Dorothy Watson

Measuring population mental health and social well-being

ObjectivesThis paper examines the relationships between indicators of positive and negative dimensions of mental health, social well-being and physical health.MethodsThe paper reports on data collected in the third National Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition (SLÁN 2007), a cross-sectional survey conducted with a representative sample of 10,364 Irish adults. The survey included measures of positive mental health and non-specific psychological distress from the SF-36 questionnaire, together with measures of social well-being, subjective health, and selected health behaviours.ResultsPositive mental health is predicted by lower levels of loneliness and higher levels of social support. Better self-rated health, positive health behaviours and lower GP consultation rates are associated with higher levels of positive mental health. Lower levels of social well-being, were found to be the strongest predictors of negative mental health.ConclusionsSocial well-being and health behaviours correlate with both positive and negative mental health. These findings highlight the need to endorse comprehensive approaches to population mental health promotion. The inclusion of both positive and negative mental health indicators in future population health surveys is supported by the findings.

770 A comparative european analysis of the link between work stressors and worker outcomes

Introduction Given the changing nature of employment, including the long term shift from manufacturing and agriculture to the service sector, an increasing proportion of the workforce is engaged in employment which is less physically demanding but which brings with it a range of stress-related and psycho-social risks. