1. |
- Backlander, Gisela, et al.
(author)
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Development and Validation of a Multi-Dimensional Measure of Activity-Based Working Behaviors
- 2021
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In: Frontiers in Psychology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-1078. ; 12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Most work on activity-based working centers on the physical environment and digital technologies enabling flexible working. While important, we believe the key components for implementing activity-based working are employee and manager behaviors. To measure the degree of enactment of activity-based work, based on workshops with experienced practitioners as well as previous literature, we have developed and validated a behavior-focused measure of activity-based working behaviors. In our initial sample (Sample 1, N = 234), three subscales were identified: task - environment crafting, workday planning, and social needs prioritization. In the replication sample (Sample 2, N = 434), this model also showed adequate fit. Moreover, task - environment crafting was related to general health and lower stress in sample 1 (multi-organization sample), but not in the single-organization sample (sample 2). Workday planning was associated with higher concentration in both samples and in the second sample with general health and work engagement; the latter was also related to social needs prioritization.
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2. |
- Bergman, Louise E., et al.
(author)
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Comparing Depressive Symptoms, Emotional Exhaustion, and Sleep Disturbances in Self-Employed and Employed Workers : Application of Approximate Bayesian Measurement Invariance
- 2021
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In: Frontiers in Psychology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-1078. ; 11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Studies investigating differences in mental health problems between self-employed and employed workers have provided contradictory results. Many of the studies utilized scales validated for employed workers, without collecting validity evidence for making comparisons with self-employed. The aim of this study was (1) to collect validity evidence for three different scales assessing depressive symptoms, emotional exhaustion, and sleep disturbances for employed workers, and combinators; and (2) to test if these groups differed. We first conducted approximate measurement invariance analysis and found that all scales were invariant at the scalar level. Self-employed workers had least mental health problems and employed workers had most, but differences were small. Though we found the scales invariant, we do not find them optimal for comparison of means. To be more precise in describing differences between groups, we recommend using clinical cut-offs or scales developed with the specific purpose of assessing mental health problems at work.
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3. |
- Bernhard-Oettel, Claudia, et al.
(author)
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Flourish, fight or flight : health in self-employment over time-associations with individual and business resources
- 2024
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In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 97, s. 263-278
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Using COR theory to study developments of health and other key resources in self-employed workers in Sweden over 6 years, this study: (1) explored whether the heterogenous group of self-employed workers contained subgroups with different health trajectories, (2) investigated whether these were more typical for certain individuals (with respect to age, gender, sector, education, employment status), and (3) compared the different health trajectories regarding resource development in mental well-being, business resources, employment status, work ability. Method: The study used data from the Swedish longitudinal occupational survey of health (SLOSH) and included participants working as self-employed or combiner (N = 2642). Result: Five trajectories were identified with latent class growth curve model analysis (LCGM). Two health trajectories with (1) very good, respective (2) good stable health (together comprising 78.5% of the participants), (3) one with moderate stable health (14.8%), (4) one with a U-shaped form (1.9%), and (5) one with low, slightly increasing health (4.7%). The first two trajectories flourish: they maintained or increased in all key resources and were more likely to remain self-employed. Trajectories three and five consist of those who fight to maintain or increase their resources. Workers in the U-shaped health trajectory show signs of fight and flight after loss in health and other key resources. Conclusions: Studying subgroups with different resource developments over time was suitable to understand heterogeneity in self-employed workers. It also helped to identify vulnerable groups that may benefit from interventions to preserve their resources.
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4. |
- Björklund, Christina, et al.
