A Two-Wave Study of the Impact of Job Characteristics and Motivators on Perceived Stress among Information Technology (IT) Consultants

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 75-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Göran Wallgren ◽  
Jan Johansson Hanse

The aim of this two-wave study was to test whether job characteristics (job demand, job control), with ‘motivators’ (e.g., recognition, achievement, possibility for growth) as the mediating variable, can predict perceived stress (e.g., stressed, tense). These relationships were tested simultaneously using structural equation modeling analyses. A web-based questionnaire survey was conducted among 320 information technology (IT) consultants in Sweden. Data were collected at two time points, over a six-month follow-up period. Cross-sectional studies have been presented earlier but one of the contributions of this study is that it is a two-wave data set. The present two-wave study uses a model which covers more information than a cross-sectional design and the results add another aspect to existing work motivation and stress research, by using a longitudinal data set, and relating job characteristics to perceived stress directly and indirect. These findings emphasize the importance of job demand and illuminate the role of motivators in the experience of job stress among IT consultants. The presented model can be used to examine potential causes of job stress among IT consultants and may generate important lessons for managing the general workforce of tomorrow.

Author(s):  
Lars Göran Wallgren

The aim of the longitudinal study covered in this chapter was to test whether job characteristics (job demand, job control), with “motivators” (e.g. recognition, achievement, possibility for growth) as the mediating variable, can predict perceived stress (e.g. stressed, tense). The sample was composed of 320 Information Technology (IT) consultants in Sweden. Data were collected at 2 time points, with a time lag of 6 months. Results of structural equation modeling analyses show that job demand was most strongly related to perceived stress in the 6-month follow-up. Furthermore, “motivators” were negatively related (i.e. expected direction) to perceived stress at follow-up. Cross-sectional studies have been presented earlier, but a contribution of this study is that it is a 2-wave data set. The chapter uses a model that covers more information than a cross-sectional design, and the results add another aspect to existing work motivation and stress research by using a longitudinal data set and by relating job characteristics to perceived stress both directly and indirectly. The presented model can be used to examine potential causes of job stress among IT consultants and may generate important lessons for managing the general workforce of tomorrow. Finally, methodological considerations and recommendations for future research are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-132
Author(s):  
Rauly Sijabat

The activities of reading news, chatting, viewing YouTube and Facebook or even status updates, Instagram, buying and selling online, to playing online games that are not related to work by using internet facilities are cyberloafing behaviors that are often carried out by employees. The limitations of previous research examining the impact of cyberloafing on work behavior empirically are still very limited. In addition, previous research that explains the occurrence of cyberloafing behavior also shows results that have not been established. Encouraged by these findings, this study aimed to examine the factors that explain cyberloafing behavior and its impact on employees' organizational behavior. To meet these objectives, an empirical model was developed with job characteristics and self-control variables as exogenous variables, job stress and cyberloafing as mediating variables and laziness as endogenous variables. Testing the influence between these variables was carried out with an analytical approach to Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) which used empirical data obtained through questionnaires as an interview guide to employee respondents in various fields of work. The results of data analysis showed that job characteristics, self control, and job stress were statistically proven to have an effect on cyberloafing behavior. Cyberloafing testing on negative organizational behavior, namely laziness also shows a real influence. In addition, the results of this study also show that there are differences in prevalence caused by cyberloafing behavior between male and female employees.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 667-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Blanch ◽  
Anton Aluja

The impact of personality and job characteristics on parental rearing styles was compared in 353 employees. Hypotheses concerning the relationships between personality and job variables were formulated in accordance with findings in past research and the Belsky's model (1984). Structural equation nested models showed that Aggression-hostility, Sociability and job Demand were predictive of Rejection and Emotional Warmth parenting styles, providing support for some of the hypothesized relationships. The findings suggest a well-balanced association of personality variables with both parenting styles: Aggression-Hostility was positively related to Rejection and negatively to Emotional Warmth, whereas Sociability was positively related to Emotional Warmth and negatively related to Rejection. Personality dimensions explained a higher amount of variance in observed parenting styles. However, a model that considered both, personality and job dimensions as antecedent variables of parenting was the best representation of observed data, as both systems play a role in the prediction of parenting behavior.


2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Mae Wood ◽  
Antonio Cano-Vindel ◽  
José Martín Salguero

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Panic disorder (PD) is a highly prevalent and disabling mental health problem associated with different factors including perfectionism, stress, physiological anxiety, and anxiety sensitivity regarding physical concerns; however, no studies have analyzed the joint relationship between these factors and PD in a multi-factor model using structural equation modeling.  <strong>Method: </strong>A cross-sectional study was carried out to collect data on these factors and self-reported DSM-IV past-year PD symptoms in a large sample of the general population (<em>N</em>=936).  <strong>Results:</strong> Perceived stress had a significant effect in increasing physiological anxiety, which in turn had an important association with physical concerns.  Perfectionism and perceived stress had an indirect relation with past year PD via the mediator role of physiological anxiety and physical concerns.  Physical concerns, on one hand, seemed to mediate the impact between perfectionism and PD and, on the other, partially mediated the role between physiological anxiety and PD.  <strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although there is considerable evidence on the association between each of these factors and PD, this model can be considered a broader and productive framework of research on the nature and treatment of PD.<strong></strong></p>


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ke Zeng ◽  
Weiguo Zhu ◽  
Caiyou Wang ◽  
Liyan Zhu

BACKGROUND The rapid spread of COVID-19 has created a severe challenge to China’s healthcare system. Hospitals across the country reacted quickly under the leadership of the Chinese government and implemented a range of informatization measures to effectively respond to the COVID-19. OBJECTIVE To understand the impact of the pandemic on the medical business of Chinese hospitals and the difficulties faced by hospital informatization construction. To discuss the application of hospital informatization measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. To summarize the practical experience of hospitals using information technology to fight the pandemic. METHODS Performing a cross-sectional on-line questionnaire survey in Chinese hospitals, of which the participants are invited including hospital information staff, hospital administrators, medical staff, etc. Statistical analyzing the collected data by using SPSS version 24. RESULTS A total of 804 valid questionnaires (88.45%) are collected in this study from 30 provinces in mainland China, of which 731 (90.92%) were filled out by hospital information staff. 473 (58.83%) hospitals are tertiary hospitals while the remaining 331 (41.17%) are secondary hospitals. The majority hospitals (82.46%) had a drop in their business volume during the pandemic and a more substantial drop is found in tertiary hospitals. 70.40% (n=566) of hospitals have upgraded or modified their information systems in response to the epidemic. The proportion of tertiary hospitals that upgraded or modified systems is significantly higher than that of secondary hospitals. Internet hospital consultation (70.52%), pre-check and triage (62.56%), telemedicine (60.32%), health QR code (57.71%), and telecommuting (50.87%) are the most used informatization anti-pandemic measures. There are obvious differences in the application of information measures between tertiary hospitals and secondary hospitals. Among these measures, most of them (41.17%) are aiming at serving patients and most of them (62.38%) are universal which continue to be used after pandemic. The informatization measures are mostly used to control the source of infection (48.19%), such as health QR Code, etc. During the pandemic, the main difficulties faced by the hospital information department are “information construction projects are hindered” (58.96%) and “increased difficulty in ensuring network information security” (58.58%). There are significant differences in this issue between tertiary hospitals and secondary hospitals. The shortcomings of hospital informatization that should be made up for are “shorten patient consultation time and optimize consultation process” (72.51%), “Ensure network information security” (72.14%) and “build internet hospital consultations platform” (59.95%). CONCLUSIONS A significant number of innovative medical information technology have been used and played a significant role in all phases of COVID-19 prevention and control in China. Since the COVID-19 brought many challenges and difficulties for informatization work, hospitals need to constantly improve their own information technology skills to respond to public health emergencies that arise at any moment.


Author(s):  
Yolanda Marcén-Román ◽  
Angel Gasch-Gallen ◽  
Irene Isabel Vela Martín de la Mota ◽  
Estela Calatayud ◽  
Isabel Gómez-Soria ◽  
...  

