scholarly journals Interventions: Employees’ Perceptions of What Reduces Stress

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Pignata ◽  
Carolyn M. Boyd ◽  
Anthony H. Winefield ◽  
Chris Provis

Objective. To build upon research evaluating stress interventions, this qualitative study tests the framework of the extended Job Demands-Resources model to investigate employees’ perceptions of the stress-reduction measures implemented at 13 Australian universities. Methods. In a cross-sectional survey design, tenured and contract staff indicated whether their overall level of stress had changed during the previous three-four years, and, if so, they described the major causes. A total of 462 staff reported that their level of stress had decreased; the study examines commentary from 115 academic and 304 nonacademic staff who provided details of what they perceived to be effective in reducing stress. Results. Thematic analyses show that the key perceived causes were changes in job or work role, new heads of departments or supervisors, and the use of organizational strategies to reduce or manage stress. A higher percentage of academic staff reported reduced stress due to using protective coping strategies or their increased recognition and/or success, whereas a higher percentage of nonacademic staff reported reduced stress due to increases in staffing resources and/or systems. Conclusion. These results identify the importance of implementing multilevel strategies to enhance employees’ well-being. Nonacademic staff, in particular, specified a variety of organizational stress-reduction interventions.

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-07
Author(s):  
Alfred Eboh

Background: The hawking of wares by children has been a serious issue confronting the Nigerian society. Children hawk in some of the most horrible conditions conceivable, where they face a serious risk of injury, chronic illness, kidnapping, rape or death. Objective: The focus of this study was to assess the perceived effects of street hawking on the well-being of children in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. Methods: The population of this study consists of parents of the street hawkers in Anyigba while cross-sectional survey design was used through the purposive sampling technique to choose the sample size of one hundred and sixty-two (162) respondents. The validated structured questionnaire and In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) served as the instruments for the data collection respectively. The hypotheses were tested using Chi-Square at a predetermined 0.05 level of significance. The quantitative data were analysed with the aid of the SPSS (version 20). Results: The results indicated among others that street hawking had significant social implications and physical consequences on children's moral behaviour as well as health status in the study area. Conclusion: The study, therefore, concluded that the government of Kogi State should carry out an enlightenment campaign through the media and religious institutions on the negative consequences of street hawking are recommended as panacea. Also, the child right act instrument and its implementation should be strengthened in order to curb street hawking in the study area.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Saira Irfan ◽  
Najib Ahmad Marzuki

The link between the work motivation and work commitment is well established in a variety of work settings. However, the role of organizational culture is not explored in depth, especially as a moderator between work motivation and work commitment. The present study undertakes an examination of the above explained model. The sample consisted of 351 academics from nine public universities in the state of Punjab, Pakistan. Cross-sectional survey design was employed to collect the data. The statistical analyses were performed with Partial Least Squares technique using the Smart PLS 3.0. The findings revealed that adhocracy culture moderates the link between non-self-determined work motivation and work commitment among university academic staff. The study has implications for authorities to capitalize on organizational culture to boost work motivation that will ultimately improve work commitment among academics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meryem Yilmaz ◽  
Hatice Öner Cengiz

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between spiritual well-being (SpWB) and quality of life (QoL) in cancer (CA) survivors.MethodsThe current study was conducted in the oncology center at a university hospital in Central Anatolia/Turkey. In this study, a descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. The data collected included: a questionnaire form, the current study was conducted in the oncology center at a university hospital in Central Anatolia/Turkey. In this study, a descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. SpWB was assessed by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale, version 4 (FACIT-Sp12, v. 4), including Meaning, Peace, and Faith subscales. The QoL was evaluated using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General scale (FACT-G, v. 4). The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, independent sample t-test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U test.ResultsOne hundred fifty patients participated in this study: 61.30% female, 78% 45 years of age or older, 94.70% married, 46% had finished, and 69% had gastrointestinal tract CA. The mean age was 53.48 (SD = 9.43). The majority of participants (96.7%) endorsed “a force pushing them a will to live” while 59.3% supported “the power of relationships with others.” There was a positive, strong correlation between overall QoL and SpWB (r = 0.619, p < 0.01). The Meaning dimensions of SpWB with Functional Well-Being (FWB) and overall QoL (r = 0.512; 0.595, p < 0.000 respectively), Peace with Emotional Well-Being (EWB) and FWB (r = 0.598; 0.540, p < 0.000 respectively) dimensions of FACT-G and overall QoL (r = 0.609, p < 0.001) were strong correlated. Faith and QoL were not significantly correlated.Significance of resultsThis study demonstrates that SpWB positively contributed to the QoL of CA survivors. SpWB is not necessarily limited to any specific types of beliefs or practices. For some people, faith in self, others and/or God constitutes, in large part, the meaning, purpose, and fulfillment they find in life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 346-352
Author(s):  
Melody D. Reibel ◽  
Marianne H. Hutti

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by uncertainty in etiology, symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. The high level of illness uncertainty that results from fibromyalgia is a risk factor for maladjustment to illness. A cross-sectional survey design was used to examine the relationships among illness uncertainty, helplessness, and subjective well-being in 138 women with fibromyalgia. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine a predictive model for mediation. We found illness uncertainty is negatively associated with subjective well-being and that helplessness strongly influences the impact of illness uncertainty on subjective well-being in women with fibromyalgia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Gabriel Simiyu ◽  
Joyce Komen ◽  
Ronald Bonuke

Purpose- This paper aimed to determine the conditional effect of University reputation on the indirect process of external prestige on the relationship between social media and students’ attitude towards postgraduate enrollment. Design/Methodology- The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design, multistage random sampling in collecting data using a self-administered questionnaire. The sample size was 504 students from four universities in Kenya. Findings- Outcome indicates a partial indirect effect of social media and students’ attitude via external prestige. It further reveals a conditional effect of university reputation on the link between; social media and external prestige, and, external prestige and students' attitude. Finally, a test of the conditional indirect process is also confirmed. Practical Implications- Results of the study might help university managers and policymakers in developing effective strategies, policies, and techniques to attract potential students through social media platforms and also develop and strengthen university prestige and reputation through proper management of resources, social responsibility, and employment of qualified academic staff. Originality/value- The study findings bring new understanding concerning the indirect effect, the conditional process and highlight new insights on identifying mechanisms that exert a conditional effect on the indirect paths of the study variables.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Ruby N. Ike ◽  
Emmanuel K. Agbaeze ◽  
Ben E. Udoh ◽  
Bamidele S. Adeleke

This study examined the challenges associated with knowledge management implementation and academic staff retention in selected tertiary institutions in South East, Nigeria. The research design adopted was a cross-sectional survey design. The main instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. The population consisted of 7,423 academic staff of the 10 randomly selected institutions in the South East Nigeria. A total sample size of 555 was drawn from the population. The instrument was checked for reliability using Cronbach method and the reliability co-efficient result of 0.915 showed that the instrument had high degree of item reliability. The hypothesis formulated was tested using Friedman chi-square statistics. The findings indicate that there is positive significant challenge in knowledge management implementation and academic staff retention in selected tertiary institution. The study concluded that lack of Knowledge Management implementation has posed a great challenge in academic staff retention in tertiary institutions. It was advised that tertiary institutions in Nigeria should adequately manage the process of knowledge acquisition, sharing and development so as to enjoy a Stella performance


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Nyangu ◽  
Maseabata Ramathebane

