RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many employees away from their offices into their homes. During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, in early spring 2020, most countries recommended or required that employees work remotely from home to reduce the spread of infection at workplaces and during travel to and from these workplaces. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between working from home, work/life conflict and mental wellbeing in Europe during the pandemic. METHODS: The study was based on a large-scale, online survey that was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic three times, in 2020, 2021 and 2022, in 27 EU countries, and included 53 214 respondents that were employed at the time of the study. RESULTS: The results showed that working from home, work-to-life conflict and life-to-work conflict has increased and that mental wellbeing has decreased during the pandemic. Our regression analyses showed that the number of hours worked from home was negatively associated with work-to-life conflict and positively associated with life-to-work conflict. These results indicate that working from home can have both positive and negative consequences for employees' work/life conflict. The regression results showed that hours worked from home, work-to-life conflict and life-to-work conflict were negatively associated with mental wellbeing. CONCLUSION: It is important to consider different work situations for different working life groupings when implementing work-from-home measures. Organizations must consider how work is supervised and help managers understand how to support employees to achieve work-life balance when working remotely.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Covid-19 is one of the worst crises in modern working life with a direct negative impact on many enterprises and organizations. The aim of this study is to explore what managers in Small Scale Enterprises (SSEs) changed in their business during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly addressing health issues. METHODS: A longitudinal qualitative research methodology was used, interviewing 16 managers of SSEs in the Norwegian and Swedish manufacturing and service sector both before (round 1) and during the pandemic (round 2). In this approach, time is designed into the research process, making change a key focus for analysis. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in two main themes, resilience and demanding occupational health and safety conditions, and five sub-themes. Results show how managers in SSEs changed their business during the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact of these changes. Although, the enterprises were heavily affected in the beginning of the pandemic, several managers found new solutions for their businesses to maintain and reach new customers. They applied a socially responsible management which addressed different health issues. CONCLUSION: Crises like the Covid-19 pandemic will have future impact on SSEs making it important to understand how managers in such enterprises address business and health issues. This knowledge may have practical implications for supporting managers in SSEs in how to perform a socially responsible management and maintain occupational health and safety measures. The managerial implications from this research are that they need to be flexible, reorientable and, at the same time, be loyal to the core business. This study shows the importance of doing longitudinal studies about business and health issues among mangers in SSEs.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Most studies have shown that self-employed people have higher levels of life satisfaction than employed people due to high levels of job satisfaction, work flexibility, and job control. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many self-employed people experienced economic strain and worried about the situation of their employees and survival of the company. The aim of this study was to examine the level of life satisfaction among self-employed people during the COVID-19 pandemic in different welfare regimes. Analyses were mainly based on Eurofound's "Living, Working and COVID-19" online survey. Fieldwork took place between April and June 2020 in 27 EU countries. The results showed that there was a significantly lower level of life satisfaction among self-employed people than employed people during the pandemic. This was in contrast to analyses from approximately one year before the pandemic, which showed that life satisfaction was higher among self-employed people. The main reasons for this lower level of life satisfaction among the self-employed during the pandemic were worse household financial situation and more worries about their job. Analyses of life satisfaction among the self-employed in different welfare regimes indicated that self-employed people in the Nordic welfare state regime largely kept their relatively high level of life satisfaction during the pandemic, but this was not the case for self-employed people in other welfare regimes.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s43546-022-00347-7.].

