on well-being is not mediated by organizational support. Organization and work–life balance do not support the idea of reducing the negative effects of high-commitment work systems on well-being. There is a significant influence of work–life balance on employee behaviors to have well-being.Originality/valueManagers can devise a strategy to involve the employees to join participating in decision-making. The research advances knowledge of how HCWS improves employee well-being and emphasizes the significance of organizational support in the environment of public organizations. Organizations are expecting to develop new strategies that help employees engage with their environment and increase their confidence. In this perspective, the present study has identified a crucial key factor of HCWS affecting of organization support and employee work–life balance, which can help propelling employees well-being. The research expands the knowledge of the organizational and cultural elements that influence employee behavior and performance in this setting by evaluating the effects of HCWS on employee well-being in the UAE.

Working conditions and attitudes towards work: the case of Portuguese youth from Braga.

The purpose of this study is to explore the working conditions and attitudes towards work among the youth of Braga, Portugal. Focusing on residents of the Municipality of Braga born between 1990 and 2000, we employed a quantitative approach using a non-probabilistic convenience sampling method, with a sample size of 406 people. The survey, conducted through questionnaires, reveals a complex interplay between the youth's work attitudes and their conditions. Despite the predominance of precarious employment, their work experiences and expectations do not entirely reflect this instability. Our findings suggest a shift in the role of work in the youths' identity compared to previous generations. This shift, common in post-industrial societies, shows that their identity is increasingly tied to the sociability their work enables and other life spheres where they seek fulfilment, as evidenced by how they utilize their earnings from these occupations.

Work stress, work-family conflict, and psychological distress among resort employees: a JD-R model and spillover theory perspectives.

The hospitality industry is well-known for its challenging and high-pressure work settings. In this context, employees commonly face a multitude of stressors originating from their roles and job responsibilities, which can significantly impact their psychological wellbeing. Hence, based on the job demands-resources (JD-R) model and the spillover theory, this study aims to empirically explore the direct and indirect effect of work stress (assessed by role overload, ambiguity, and conflict) on psychological distress among frontline employees in 3- and 4-star Egyptian resorts while considering the mediating influence of work-family conflict (WFC). Four hypotheses were put to the test through the application of the PLS-SEM 4.0 version (4.0.9.9). Based on the findings from 563 frontline employees who participated in this research, the study supports the four hypotheses affirming that work-related stressors significantly contributed to employees' psychological distress. Further, the findings highlighted that these stressors significantly spill over into employees' family lives, generating conflicts between work and family roles. In addition, the results emphasized the significance of WFC as a contributing factor to employees' psychological distress. Finally, the study concluded that WFC partially mediates the link between work stress and employees' psychological distress. Based on these findings, some theoretical and practical implications for hospitality scholars, resort management, and policymakers were suggested to enhance the employees' wellbeing and mitigate psychological distress in this vital sector.

“Every day is a disaster”: Climate vulnerabilities and disaster subculture of jjokbang‐chon in Seoul, Korea and its implications for social work

AbstractThis ethnographic study examines the disaster subculture of impoverished urban poor communities regarding extreme weather disasters, through the case of jjokbang‐chon, one of the most marginalized communities in Seoul, South Korea. The findings shed light on how jjokbang‐chon residents make meaning of disasters, where a sense of normalcy surrounds extreme weather, developed in response to recurring exposure to everyday hazards. This study offers insights into their lived experiences, revealing that the residents' perception of vulnerability often diverges from objective reality, primarily due to the pervasive “everyday disasters” that continually disrupt their lives. This “every day is a disaster” perspective, born from the chronic distress they endure, challenges their ability to recognize extreme weather events as disasters. This research carries implications for the field of social work by emphasizing the necessity of broadening the concept of vulnerability to encompass “everyday disasters,” and highlights the pivotal role of social work in addressing the multifaceted challenges presented by everyday disasters.

