scholarly journals Work-related stress among headteachers in Wales: Prevalence, sources, and solutions

2021 ◽  
pp. 174114322110546
Author(s):  
Stuart Scott ◽  
Caroline Limbert ◽  
Peter Sykes
Keyword(s):  
High Pressures ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
School Level ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
School Improvements ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Underlying Causes ◽  
Personal Resilience ◽  
Related Stress

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, sources, and underlying causes of work-related stress among headteachers in Wales and to identify possible solutions. An online questionnaire was sent to all 1588 headteachers across Wales. The questionnaire included demographic questions, Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Management Standards Tool, a list of known stressors, and open questions exploring the underlying causes and possible solutions. A total of 359 (22.6%) headteachers completed the survey. Two-thirds of participants reported experiencing levels of stress that were rated as ‘high’. Pressures of managing greater demands and increasing workload with fewer financial resources and a lack of support from local authorities were the main sources of stress. Solutions focused on improved funding to enhance staffing and resources at a school level, reduced accountability, and improved support. The findings indicated that a multi-faceted, multi-level, intervention approach, extending beyond improving personal resilience and individual school improvements, into regional and national opportunities for change, is likely to be most effective in reducing work-related stress within the profession.

scholarly journals Research on psychosocial risks in the context of intervention and rescue activities in toxic / flammable / explosive environments

2021 ◽  
Vol 342 ◽  
pp. 01007
Author(s):  
Izabella Kovacs ◽  
Andrei Lucian Gireadă ◽  
Alin Irimia ◽  
Laurenţiu Munteanu
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Organizational Level ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Psychosocial Risks ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Safety Risks ◽  
Health And Safety Risks ◽  
Related Stress

Work implies interaction of several components such as equipment, work environment, work load and human factor. Prevention of work accident and occupational diseases is mainly based on knowledge and assessment of occupational risks associated with each workplace. Psychosocial risks are usually caused by stress, thus being greatly influenced by individual perceptions. Identifying psychosocial risks is based on the analysis of individual reactions to external factors and activities. Worldwide, work related stress is seen as a major present-day challenge, faced by occupational health and safety specialists. Considered at organizational level and not as individual issues, psychosocial risks and stress can be managed to the same extent as any other occupational health and safety risk. The growing issue of protecting emergency workers against occupational health and safety risks has been highlighted as a priority by many experts. Demands on intervention and rescue personnel, as well as occupational health and safety risks will increase as they face larger events both in number and magnitude and severity. The current paper will summarize key issues related to work-related stress and will discuss how stress at work can be best managed in the context of intervention and rescue activities in toxic / flammable / explosive environments.

The Validity of the Short UK Health and Safety Executive Stress Indicator Tool For the Assessment of the Psychosocial Work Environment in Italy

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristian Balducci ◽  
Luciano Romeo ◽  
Margherita Brondino ◽  
Gianluigi Lazzarini ◽  
Francesca Benedetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stress Factors ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Stress Indicator ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Related Stress

Abstract. The Health and Safety Executive Stress Indicator Tool (SIT) is a 35-item questionnaire to assess exposure to seven common psychosocial factors involved in the genesis of work-related stress. Recent work conducted in the UK has provided evidence that the SIT may be reduced to a 25-item questionnaire (the SIT-25) showing the same seven-factor model and criterion-related validity of the SIT. The SIT is the most widely used tool to assess work-related stress factors in Italy, with benchmark (normative) data managed by the Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority. Thus, we conducted two studies to further test whether in Italy the SIT may be reduced to the SIT-25. In Study 1 a heterogeneous sample of workers (N = 588, 39.5% females) was used to further test the seven-factor model of the SIT-25 and its criterion-related validity with mental well-being. In Study 2 two new samples of workers (N = 625, 69.8% females; and N = 344, 3.2% females) from health and metal-mechanical sectors were used to assess the degree of measurement invariance of the SIT-25 and further test its criterion-related validity. Overall the results showed that the SIT-25 data fit the postulated seven-factor solution and that the reduced subscales (i.e., Demands, Control, Relationships, and Role) have the same criterion-related validity as their longer version. Additionally, the SIT-25 showed strong measurement invariance in the two different samples of workers of Study 2. These results provide further encouraging evidence that the SIT-25 may be effectively used in place of its longer version.