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The self-employed are at increased risk of negative well-being outcomes when facing adversity such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies that examine socio-ecological factors that may protect their well-being are warranted. METHODS: Data were drawn from a cross-sectional survey of European self-employed people (n = 1665). The WHO-5 Well-being Index was used to examine the impact on well-being of factors at four socio-ecological levels. Independent sample t-tests, Pearson correlations and linear regression were applied to analyse differences between groups of self-employed and interactions between variables using SPSS. RESULTS: Well-being and the socio-ecological factors of resilience, social support, useful work and finding the rules clear were positively correlated with well-being. For self-employed who reported that it was challenging to run their business during the pandemic, social support and finding rules clear were of significantly greater importance to their well-being. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight that the socio-ecological factors of resilience, social support, doing useful work and finding the rules clear affect well-being. The results also indicate that it is vital to consider factors at multiple socio-ecological levels to improve the well-being of the self-employed during adversity.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The present study analyzed the impact of business operations, work and family circumstances, and well-being on the risk of sickness presenteeism for Swedish self-employed workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is of great importance to investigate the impact of the pandemic on the self-employed and their enterprises because they are seen as key drivers of economic growth and constitute an expanding group in many countries. Data were obtained from 845 self-employed workers by a web-based survey including questions about background information, work and family circumstances, well-being, sickness presenteeism, and questions about the pandemic. Results were that around 40% of the self-employed introduced new products, processes, and marketing methods, and just over 50% attempted to get new customers during the pandemic. Nearly half of the self-employed people reported that they lost contracts, and 22% judged the risk of bankruptcy to be quite or highly likely. Regression analyses showed that the more the self-employed reported impact on business indicators, increased work hours, a higher level of work-family conflict, and a lower level of mental well-being, the higher the risk of sickness presenteeism. The most common reasons given by the participants for sickness presenteeism during the pandemic were "nobody else can carry out my responsibilities," "I can't afford to take sick leave" and "I enjoy my work." Conclusions are that a critical event such as the pandemic probably adds to an already high workload for the self-employed. Impact on business operations such as developing new products/services and marketing, risk of bankruptcy and increased work hours seems to be important factors for explaining sickness presenteeism among the self-employed. Theoretical contributions from the study suggest that critical events such as the Covid-19 pandemic should be considered as an important environmental factor when studying sickness presenteeism among self-employed.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Vocational rehabilitation is important for supporting long-term sick-listed employees in returning to work or continuing in working life. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse self-confidence and hope for the future among people on sick leave in Norway who joined a self-help group, with a special focus on the importance of educational level. METHODS: 109 persons who completed a 20-week program at a rehabilitation centre in the middle of Norway during the years 2007-2012 answered questions related to the importance of emotions as either motivating or discouraging forces influencing the individual's return to work. The response rate was 52 percent. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of participants who joined a self-help group stated that the group helped them to tackle everyday life better than before. Low-educated participants in the self-help group, to a greater extent than high-educated, stated that the self-help group had increased their self-confidence and hope for the future. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Most of those who participated in the self-help group stated that joining a group increased their self-confidence and hope for the future. Motivational factors, such as hope for the future and self-confidence, can be important factors in the rehabilitation process, as they can enhance sick people's motivation to participate in rehabilitation and re-think their future prospects of returning to work.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: European policymakers encourage individuals to become self-employed because it is a way to promote innovation and job creation. It can be assumed that health and well-being among the self-employed and managers in small-scale enterprises are particularly crucial in this enterprise group because the smallness of the enterprise makes its members vulnerable. Earlier studies have indicated that the self-employed have a high working pace and work for long and irregular hours, indicating that it can be difficult to stay at home because of sickness. The purpose of this study is to investigate the occurrence of sickness presenteeism among the self-employed in relation to the organizationally employed and to analyze whether any differences can be explained by higher work demands among the self-employed. METHODS: The study is based on the fifth European survey on working conditions (2010) and includes the northwestern European countries in the survey. The questions cover a wide range of topics designed to meet the European Union's political needs. The main variables in this study are sickness presenteeism and several indicators of time demands. RESULTS: The results show that the self-employed report a higher level of sickness presenteeism than the employed: 52.4 versus 43.6%. All indicators of time demands are significantly related to the risk for sickness presenteeism, also when controlling for background characteristics. CONCLUSION: The results confirm that the level of sickness presenteeism is higher among the self-employed and that high time demands are a major explanation to this.

