| 1. |
- Edvinsson, Magnus, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
-
Male pelvic pain : the role of psychological factors and sexual dysfunction in a young sample
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Pain. - : Walter de Gruyter. - 1877-8860 .- 1877-8879. ; 23:1, s. 104-109
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: Male pelvic pain is a common yet poorly understood condition, strongly influencing quality of life of those affected. Research on psychological and sexual factors is lacking, specifically on younger men in family-forming ages. This study aims to explore psychological and sexual factors related to pelvic pain in younger men (<40 years) through a cross-sectional design.Methods: Participants were recruited via social media, and completed a digital survey regarding sexual health and psychological distress (n=2,647). Men with varying levels of pelvic pain were compared on levels of psychological distress and self-reported sexual health.Results: Men with pelvic pain (n=369) reported significantly higher levels of catastrophizing, anxiety and premature ejaculation compared to men without pelvic pain. Furthermore, men with higher pain intensity reported significantly higher levels of catastrophizing, anxiety and depressive symptoms compared to men experiencing lower pain intensity. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed catastrophizing and depressive symptoms as significantly predictors of pain intensity.Conclusions: These findings underscore the role of psychological factors in male pelvic pain, and points to the need for integrating a psychological understanding for further treatment development.
|
|
| 2. |
- Johnsson, Filip, 1960, et al.
(författare)
-
The framing of a sustainable development goals assessment in decarbonizing the construction industry – Avoiding “Greenwashing”
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-0690 .- 1364-0321. ; 131
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this paper is to contribute to the establishment of a robust framework for the assessment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in businesses, using the construction industry as an example and with the primary focus on combating climate change (SDG 13). We provide a critical analysis of a selection of relatively widely used SDG impact assessment tools, combined with a case study from the construction industry to explore how a meaningful SDG assessment can be framed with linkages between SDG 13 and other related SDGs. Our analysis points towards the importance of framing SDG assessments in a way that discourages “Greenwashing”. Any SDG assessment that relates to climate targets in line with the Paris Agreement should identify the processes and activities that can be expected to be particularly challenging in terms of their abatement. In our road construction work case, we identify four such hard-to-abate activities: 1) introducing biomass for renewable transportation fuels for use in construction equipment and heavy transport; 2) electrification of transport and industrial processes; 3) substitution as part of transitioning from fossil fuel use; and 4) applying carbon capture and storage technologies in the production of basic materials, such as cement and steel. The approach applied will avoid that businesses only focus on SDGs in situations where they are already performing well or can apply low-cost measures or that they only relate to the part of the supply chain that pertains to their own business (Scope 1 emissions). For an SDG assessment to provide basis for informed decisions regarding real change towards more sustainable and equitable corporate practices it should: (i) identify and include concrete measures to align with the terms of the Paris Agreement; (ii) include relevant value chains; and (iii) consider both the short-term and long-term effects of strategic choices.
|
|
| 3. |
- Karlsson, Elin, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
-
Communication characteristics between clients and stakeholders within the Swedish sickness insurance system : a document analysis of granted and withdrawn sickness benefit claims
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 42:23, s. 3316-3326
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate how communication within the Swedish sickness insurance system differs between cases of sick leave and how this may affect clients’ cases.Materials and methods: This was a document study using 30 client files from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (SIA). The clients included had been on a work ability evaluation during their sick leave spell and were aged 32–64 years. The material was analyzed using qualitative document analysis.Results: The results show different approaches to communication, characterized by emotional argumentation, matter-of-fact driven argumentation and information exchange, which have diverse success in affecting official decisions. Arguments characterized by emotions such as frustration or desperation are to a larger extent neglected by the authorities compared to those characterized by a matter-of-fact driven approach and referring to regulations and medical certificates.Conclusion: There are differences regarding how clients and stakeholders communicate the clients’ needs and pre-requisites, and how this affects official decisions. Further research must be carried out in order to establish social insurance literacy, initially for individuals on sick leave within the sickness insurance system, and whether there are differences between diverse groups that could lead to injustices.Implications for rehabilitationWithin a social insurance context, professionals need to provide clients with adequate and individually adapted information in order for procedures to be perceived as comprehensible and manageable by the clients.The support from stakeholders such as the treating physician and/or employer can affect clients’ sick-leave process.Clients’ treating medical professionals can contribute to ensuring that clients rights are met by communicating the clients’ needs to other stakeholders in a formal way.
