Stressful Working Conditions and Union Dissatisfaction

This paper examines the relationship between stressful working conditions, social support at work, employee distress, and union members' (dis)satisfaction with their union. It might be assumed that under stressful working conditions, unionized workers would turn to their union to seek better working conditions and would have a positive orientation toward their union. However, it is also possible that stressful working conditions and distressed, alienated employees will become dissatisfied not only with their job but also with their union. The data for this study corne from a survey of unionized postal workers employed by Canada Post Corporation in Edmonton in 1983.

Download Full-text

Previous sickness absence and current low perceived social support at work among employees in the general population: a historical cohort study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2014-005963 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (10) ◽

pp. e005963 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Marit Knapstad ◽

Kristina Holmgren ◽

Gunnel Hensing ◽

Simon Øverland

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Sickness Absence ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Discrete Event ◽

Historical Cohort ◽

Historical Cohort Study ◽

High Level ◽

Support At Work ◽

The Relationship

ObjectiveAlthough sickness absence often is a process over time, most studies have treated the phenomenon as a discrete event and focused more on its causes than its consequences. We aimed to examine whether various patterns of previous long-term sickness absence were associated with current low perceived social support at work.MethodThis is a historical cohort study based on data from a population-based survey among Swedish employees (n=2581). The survey data were linked to official registries yielding data on sickness absence 1–7 years prior to the survey.ResultsThe main finding was that previous sickness absence was associated with current low perceived social support at work. The highest odds for low social support were found among those who had a stable high level of sickness absence. The two indicators of perceived social support employed were somewhat differently associated with previous sickness absence: Recency of absence showed to be of importance for general support at the workplace and the relationship with colleagues and superiors. Experiencing that one's immediate superior rarely or never regards one's view was, on the other hand, mainly related to having had a high level of sickness absence, irrespective of recency.ConclusionsOur results indicate that recency and extent of previous sickness absence are related to perceived social support at work. Future research on the relationship between social support and sickness absence should use repeated measurements and acknowledge the possible bidirectional relationship.

Download Full-text

The Ambivalent Appraisal of Job Demands and the Moderating Role of Job Control and Social Support for Burnout and Job Satisfaction

Social Indicators Research ◽

10.1007/s11205-019-02195-9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 148 (1) ◽

pp. 251-280 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Joachim Gerich ◽

Christoph Weber

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Time Pressure ◽

Work Satisfaction ◽

Job Demands ◽

Job Control ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stress Theory ◽

Work Related ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Within an extended challenge–hindrance framework, it is assumed that job demands are subjectively appraised both as challenges (that is, as working conditions that are associated with potential personal gains) and hindrances (as working conditions associated with constrains) at the same time. In accordance with transactional stress theory, the association between demand intensity and work-related attitudes (work satisfaction) and psychological strain (burnout) is expected to be mediated by individual appraisal. Moreover, because curvilinear relationships between demand and challenge and hindrance appraisals are assumed, and appraisal is expected to be moderated by job control and social support, we tested complex nonlinear moderated mediation models for four types of job demands (task difficulty, time pressure, interruptions, and responsibility). Based on cross-sectional data of a heterogeneous sample of employees, we confirmed simultaneous challenge and hindrance appraisals. Challenge components are positively associated and hindrance components are negatively associated with favorable outcomes (higher work satisfaction and lower burnout). Challenge appraisals are found to be more relevant for work satisfaction, while hindrance appraisals are more relevant for burnout. The relationship between demand intensity and challenge appraisal is confirmed as curvilinear, whereas hindrance appraisals are approximately linearly related to demand intensity. The relationship between demand intensity and outcome variables is partly mediated by challenge and hindrance appraisal, and significant interaction effects suggest that the appraisal process is moderated by job control and social support.

Download Full-text

Can working conditions explain differences in eating patterns during working hours?