RESUMEN

Personligt ombud (PO) is a Swedish version of case management that aims to support individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Guidelines to the PO service emphasize the different role that the PO plays with respect to the relationship with clients. The aim of this study was to investigate the components that POs found to be important in the relationship with clients. Telephone interviews with 22 POs across Sweden were carried out. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The relationship with each client was described as the foundation of the POs' work; it was the only 'tool' they had. The findings were reflected in a main theme, which showed the importance of creating personal working alliances with each client where POs put the client at the center of the work and adjusted their support according to the client's needs at the time. Important components were that the PO and the client trusted each other, that the power between the PO and the client was balanced, and to be a personal support. Many of the components that POs found to be important are shown as essential in recovery-oriented services. POs followed the client in the process and remained as long as necessary and this is one way of bringing hope to the client's recovery process. However, the personal tone can be fraught with difficulties and to maintain professionalism, it is necessary to reflect, through discussions with colleagues, with the leader and in supervision.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Existing research suggests that gender differences in the effect of unemployment on mental health are related to the different positions and roles that are available for men and women in society and the family; roles that are connected with their different psychosocial and economic need for employment. The aim of this article is to analyse the role of gender in the relationship between unemployment and mental wellbeing in Sweden, representing a gender regime with a similar need for employment among women and men, and Ireland, representing a gender regime in which the need for employment differs between women and men. The results, based on longitudinal data from the two countries, show that unemployment was more negatively related to mental health among men than among women in Ireland, while men and women were equally affected by unemployment in Sweden. Factors related to the family and economic situation, as well as gendered selection into the unemployment population, explains the difference in mental health between unemployed men and women in Ireland. The overall conclusion is that the context has a major influence on the relationship between unemployment, gender and mental health.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The increasing gender equality during the 20th century, mainly in the Nordic countries, represents a major social change. A well-established theory is that this may affect the mental health patterns of women and men. This study aimed at examining associations between childhood and adulthood gendered life on mental ill-health symptoms. METHODS: A follow-up study of a cohort of all school leavers in a medium-sized industrial town in northern Sweden was performed from age 16 to age 42. Of those still alive of the original cohort, 94% (n = 1007) participated during the whole period. Gendered life was divided into three stages according to whether they were traditional or non-traditional (the latter includes equal): childhood (mother's paid work position), adulthood at age 30 (ideology and childcare), and adulthood at age 42 (partnership and childcare). Mental ill-health was measured by self-reported anxious symptoms ("frequent nervousness") and depressive symptoms ("frequent sadness") at age 42. The statistical method was logistic regression analysis, finally adjusted for earlier mental ill-health symptoms and social confounding factors. RESULTS: Generally, parents' gendered life was not decisive for a person's own gendered life, and adulthood gender position ruled out the impact of childhood gender experience on self-reported mental ill-health. For women, non-traditional gender ideology at age 30 was associated with decreased risk of anxious symptoms (76% for traditional childhood, 78% for non-traditional childhood). For men, non-traditional childcare at age 42 was associated with decreased risk of depressive symptoms (84% for traditional childhood, 78% for non-traditional childhood). A contradictory indication was that non-traditional women in childcare at age 30 had a threefold increased risk of anxious symptoms at age 42, but only when having experienced a traditional childhood. CONCLUSION: Adulthood gender equality is generally good for self-reported mental health regardless of whether one opposes or continues one's gendered history. However, the childcare findings indicate a differentiated picture; men seem to benefit in depressive symptoms from embracing this traditionally female duty, while women suffer anxious symptoms from departing from it, if their mother did not.