Today’s COVID-19 situation can affect university Health Sciences students’ psychological health. This study aimed to analyze the stress caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Health Sciences students from the University of Zaragoza (Spain) almost 1 year after the pandemic began. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 252 university students who completed a self-administered online questionnaire. It evaluated the impact of perceived stress with a modified scale (PSS-10-C), and assessed anxiety and depression on the Goldberg scale. Students presented stress (13.1%), anxiety (71.4%) and depression (81%). Females (81.7%) and the third-year Occupational Therapy students (p = 0.010) reported perceived stress. Nursing students perceived less stress (OR: 0.148; 95% CI: 0.026 to 0.842). University students developed stress and anxiety due to COVID-19 almost 1 year after the pandemic began. Psychological support measures for these groups should be prioritized.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110304
Author(s):  
Ravindra Ganesh ◽  
Aditya K. Ghosh ◽  
Mark A. Nyman ◽  
Ivana T. Croghan ◽  
Stephanie L. Grach ◽  
...  

Objective Persistent post-COVID symptoms are estimated to occur in up to 10% of patients who have had COVID-19. These lingering symptoms may persist for weeks to months after resolution of the acute illness. This study aimed to add insight into our understanding of certain post-acute conditions and clinical findings. The primary purpose was to determine the persistent post COVID impairments prevalence and characteristics by collecting post COVID illness data utilizing Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®). The resulting measures were used to assess surveyed patients physical, mental, and social health status. Methods A cross-sectional study and 6-months Mayo Clinic COVID recovered registry data were used to evaluate continuing symptoms severity among the 817 positive tested patients surveyed between March and September 2020. The resulting PROMIS® data set was used to analyze patients post 30 days health status. The e-mailed questionnaires focused on fatigue, sleep, ability to participate in social roles, physical function, and pain. Results The large sample size (n = 817) represented post hospitalized and other managed outpatients. Persistent post COVID impairments prevalence and characteristics were determined to be demographically young (44 years), white (87%), and female (61%). Dysfunction as measured by the PROMIS® scales in patients recovered from acute COVID-19 was reported as significant in the following domains: ability to participate in social roles (43.2%), pain (17.8%), and fatigue (16.2%). Conclusion Patient response on the PROMIS® scales was similar to that seen in multiple other studies which used patient reported symptoms. As a result of this experience, we recommend utilizing standardized scales such as the PROMIS® to obtain comparable data across the patients’ clinical course and define the disease trajectory. This would further allow for effective comparison of data across studies to better define the disease process, risk factors, and assess the impact of future treatments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-157
Author(s):  
Mohammed A. Alrubaidi ◽  
Nabil Hassan Abdo Al-Hemyari

This study aimed to assess the impact of information technology risks on security of information systems by following an analytical method based on the structural equation modeling (SEM). The study population was seven telecommunication companies in Yemen. A questionnaire was distributed to 356 participants, but only 218 forms were valid for analysis. The data was analyzed by the partial least squares (PLS). The study findings revealed that information technology risks had a negative impact on the security of information systems. The study recommended that the security of information systems should be strengthened so as to maintain the confidentiality of information, its availability and safety from risks, and to cope with speedy developments in information and communication technology.


Author(s):  
Kashifa Yasmin ◽  
Prof. Dr. Najib Ahmad Marzuki

<p><em>Shortage of the nurses is an important issue in the developing and developed countries. The aim of this paper is to determine the impact of organizational commitment on intention to quit among psychiatric nurses. Based on the model of casual turnover this study assessed the direct effect of organizational commitment on nurse’s intention to quit. The cross sectional data was collected from three hundred five nurses of psychiatric hospitals in Punjab, Pakistan. Structural equation modeling was applied to achieve the objectives. The results revealed that affective commitment and normative commitment have significant impact while continuous commitment has not significant effect on nurse’s intention to quit.  So, the commitment of nurse to hospital goals, missions, and values is not enough to predict her intention to quit from job in the hospital. This study recommends that, the government and policy makers should look beyond forces in their internal and external environment, when considering how to reduce employee’s turnover intentions. This study recommends that future researchers should examine the impact of work environment on intention to quit though burnout as a unit variable. This study contributes socially and economically.</em></p><p><em> </em></p>


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