Work-related stress indicator surveys in UK Ministry of Defence

2018 ◽  
Vol 165 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-132
Author(s):  
Sarah C Wattie ◽  
R S Bridger
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Civil Servants ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Royal Air Force ◽  
Service Personnel ◽  
Stress Indicator ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Norm Group ◽  
Related Stress

IntroductionUK Ministry of Defence (MOD) policy and strategy recommend the use of a ‘Defence MODified’ version of the Health and Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool to help managers identify risks of work-related stress among Defence personnel. The Defence MODified Tool (‘Stress Indicator Survey’) asks personnel to rate their perceptions of eight working conditions known to be significantly associated with work-related stress. MOD psychologists are developing a Defence norm group against which future survey scores can be compared. This article describes the use of the Stress Indicator Survey in MOD and gives an overview of findings from 2016 to 2018.MethodMOD psychologists conducted 27 Stress Indicator Surveys in 2016–2018. Data were collated from 6227 personnel for the Defence norm group and comparisons were conducted between Service personnel and MOD civil servants, and between Services (Royal Navy/Royal Marines (RN/RM), Army and Royal Air Force (RAF)).ResultsService personnel had significantly more favourable perceptions than MOD civil servants of most working conditions. The RN/RM had significantly more favourable perceptions than either the Army or the RAF of all working conditions. These findings indicate differential risks of work-related stress in different groups of personnel.DiscussionPossible explanations for the observed differences in risk of work-related stress are discussed, including the nature of military life and planned changes to Defence civilian headcount. Examples of managerial actions to improve working conditions based on individual survey findings are given.

Managing Conflict and Stress in the Workplace: Theory and Practice

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Palferman
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Opportunity To Learn ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Executive Management ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Management Standards ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Related Stress

AbstractThis article covers, and expands on, a presentation of the same name given at the BIALL Conference held in Brighton in 2010. The Health and Safety Executive Management Standards approach for tackling the cause of work-related stress was launched in November 2004. Since the launch, the HSE has worked with many thousands of organisations within the United Kingdom to implement the Management Standards approach. This work has provided the HSE with the opportunity to learn how best to manage the causes of work-related stress in the workplace.

scholarly journals Work Related Stress, Well-Being and Cardiovascular Risk among Flight Logistic Workers: An Observational Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 1952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Lecca ◽  
Marcello Campagna ◽  
Igor Portoghese ◽  
Maura Galletta ◽  
Nicola Mucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Job Support ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Logistic Support

Work-related stress is a known occupational hazard, with a putative role on the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Although several investigations have explored the association in various workplace scenarios, none have focused on the airport flight logistic support personnel, a transportation business of crucial importance, potentially exposed to job stress and consequently to an increase in CVD risk. We explored the relationship between work-related stress and cardiovascular risk in 568 healthy workers of a flight logistic support company using the Health and Safety Executive questionnaire, the Framingham Heart Study General Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Prediction Score, and the WHO general well-being index (WHO-5). We used univariate and multivariate statistical methods to take account of possible confounders. Our results show that a low job support significantly increases the CVD risk score and decreases the WHO well-being index with reference to subjects reporting high support on the job. In addition, the well-being index of workers with high strain jobs appears lower in respect to workers employed in low strain job. The multivariate analysis confirms a protective effect of job support, and shows a detrimental influence on CVD risk by physical inactivity, regular intake of alcohol, and a low educational level. In addition, job control, job support, low strain, and high demand coupled with high control (active job) showed a beneficial effect on psychological well-being. Our results suggest that a combination of general risk factors and organizational factors contributes to increase CVD risk and well-being, representing a crucial target for intervention strategies to promote health in the workplace.

WORK-RELATED STRESS, RESTORATION AND PURSUIT OF SUSTAINABLE MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS IN CONSTRUCTION

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Obiozo ◽  
John Smallwood
Keyword(s):  
Health And Safety ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Construction Site ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Innovative Strategies ◽  
Site Model ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Therapeutic Gardens

Work-related stress and consequent poor performance of workers require diligent application of innovative strategies on construction sites to achieve a viable labor resource. Humankind’s desire for contact with nature serves an important adaptive function, in the form of psychological restoration that heals mental fatigue and the lack of motivation in the construction workforce. An underlying practical challenge is hereby offered in the “greening of the construction site”, or the biophilic design concept, as a relevant aspect of construction management and planning. The question explored includes the nature of the biophilic construction site model (BCSM), and the specific design of workplaces to include “dynamic healing gardens” tailored to the project, environment, and construction processes. The methodology surveys, compares, and analyzes construction sites in South Africa with or without the BCSM. Findings indicate that workers actually achieve restoration and rejuvenation in a natural environment in harmony with the promotion of health and safety, ergonomic strategies in construction, and attention-restorative therapy. We recommend that “informal dynamic therapeutic gardens” be included within the construction planning of worksites, the interior of site offices and welfare facilities to enhance productivity and quality in construction.