The Impact of Telework Work-Family Conflict and Work Overload on Work Stress During the Covid-19 Pandemic 2020-2022 (Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis)

This study investigates the outcomes of work-related stress resulting from a blend of WFC and increased workload amid the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in teleworking. The study employed a SLR as a means of data exploration, incorporating literature bibliometrics for data processing and subsequently subjecting the data to analysis through the VOSviewer program. The investigator examined citations from the Scopus database, evaluating 334 articles, among which 62 were published from 2020 to 2022. The VOSviewer program was leveraged to evaluate co-authorship, co-accuracy, and citations, promoting a more nuanced understanding of the results. This review furnishes a focused bibliographic viewpoint for prospective researchers, assisting them in navigating the evolving dynamics of work-family conflicts, particularly accentuated among individuals managing multiple roles or shouldering caregiving responsibilities during the pandemic. The study underscores the merits and challenges of teleworking, highlighting the intricacies of establishing boundaries between work and caregiving roles. Neglecting these boundaries may precipitate job stress for remote workers. In essence, this research illuminates the characteristics of pertinent articles and the ramifications of teleworking, WFC and Excessive workload on work stress during the pandemic. It advocates for further investigation to deepen comprehension of the intricate interplay between these factors.

BRIDGING THE GAP: STORIES OF LIBRARIANS IN BRINGING LIBRARIES INTO USERS DOORSTEPS AMIDST COVID 19 PANDEMIC

The enormous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic brought immense changes to the library and information services. Hence, this phenomenological qualitative study aimed to discover the stories of academic librarians in bringing the libraries into users doorsteps amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers employed Key Informant Interview (KII) to ten (10) academic librarians from Davao del Sur in order to capture the challenges they encountered and the strategies they employed in providing library services to the library users during the pandemic. Results revealed that academic librarians faced challenges such as difficulty in library promotion and marketing, and adjustments to the new work roles. However, they still managed to cope with these challenges through attending webinars and online trainings, implementing new services, bringing libraries into users doorsteps, and embracing change and being resilient. Based on the findings, it is highly recommended that school administrators should provide adequate support for their academic librarians training, mental and emotional well-being to help them in continually performing their functions as well as their new work roles during the pandemic. KEYWORDS: Library and Information Science, Academic Libraries, Librarians, Challenges and Strategies, COVID-19 Pandemic, Phenomenological, Philippines

Admission of an older person into a care home in Europe: exploring the dimensions of a ‘Healthy Transition’ and the potential role of social work

ABSTRACT Transitions in gerontological social work are poorly theorised and underresearched. Although social workers are routinely involved in transitions of older people into care homes, they tend to be treated as a functional transition from one place to another rather than as a social, emotional and psychological process for the older person and their family. Evidence suggests that a healthy transition is more likely if the older person has exerted some influence over the ‘when’, ‘where’ and ‘how’ of the decision, continuity between the ‘old life’ and the ‘new’ is maintained, and their concerns are acknowledged. Drawing on a theory of transition developed by Melies et al. (2000), this paper argues that social workers have the relational, communication and advocacy skills, as well as legal literacy and a rights-based perspective, to help to promote healthy transitions. There is considerable potential to develop, and evidence the value of, social work’s contribution to this often marginalised area of practice.

Cooperating Teachers’ Perceptions and Contributions to Preservice Teachers’ Professional Identities

Research on teachers’ socialisation years after they begin teaching in schools has not been extensively undertaken, and there are significant long-term consequences for how these experiences in organisational socialisation influence the quality of physical education programs. The purpose of this study was to determine how cooperating teachers perceive their role in the development of preservice physical education teachers’ professional identities. We used a qualitative methodology, gathering data through semi-structured interviews. Seven cooperating physical education teachers (five female and two male) with between 22 and 40 years of service were interviewed. The data were analysed through thematic content analysis using a constant comparative modality. The interview questions were categorised into three themes: reasons for being a cooperating teacher, the role of the cooperating teacher, and the professional identity of the cooperating teacher. The findings suggest various interpretations of the cooperating teacher’s role and ways of working. The most important skills to have in order to be a cooperating teacher appear to be related to how they were socialised and how they continue to experience the socialisation process during organisational socialisation, as well as the career phase in which they currently find themselves.