Job characteristics, well-being and physical activity: A field study using a consumer fitness tracker

The relation between job characteristics and health is one of the most important fields of research within work and organizational psychology. Another prominent variable influencing health is physical activity. The physical activity mediated Demand-Control (pamDC) model (Häusser & Mojzisch, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2017.1303759) combines these health indicators in a new theoretical framework. Based on the pamDC model the current study aims to clarify the role of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in the interplay of job demands, job control and well-being. We expect physical activity to partially mediate the impact of job characteristics on health. To avoid self-report bias considering physical activity we used a consumer fitness tracker to collect additional data. In total, 104 white-collar workers participated in the study. The results show that job control and job demands could predict well-being in cross-sectional analyses. In longitudinal analyses, this was only the case for job demands. Regarding the proposed mediating effect of LTPA between job characteristics and health, we could not detect a significant mediation in our sample. This was true for both self-reported and objective data on physical activity. This study provides a first step in validating the pamDC model and has implications for future research.

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Psychosocial Risks and Violence Against Teachers. Is It Possible to Promote Well-Being at Work?

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16224439 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (22) ◽

pp. 4439 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Berlanda ◽

Fraizzoli ◽

Cordova ◽

Pedrazza

Keyword(s):

Job Demands ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Health Concern ◽

Psychosocial Risks ◽

Daily Monitoring ◽

North East ◽

The Impact ◽

First Time ◽

Psychological Demands

Teaching has been reported to be one of the most stressful occupations, with heavy psychological demands, including the need to develop positive relationships with students and their parents; relationships that, in turn, play a significant role in teachers’ well-being. It follows that the impact of any violence perpetrated by a student or parent against a teacher is particularly significant and represents a major occupational health concern. The present study examines for the first time the influence of the Job Demands-Control-Support Model on violence directed against teachers. Six hundred and eighty-six teachers working in elementary and high schools in north-east Italy completed an online, self-report questionnaire. Our findings reveal the role played by working conditions in determining teachers’ experience of violence: greater job demands are associated with most offense types, whereas the availability of diffused social support at school is associated with lower rates of harassment. Workload should be equally distributed and kept under control, and violence should gain its place in the shared daily monitoring of practices and experiences at school in order to provide a socially supportive work environment for all teachers.

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A comparison of physical activity, physical fitness levels, BMI and blood pressure of adults with intellectual disability, who do and do not take part in Special Olympics Ireland programmes: Results from the SOPHIE study

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities ◽

10.1177/1744629516688773 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 154-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Denise Walsh ◽

Sarahjane Belton ◽

Sarah Meegan ◽

Kirsty Bowers ◽

Deidre Corby ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Intellectual Disability ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Special Olympics ◽

The Impact ◽

Fitness Levels

People with an intellectual disability are less physically active, live more sedentary lives, have lower fitness levels and are more likely to be overweight or obese than the general population. No evidence exists on the impact of participation in Special Olympics Ireland (SOI) on physical activity and physical fitness levels. Adults with intellectual disabilities (16–64 years) were recruited from services and SOI clubs. Physical measures included waist circumference, height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate and 6-min walking test. Self-report questionnaires gathered data on physical activity levels. Actigraph (GT3X) accelerometers were used to gain an objective measure of physical activity. SOI participants accumulated more moderate to vigorous physical activity per day, had higher fitness levels and more positive health profile scores than those not taking part in SOI. SOI has the potential to make a positive difference to people’s physical health and subsequently their overall health and well-being.

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Spirituality and Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior among Latino Men and Women in Massachusetts

Ethnicity & Disease ◽

10.18865/ed.27.1.3 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 3 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Valerie J. Silfee ◽

Christina F. Haughton ◽

Stephenie C. Lemon ◽

Vilma Lora ◽

Milagros C. Rosal

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Family Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Research ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Latino Men ◽

Hispanic Adults ◽

Sectional Analysis ◽

The Impact

Objective: To examine the relationships between spirituality and physical activity and sedentary behavior in a sample of Latino adults in Massachusetts.Design: This is a cross-sectional analysis of the Lawrence Health and Well Being Study; a study that was conducted among patients at the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC) in Lawrence, Massachusetts.Participants: 602 Latino or Hispanic adults aged 21 to 85 years completed the study.Results: There was a significant negative relationship between spirituality and sedentary behavior (β= -.12, p = .004). Although not statistically significant, higher spirituality was associated with increased odds of engaging in physical activity. There were no significant associations between spirituality and physical activity among men or women. Men with greater spirituality were significantly less sedentary (β = -.17, P = .005). There was no relationship between sedentary behavior and spirituality among women.Conclusions: This study found that individuals who are more spiritual are also less sedentary, and this association was stronger in men than women. Findings provide insight for developing future interventions to promote activity in this high-risk population, which has been greatly understudied. Future research endeavors should consider investigating the impact of spirituality-based messages to reduce sedentary behavior among Latinos.Ethn Dis. 2017;27(1):3-10; doi:10.18865/ed.27.1.3.