|
|
| 4. |
- Karlsson, Elin, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
-
Communication Characteristics Between Clients And Stakeholders Within The Swedish Sickness Insurance System – A Document Analysis Of Granted And Withdrawn Sickness Benefit Claims
- 2019
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Previous studies show differences regarding which clients receive sickness benefits as well as which clients are questioned or not within the sickness insurance system. There are indications that the characteristics of communication can have an impact on the sick leave process, which motivates this study with the following purpose.PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate how communication within the Swedish sickness insurance system differs between cases of sick leave and how this may affect the clients’ case.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a document study using thirty client files including the correspondence between clients, their case-manager at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (SIA) as well as other stakeholders. The clients included had been on a work capacity evaluation during their sick leave spell and were aged 32-64 years. There were twenty women and ten men in this study, with a variety of the degree of sickness absence, disability pension and part time work. The material was analyzed using qualitative document analysis.RESULTS: The results show different approaches in communication, characterized by emotional communication, matter-of-fact driven communication and information exchange, which have diverse success in affecting authority decisions. Arguments characterized by emotions such as frustration or desperation are to a larger extent neglected compared to those characterized by a matter-of-fact driven approach and referring to regulations and medical certificates. There are also differences in how information about the client is interpreted by different professionals.CONCLUSION: There are differences regarding how clients and stakeholders communicate the clients’ needs and prerequisites, and how this affect the SIA. Further research must be carried out in order to establish social insurance literacy, initially for individuals on sick leave within the sickness insurance, and whether there are differences between diverse groups that could lead to injustice in the system.
|
|
| 5. |
- Karlsson, Elin, 1985-
(författare)
-
Legitimacy and comprehensibility of work-related assessments and official decisions within the sickness insurance system
- 2022
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of this thesis was to contribute to the development of empirical and theoretical knowledge about the legitimacy and comprehensibility of assessment- and decision-making processes within the sickness insurance system from a client perspective. The focus has been on interactions between clients and other stakeholders within the system, and the extent to which the clients understood and accepted the procedures. In addition, the legitimacy and comprehensibility of the system were studied through the lens of three theoretical concepts: social validity, social insurance literacy (SIL), and moral hazard. For this thesis, a mixed methods approach was adopted, consisting of one quantitative and three qualitative studies, including interviews, files, register data, and a questionnaire. Overall, the findings demonstrates that interactions between clients and other stakeholders were important both for the client’s sick-leave case and for their perceptions of sickness insurance procedures. A continuing dialogue between client and case manager tended to facilitate the client’s understanding and acceptance of the steps taken in the sick-leave process. Furthermore, a client’s perception of the justice of processes in the system was associated with the system’s ability to provide understandable and logical information and procedures. This thesis also demonstrates that assumptions of moral hazard were clearly present and that acts of power and mistrust occurred between stakeholders, as different stakeholders tried to influence the client’s sick-leave process. An acceptable and fair sick-leave process was described by the clients as being one that consisted of relevant procedures, was applicable to the unique client, and was a result of support from other stakeholders. In order to increase the comprehensibility, as well as the legitimacy and fairness, the authorities need to explain and justify a diverse range of steps beyond just the official decisions, so that clients are able to comprehend the what, how, and why of sickness insurance. In terms of SIL, clients’ abilities to obtain, understand, and act on information, did not influence whether they received sickness benefits or their perceived justice. On the other hand, higher scores of perceived justice was associated with high scores of perceived system comprehensibility and being granted sickness benefits. This indicates that what the system does, and what it does not do, influenced clients’ opinions of it, regardless of their own prerequisites.
