Activity-based working: Qualitative analysis of working conditions and health-related outcomes

Work ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 625-639
Author(s):  
Isabelle Fincke ◽  
Amy Hieb ◽  
Volker Harth ◽  
Stefanie Mache
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Work Arrangements ◽  
Working Environments ◽  
Work Spaces ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Health Related

BACKGROUND: The changing of work, driven by digitization, leads to the demand of large, open spaces in which the employees can work alone or in teams, can hold meetings or even find corners to relax. OBJECTIVE: This study empirically analyzed job demands and resources that can be found in innovative office concepts, like so called “activity-based working concepts”. METHODS: 16 semi-structured face-to-face interviews were performed with employees working in activity-based offices. Content of the interviews included questions on their working conditions and health-related outcomes. RESULTS: The results show that work autonomy, the flexibility to decide where and when to work, and an improved communication and collaboration between different departments had a perceived positive effect on well-being, performance and motivation. Job demands, like missing territoriality on individual and team level, limited privacy and distractions in form of noise and interruptions describe consequences in form of perceived strain. CONCLUSION: The study results contribute to the expansion of knowledge in the subject area of flexible work arrangements in open work spaces. They can serve to design future working environments and thus increase the well-being and job performance of employees. It needs additional research to investigate the effects of office designs on the health of employees in the long term.

How 15- to 16-year-old Swedish adolescents experience social relationships and health-related behaviours: A qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 527-536
Author(s):  
Ulrica Paulsson Do ◽  
Birgitta Edlund ◽  
Christina Stenhammar ◽  
Ragnar Westerling
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Personal Management ◽  
The Social ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Old Swedish ◽  
Health Related

Aims: Health-related behaviours are associated with social relationships. Adolescence is a time when healthy and unhealthy behaviours are established. There is a need to investigate adolescents’ views on how social relationships are related to health-related behaviours of adolescents in the Scandinavian welfare system. This study aimed to explore Swedish adolescents’ experiences and thoughts of how social relationships in different social environments are related to health-related behaviours. Methods: A total of 36 adolescents aged 15–16 years were interviewed in seven focus-group sessions. Qualitative content analysis was used for analysis of the transcribed interviews. Results: Two themes – social context and personal management – emerged. Swedish adolescents describe that their health-related behaviours as being partly shaped by their own personal management but mainly by the social contexts that surround them. Social contexts were expressed as playing a role in the adolescents’ health-related behaviours, as they provide fellowship, pressure, dependability and engagement. Fellowship with friends and family was expressed as providing healthy behaviours and high levels of well-being. Fellowship with friends was particularly important for physical activity. Close relationships were stated to influence health-related behaviours. Pressure from friends, teachers and social media were described as mainly influencing unhealthy behaviours and, to some extent, low levels of well-being. However, adolescents’ personal ability illustrated how adolescents shaped their own health-related behaviours. Conclusions: The study results contribute to the understanding of Swedish adolescents’ views on how social relationships can shape their health-related behaviours. The findings may be useful to school professionals in supporting adolescents to improve well-being and healthy behaviours.

scholarly journals Psychosocial working conditions and future sick leave and disability pension trajectories in Sweden

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Salonen ◽  
K Alexanderson ◽  
R Rugulies ◽  
E Framke ◽  
M Niemelä ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Disability Pension ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Job Control ◽  
Multinomial Regression ◽  
Job Exposure Matrix ◽  
Psychosocial Working Conditions ◽  
And Control ◽  
Group Memberships

