scholarly journals The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Older Workers: The Role of Self-Regulation and Organizations

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 233-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorien T A M Kooij

Abstract We live in an unusual time, which effects all of us in different ways. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, some people are working harder than ever, some people have lost their job, some people can only work from home, and some people have to reinvent how they work (Kniffin et al., 2020). Older 50+ workers might even be more affected by the pandemic compared to younger workers because they are labeled as vulnerable and as being at risk in terms of Covid-19 (Ayalon et al., 2020). However, emerging studies on the impact of Covid-19 suggest that older workers respond more effectively to measures that counter Covid-19 (Losada-Balter et al., 2020). This is in line with the lifespan developmental perspective, which theorizes and demonstrates that older adults generally are very capable of adapting and very effective in dealing with the aging process (Baltes and Baltes, 1990; Freund, 2008). Multiple studies show that older adults engage in various self-regulation strategies aimed at continuously maintaining or restoring person-environment fit (e.g., Kooij et al., 2020; Taneva and Arnold, 2018; Zacher, Kooij, & Beier, 2018a) thus helping them to age successfully at work. In this commentary, I will take a more positive perspective on older workers and discuss the self-regulation strategies that older workers engage in and how organizations can stimulate this. I will end my commentary with some suggestions for future research.

Author(s):  
Dhruva Pathak ◽  
Vijayakumar Bharathi S. ◽  
Padma Mala E.

The study investigated the impact of mandatory work from home due COVID-19 on personal and professional lives of people with different demographics. Statistical analysis of an online survey data (N=237) reveals that the impact on personal life dimensions—healthy lifestyle, family bonding, and physical stress—does not differ across people within different demographics. However, impact on emotional well-being is sensitive to gender and industry groups. Family size is also an important demographic factor impacted upon personal life dimensions. Professional dimensions related to work productivity and adopting new ways of working does not differ across demographics except for occupational role. Dimensions related to new skill development and change in professional attitude does differ across occupational roles. The study concludes by stating future research directions for mandatory work from home situation, and prescription to post-COVID-19 strategies for organizations.


SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A122-A122
Author(s):  
E L Shalowitz ◽  
A M Miller ◽  
J R Harsh ◽  
M K LeBourgeois

Abstract Introduction Poor sleep in early childhood is linked to reduced school readiness. This study examined the role of acute sleep loss in behavioral self-regulation using a delay of gratification task. We hypothesized that after acute nap deprivation, toddlers would have worse inhibitory control and resort to more maladaptive self-regulation strategies than after a nap. Methods 25 healthy children (11 males, 34.1±2.3 months-old) followed a strict sleep schedule for ≥5 days before a baseline (nap) and an acute nap deprivation condition (no-nap). After being introduced to an age-appropriate toy, children were instructed not to touch the toy and left alone for 3-minutes. To assess inhibitory control, videos of the waiting period were behaviorally coded for latency to touch and 11 self-regulation strategies. We combined strategies into adaptive and maladaptive composites; higher scores on each composite indicated greater use. Results During the nap condition, 19 children touched the toy (latency to touch=70.0±60.7 sec); during the no-nap condition, 18 children touched the toy (latency to touch=65.4±71.6 sec). The adaptive composite score was 1.58±0.25 for the nap condition and 1.17±0.27 for the no-nap condition. The maladaptive score was 0.92±0.17 for the nap condition and 0.83±0.19 for the no-nap condition. We found no differences between conditions in the number of children who touched the toy (X2=0, p=0.50), mean latency to touch (t=0.27, p=0.39), or the composite scores of adaptive (z=0.35, p=0.12) and maladaptive strategies (z=0.09, p=0.69). Conclusion Findings indicate that acute nap deprivation may not have an immediate impact on inhibitory control and self-regulation in toddlers. 30-36 months old children may not have sufficient cognitive resources to exert inhibitory control and self-regulate whether or not they have obtained adequate daytime sleep. Future research should examine developmental changes in the effects of acute sleep restriction on behavioral self-regulation. Support Research support from NIH R01-MH086566 to MKL.


2017 ◽  
pp. 465-511
Author(s):  
Jenell L. S. Wittmer ◽  
Paul M. Werth ◽  
Cort W. Rudolph

Several aspects of diversity impact career transitions and trajectories. Whereas traditional conceptualizations of careers emphasize a clear path for the majority of people, modern careers are better characterized by a multitude and variety of potential mobility paths. Modern career trajectories have been linked to early developmental activities, which are similarly related to increased diversity and societal changes. This chapter discusses the impact of different forms of diversity on career transitions from lifespan and life course perspectives, as well from a dynamic perspective where one's career transitions are dictated by lesser-planned socio-contextual and personal circumstances. Special attention is given to contemporary research and unique issues related to women and older workers. Within this discussion is a review of work arrangements for adapting and capitalizing on the needs of this changing workforce. We conclude by outlining trends likely to influence career development in the future, including suggestions for future research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Almack ◽  
Andrew King

In this article, we provide critical observations of empirical research from leading U.K. researchers relating to the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans older adults. We suggest learning that may be applied in differing global contexts as well as contributing to the development of an international evidence base. We illustrate the importance of paying attention to distinct health and care systems and legislation, which present global differences as well as similarities in terms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people’s perceptions and access to resources. With this contextual background, we then discuss the cutting-edge U.K. research in this field from 2010 onward. We identify key strengths including the contribution our evidence has made to policy and practice and the development of theoretical insights such as the impact of intersectionality. The article concludes with a discussion of future research in this field which has relevance at national and international levels.