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The impact of social comparisons of job demands and job control on well‐being

Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being ◽

10.1111/aphw.12257 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gesa Wemken ◽

Janina Janurek ◽

Nina Mareen Junker ◽

Jan Alexander Häusser

Keyword(s):

Job Demands ◽

Social Comparisons ◽

Well Being ◽

Job Control ◽

The Impact

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Kids Are Moving: A Physical Activity Program for Children With Cancer

Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing ◽

10.1177/1043454219858607 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 36 (6) ◽

pp. 379-389

Author(s):

Mary C. Hooke ◽

Amy Hoelscher ◽

Lynn R. Tanner ◽

Mary Langevin ◽

Ulf G. Bronas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Solid Tumors ◽

Nurse Practitioners ◽

Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Self Report ◽

Future Research ◽

Oncology Nurse ◽

The Impact ◽

Clinic Visits

Children undergoing cancer treatment are less active than healthy peers. Inactivity persists into survivorship, negatively influencing health and quality of life. Fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms during treatment yet children with increased physical activity (PA) have less fatigue. This pilot study evaluated the impact of coaching on PA and fatigue in children undergoing cancer treatment delivered by pediatric oncology nurse practitioners (NPs) during routine clinic visits. NPs used motivational interviewing during clinic visits to coach children and their families on strategies to increase PA at home. Self-report measures of PA and fatigue were completed at treatment months 2, 4, and 6. PA was also measured using actigraphy. Among 30 children ages 6 to 18 years, 7 had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), 11 had lymphoma, and 12 had solid tumors. Patterns of fatigue were different by disease group with trends to fatigue decreasing during treatment in the patients with ALL ( p = .09) and lymphoma ( p = .13) but increasing in those with solid tumors ( p = .06). Self-report PA was unchanged. Actigraph measurements remained stable for the group. NPs reported time challenges in implementing coaching during the clinic visit and in providing coaching continuity. The intensive, repeating chemotherapy cycles in solid tumor treatment may contribute to increasing fatigue. Treatment intensity decreases during ALL and lymphoma treatment, which may allow for improvement in fatigue. Inactivity persisted during treatment but did not progress. Future research is needed to evaluate more “dose-intensive” PA interventions in larger samples of specific disease groups.

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In the Eye of the Beholder: Challenge and Hindrance Appraisals of Work Characteristics and Their Implications for Employee’s Well-Being

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.708309 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Peikai Li ◽

Maria C. W. Peeters ◽

Toon W. Taris ◽

Yejun Zhang

Keyword(s):

Employee Engagement ◽

Job Demands ◽

Well Being ◽

Job Characteristics ◽

Job Resources ◽

Future Research ◽

Appraisal Theory ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Future Research Directions ◽

Detrimental Impact

Previous research on the association between job characteristics and employee well-being has returned mixed results. In particular, the possible impact of individual appraisal of these job characteristics has not been well-acknowledged. To address this limitation, we drew on appraisal theory and examined: (a) how workers appraise particular job characteristics, and (b) how these appraisals affect the relationships between these job characteristics and well-being (i.e., work engagement and burnout). We tested our hypotheses across two studies. In a cross-occupation sample (Study 1, n = 514), we found that job demands and resources can be appraised as both challenges and hindrances. In addition, challenge appraisals can mitigate the detrimental impact of job demands on engagement and burnout; and hindrance appraisals can strengthen the detrimental effects of job demands on burnout. Further, hindrance appraisals of job resources reduce their beneficial effects on engagement and burnout. Study 2 (n = 316 nurses in a hospital) further showed that challenge appraisals of job demands can reduce their impact on burnout while challenge appraisals of job resources will strengthen their positive effect on employee engagement and burnout. We discuss study implications as well as future research directions.

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What is the Impact of Physical Activities in Home Isolation on Residents’ Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Survey During the COVID-19 Social Quarantine

10.21203/rs.3.rs-200461/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yifan Zuo ◽

Mu Zhang ◽

Shaogui Xu ◽

Liqi Liang ◽

Xiaoyuan Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

World Health ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Health Values ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: During isolation, physical activity can enhance residents’ well-being. The objective of the present study was to examine the associations between residents’ physical activity, health values, and well-being during isolation.Methods: Based on the physical activity rating scale, health values scale, subjective well-being scale, and the satisfaction with life scale, 505 valid questionnaires were collected online from 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China. A series of multiple linear regression models were established to study the relationship between variables, and the bootstrap confidence interval was selected to test the mediating effect.Results: The results showed that during the period of isolation, physical activity directly(b =0.463, p < 0.001) or indirectly(b =0.358, p < 0.001) had a positive impact on residents’ well-being through the mediating effect of health values. There is a positive correlation between physical activity and health values(b =0.710, p < 0.001), while health values had a direct positive impact on well-being(b =0.504, p < 0.001). In addition, moderate amount of physical activity is more likely to improve the well-being of residents during home isolation compared to small and large amount of physical activity.Conclusions: Moderate exercise at home and regular physical activity are beneficial to our physical and mental health, especially to improve the overall well-being. At the same time, it is necessary for the World Health Organization and governments at all levels to strengthen the guidance and publicity of health values, so as to eliminate the impact of COVID-19 on people to a greater extent.