(author)
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Gender-based harassment among university students in Sweden during Covid-19
- 2022
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This presentation analyses gender-based harassment in terms of bullying and sexual harassment among university students within the academy sector in Sweden. Bullying and harassment are severe risk factors in the psychosocial work environment, affecting both performance and health. This study is part of a collaboration program between four universities in Sweden with the aim to create research-based knowledge for the prevention of gender-based harassment (GBH) in Swedish academia.This study was conducted during Covid-19. Preliminary results show that GBH is more prevalent among university students than among staff. In total, 4.8 percent of university students in Sweden state that they have been subjected to sexual harassment (SH) at the university during the last 12 months. Among women, a larger proportion state that they have been exposed (5.7 %), compared to men (3.2 %). A pilot study prior to the larger prevalence study was conducted in the fall of 2020, an early stage of Covid-19. In the pilot study, 7 percent of university students (women 9.1%; men 3.1%) stated that they had been subjected to SH during the last 12 months. Consequently, results show a decrease in SH, especially among women. Furthermore, in the large-scale prevalence study one question asked respondents if Covid-19 had increased or decreased their vulnerability. Results show that about 11 percent of the women reported that exposure had decreased during Covid-19.Regarding methodological considerations, a previous review study shows that students exposed to SH seldom file official reports but they frequently face a variety of mental and physical health consequences. Also, how questions about sexual harassment are stated most likely affects response rates among university students. To work for a sustainable and inclusive working life free from gender-based harassment, we need to continue to monitor the development over time in the academia in Sweden.
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5. |
- Bujacz, Aleksandra, et al.
(author)
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Not All Are Equal : A Latent Profile Analysis of Well-Being Among the Self-Employed
- 2020
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In: Journal of Happiness Studies. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1389-4978 .- 1573-7780. ; 21:5, s. 1661-1680
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study uses a person-centered approach to distinguish between subpopulations of self-employed individuals using multidimensional well-being indicators. Data were obtained from European Social Survey including a sample of 3461 self-employed individuals from 29 European countries. The analysis has empirically identified six distinct profiles named 'unhappy', 'languishing', 'happy', 'satisfied', 'passionate', and 'flourishing'. The profiles were associated with significant differences in well-being, health and work-related variables. The results highlight the heterogeneity of the self-employed population, and describe the complex-both hedonic and eudaimonic-character of the well-being concept in this population.
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6. |
- Carnesten, Hillewi, 1969-
(author)
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Nurses' caring struggle : Stress in caring within hospital emergency care during the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2024
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Nurses took a frontline caregiving role during the COVID-19 pandemic in pervasively altered conditions in Swedish hospital emergency healthcare. Little is known about nurses’ experiences of the stress they were subjected to. In this thesis, findings from individual in-depth interviews with both newly graduated registered nurses (NGRNs) and experienced nurses (ERNs), as well as a web-based questionnaire, illuminate nurses’ lived experiences of stress in caring during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three studies employed qualitative methods (I, II, IV), and one a mixed methods approach (III). Study I aimed to describe NGRNs’ experiences of encountering stress in EDs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings illuminate how dedicated NGRNs struggle to develop into the nurse they want to be whilst battling extraordinary situations and conflicting emotions. Loss of control and experiences of shortcomings caused by work overload in combination with understaffing force NGRNs into an independent role at an early point in their career. Study II aimed to illuminate the meaning of NGRNs' experiences of caring for patients in EDs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings comprise caring being bestowed through spatial, emotional, and temporal barriers. NGRNs want to be present, relieve suffering yet describe caring during the pandemic as being a hidden activity, less acknowledged and left to the recognition of each nurse. Study III aimed to explore healthcare workers’ (HCWs’) experiences of the changed caring reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings disclose traumatic experiences and having to sacrifice moral values and harbour dilemmas in isolation. Experiencing stress was significantly correlated to lower sense of coherence (SOC). Study IV aimed to explore nurses’ lived experiences of stress in the transformed caring reality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The interpreted meaning comprises the dilemma of enduring the unbearable, meaning having to silence one’s inner ethical, caring compass. In conclusion, stress in caring during the COVID-19 pandemic from a nurse perspective, can be understood as a caring struggle entailing bodily, knowledge, and ethical stress in a search for meaning that might be found in togetherness with patients, with colleagues, with dear ones and in nature.
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7. |
- Carnesten, Hillewi, 1969-, et al.
(author)
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Struggling in the dehumanized world of COVID-An exploratory mixed-methods study of frontline healthcare workers' experiences
- 2024
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In: Journal of Advanced Nursing. - : WILEY. - 0309-2402 .- 1365-2648.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: To explore healthcare workers' experiences of the changed caring reality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden. Design: An online fully mixed-methods design. Methods: A web-based self-reported questionnaire with fixed and open-ended answers collected data from March to April 2021, analysed in three steps. First, free-text questions were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Then quantitative linear regression analyses using models covering stress and coping mechanisms were conducted. Finally, a meta-inference of qualitative and quantitative data emerged a new comprehensive understanding. The COREQ guidelines were used for reporting. Results: Meta-inferenced results of quantitative and qualitative findings show the pandemic was a traumatic experience for healthcare workers. Main theme; When work became a frightening experience in a dehumanized reality, comprised four themes: Entering unprepared into a frightful, incomprehensible world; Sacrificing moral values and harbouring dilemmas in isolation; Lack of clear management; and Reorient in togetherness and find meaning in a changed reality. Qualitative results comprised four categories; Working in a dehumanized world; Living in betrayal of ones' own conscience; Lack of structure in a chaotic time and Regaining vitality together. Subdimensions comprehensibility and meaningfulness were associated significantly with post-traumatic stress disorder in multiple regression analysis. In multiple regression analysis, sense of coherence was the most prominent coping strategy. Conclusions: Forcing oneself to perform beyond one's limit, sacrificing moral values and lacking management was a traumatic experience to healthcare workers during the pandemic. Reorienting as a way of coping was possible in togetherness with colleagues. There is an urgency of interventions to meet the needs among healthcare workers who took on a frontline role during the COVID-19 pandemic and to prevent mental health illness in future crisis. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution. Summary: The pandemic outbreak exposed frontline healthcare workers to unparallelled stress shown as negative for their mental health in several meta-analyses and systematic reviews. In-depth understanding on experiences and how symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder relate to coping mechanisms have been scarcely explored. This study contributes to understanding on healthcare workers' experiences and the relation between lower sense of coherence and increased risk of developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Implications for Practice/Policy: This study might guide how to prepare for resilience in future emergencies.
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8. |
- Carnesten, Hillewi, 1969-, et al.
(author)
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Struggling in the dehumanized world of COVID-An exploratory mixed-methods study of frontline healthcare workers' experiences.
- 2024
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In: Journal of Advanced Nursing. - : WILEY. - 0309-2402 .- 1365-2648.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: To explore healthcare workers' experiences of the changed caring reality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden.DESIGN: An online fully mixed-methods design.METHODS: A web-based self-reported questionnaire with fixed and open-ended answers collected data from March to April 2021, analysed in three steps. First, free-text questions were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Then quantitative linear regression analyses using models covering stress and coping mechanisms were conducted. Finally, a meta-inference of qualitative and quantitative data emerged a new comprehensive understanding. The COREQ guidelines were used for reporting.RESULTS: Meta-inferenced results of quantitative and qualitative findings show the pandemic was a traumatic experience for healthcare workers. Main theme; When work became a frightening experience in a dehumanized reality, comprised four themes: Entering unprepared into a frightful, incomprehensible world; Sacrificing moral values and harbouring dilemmas in isolation; Lack of clear management; and Reorient in togetherness and find meaning in a changed reality. Qualitative results comprised four categories; Working in a dehumanized world; Living in betrayal of ones' own conscience; Lack of structure in a chaotic time and Regaining vitality together. Subdimensions comprehensibility and meaningfulness were associated significantly with post-traumatic stress disorder in multiple regression analysis. In multiple regression analysis, sense of coherence was the most prominent coping strategy.CONCLUSIONS: Forcing oneself to perform beyond one's limit, sacrificing moral values and lacking management was a traumatic experience to healthcare workers during the pandemic. Reorienting as a way of coping was possible in togetherness with colleagues. There is an urgency of interventions to meet the needs among healthcare workers who took on a frontline role during the COVID-19 pandemic and to prevent mental health illness in future crisis.PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.SUMMARY: The pandemic outbreak exposed frontline healthcare workers to unparallelled stress shown as negative for their mental health in several meta-analyses and systematic reviews. In-depth understanding on experiences and how symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder relate to coping mechanisms have been scarcely explored. This study contributes to understanding on healthcare workers' experiences and the relation between lower sense of coherence and increased risk of developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE/POLICY: This study might guide how to prepare for resilience in future emergencies.