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980007000286 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 258-270 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Susanna Raulio ◽

Eva Roos ◽

Kristiina Mukala ◽

Ritva Prättälä

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Working Hours ◽

Well Being ◽

Employee Education ◽

Mental Strain ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Frequent Use ◽

Support At Work

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine whether there are associations between working conditions and the use of staff canteen or packed meals among Finnish employees.SettingData were obtained from cross-sectional surveys on working conditions, conducted triennially (1997, 2000, 2003) since 1997.SubjectsIn each survey, the subjects were 25–64-year-old employed Finnish employees: 3096 men and 3273 women.ResultsEmployees at large workplaces used canteens far more often than those at smaller workplaces. Working conditions played a different role in canteen use at small and large workplaces, as well as among the different sexes. At small workplaces, physically demanding jobs held by female employees and low job control encouraged employees to use the canteen. On the other hand, at large workplaces, low social support at work encouraged the use of canteens among men whereas high mental strain at work meant they used the canteen less. Among women, eating packed meals was not related to working conditions, but among men, low social support and high mental strain at work were associated with more frequent use of packed meals.ConclusionsThe use of a staff canteen is largely determined by the size of the workplace and by employee education. The underlying factor could be the availability of canteens, a question which must be confirmed in further studies, since well-planned mass catering at workplaces has major effects on public health, well-being and the nutrition education of employees.

Download Full-text

Sick-Leave Due to Burnout Among University Teachers in Pakistan and Finland and Its Psychosocial Concomitants

European Journal of Social Sciences Education and Research ◽

10.26417/ejser.v10i2.p203-212 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 203 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Naima Akhtar Malik ◽

Kaj Björkqvist ◽

Karin Österman

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Sick Leave ◽

Occupational Stress ◽

Working Conditions ◽

Workplace Bullying ◽

Age Group ◽

Web Based ◽

University Teachers ◽

Good Working ◽

Support At Work

The study examines sick leave due to burnout among 476 university teachers in Pakistan and Finland and its relationship with a number of psychosocial concomitants with the help of a web-based questionnaire. Sick leave due to burnout was significantly more frequent in Pakistan. An alarming finding was that 19.2 % of 26−35 year old Pakistani teachers had been on sick leave due to burnout, while in Finland, the percentage for this age group was zero. Results from a MANOVA revealed that good working conditions, social support at work, and promotion opportunities were all rated as significantly better by the Finnish sample. Workplace bullying was also significantly less frequent in Finland. The findings suggest that young university teachers in Pakistan are especially at risk of experiencing occupational stress and burnout.

Download Full-text

Does Ego-Resilience Impact Friendship Outcomes?

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000197 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 128-134 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Elizabeth B. Lozano ◽

Mahzad Hojjat ◽

Judith Sims-Knight

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Young Adults ◽

Indirect Effects ◽

Positive Emotions ◽

Positive Outcomes ◽

Ego Resilience ◽

Maintenance Behaviors ◽

Received Social Support ◽

Trait Resilience ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. The present study examined the relationship between resilience and positive outcomes in friendships of young adults. SEM and bootstrapping analyses were performed to test whether positive emotions mediate the relationship between ego-resilience and enhanced friendship outcomes. Findings revealed indirect effects for friendship closeness, maintenance behaviors, and received social support. Our findings demonstrate the importance of positive emotions and its connection with trait resilience in the realm of friendships.

Download Full-text

Social Support, Emotional Intelligence, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

Journal of Individual Differences ◽

10.1027/1614-0001/a000185 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 31-39 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nicole L. Hofman ◽

Austin M. Hahn ◽

Christine K. Tirabassi ◽

Raluca M. Gaher

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Emotional Intelligence ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Events ◽

Ptsd Symptoms ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. Exposure to traumatic events and the associated risk of developing Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms is a significant and overlooked concern in the college population. It is important for current research to identify potential protective factors associated with the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms unique to this population. Emotional intelligence and perceived social support are two identified protective factors that influence the association between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD symptomology. The current study examined the mediating role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. Participants included 443 trauma-exposed university students who completed online questionnaires. The results of this study indicated that social support mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and reported PTSD symptoms. Thus, emotional intelligence is significantly associated with PTSD symptoms and social support may play an integral role in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD. The current study is the first to investigate the role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. These findings have important treatment and prevention implications with regard to PTSD.

Download Full-text