Abstract BackgroundHealth care professionals at the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic require continued support to ensure not only their well-being, but enhanced care for those infected by the disease.AimThe aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of health care providers regarding the Covid-19 pandemic in Lesotho. MethodologyA quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from a sample of 190 health care workers who were conveniently sampled from a total of 25 health care facilities (12 hospitals and 13 health center clinics). The sample included nurses, doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists/ technicians, dentists, counsellors, and administrative assistants. A total of 255 structured questionnaires were distributed and 190 of them were returned completed (75% response rate). Data were collected in September 2021 and analyzed using SPSS (vs23). Permission to conduct this study was granted by the relevant authorities. Informed written consent was given by the participants in writing before they could take part in this study.ResultsThe level of education was found to be associated with positive perceptions of the respondents on the Covid-19 pandemic. Respondents generally had positive views about the Covid-19 pandemic. Their views were positive as they understood that Covid-19 can affect anyone including themselves and is not a disease for any particular race. They were also aware that they could contract Covid-19, even despite pre-existing conditions. Respondents perceived that there was a positive prognosis after contracting Covid-19 if necessary precautions were taken. They had positive perceptions as they knew that the virus was affecting many people worldwide, including the elderly, and were willing to take the test and did not mind having to pay for it if asked to do so. Even though the Covid-19 test was viewed not to take too much time, respondents felt that it is rather painful and uncomfortable. The test providers were perceived as friendly and not rude, and respondents did not have any preferred gender for the test providers. Respondents were also willing to discuss issues on Covid-19 with families and friends. Majority of the respondents lived close to health care facilities.ConclusionsThis study concludes that health care providers at the frontline were mostly nurses. Positive perceptions about the Covid-19 pandemic in Lesotho were found as respondents were knowledgeable, and were willing to test for the disease. Test providers were viewed as pleasant and health care facilities were accessible. This shows positive progress towards fighting the pandemic in Lesotho.RecommendationsSupport for frontline healthcare professionals remains crucial to ensure effective service delivery. More education can be provided to improve the general views about the Covid-19 to improve uptake of services not only amongst healthcare professionals but the general public as well.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-109
Author(s):  
Mustapha Ibrahim Gada ◽  
Amina Hassan

The study looked at the influence of meetings on academic staff performance in Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) main campus. The specific objectives that guided the study were; to determine the influence of staff meetings on improving staff regularity and the influence of staff meetings on improving staff teamwork in Islamic University in Uganda. The study was quantitative in nature and used cross-sectional survey design. The total population under study was 253. Questionnaires were administered to 100 respondents but 84 of them were returned hence considered for data presentation and analysis. The study used proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected through questionnaires which were based on three Likert scale of 1 for Agree, 2 for not sure and 3 for Disagree. The data collected was analyzed using relative frequencies and percentages (univariate statistics), and regression analysis. The findings revealed that staff meetings had a weak significant influence on improving staff regularity and a moderate significant influence on improving staff teamwork. The study recommends that the administrators should regularly organize meetings focussed on addressing staff performance challenges for better results.


2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena P. Koen ◽  
Chrizanne Van Eeden ◽  
Marié P. Wissing