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9. |
- Carnesten, Hillewi, 1969-, et al.
(author)
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Struggling with frightening experiences in a transformed reality : A mixed methods study of healthcare workers’ experiences during the pandemic.
- 2023
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact health care workers’ (HCWs’) mental health. Research show that psychological distress and hard challenges abide with strong commitment to contribute. Yet, in-depth understanding of HCWs’ experiences of the changed caring reality during the pandemic is missing. Mixed methods research (MMR) accommodates several features apart from employing either quantitative or qualitative methods. This presentation focuses on examples from the 13-step mixed method by Leech and Onwuegbuzie.Methods: 97 HCWs in one hard-hit region in Sweden answered a web-based questionnaire measuring symptoms of stress (using DSM-5 criteria for post-traumatic stress syndrome, PTSD) in relation to perceived sense of coherence (SOC-scale) and self-compassion (SCS) as well as HCWs’ experiences. First, qualitative data (experiences of the pandemic) was analyzed by qualitative content analysis, then quantitative data (associations between PTSD and SOC/SCS) were analyzed with linear regression adjusted for covariates. Thirdly, a synthesis, the meta-inference of qualitative and quantitative data, explained a new comprehensive understanding. Results: By analyzing the categories and subcategories from the qualitative analysis in relation to symtoms of stress and SOC/SCS, a synthesis emerged. This was undertaken by merging and comparing the findings and discussing the new comprehensive understanding. Finally, to fully outline the mixed methods approach, qualitative and quantitative data were synthesized into a new comprehensive whole, a meta inference. Conclusion: This study moves away from dichotomic traditions between qualitative or quantitative approaches. By broadening the methodological departure this study may provide a new comprehensive understanding and contribute to enhance quality in MMR.
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10. |
- de Oliveira, Thais Lopes, et al.
(author)
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The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) : Factors Related to Smoking Cessation
- 2022
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In: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. - : SPRINGER. - 1070-5503 .- 1532-7558.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Smoking cessation is not an easy accomplishment. However, the benefits are several for those who do it, such as cardiovascular risk reduction 1 year after quitting smoking. This study aimed to verify the factors related to smoking cessation in civil servants of The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Methods This study had a longitudinal design using data from a prospective cohort of civil servants (ELSA-Brasil). Our variable of interest was smoking cessation. The relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, job stress, health-related variables, legislation, and smoking cessation was analyzed by Cox proportional hazard models. The analyses were stratified by gender. Second-hand smoke exposure, age, education, excessive alcohol consumption, common mental disorder, and smoking control law were the variables considered in the final model. Results Information of 2020 women and 2429 men was analyzed. Individuals without second-hand smoke exposure, with up to 49 years of age, with higher education, without excessive alcohol consumption, without common mental disorders, and who initiated smoking in 1989 or after the smoking control law had a higher risk of stopping smoking. The risks magnitudes were higher for women. Conclusions Our study reinforces the necessity of alcohol consumption regulation, the relevance of Public Health Policies, and the need for more smoking cessation measures focused on men, on people with mental disorders, alcoholism, and older adults. Also, our results did not show significant risks regarding the psychosocial working environment.
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