scholarly journals Work characteristics and occupational health: validation and proposal of a shortened version of the Work Design Questionnaire

2022 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-162
Author(s):  
Antonio León García Izquierdo ◽  
Ana M. Castaño Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Design ◽  
Work Characteristics ◽  
Organizational Diversity ◽  
Psychosocial Risks ◽  
Risks Prevention ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Adequate Reliability

Interest in the study of work characteristics to explain how an individual's relationship with the work environment can lead to maladaptive responses has taken on renewed importance in the light of increasing concern for the development of healthy organizations and organizational diversity. This study aims to develop a shortened version of the Work Design Questionnaire (WDQ) with a view to facilitating its use and interpretation. The psychometric properties of this shorter questionnaire were tested in a multi-sectoral sample of workers in Spain, with due consideration given to the gender measurement invariance. For this purpose, we applied the questionnaire to a sample of 500 workers and analyzed the relationship between the answers provided to WDQ and specific occupational health variables (satisfaction, well-being and emotional exhaustion). Results showed adequate reliability and criterion-oriented validity for the shortened version of the WDQ, that is, the WDQ18-S, as well as evidence of factorial invariance across gender. We then discuss the results and their implications for the application of the WDQ in further research and the field of occupational health and psychosocial risks prevention. El interés por el estudio de las características del trabajo para explicar cómo la relación de un individuo con el entorno laboral puede conducir a respuestas desadaptativas ha cobrado una importancia renovada a la luz de la creciente preocupación por el desarrollo de organizaciones saludables y por la diversidad organizacional. Este estudio tiene como objetivo desarrollar una versión abreviada del Work Design Questionnaire (WDQ) con el fin de facilitar su uso e interpretación en este contexto. Las propiedades psicométricas de este cuestionario reducido se probaron en una muestra multisectorial de trabajadores en España. Para ello, aplicamos el cuestionario a una muestra de 500 trabajadores y analizamos la relación entre las carácterísiticas del trabajo y las variables seleccionadas de salud ocupacional (satisfacción, bienestar y agotamiento emocional). Los resultados mostraron una fiabilidad y una validez orientada al criterio adecuadas para la versión abreviada del WDQ, esto es, el WDQ18-S, así como evidencia de invarianza factorial de género. Posteriormente se discuten los resultados y sus implicaciones para el uso del WDQ en el ámbito aplicado e investigador de la salud ocupacional y la prevención de riesgos laborales.

scholarly journals Compatibility as guiding principle for ergonomics work design and preventive occupational health and safety

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmut Strasser
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
System Performance ◽  
Occupational Diseases ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Design ◽  
Human Organism ◽  
Machine System ◽  
Human Capacity

AbstractMutual adaptation and inter-changeability of system elements are very important prerequisites for machines, technical devices and products. Similar to that technical compatibility which can be achieved by standards and regulations, optimum design of human-oriented workplaces or a man-machine system cannot be attained without, e.g., a compatible arrangement of connected displays and controls. Over and above those stimulus/response relations, all technical elements and interfaces have to be designed in such a way that they do not exceed human capacity in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. Compatibility between the properties of the human organism on the one hand, and the adaptable technical components of a work system on the other hand, offers a great potential of preventive measures. Examples of ergonomically designed working tools show that compatibility is capable of reducing the prevalence of occupational diseases and repetitive strain injuries as well as leading to lower physiological cost in such a way that the same output results from a lower demand of human resources or even a higher performance will be attained. Compatibility also supports the quick perception and transmission of information in a man-machine system, and as a result of lower requirements for decoding during information processing, spare mental capacity may enhance occupational safety. In the field of software, compatibility also helps to avoid psychological frustration. All in all, the center core competency, which reflects the major significant function of the ergonomist in work design, consists in determining the compatibility of human capacity and planned or existing demands of work. In order to provide efficient working tools and working conditions as well as to be successful in occupational health and safety, ergonomics and industrial engineering in the future are expected to pay more attention to the rules of compatibility. Applied in an appropriate way, these rules may convince people that ergonomics can be a powerful means for reducing prevalence of occupational diseases and complaints, and has a positive effect on overall system performance. Besides presenting examples of work design according to the principle of compatibility, also methods will be shown which enable the assessment of the ergonomic quality of hand-held tools and computer input devices.