Field Methods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-273
Author(s):  
Maichou Lor ◽  
Nora Cate Schaeffer ◽  
Roger L. Brown ◽  
Barbara J. Bowers

This study describes a method for collecting data from nonliterate, non-English-speaking populations. Our audio computer-assisted self-interview instrument with color-labeled response categories was designed for use with helper assistance. The study included 30 dyads of nonliterate older Hmong respondents and family helpers answering questions about health. Analysis of video recordings identified respondents’ problems and helpers’ strategies to address these problems. Seven dyads displayed the paradigmatic question–answer sequence for all items, while 23 departed from the paradigmatic sequence at least once. Reports and pauses were the most common signs of problems displayed by respondents. Paraphrasing questions or response categories and providing examples were the most common helper strategies. Future research could assess the impact of helpers’ strategies on data quality.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Briony Jain ◽  
Viktoryia Kalesnikava ◽  
Joseph E. Ibrahim ◽  
Briana Mezuk

Abstract This commentary addresses the increasing public health problem of suicide in later life and presents the case for preventing suicide in residential long-term care settings. We do so by examining this issue from the perspective of three levels of stakeholders – societal, organisational and individual – considering the relevant context, barriers and implications of each. We begin by discussing contemporary societal perspectives of ageing; the potential impact of ageism on prevention of late-life suicide; and the roles of gender and masculinity. This is followed by a historical analysis of the origin of residential long-term care; current organisational challenges; and person-centred care as a suicide prevention strategy. Finally, we consider suicide in long-term care from the perspective of individuals, including the experience of older adults living in residential care settings; the impact of suicide on residential care health professionals and other staff; and the impact of suicide bereavement on family, friends and other residents. We conclude with recommendations for policy reform and future research. This commentary aims to confront the often unspoken bias associated with preventing suicide among older adults, particularly those living with complex medical conditions, and invoke an open dialogue about suicide prevention in this population and setting.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 1770-1797 ◽  
Author(s):  
JONATHAN PRATSCHKE ◽  
TRUTZ HAASE ◽  
KIERAN McKEOWN

ABSTRACTThe authors use Structural Equation Modelling techniques to analyse the determinants of wellbeing amongst older adults using data from the first wave of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), a rich source of data on people aged over 50 and living in private households. The analysis uses a two-group linear statistical model to explore the influence of socio-economic position on the wellbeing of men and women, with Full Information Maximum Likelihood estimation to handle missing data. The fit indices for the final model are highly satisfactory and the measurement structure is invariant by gender and age. The results indicate that socio-economic position has a significant direct influence on wellbeing and a strong indirect influence which is mediated by health status and lifestyle. The total standardised effect of Socio-economic Position on Socio-emotional Wellbeing is statistically significant (p⩽ 0.05) and equal to 0.32 (men) and 0.43 (women), a very strong influence which risks being underestimated in standard multivariate models. The authors conclude that health, cognitive functioning and wellbeing reflect not just the ageing process, but also the impact of social inequalities across the lifecourse and how they are transmitted across different life spheres. These results can help to orient future research on factors which mediate between socio-economic position and wellbeing, an important policy-related issue.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley A. Ross ◽  
Briana N. Sprague ◽  
Christine B. Phillips ◽  
Melissa L. O’Connor ◽  
Joan E. Dodson

Objective: Physical functioning is closely associated with cognition. The current study assessed the impact of three cognitive training programs on objective measures of physical functioning across 5 years. Method: Older adults randomized to a processing speed ( n = 702), reasoning ( n = 694), or memory ( n = 703) training intervention were compared with those randomized to a no-contact control condition ( n = 698). Intention-to-treat (ITT) and treatment-received/dosage (time-varying number of training sessions) analyses were conducted. Results: There were no transfer effects in the ITT analyses. Treatment-received models demonstrated that training sessions (i.e., higher dosage) across all intervention arms transferred to better maintained Digit Symbol Copy and Turn 360 performance relative to the control group. More reasoning training transferred to better grip strength. Discussion: This is the first study to demonstrate differential longitudinal cognitive training transfer effects to three performance-based physical functioning measures. Future research should investigate mechanisms of far-transfer effects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 322-334
Author(s):  
Mariia Avhustiuk ◽  
Iryna Tymeichuk ◽  
Natalia Konopka ◽  
Oksana Sakhniuk ◽  
Eduard Balashov

Aim. The paper’s aim is to present some current specific online studying instructional measures at the International Relations Department of the National University of Ostroh Academy in Ukraine.Methods. The study is devoted to the observation of some theoretical and methodological aspects of the peculiarities of online studying measures at the International Relations Department. The theoretical and comparative methods of analysing the peculiarities of online studying have been taken into account. In order to summarise the currentonline studying experiences at the International Relations Department, some specific instructional measures for both students and teachers are presented, for example: how to handle the lack of interaction, master self-learning, promote self-regulation strategies and become more strategic thinkers.. The necessity of studying the above-mentionedaspects has been caused by their impact on students’ learning activity, especially in the times of COVID-19 pandemic.Results and conclusions. The focal point of this research is to provide an insight into the background of online studying peculiarities through the prism of Ukrainian teachers and students. The analysis is focused on online studying of foreign languages, as well as the possible online teaching methods of professional disciplines (History of International Relations; Foreign Policy of the Countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America; International Conflicts; Current Problems of International Relations in the Middle East) at the International Relations Department. What is more, the authors outline how to help students deal with the lack of interaction, master self-learning, promote self-regulation strategies and become more strategic thinkers. The authors also highlight possible challenges for the faculty and suggest ways to overcome those difficulties. Moreover, some major prerequisites of students’ self-regulatory online learning are described. Contribution. The results of the study are instrumental in mastering the peculiarities of online studying through the prism of learning at the International Relations Department of the National University of Ostroh Academy (Ukraine). The findings of this study may be considered important and contribute to future research.


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