Abstract Background Psychosocial working conditions such as job demands and job control have been found to be associated with employee health and well-being, but studies on the associations with sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) are scarce. We examined 11-year SA/DP trajectories and the association between psychosocial working conditions and subsequent SA/DP trajectories in the Swedish workforce. Methods Using a prospective cohort study with microdata we explored SA/DP trajectories among female and male employees, respectively, aged 30-53 years in 2001 in Sweden (1,076,042 women; 1,102,721 men). Group-based trajectory analysis was used to model annual mean SA/DP net days trajectories in 2002-2012. Based on a Swedish Job Exposure Matrix (JEM), individuals were assigned an age-, sex- and occupation-specific mean score for demands and control, respectively. Mean scores were categorized into tertiles and categorised into 3x3 combinations of exposure categories. Using multinomial regression we predicted trajectory group memberships for the JEM. Results The highest rate of women were in occupations with low demands and control (24.8%), while the highest rate of men (22.9%) was in occupations with high demands and control. We found three SA/DP trajectories for women (low, medium, high increasing) and two for men (low, high increasing). In fully adjusted models, those in occupations with low demands and low control were at higher risk of belonging to the high increasing SA/DP trajectory compared to those in occupations with high job demands and control in both women (OR 3.86; 95% CI: 3.75-3.97) and men (OR 3.0; 2.99-3.16). Conclusions Low job demands and low job control were associated with more high increasing future SA/DP trajectories compared to high job demands and job control in both women and men. Key messages In Sweden, women are more often in occupations characterized by low job demands and low job control and men are more often in occupations with high job demands and high job control. Occupations with low job demands and low job control were associated with more adverse SA/SP trajectories compared to occupations with high job demands and high job control in both women and men.

scholarly journals Pain and Emotional Well-Being Outcomes in Southwest Oncology Group–Directed Intergroup Trial S0205: A Phase III Study Comparing Gemcitabine Plus Cetuximab Versus Gemcitabine As First-Line Therapy in Patients With Advanced Pancreas Cancer

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (22) ◽  
pp. 3611-3616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol M. Moinpour ◽  
Nancy L. Vaught ◽  
Bryan Goldman ◽  
Mary W. Redman ◽  
Philip A. Philip ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brief Pain Inventory ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
First Line Therapy ◽  
Pain Status ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

PurposeS0205 was a randomized clinical trial that compared the therapeutic impact of gemcitabine versus gemcitabine plus cetuximab. Study results for patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes are reported.Patients and MethodsPatients completed the Brief Pain Inventory and a measure of emotional well-being (each measured on a 0 to 10 scale) at baseline and at weeks 5, 9, 13, and 17 postrandom assignment. Worst pain status was classified as palliated (worst pain scores < 5 maintained for 2 consecutive cycles) or not palliated (remaining patients) and tested with a χ2test. Change in emotional well-being and worst pain (exploratory analysis) were assessed over 17 weeks using generalized estimating equations with inverse probability of censoring weights.ResultsSeven hundred twenty of 766 enrolled patients contributed baseline HRQL data. The two treatment arms did not differ statistically in the percentage of patients with successful worst pain palliation. Longitudinal analyses showed significantly improved emotional well-being for patients on both arms by weeks 13 and 17 (P < .01 and P < .001). An exploratory longitudinal analysis of worst pain showed significant decreases at all time points for both arms (P < .01 and P < .001). Significant treatment arm differences for either worst pain or emotional well-being were not observed at any of the assessment times.ConclusionWe observed palliated pain and improved well-being for patients on this trial. However, these improvements were similar in both treatment arms, suggesting that the addition of cetuximab did not contribute to improvement in these HRQL outcomes.

Well-being in open space offices: The role of office features and psychosocial working conditions

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Sarah S. Lütke Lanfer ◽  
Cathrin Becker ◽  
Anja S. Göritz
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychosocial Working Conditions ◽  
Office Size ◽  
Job Demands And Resources

