| 1. |
- Andersson, Claes, et al.
(författare)
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Academic self-efficacy : Associations with self-reported COVID-19 symptoms, mental health, and trust in universities' management of the pandemic-induced university lockdown
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of American College Health. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0744-8481 .- 1940-3208.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To investigate perceived changes in academic self-efficacy associated with self-reported symptoms of COVID-19, changes in mental health, and trust in universities’ management of the pandemic and transition to remote education during lockdown of Swedish universities in the spring of 2020. Methods: 4495 participated and 3638 responded to self-efficacy questions. Associations were investigated using multinomial regression. Results: Most students reported self-experienced effects on self-efficacy. Lowered self-efficacy was associated with symptoms of contagion, perceived worsening of mental health and low trust in universities’ capacity to successfully manage the lockdown and transition to emergency remote education. Increased self-efficacy was associated with better perceived mental health and high trust in universities. Conclusion: The initial phase of the pandemic was associated with a larger proportion of students reporting self-experienced negative effects on academic self-efficacy. Since self-efficacy is a predictor of academic performance, it is likely that students’ academic performance will be adversely affected.
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| 2. |
- Rafi, Jonas, 1985-
(författare)
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A Workplace Prevention Program for Problem Gambling
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Gambling is an activity that may involve harm for the gambler and others close to the gambler. Since workplaces may be negatively affected by employees who gamble during work or are at-risk problem gamblers, this setting has been proposed as a suitable arena for prevention. However, the potential effects of such initiatives have not been evaluated. This thesis explored the effects of a workplace prevention program for problem gambling. The program comprised gambling policy development and skill development training for managers.Study I used pre-intervention measures to explore gambling characteristics of employees (n=3629) in ten organizations, including both private and public sector organizations, and blue- and white-collar workers. About one in 20 employees knew someone who gambled during work, and this proportion was similar for both managers and subordinates. Another finding was that 3.5% of respondents were categorized as at-risk problem gamblers, with a higher prevalence among subordinates (3.8%) than managers (1.3%). A third finding was that 11.4% of employees stated that the organization had a gambling policy, and that this did not differ between managers and subordinates. Gambling policy knowledge was considerably lower than alcohol policy knowledge, as an alcohol policy was believed to exist by 94.3% of managers and 63.3% of subordinates. Lastly, in regression analyses, the two outcomes “knowing about a colleague who gambles during work” and “at-risk/problem gambling” were associated with each other, male gender, and young age. Taken together, the findings offer evidence that gambling may be an important topic to target in workplace settings, although more research is needed to pinpoint specific workplace harms and whether certain gambling types are associated with more workplace harms than others.Study II used a cluster-randomized design to investigate the effects of a prevention program. Ten organizations were randomized to an intervention group or a waitlist group. Individuals who were employed on any of three measurement occasions were eligible to participate. A total of n=490 (response rate 73%) managers and n = 4146 (response rate 43.3%) subordinates participated in the study by providing informed consent and responding to the survey at least once. The prevention program included two main components: policy development and skill development training for managers. The main outcome was managers’ inclination to act when worried about an employee regarding gambling or other harmful use (e.g., alcohol), together with a range of secondary outcome measures. The results showed that managers who participated in the skill development training significantly increased their inclination to act compared to the waitlist group, but this finding was not generalized to the whole intervention group. Thus, including managers in the intervention group who did not participate in the skill development training when calculating intervention effects resulted in non-significant effects. The results of secondary outcome measures showed that there were significant intervention effects regarding managers’ knowledge of a gambling policy, their confidence in how to act when concerned about an employee’s possible problem gambling or other harmful use, and the proportion of managers who had acted to provide support. Study III included semi-structured interviews with skill development participants (n=23) to inquire about their experiences of the prevention program. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis, which yielded six distinct themes related to the participants, namely: 1) their expectations, 2) aspects of the skill development training they appreciated, 3) their experiences of PG, 4) their proposed areas of improvement, 5) whether they felt they had received a good basis for PG and other harmful use, and 6) their thoughts about the so-called “difficult conversation”. Taken together, the findings provide ideas for improving gambling-specific interventions for the workplace and corroborate earlier research findings on workplace interventions in general.To conclude, the thesis shows that a workplace preventive intervention for gambling can have positive effects on managers’ intended and performed actions to help an employee who they suspect has a problem with gambling or other harmful use. However, further program improvements and in-depth studies are needed to draw conclusions on explanations, robustness, and mechanisms of change.
