| 1. |
- Eklöf, Mats, 1953, et al.
(författare)
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Are simple feedback interventions involving workplace data associated with better working environment and health? A cluster randomized controlled study among Swedish VDU workers
- 2006
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Ingår i: Appl Ergon. - : Elsevier BV. - 0003-6870. ; 37:2, s. 201-10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To test whether feedback and discussion of ergonomic and psychosocial working environment data during 1 short session with individual, groups, or supervisors of VDU workers had effects on (1) the quality of implemented modifications in workplace design, working technique, or psychosocial aspects; (2) psychological demands, decision latitude, and social support; (3) comfort during computer work, emotional stress, and prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms or eye discomfort. METHODS: Thirty-six workgroups from 9 organizations were randomized to 3 feedback conditions (individual, workgroup, supervisor) or control. Follow-up was 6 months after intervention. Questionnaire data aggregated on the workgroup level were used. RESULTS: Effect (positive) on social support was indicated from feedback to supervisors. Conclusion: Feedback and discussion of ergonomic and psychosocial working environment data with supervisors of white-collar VDU workers may have positive effect on social support measured as a group characteristic. Sources of potential bias are discussed.
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| 3. |
- Eriksson, Jesper, 1974, et al.
(författare)
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Early inequalities in excellent health and performance among young adult women and men in Sweden.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Gender medicine : official journal of the Partnership for Gender-Specific Medicine at Columbia University. - : Excerpta Medica, Inc.. - 1550-8579 .- 1878-7398. ; 4:2, s. 170-82
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Although health inequality between young adult women and men has been strikingly evident in symptoms of ill health, we found no studies examining these inequalities with a focus on positive health and performance. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine possible inequalities between young adult women and men in a combined assessment of positive health and health-related performance. METHODS: Women and men aged 18 to 25 years studying medicine or computer science at 6 colleges/universities in 5 cities in Sweden were recruited for this study. All respondents answered a Web-based questionnaire regarding health, health-related performance, information and communication technology exposure, mood, and individual factors. A combined assessment of excellent health and health-related performance (EHHP) was defined and tested. Prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% CIs of EHHP were calculated separately for female and male respondents. To assess potential determinants of EHHP, differences in the relationships between EHHP and the explanatory factors were compared for both sexes. Results: In a study group of young adult students consisting of 1046 women and 1312 men, women were less likely than men to have EHHP (PR 0.90 [95% CI, 0.83-0.98]). This inequality was even stronger within each course of study (medicine or computer science). Health-related factors showed similar patterns of relationship to EHHP for women and men; however, the strength of these relationships differed between the sexes. Logical relationships were observed between EHHP and almost all of the symptoms as well as between EHHP, the mood index, and health-related behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The well-known inequality in symptoms of ill health between young adult women and men was prevalent even in a combined assessment of positive health and health-related performance. That this inequality was prevalent in a relatively homogeneous sample of young adults indicates the importance of gender-based psychological and psychosocial factors beyond the more well-known structural gender-differentiating factors of vertical and horizontal segregation and disproportional responsibilities for domestic work. It may therefore be essential to emphasize these gender-based psychological and psychosocial factors when designing future studies and health promotion programs.
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| 4. |
- Löve, Jesper, 1974, et al.
(författare)
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Inequalities in maintenance of health and performance between young adult women and men in higher education.
- 2009
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Ingår i: European journal of public health. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1464-360X .- 1101-1262. ; 19:2, s. 168-74
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Because of ageing populations, most high-income countries are facing an imminent scarcity of labour. Maintenance of health and performance in young adults therefore becomes a crucial prerequisite for sustainable societies. One major obstruction to this accomplishment is the striking health inequalities between young women and young men. Previously these inequalities have mainly been studied in a cross-sectional way, focusing on ill-health. In this study, we compared the prevalence of maintained health and performance between young adult women and men and the predictors for this outcome. METHODS: The cohort consisted of 1266 participants from a homogenous sample of university students in Sweden. A combined assessment of self-rated 'very good' health and un-impaired performance took place at three time points (i.e. maintained health and performance). Potential predictors covered stable conditions in health-related behaviours, conditions at work/school and work-home interference. RESULTS: Young women had less maintained health and performance than young men. No major differences in predictors were found. However, there was a tendency for psychosocial factors to be the most important predictors, especially in women. CONCLUSIONS: That young women had less maintained health and performance in a homogenous sample beyond well-known differentiating factors suggests explanations other than observable structural differences between the sexes. This was also indicated by the importance attached to perceived demands, and work-home interference, especially in women. The combination of less scheduled, and more unscheduled, schoolwork (i.e. time-flexibility) negatively affected the maintenance of health and performance in our study population, suggesting a focus for future studies.