BACKGROUND: There has been a trend to implement open space offices: wide-spread office floors with modern and colourful furniture. However, there is limited scientific knowledge on the effects of Open Space Offices (OSO). Studies are scare and show heterogeneous results. OBJECTIVE: By using the Job Demands-Resources model as a conceptual framework, the present study aimed at investigating the influence of subjective and objective features of the OSO (i.e., office size, desk-sharing, openness) next to classical psychosocial working conditions (i.e., demands, resources) on irritation and subjective well-being. METHODS: Cross-sectional and longitudinal data out of four different organisations (490 participants, 43.73 years of age, SD = 12.02) were used. RESULTS: Results showed that both features of the OSO and working conditions play a role in well-being at work. In line with current studies, job demands and resources contributed more to irritation and subjective well-being than features of the OSO. CONCLUSION: The influence of traditional psychosocial working conditions has so far been neglected in research on OSOs. However, their contribution to employees’ well-being next to features of the OSO could explain the heterogeneous findings of the existing research on well-being in OSOs. Thus, when implementing OSOs, employees’ well-being can only be enhanced if working conditions are targeted in parallel.

The effectiveness of internet-based telerehabilitation among patients after total joint arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

2021 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2098029
Author(s):  
Qingling Wang ◽  
Regina L-T Lee ◽  
Sharyn Hunter ◽  
Sally W-C Chan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Total Joint Arthroplasty ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Joint Arthroplasty ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Introduction The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate the available evidence on the effectiveness of internet-based telerehabilitation among patients after total joint arthroplasty regarding pain, range of motion, physical function, health-related quality of life, satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Methods This was a systematic review with meta-analysis based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions guidelines. Studies published in English or Chinese were searched using defined search periods, databases, and search terms. Two reviewers assessed independently the quality of studies. RevMan 5.3 was used for meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using the χ2 and I2 statistic. A random effect model and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was adopted. Standardised mean difference (SMD) was used if the outcome was measured by different scales. Results Eleven studies with 1020 participants were analysed. Compared to face-to-face rehabilitation, internet-based telerehabilitation showed no significant difference in outcomes of pain (SMD–0.11, 95% CI–0.32 to 0.10), range of motion in flexion (MD 0.65, 95% CI–1.18 to 2.48) and extension (MD–0.38, 95% CI–1.16 to 0.40), patient-reported physical function (SMD 0.01, 95% CI–0.15 to 0.17), health-related quality of life (SMD–0.09, 95% CI–0.26 to 0.07), satisfaction (SMD–0.04, 95% CI–0.21 to 0.14), and psychological well-being (SMD 0.10, 95% CI–0.13 to 0.33). Internet-based telerehabilitation showed better outcomes in physical functional tests (SMD–0.54, 95% CI–1.08 to–0.01). Discussion This review suggests that internet-based telerehabilitation has comparable effectiveness to face-to-face rehabilitation on rehabilitation outcomes among patients after total joint arthroplasty.

scholarly journals Engaged or Not? A Comparative Study on Factors Inducing Work Engagement in Call Center and Service Sector Work

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armi Mustosmäki ◽  
Timo Anttila ◽  
Tomi Oinas
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Call Center ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Call Centers ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Retail Banking ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Sector Work

The aim of this study was to compare the possibilities of experiencing positive well-being in call centers and other service sector work. The article focuses on the prevalence of working conditions (job demands, autonomy, and social support) in call centers and at other service sector workplaces and how these factors are related to work engagement. In addition, we examine whether the relationships are divergent in call centers in comparison to other service sector work. Analysis is based on the data provided by the “Quality of Life in Changing Europe” project. The survey data were collected from service sector organizations (retail, banking, and insurance) and a telecom organization’s call center functions in Finland (N = 967). According to our results, work engagement in call center environment is challenging due to the strong negative effect of job demands. In general, call center employees experienced less feelings of engagement than employees in the comparison organizations. This difference remained significant even after controlling for background factors and measures of working conditions. In addition, we found significant differences between call center and other service sector organizations in the effects of both autonomy and demands. The levels of autonomy and work demands proved to be strong antecedents of perceived work engagement, especially in call center environment.

scholarly journals Inter-Professional Collaboration and Occupational Well-Being of Physicians Who Work in Adverse Working Conditions