|
|
| 6. |
- Karlsson, Elin, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
-
Maktspel och arbetsmoral bland sjukskrivna och andra aktörer - Sjukförsäkringssystemet och moral hazard
- 2021
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Bakgrund: Aktiveringspolicy och teorier om moral hazard har influerat utformningen av sjukförsäkringssystem i flera delar av västvärlden. Detta har lett till att sjukpenning blivit allt svårare att erhålla, mer kopplat till arbete och aktivitet, samt insatser för att genomskåda fusk bland sjukskrivna.Syftet med studien var att utforska hur makt och arbetsmoral uttrycks av sjukskrivna och andra aktörer i sjukförsäkringssystemet.Metod: Detta var en kvalitativ longitudinell studie baserad på intervjuer och akter från 31 sjukskrivna som varit på en försäkringsmedicinsk utredning. Data analyserades genom tematisk analys.Resultat: Resultatet visar hur olika aktörer misstänkliggör varandras agendor och kompetens, samt hur olika maktmedel används för att rättfärdiga deras slutsatser. Det framkom även vissa allianser mellan aktörer där dessa präglas av samsyn och samarbete mot gemensamma mål i sjukskrivningsprocessen. Primärt ses dessa allianser mellan sjukskriven och sjukskrivande läkare, men även i enstaka fall mellan handläggare och sjukskrivande läkare i de fall läkaren förespråkar aktivering. De sjukskrivna personerna uttryckte en stark vilja och försök mot arbete eller aktivitet, och deras arbetsmoral verifierades ofta av andra aktörer. Slutsats: Maktspel förekommer på olika sätt inom sjukförsäkringssystemet och de medel som användes i den här studien gavs olika betydelse beroende på vilken aktör som använde dem (exempelvis tolkningen av en försäkringsmedicinsk utredning). Den här studien kan ifrågasätta vissa antaganden om moral hazard och simulering bland sjukskrivna då personerna ofta presterade över sin förmåga under en försäkringsmedicinsk utredning i förhoppningen om att i någon mån visa sig förmögen att bidra till samhället, vilket även verifierades av andra aktörer.
|
|
| 7. |
- Karlsson, Elin, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
-
Social validitet för försäkringsmedicinska utredningar och påföljande myndighetsbeslut inom sjukförsäkringen
- 2019
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Bakgrund: I det svenska sjukförsäkringssystemet utförs försäkringsmedicinska utredningar av särskilda enheter inom hälso- och sjukvården på uppdrag av Försäkringskassan. Dessa utredningar ligger sedan till grund för handläggares beslut om sjukskrivnas rätt till sjukpenning. Studier av social validitet är ännu ovanliga inom försäkringsmedicin och folkhälsa men kan bidra med kunskap om vad som främjar eller hindrar att metoder uppfattas som godtagbara, begripliga och betydelsefulla.Syfte: Att utforska sjukskrivna personers upplevelse av social validitet för försäkringsmedicinska utredningar och påföljande myndighetsbeslut avseende sjukpenning inom sjukförsäkringen.Metod: Detta var en kvalitativ longitudinell studie baserad på telefonintervjuer med 30 sjukskrivna som varit på en försäkringsmedicinsk utredning, samt delvis deras akter från Försäkringskassan. En deduktiv innehållsanalys användes.Resultat: Sjukskrivnas förståelse för utredningen var beroende av huruvida de specifika testerna var tydligt relaterade till personernas svårigheter eller ej och vilken information de hade fått. De anser att den standardiserade strukturen inte är relevant för alla och att bristen på individanpassning förvårar möjligheten att få en rättvis bild av deras arbetsförmåga. Diskussion: Social validitet utforskades för försäkringsmedicinska utredningar och myndighetsbeslut i termer av godtagbarhet, begriplighet och betydelse. Utredningarna indikerar en låg social validitet i termer av godtagbarhet på grund av bristen på individanpassning, även om vissa delar är mer socialt valida än andra. Vidare varierade utredningarnas begriplighet beroende på deras applicerbarhet och den erhållna informationen, medan dimensionen betydelse indikerar en högre grad av social validitet. Handläggarens påföljande myndighetsbeslut ansågs däremot orelaterat till utredningens resultat, sakna konkreta argument och ibland motsägande andra aktörers rekommendationer, vilket indikerar en låg social validitet i termer av både godtagbarhet, begriplighet och betydelse. Slutsats: Social validitet finns för delar av utredningarna men är låg för det påföljande myndighetsbeslutet.