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| 3. |
- Berman, Anne H., Professor, et al.
(författare)
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Compliance with recommendations limiting COVID-19 contagion among university students in Sweden : associations with self-reported symptoms, mental health and academic self-efficacy
- 2022
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 50:1, s. 70-84
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: The COVID-19 containment strategy in Sweden uses public health recommendations relying on personal responsibility for compliance. Universities were one of few public institutions subject to strict closure, meaning that students had to adapt overnight to online teaching. This study investigates the prevalence of self-reported recommendation compliance and associations with self-reported symptoms of contagion, self-experienced effects on mental health and academic self-efficacy among university students in Sweden in May–June 2020.Methods: This was a cross-sectional 23 question online survey in which data were analysed by multinomial regression, taking a Bayesian analysis approach complemented by null hypothesis testing.Results: A total of 4495 students consented to respond. Recommendation compliance ranged between 70% and 96%. Women and older students reported higher compliance than did men and younger students. Mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms were reported by 30%, severe symptoms by fewer than 2%; 15% reported being uncertain and half of the participants reported no symptoms. Mental health effects were reported by over 80%, and changes in academic self-efficacy were reported by over 85%; in both these areas negative effects predominated. Self-reported symptoms and uncertainty about contagion were associated with non-compliance, negative mental health effects, and impaired academic self-efficacy.Conclusions: Students generally followed public health recommendations during strict closure of universities, but many reported considerable negative consequences related to mental health and academic self-efficacy. Digital interventions should be developed and evaluated to boost coping skills, build resilience and alleviate student suffering during the pandemic and future similar crises.
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| 4. |
- Blom, Victoria, et al.
(författare)
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Work-Home Interference and Burnout A Study Based on Swedish Twins
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 1076-2752 .- 1536-5948. ; 56:4, s. 361-366
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: This study sets out to investigate the impact of work-home interference on burnout in women and men, while taking genetic and family environmental factors into account.Methods: A total of 4446 Swedish twins were included in the study. The effects of work-home conflict (WHC) and home-work conflict (HWC) on burnout between and within pairs were analyzed with co-twin control analyses.Results: Both WHC and HWC were significantly associated with burnout. Genetic factors may be involved in the association between HWC and burnout in women. Familial factors were not involved for WHC and burnout, neither for women nor for men.Conclusions: This study shows the importance to encounter WHC per se to prevent burnout. Because of genetic confounding in HWC and burnout in women, preventive efforts may also take into account individual characteristics.
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| 5. |
- Fransson, Emma, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Exploring salivary cortisol and recurrent pain in mid-adolescents living in two homes
- 2014
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Ingår i: BMC Psychology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2050-7283. ; 21:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Each year, around 50.000 children in Sweden experience a separation between their parents. Joint physical custody (JPC), where the child alternates homes between the parents for about equal amount of time, has become a common living arrangement after parental separation. Children in two homes could benefit from everyday contact with both parents and access to both parents' financial resources. However, children could experience stress from being constantly moving and potentially exposed to parental conflicts. Still, studies on JPC and biological functioning related to stress, are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate how living arrangements (intact family/JPC) relate to HPA-axis activity and recurrent pain in mid-adolescents.METHODS: Mid-adolescents (106 girls and 51 boys) provided demographic details, self-reports of recurrent pain (headache, stomachache, neck/shoulder and back pain) and salivary samples. Salivary cortisol samples were collected: 1) immediately at awakening, 2) +30 minutes, 3) +60 minutes, and 4) at 8 p.m. The cortisol awakening response (CAR) was computed using an established formula. Additionally, the diurnal decline between the waking and 8 p.m. samples was computed.RESULTS: Hierarchical multiple regressions showed that living arrangements (intact family/JPC) was not associated with morning cortisol (CAR), the diurnal cortisol decline or with recurrent pain. However, sex was a significant predictor of both cortisol measures and recurrent pain with girls exhibiting a higher cortisol awakening response and a greater diurnal decline value as well as reporting more recurrent pain than did boys.CONCLUSIONS: Living arrangements were not associated with HPA-axis activity or recurrent pain in this group of well-functioning mid-adolescents. Although this study is the first to investigate how living arrangements relate to HPA-axis functioning and additional studies are needed, the tentative findings suggest that these mid-adolescents have adapted to their living arrangements and that other factors play a more pertinent role for HPA-functioning and subjective health.