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| 5. |
- Stave, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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An intervention method for occupational safety in farming : evaluation of the effect and process
- 2007
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Ingår i: Applied Ergonomics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0003-6870 .- 1872-9126. ; 38
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In order to increase safety in Swedish farming an intervention methodology to influence attitudes and behaviour was tested. Eightyeight farmers and farm workers in nine groups gathered on seven occasions during 1 year. The basic concept was to create socially supportive networks and encourage discussions and reflection, focusing on risk manageability. Six of the groups made structured incident/accident analyses. Three of the latter groups also received information on risks and accident consequences. Effects were evaluated in a pre-post questionnaire using six-graded scales. A significant increase in safety activity and significant reduction in stress and risk acceptance was observed in the total sample. Risk perception and perceived risk manageability did not change. Analysing incidents/accidents, but not receiving information, showed a more positive outcome. Qualitative data indicated good feasibility and that the long duration of the intervention was perceived as necessary. The socially supportive network was reported as beneficial for the change process. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 7. |
- Thomée, Sara, 1965, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of perceived stress, symptoms of depression and sleep disturbances in relation to information and communication technology (ICT) use among young adults - an explorative prospective study
- 2007
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Ingår i: Computers in Human Behavior. ; 23:3, s. 1300-1321
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate whether high quantity of information and communication technology (ICT) use is a risk factor for developing psychological symptoms among young ICT users. A cohort of college students responded to a questionnaire at baseline and at 1-year follow-up (n = 1127). Exposure variables, such as different types of ICT use, and effect variables, such as perceived stress, symptoms of depression and sleep disturbances, were assessed. Prevalence ratios were computed, based on symptom-free subjects at baseline and prevalence of symptoms at follow-up. For women, high combined use of computer and mobile phone at baseline was associated with increased risk of reporting prolonged stress and symptoms of depression at follow-up, and number of short message service (SMS) messages per day was associated with prolonged stress. Also online chatting was associated with prolonged stress, and e-mailing and online chatting were associated with symptoms of depression, while Internet surfing increased the risk of developing sleep disturbances. For men, number of mobile phone calls and SMS messages per day were associated with sleep disturbances. SMS use was also associated with symptoms of depression. The findings suggest that ICT may have an impact on psychological health, although causal mechanisms are unclear.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Dellve, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
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The impact of systematic occupational health and safety management for occupational disorders and long-term work attendance
- 2008
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Ingår i: Social Science and Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0277-9536 .- 1873-5347. ; 67:6, s. 965-970
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite several years of conducting formalized systematic occupational health and safety management (SOHSM), as required by law in Sweden and most other industrialized countries, there is still little evidence on how SOHSM should be approached to have an impact on employees' health. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of SOHSM, considering structured routines and participation processes. for the incidence of occupational disorders and the prevalence of long-term work attendance among home care workers (HCWs). Municipal human service organizations were compared concerning (a) their structured routines and participation processes for SOHSM and (b) employee health, i.e. the municipal five-year incidence of occupational disorders and prevalence of work attendance among HCWs. National register-based data from the whole population of HCWs (n = 154773) were linked to register-data of occupational disorders and prevalence of long-term work attendance. The top managers and safety representatives in selected high- and low-incidence organizations (n = 60) answered a questionnaire about structure and participation process of SOHSM. The results showed that prevalence of long-term work attendance was higher where structure and routines for SOHSM (policy, goals and plans for action) were well organized. Highly structured SOHSM and human resource management were also related to high organizational incidence of reported occupational disorders. Allocated budget and routines related to HCWs' influence in decisions concerning performance of care were also related to long-term work attendance. The participation processes had a weak effect on occupational disorders and work attendance among HCWs. Reporting occupational disorders may be a functional tool to stimulate the development of effective SOHSM, to improve the work environment and sustainable work ability.
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| 10. |
- Skagert, Katrin, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Leaders' strategies for dealing with own and their subordinates' stress in public human service organisations
- 2008
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Ingår i: Appl Ergon. - : Elsevier BV. - 0003-6870. ; 39:6, s. 803-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite the acknowledged key role of leaders for psychosocial work environment, few studies focus on how leaders can decrease work-related stress. To gain deeper knowledge of leaders' perceptions and strategies for dealing with their own and their subordinates' stress in public human service organisations (HSO), qualitative interviews were made with leaders from hospitals and regional social insurance offices (n=21), and analysed in line with grounded theory method. The leaders handled subordinates' stress and perceived leadership demands by acting as shock absorber (core category) and used strategies characterised as leading in continuous change whilst maintaining trustworthiness. To cope with their own stress from perceived leadership demands, they tried to sustain their own integrity (core category) by either identifying with or distancing themselves from the leader role. The strategies for dealing with leaders' own and subordinates' exposures to stressors was pervaded by perceived leadership demands and are probably influencing each other. Supportive structures and improved communication about everyday dilemmas seem to be needed in order, not just to prevent stress reactions, but to improve the basic conditions for practicing leadership in HSO.
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