The literature and practice show that many professional nurses feel emotionally overloaded and are experiencing job dissatisfaction, which often results in them leaving the profession. Paradoxically, some nurses choose to remain in nursing and survive, cope and even thrive despite their unique workplace adversities. It is, however, not known what the prevalence of resilience amongst nurses is, and what influence working in private versus public contexts has on this resilience. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of resilience in a group of professional nurses, to determine whether private versus public contexts played a role in nurses’ resilience, and to obtain an indication of participants’ views of their profession and resilience therein. A cross-sectional survey design was used where professional nurses (N = 312) working in public and private hospitals in South Africa voluntarily completed measures of psycho-social well-being as indicators of their degree of resilience. They also answered three open-ended questions on their profession. Results showed moderate-tohigh correlations amongst scales, indicating conceptual coherence as indicators of resilience. Prevalence of resilience was determined by normalising the mean scores of the measuring instruments. The total value of the normalised mean scores was given as a fraction (0−1), representing a level of resilience manifested by the participants across all scales. This indicated three levels of resilience: 10% of participants manifested low resilience, 47% moderate resilience and 43% high resilience. Nurses in private health care had significantly (small practical effect) higher levels of resilience than nurses in public health care.OpsommingDie literatuur en praktyk dui daarop dat baie professionele verpleegkundiges emosioneel uitgeput is, werksontevredenheid ervaar en dikwels die beroep verlaat. Paradoksaal kies sommige verpleegkundiges om in die beroep te bly, en floreer selfs ten spyte van hul unieke en moeilike werksomstandighede. Dit is egter nie bekend wat die voorkoms van veerkragtigheid in verpleegkundiges is nie, of wat die invloed van werk in privaat versus die openbare omgewing op veerkragtigheid is nie. Die doelwitte van die studie was om die voorkoms van veerkragtigheid in ‘n groep professionele verpleegkundiges te bepaal, om die rol van privaat versus openbare omgewings in veerkragtigheid te bepaal, en om ‘n aanduiding van deelnemers se siening oor hul professie en veerkragtigheid daarin, te bekom. ‘n Dwarsdeursnit ontwerp was gebruik waarin professionele verpleegkundiges (N = 312) werksaam in openbare of privaat hospitale in Suid-Afrika vrywillig vraelyste oor psigososiale welstand as aanduiders van die vlak van veerkragtigheid, voltooi het. Hulle het ook drie oop-einde vrae oor hul beroep beantwoord. Bevindinge het op matige tot hoë korrelasies tussen skale gewys wat dui op konseptuele koherensie tussen die indikatore van veerkragtigheid. Veerkragtigheid is bereken deur normalisering van die gemiddelde tellings vir die meetinstrumente van al die skale. Die totale waarde van genormaliseerde gemiddeldes was as ‘n fraksie (0−1) uitgedruk. Drie vlakke van veerkragtigheid het gemanifesteer, 10% van die deelnemers het met lae veerkragtigheid gemanifesteer, 47% met matige veerkragtigheid en 43% met hoё veerkragtigheid. Verpleegkundiges in privaat gesondheidsorg het beduidende (klein praktiese waarde) hoёr vlakke van veerkragtigheid getoon as verpleegkundiges in openbare gesondheidsorg.


2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-44
Author(s):  
Manuel Nieto-Guerrero ◽  
Mirko Antino ◽  
Jose M. Leon-Perez

PurposeThere is increasing evidence about the key role that intragroup conflicts have for teams’ performance and its members’ well-being. However, the existing measures in the Spanish-speaking context to address intragroup conflicts suffer from important theoretical and methodological flaws. In response, this study aims to provide a valid and reliable scale to measure intragroup conflicts in organizational settings: the Intragroup Conflict Scale in its 14-item version (ICS-14: Jehn et al., 2008).Design/methodology/approachIn a cross-sectional survey design, the authors analyze the ICS’s internal consistency and reliability, factor solution and external validity by using a multilevel approach in a sample consisting of 588 workers nested in 55 production teams from a Spanish company.FindingsResults indicated that the ICS-14 exhibited good Cronbach’s alpha (0.62-0.95), omega (0.63-0.95) and multilevel alpha coefficient (0.82-0.98). In addition, in line with the theoretical conception of three types of intragroup conflicts, results from a multilevel confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a three multilevel-factor solution presented the best fit to the data. Finally, multilevel analyses also showed that intragroup conflicts are associated to burnout, engagement at work and perceived team’s quality of service, which provided additional support for using the ICS-14 in the Spanish context.Practical implicationsThis study offers a reliable and valid measurement of intragroup conflict, considering the whole instrument and its different dimensions, which can be used to develop team strategies and evaluate the effect of specific interventions on conflict.Originality/valueThe authors validate the most recent 14-item version of the ICS-14 by applying a multilevel approach to a group-level construct that overcomes previous methodological flaws.


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