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| 6. |
- Andersson, Claes, et al.
(författare)
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Does the management of personal integrity information lead to differing participation rates and response patterns in mental health surveys with young adults? A three-armed methodological experiment
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1049-8931 .- 1557-0657. ; 30:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: This study evaluates whether initiation rates, completion rates, response patterns and prevalence of psychiatric conditions differ by level of personal integrity information given to prospective participants in an online mental health self-report survey.Methods: A three-arm, parallel-group, single-blind experiment was conducted among students from two Swedish universities. Consenting participants following e-mail invitation answered the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health-International College Student (WMH-ICS) mental health self-report survey, screening for eight psychiatric conditions. Random allocation meant consenting to respond (1) anonymously; (2) confidentially, or (3) confidentially, where the respondent also gave consent for collection of register data.Results: No evidence was found for overall between-group differences with respect to (1) pressing a hyperlink to the survey in the invitation email; and (2) abandoning the questionnaire before completion. However, participation consent and self-reported depression were in the direction of higher levels for the anonymous group compared to the two confidential groups.Conclusions: Consent to participate is marginally affected by different levels of personal integrity information. Current standard participant information procedures may not engage participants to read the information thoroughly, and online self-report mental health surveys may reduce stigma and thus be less subject to social desirability bias.
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| 7. |
- Ohlsson, Alicia, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Political skill in higher military staff : Measurement properties and latent profile analysis
- 2022
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. - : Wiley. - 0036-5564 .- 1467-9450. ; 63:2, s. 144-154
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Social effectiveness, including political skill, reflects individuals’ ways of handling interpersonal processes at work. Most research has used a variable-oriented approach to investigate associations between political skill and key organizational factors, including performance, in civil settings. Thus, little is known of whether political skill transfers to a military context and whether there are specific profiles of political skill. Combining variable-oriented and person-oriented approaches, this study used self-reports from two samples of military student officers to: (1) investigate measurement properties of the 18-item political skill inventory; (2) explore whether it is possible to identify different profiles of political skill; and (3) investigate whether such profiles differ in demographics, personality, and job performance. Exploratory (sample 1: n = 185) and confirmatory (sample 2: n = 183) factor analyses supported a four-dimensional representation of political skill including networking ability, apparent sincerity, social astuteness, and interpersonal influence. Latent profile analysis (samples 1 and 2: N = 368) identified four distinct combinations of these dimensions, namely: (1) weak political skill; (2) weak political skill with strong sincerity; (3) moderate political skill; and (4) strong political skill. Importantly, profiles differed consistently in networking ability. Subsequent comparisons suggested potentially important differences in demographics, personality, and job performance. Despite needing additional research of how profiles of political skill develop over time, these findings may have practical implications for recruitment and training in organizational settings where social effectiveness is important.
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| 8. |
- Sousa-Ribeiro, Marta, et al.