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Investing in college students: the role of the fitness tracker

Digital Health ◽

10.1177/2055207618766800 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 205520761876680 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jodee A. Schaben ◽

Stacy Furness

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

College Students ◽

General Education ◽

High Risk Group ◽

Step Count ◽

Future Research ◽

College Age ◽

Fitness Tracker ◽

Fitness Trackers ◽

The Impact

Fitness trackers are becoming a popular way to encourage physical activity and impact health behaviors. Although many college students may own and use fitness trackers, they remain a high-risk group in terms of rates of obesity and lack of physical activity. In this study, college students were provided with fitness trackers to self-monitor step count. Pre- and post-measures of body composition, resting heart rate and blood pressure, knowledge of physical activity behaviors and perception of wellness were used to determine the impact of the fitness trackers. The research was completed in two phases: phase one with completely voluntary participation and phase two as a part of a required general education wellness course. Results did not indicate a significant change in step count over 12 weeks nor did they show positive change in body measurements; however, there were indicators of activity benefits. Knowledge and perception of wellness were not positively impacted in the voluntary study; however, when the education component was required, some increases in knowledge and perception of wellness were shown in the general education course. Many lessons were learned in the study that should be considered when planning future research with fitness trackers in the college-age setting.

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Framework for an Evidence-Based Physical Activity Intervention: Promoting Healthy Communities

Building Healthy Academic Communities Journal ◽

10.18061/bhac.v1i1.5745 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 17

Author(s):

Laura E. Bruno

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Goodness Of Fit ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Self Report ◽

Future Research ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Community Based

Purpose: Identifying best practices in successful community based intervention programs is critical to improving the health concerns that currently afflict our nation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a community-based physical activity (PA) intervention program in order to share an evidence-based framework that can be used in community settings, including academic communities. The specific objectives of this study were to determine the effectiveness of a community based PA intervention program, specifically noting changes in perceived levels of (a) self-esteem, (b) body size satisfaction, (c) frequency of physical activity and (d) commitment levels the longer a participant engaged in the program.Method: The cross-sectional, quantitative self-report survey design utilized a 29-item web-based questionnaire. A sample of participants (N = 383 (Mage = 43 years; SD = 7 years; 100% women) from the Mullica Hill Women’s Triathlon Club self-selected to participate. Results: Independent sample t-tests ascertained that the longer a participant engaged in the program, the more her perceived self-esteem improved and the more committed she became to PA. Chi square goodness of fit analyses further demonstrated that a woman’s age impacted her level of satisfaction with her body. Conclusions: Opportunities to participate in a community based intervention program should be extended throughout all communities in an effort to improve holistic well-being. Further, type and duration as well as point of data collection of such programs should be differentiated in future research.

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A review of research on the Job Characteristics Model and the attendant job diagnostic survey

South African Journal of Business Management ◽

10.4102/sajbm.v32i1.712 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 11-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Billy Boonzaier ◽

Bernhard Ficker ◽

Braam Rust

Keyword(s):

Empirical Support ◽

Job Characteristics ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Self Report ◽

Work Outcomes ◽

Future Research ◽

Conceptual Tool ◽

Psychological States ◽

Job Characteristics Model ◽

Job Diagnostic Survey

The Job Characteristics Model is widely accepted as a conceptual tool for addressing problems related to employee demotivation, dissatisfaction and marginal performance. The validity of the Job Characteristics Model (Hackman & Oldham, 1980) was assessed by reviewing relevant studies of the model. The review and evaluation is based on studies which test the variables and the relationships between variables as contained in the model. The evidence confirms that the dimensionality of the job characteristics is best represented by the five-factor solution as proposed by the model. The subjective self-report measures of the five job characteristics as formulated by the theory and measured by the revised Job Diagnostic Survey (JDS) are also supported. No evidence was found for the multiplicative Motivating Potential Score (MPS) and as a result the use of a simple additive index of job complexity is recommended as predictor of personal and work outcomes. Strong empirical support exists for the relationships between the job characteristics and the personal outcomes. Strong relationships between the job characteristics and the work outcomes, however, fail to materialize. Results fail to support the mediating effect of psychological states on the job characteristics/outcomes relationships as specified by the model. The postulated relationships between job characteristics and psychological states are also not confirmed by empirical evidence. The role of growth-need strength, knowledge and skill, and work environment characteristics as moderators of the relationships between job characteristics and psychological states, as well as the relationships between psychological states and personal and work outcomes, are seriously questioned. Directions for future research on the Job Characteristics Model and the attendant Job Diagnostic Survey are proposed.

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