scholarly journals Association between Work-Related Stress and QT Prolongation in Male Workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (23) ◽  
pp. 4781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lecca ◽  
Portoghese ◽  
Mucci ◽  
Galletta ◽  
Meloni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Function ◽  
Qt Interval ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
System Control ◽  
Qtc Interval ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Job Support ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Related Stress

: Background: Work-related stress is a potential cardiovascular risk factor, but the underlying mechanism is not fully explained. The autonomic nervous system control of cardiac function might play a specific role; therefore, monitoring the QT interval in the electrocardiogram can highlight an autonomic imbalance induced by occupational stressors. The aim of our study was to explore the QT interval parameters as early indicators of imbalance of the autonomic cardiac function in relation to work-related stress. Methods: During 2015–2016 annual workplace health surveillance, we measured work-related stress in 484 workers of a logistic support company using the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) tool. We assessed the frequency-corrected QT (QTc) interval and the QT index (QTi) on the electrocardiogram of each participant, and collected demographic and clinical data. We compared the QTc values by the four Karasek’s categories (active/passive jobs, low/high strain job), and by job support (present/lacking), and conducted multivariate analysis to adjust for possible confounders. Results: The results of the multivariate regression analysis showed that QTc was prolonged among workers operating at a specific site where stress level was found to be elevated. Regular physical activity showed a beneficial effect against QTc prolongation. We did not observe an effect on QTc length by the cross-combined Karasek’s categories of job control, job demand, and job support. Conclusions: Our study suggests subclinical effects of conditions associated with work-related stress on the autonomic regulation of cardiac function. Further research is warranted to elucidate the combined effect of work organization and lifestyle factors on autonomic cardiac function.

scholarly journals Analysis of a New Work-Related Stress Assessment Tool

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-40
Author(s):  
Gaetano Buonocore ◽  
Nelson Mauro Maldonato ◽  
Yari Mirko Alfano ◽  
Simona Annunziata ◽  
Tilde Annunziato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
New Research

Background: Work-related stress is a relevant phenomenon in terms of health and safety at work, as occupational distress has a negative impact on individual and organisational well-being. It is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon, whose evaluation must be carried out through a specific and adequate methodology. Objective: This work aims to identify versatile tools that can quickly provide reliable measures of work distress. It analyzes the proposal elaborated by the “Comitato Unico di Garanzia per le Pari Opportunità, la Valorizzazione del Benessere di chi lavora e contro le Discriminazioni” of Rome, i.e. the tool “Valutazione è prevenzione, Sicurezza è partecipazione”. Methods: A study was carried out on a sample of 474 employees of the Neapolitan Judicial Offices, who were given a standardized questionnaire to investigate the stress, associated with the proposal of the Comitato Unico di Garanzia. Results: From the elaboration of the results, it emerges that the conditions of working wellbeing are linked to two main factors related to the perception of workers both of physical-environmental and organisational-relational aspects. In particular, it emerged that the new assessment tool, consisting of a small number of items, contributes to the detection of work stress, so it is necessary to deepen through future research the contribution that this tool can offer to the survey on work-related stress. Conclusion: Having highlighted two factors that significantly saturate the presence of a working discomfort, through an agile tool, allows us to plan a new research path, which can approach the complexity of the phenomenon through the methods of deep learning.

scholarly journals Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Emergency Department Nurses

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Machado
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Related Stress

Individuals employed in healthcare services are exposed daily to a variety of health and safety hazards which include psychosocial risks, such as those associated with work-related stress. Nursing is the largest group of health professionals in the healthcare system. Work-related stress has been associated with substandard quality and safety of care, poor health status, decreased quality of life and compromised safety among staff members (Christodoulou-Fella, Middleton, Papathanassoglou, & Karanikola, 2017). Secondary traumatic stress (STS) is exacerbated in health professionals who are continuously confronted and care for patients suffering traumatic injuries and are critically ill, while experiencing emotional disruption themselves, thus becoming indirect victims of the trauma, they care for (Christodoulou-Fella et al.). The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence and severity of traumatic symptoms experienced by nurses working in the emergency department (ED) secondary to repetitive exposure of distressing events. The author utilized a 17-item survey to measure symptoms associated with indirect exposure to traumatic events due to profession. Two open-ended questions were added to better understand nurses’ views on STS. Results indicated that nurses in the ED are experiencing little to moderate symptoms of STS. Majority of participants indicated they have experienced more than one item asked in the questionnaire at least occasionally or often. A response rate of over 50% of participants specified staff debriefing shortly after being exposed to a traumatic event to be beneficial to reduce symptoms of STS. Replication of this project on a larger scale could serve as the foundation for establishing new policies regarding STS and the need for staff support services or programs.

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