(författare)
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Approaching retirement : A qualitative study of older nursing assistants' experiences of work in residential care and late-career planning
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Aging Studies. - : Elsevier BV. - 0890-4065 .- 1879-193X. ; 60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In many countries, eldercare workers are approaching retirement. To remain attractive to older and experienced workers, organizations need to understand how employees nearing retirement think about and experience theirwork situation. This qualitative study investigated how older nursing assistants within residential care for older people experienced aging at work, their psychosocial work environment, and their late-career planning. Semistructured interviews with eight nursing assistants (aged 55–61 years) in Sweden were analyzed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach. The results show that the psychosocial work environment was perceived as stressful and considered a long-term health risk, and that (future) health and work ability were key factors determining nursing assistants' late-career planning. Moreover, personal resources and social support from colleagues seemed protective against job demands. Aspects considered in late-career planning also included personal finances and meaningfulness of work. While these findings may be sample-specific, they still provide insights into the experiences of an important occupational group. This means that the findings can be useful for organizations aiming at promoting successful and sustainable aging-in-workplace and encouraging extended working lives.
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| 9. |
- Svedberg, Pia, et al.
(författare)
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Time pressure and sleep problems due to thoughts about work as risk factors for future sickness absence
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 91:8, s. 1051-1059
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: This study investigated whether time pressure or sleep problems due to thoughts about work are associated with future sickness absence (SA) among women and men employed in different sectors, also when adjusting for confounders including familial factors (genetics and shared environment).METHODS: The study sample included 16,127 twin individuals (52% women), aged 19-47 years who in 2005 participated in an online survey including questions regarding time pressure, sleep, work and health. Register data on SA (> 14 days) were obtained from the National Social Insurance Agency and individuals were followed from date of survey response until 12/31/2013. Associations between time pressure, sleep problems due to thoughts about work and future SA were investigated using logistic regression analyses to assess odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).RESULTS: In total 5723 (35%) individuals had an incident SA spell during follow-up. Sleep problems due to thoughts about work were associated with SA in the fully adjusted model (OR 1.22, CI 1.10-1.36). Stratified by sector, the highest estimate was found for state employees (OR 1.54, CI 1.11-2.13). Familial factors did not seem to influence the associations. We found no statistically significant associations between time pressure and SA. No sex differences were found.CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that sleep problems due to thoughts about work is a risk factor for future SA. This follows previous research showing that sleep length and sleep disturbances, regardless of reason, are associated with SA. But, experiences of work-related time pressure seem to have no effect on SA.
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| 10. |
- Folkesson, Lisa, et al.
(författare)
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Economic vulnerability and adolescent health : Fragile family finances and health functioning among Swedish adolescents
- 2010
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Ingår i: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. - : Springer. ; , s. S275-S275
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: While adult health is known to vary by socioeconomic status (SES) and gender, less is known about the linkages between socioeconomic circumstances and various aspects of health in adolescents. Aim: This study set out to investigate how household financial insecurity relates to different aspects of health in adolescent girls and boys aged 10-18. Method: Data came from the Swedish Child LNU and Child-Ulf studies of 2000-2003 that include approximately 5400 children aged 10-18 who answered questions relating to health. Parents were also asked to report "cash-margin" a frequently used single-item measure asking whether parents can access 12,000 SEK in a week's time if they have to. Results: A majority, 85% of the parents were able to access 12,000 SEK in a week if necessary while 15% were unable to do so. Analyses performed separately for girls and boys showed significant main effects of cash margin on somatic health, negative functioning and positive functioning for both groups. There was no significant age x cash margin interactions. Cash margin was significantly related to stomach ache, insomnia, difficulties concentrating, irritability, short temperedness, sadness, tension/nervousness, belief in the future, endurance and happy mood in both girls and boys. Girls with no cash margin reported more headache while boys with no cash margin reported higher levels of self-assurance. No other significant relationships emerged. Discussion: While most previous studies use symptom and problem indices, this study covers multiple aspects of health functioning. To conclude, fragile family finances during adolescence as reflected in poor positive functioning and high levels of negative functioning suggest stressful living conditions that may influence academic achievement, life-choices and future health.
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