Perceived Calling and Work Engagement Among Nurses

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 816-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arunas Ziedelis
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Job Resources ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Major Work ◽  
Environment Factors ◽  
Work Environment Factors ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of perceived calling and work engagement in nursing over and above major work environment factors. In all, 351 nurses from various health care institutions completed the survey. Data were collected about the most demanding aspects of nursing, major job resources, the degree to which nursing is perceived as a meaningful calling, work engagement, and main demographic information. Hierarchical linear regression was applied to assess the relation between perceived calling and work engagement, while controlling for demographic and work environment factors, and perceived calling was significantly related to two out of three components of nurses’ work engagement. The highest association was found with dedication component, and vigor component was related insignificantly. Results have shown that perceived calling might motivate nurses to engage in their work even in burdensome environment, although possible implications for the occupational well-being of nurses themselves remains unclear.

scholarly journals Work Engagement among Prison Officers. The Role of Individual and Organizational Factors in the Polish and Indonesian Penitentiary Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 8206
Author(s):  
Andrzej Piotrowski ◽  
Ewa Sygit-Kowalkowska ◽  
Imaduddin Hamzah
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Active Coping ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Utrecht Work Engagement Scale ◽  
The Relationship

The literature on work engagement among prison officers (POs) remains rather scarce, and there are no analyses on the factors determining this phenomenon. The current study aimed to examine the relationships between work engagement, subjective well-being, coping strategies, and organizational factors utilizing the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE), and Cantril’s Ladder of Health Scale (CLHS), and involving 312 POs from Poland and 467 POs from Indonesia. Results showed a statistically significant relationship between active coping and work engagement in both groups. Subjective well-being was moderately related to work engagement among Polish POs. Mean work engagement and subjective well-being scores were higher among Indonesian POs. The analyses showed a significant indirect effect of subjective well-being for the relationship between penitentiary unit type, active coping, as well as avoidant behaviors and work engagement in the Polish group. Closed prison officers more often declared higher subjective well-being. Work engagement is a complex psychological phenomenon. There exists a justified need for the analyses to consider personal determinants (e.g., coping strategies) as well as organizational factors related to the POs’ work environment. The literature presents a broad picture of the benefits of studying this phenomenon.

Occupational health and safety in horticulture.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynette Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Health And Safety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
International Labour Organisation ◽  
Health Safety ◽  
Labour Organisation

Abstract According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), health is defined as the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations, while safety is freedom from unacceptable risk or harm. Occupational health and safety (OHS or OSH) is specifically concerned with the health, safety and welfare of people in their work environment, but it also encompasses any other people who may be present onsite, including customers, friends and family members, visitors and contractors. In addition it considers the fact that many horticultural properties have staff and owners who reside on the site.

Public mental health and occupational health

2018 ◽  
pp. 105-112
Author(s):  
Katie Blissard Barnes ◽  
Max Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Psychosocial Work Environment ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter describes the wide-ranging role of occupational health in optimizing the health of the workforce and the workplace. In doing so it highlights the importance of the workplace for improving public mental health. It examines the relationship between work and public mental health from a number of angles, and describes how in the context of health inequalities mental health can each be seen as both an exposure and an outcome. It explores the impact that work can have on mental health. The main models describing the psychosocial work environment are explained. The chapter also explores the effect poor mental health can have on the workplace at an individual, organizational, and wider economic perspective. The unique role of occupational health in supporting employees and employers and benefits at the population level are emphasized.