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The aim was to investigate the knowledge and the attitude regarding recovery among practitioners working in the Swedish mental health system, Personligt Ombud (PO), Supported Housing Team (SHT) and Psychiatric Out Patient Service (POPS), to determine whether and how knowledge and attitude regarding recovery differ between the three services. A web-based questionnaire based on the Recovery Knowledge Inventory was sent to the participants. Participant selection ensured that different parts of Sweden were represented. A multiple linear regression was used to examine the result under control of Sex, Age, Educational Level, Further Education, Relevant Work Experience and Training in Recovery. The result of the regression showed that POs had higher scores than both SHT and POPS on the subscales, even under control of other variables. The SHT differed significantly from POs on two of the subscales and POPS differed significantly from POs on all subscales. Personnel with university education, more work experience or specific training in recovery also had a higher mean score. Swedish practitioners need to learn more about certain aspects of the recovery process. The differences between the services may possibly be due to the services' organization, assignment and role. Other important aspects were the level of education and having specific training in recovery; the combination of these elements could facilitate the development of a recovery-oriented mental health system.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: To analyze why some responded positively to rehabilitation and why some did not. METHOD: Sixty participants with musculoskeletal disorders, mainly neck and back pain participated in a 7-week rehabilitation programme which was based on a combination of theoretical and practical education and physical activities. Before and after the programme and 6, 12 and 24 months after completion of the programme all participants were evaluated with the Disability Rating Index (DRI) and Pain Intensity Rating on a Visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: In the participants who had full-time sick leave from the start of the programme to the 2-year follow-up (Group I) self-experienced physical disability and pain ratings were high and showed no decrease and were maintained up until the 2-year follow-up. For the participants who had part-time sick leave or no sick leave (Group II) physical disability and pain ratings were initially lower than in Group I and decreased gradually, (p < 0.01) and (p < 0.05), respectively throughout the 2-year follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Participants in Group I did not benefit from the rehabilitation programme and did not show improvement in their physical disability and pain rating. Group II showed decreased physical disability and pain rating. The decrease was gradual and was maintained up until the 2-year follow-up period. These results may indicate that persons with musculoskeletal pain with severe disability and pain require other rehabilitation programmes than those with moderate symptoms. This research has highlighted the need for development of such programmes.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between number of working hours, the level of perceived physical strain, work-home interface and musculoskeletal pain and fatigue among women and men employed in the public sector. Cross-sectional data from 1,180 employees (86% women) in 49 public workplaces in 2002-2003 were analyzed. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as measures of the associations. The analyses showed differences as well as similarities between women and men. Overall the women reported higher levels of perceived physical strain relative to total workload. A high level of physical strain was strongly associated with musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Nevertheless, no detrimental effects were observed on health of high total working hours which indicates that a large number of total working hours might be balanced by accompanying multiple roles or many responsibilities and therefore not be generally regarded as risk factors for ill health.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The article explores whether people experiences a lower level of work-household conflict in a context that is characterized by extensive family policies (Sweden and to some extent Hungary and Czech Republic) aimed at facilitating participation in the labour market. This is done by studying perceived work-household conflict among women and men living in Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. The analyses are based on the answers to a questionnaire distributed to nearly 6,000 randomly selected individuals within the framework of the European Union financed 'Household, Work, and Flexibility' (HWF) study. The results show that women in Sweden experience conflicts between work and household demands to a higher degree than any other category in all five countries. The differences between Swedish women and women living in the Netherlands and the UK are explained by variables indicating qualifications and workload in the main job, but the lower degree of work-household conflict among Czech and Hungarian women is still significant when controlling for household composition and working conditions. Data indicate that a possible explanation for this can be found in the interplay between men's and women's attitudes toward gender roles and the actual situation in terms of division of labour.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

AIMS: The aim of this study is to analyse how increasing demands from work and family life affect the level of strain and whether there are any significant gender differences in this respect. This is be done by testing the following hypotheses: An increase in work and family demands causes (a) an increased risk of suffering from fatigue; (b) an increased need for working fewer hours. METHODS: The hypotheses are analysed by using a longitudinal data set consisting of nearly 9,000 Swedish individuals. RESULTS: Multiple demands increase the risk of suffering from fatigue among both women and men, but it is only among women that an increase in the percentage desiring a reduction in their working hours can be found. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the role stress theory, especially among women.

Asunto(s)