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1210
Author(s):  
José Viruez-Soto ◽  
Roberto C. Delgado Bolton ◽  
Montserrat San-Martín ◽  
Luis Vivanco
Keyword(s):  
Lifelong Learning ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Multiple Regression Model ◽  
The Self ◽  
Professional Collaboration ◽  
Large Effect Size ◽  
Learning Abilities ◽  
Work Alienation ◽  
Working Environments

Inter-professional collaboration, empathy and lifelong learning, components of medical professionalism, have been associated with occupational well-being in physicians. However, it is not clear whether this role persists in adverse working conditions. This study was performed to assess whether this is the case. These three abilities, and the self-perception of somatization, exhaustion and work alienation, were measured in a sample of 60 physicians working in a hospital declared to be in an institutional emergency. A multiple regression model explained 40% of the variability of exhaustion, with a large effect size (Cohen’s-f2 = 0.64), based on a linear relationship with teamwork (p = 0.01), and more dedication to academic (p < 0.001) and management activities (p < 0.003). Neither somatization nor alienation were predicted by empathy or lifelong learning abilities. Somatization, exhaustion, or alienation scores either explained empathy, inter-professional collaboration or lifelong learning scores. These findings indicate that, in adverse working environments, physicians with a greater sense of inter-professional collaboration or performing multi-task activities are more exposed to suffering exhaustion.

Working in a cocoon: (Co)working conditions of office nomads – a health related qualitative study of shared working environments

Work ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricarda Servaty ◽  
Gabriele Perger ◽  
Volker Harth ◽  
Stefanie Mache
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Working Environments ◽  
Health Related

scholarly journals Psychological Capital, Workload, and Burnout: What’s New? The Impact of Personal Accomplishment to Promote Sustainable Working Conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 8124
Author(s):  
M. Inmaculada López-Núñez ◽  
Susana Rubio-Valdehita ◽  
Eva M. Diaz-Ramiro ◽  
Marta E. Aparicio-García
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Psychological Capital ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Personal Accomplishment ◽  
Personal Resource ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Research on burnout has traditionally focused on job demands, with less attention paid to protective factors. From the emerging and innovative area of psychology of sustainability and sustainable development, this study aimed to analyze the relationship that job demands (workload), and personal resources (psychological capital) have with burnout. The sample includes 517 workers from various professional sectors. Results of the structural equation analysis show that (1) psychological capital and workload are related to burnout, and (2) personal accomplishment is more a personal resource than burnout dimension. The results confirm the role of psychological capital as a protective factor for burnout. Finally, the importance of examining the relationship between the components of psychological capital, personal accomplishment, and positive emotions is pointed out due to the importance of organizations promoting the development of psychological strengths and resources to promote well-being and sustainable working conditions.

scholarly journals Unsustainable Working Conditions: The Association of Destructive Leadership, Use of Technology, and Workload with Workaholism and Exhaustion

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Molino ◽  
Claudio Cortese ◽  
Chiara Ghislieri
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Destructive Leadership ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample

Job demands typical of the current working environments and negative leadership styles may be considered unsustainable factors able to decrease workers well-being. Moreover, contrary to the idea that workaholism is an innate individual characteristic, a recent perspective considers the working context able to foster its insurgence. In order to investigate unsustainable dynamics within organizations, this study aimed at examining whether (1) destructive leadership increases workload and supplemental work supported by technology, (2) the three job demands increases workaholism, and (3) workaholism mediates their relationship with exhaustion. A convenience sample of 432 workers filled in a self-report questionnaire. The structural equation model results showed a positive relationship between destructive leadership and workload, off-work hour Technology-Assisted Job Demand (off-TAJD), and workaholism. Moreover, both workload and off-TAJD partially mediated the relationship between destructive leadership and workaholism. Finally, workaholism was a mediator between the three demands and exhaustion. The study confirmed a positive association between job demands and workaholism, and, in turn, their association with exhaustion, highlighting in particular the role of two under-investigated determinants, namely destructive leadership and off-TAJD, as unsustainable working conditions. Despite limitations, above all the cross-sectional design, this study provided useful indications for research and practice.

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