Health and Well-Being of Hispanic/Latino Meatpacking Workers in Nebraska: An Application of the Health Belief Model

2021 ◽  
pp. 216507992110169
Author(s):  
Athena K. Ramos ◽  
Marcela Carvajal-Suarez ◽  
Natalia Trinidad ◽  
Sophia A. Quintero ◽  
Diana Molina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Worker Health ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Belief Model ◽  
The Health Belief Model

Background: Meatpacking is dirty, dangerous, and demanding work. In the United States, the industry predominately employs people from racial/ethnic minority backgrounds and immigrants, with 45% of the workforce identifying as Hispanic/Latino. Little is known about how the work environment affects worker engagement in health-promoting activities; however, occupational health professionals are uniquely positioned to advance worker health, safety, and general well-being. Methods: Hispanic/Latino meatpacking workers with work-related musculoskeletal pain and active health concerns were recruited to participate in a study to explore health, health behaviors, and the work environment. Five focus groups ( N = 28) were conducted in Nebraska between March 2019 and February 2020. Thematic analysis using the Health Belief Model constructs was used to explain workers’ health behaviors including utilization of occupational health services at their workplace. Findings: Workers believed that there was little they could do to prevent and treat health problems. They understood the perceived threat of health problems and the benefits of self-care, but the perceived barriers often outweighed the benefits. The workplace had few prompts to motivate or incentivize self-care both in and outside of work. In addition, workers did not trust the occupational health office and saw few benefits to accessing services. Together, these conditions resulted in low self-efficacy and limited engagement in health-promoting behaviors. Conclusion/Application to practice: Occupational health professionals should promote Total Worker Health and foster trust by providing culturally, linguistically, and literacy appropriate services and by identifying opportunities and reducing barriers for workers to engage in activities to promote their health, safety, and well-being.

scholarly journals Impacto Del Factor Iluminación Y Psicosocial En El Desempeño Laboral Del Personal De Apoyo Y Asistencia A La Educación. Caso: UPIICSA

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Guadalupe Obregón Sánchez ◽  
Misaela Francisco Márquez
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Psychosocial Factor ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Factor ◽  
Common Element ◽  
Psychosocial Risks ◽  
Work Area ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The adaptation of the work environment in organizations and companies, constitute the essential measures for the prevention of health risks of workers, and is carried out through adjustments and ergonomic studies. It seeks to identify the problems of workers related to their environment, work area, and occupational diseases. Visual problems, headaches, and fatigue are not unrelated to this study and can be derived from poor lighting in the work areas. This research provides the necessary information for the management of physical risks associated with lighting. This, however, ranges from detection and evaluation to some control strategies. The study was carried out within a college campus of the National Polytechnic Institute, in Mexico, which is not excluded from the impact of ergonomic factors. The most wellknown reaction to an inadequate psychosocial situation is stress. Currently, there are various approaches and theoretical models that have studied it. However, all of them have a common element: the relationship between work and the person. Health problems arise when the demands of work are not adapted to the needs, expectations or abilities of the worker or when he or she does not receive adequate compensation, or adequate attention on behalf of their superiors. Another psychosocial risk recognized in the practice of the management of psychosocial risks (without prejudice to its possible typecasting in other preventive disciplines such as ergonomics or safety) is the fatigue of the worker linked to the organization of working time, either due to excess of work time or a lack of rest. It is most commonly manifested in the forms of night work or shifts and in situations of repeated extensions of the workday or lack of proper rest between days. Whatever the case may be, these psychosocial risks usually manifest themselves in an interrelated manner. Stress is a factor that causes violence and vice versa, while fatigue is often accompanied by stressful situations, especially when it results from an excessive workload, monotonous or repetitive work, and lack of rest. Information was obtained regarding the psychosocial factors that are affecting some workers and which have a significant impact on their productivity, their well-being, and their emotional stability. It takes into account stress, economic factors, and internal factors among their co-workers. Ergonomics and productivity are defined so as to carry out the relationship between them, and in order to know the impacts it may have on the worker and on their workspace in the form of discomfort and inconveniences. Methodologically, a questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of workers and the information obtained was subsequently captured in the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) program. The results and graphs were obtained to carry out the interpretation of the results and develop intervention strategies when required. The sum of the physical factor, illumination, and the psychosocial factor show that some of the workers are not comfortable in their job post, resulting to their low productivity.

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