|
|
| 8. |
- Karlsson, Elin, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
-
Social validity of work ability evaluations and official decisions within the sickness insurance system : a client perspective
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Work. - : IOS Press. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 70:1, s. 109-124
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Studies of the social validity of work ability evaluations are rare, although the concept can provide valuable information about the acceptability, comprehensibility and importance of procedures. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore clients’ perceptions of social validity of work ability evaluations and the following official decisions concerning sickness benefits within the Swedish sickness insurance system.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a longitudinal qualitative study based on interviews with 30 clients on sick leave, analyzed through deductive content analysis. RESULTS: Clients’ understanding of the evaluation was dependent on whether the specific tests were perceived as clearly related to the clients’ situation and what information they received. For a fair description of their work ability, clients state that the strict structure in the evaluation is not relevant to everyone. CONCLUSION: The work ability evaluations indicate low acceptability due to lack of individual adaptation, the comprehensibility varied depending on the applicability of the evaluation and information provided, while the dimension ‘importance’ indicated as higher degree of social validity. The official decision about sickness benefits however was considered unrelated to the evaluation results, lacking solid arguments and sometimes contradictory to other stakeholders’ recommendations indicating poor social validity.
|
|
| 9. |
- Karlsson, Ida, 1980, et al.
(författare)
-
Achieving net-zero carbon emissions in construction supply chains - A multidimensional analysis of residential building systems
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Developments in the Built Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 2666-1659. ; 8
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The construction sector accounts for approximately 25% of global CO2 emissions. In this paper, we provide a multidimensional assessment of the potential for greenhouse gas emissions abatement in relation to the construction of multi-family residential buildings. Different building designs are compared, whereby the study analyzes the potential reductions in greenhouse gas emissions when combining abatement measures with a perspective of the technologies and practices available now, and those that are likely to become available on a timescale up to Year 2045. Further, the assessment analyzes the potential for emissions reductions when applying abatement measures at different points in the supply chain, from primary material production via material composition to the final building structure. The results indicate that the greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by up to 40% with currently available technologies and practices, with even greater potential reductions of 80% to Year 2030 and 93% to Year 2045.
|
|
| 10. |
- Karlsson, Ida, 1980
(författare)
-
Achieving net-zero carbon emissions in construction supply chains - Analysis of pathways towards decarbonization of buildings and transport infrastructure
- 2024
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Sweden has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. The construction sector, which accounts for approximately 10-15% of CO2 emissions, plays a significant role in this commitment. The sector’s emissions arise from the manufacture, processing, and transport of construction materials along with activities on the construction site. This thesis research thoroughly explores CO2 emission reduction potentials across building and transport infrastructure construction supply chains. Employing scenario analysis, extensive literature reviews, and involving broad stakeholder participation, these studies have identified and analyzed key abatement options throughout the construction supply chain. This culminates in a detailed roadmap, delineating reduction potentials and implementation timelines with increasing ambition over 5-year time steps towards close to zero CO2 emissions by 2045. The results indicate that it is possible to halve CO2 emissions associated with construction already today using currently available technologies and practices. Moreover, it is possible and feasible if all value chain actors do their parts to reach around 70% reduction by 2030 and close-to-zero emissions by 2045. Achieving these levels of reductions nationally necessitates implementation of comprehensive measures across the board, requiring extensive collaboration along the whole value chain. Key strategies include enhancing resource efficiency and circularity measures besides adopting electrified industrial processes and heavy vehicles. Deep reductions in CO2 emissions are possible through consideration of resource efficiency and circularity opportunities at all stages of the value chain. Optimization of structures and concrete mixes are emphasized alongside increased reuse and recycling, combined with substitutions to bio-based materials. For heavy transport and the construction process, progressive electrification is supported by digital and automated processes, strategic machine setups, and transport and on-site logistic optimization. Policy measures and procurement strategies should be tailored to support the aforementioned measures with a clear supply chain focus. This includes early involvement of contractors and suppliers in planning and design, facilitating balanced risk sharing. The studies also underscore the importance of avoiding pitfalls along the way, such as over-reliance on materials or solutions that cannot be scaled up to the levels required to reach deep emissions reductions on a national or international level. The studies included in this thesis offer insights for stakeholders to accelerate the climate transition in building and transport infrastructure construction and renewal to advance towards global climate goals. At the core of this is collective efforts, embracing solutions across the supply chain, and prioritizing the climate transition in the development of the built environment. By assessing supply chains with active involvement from value chain stakeholders and considering the time perspective, technical maturity, and scalability of emissions reduction measures, the research included in this thesis is laying the foundation for actionable roadmaps towards decarbonizing the embodied emissions of buildings and transport infrastructure.
|
|
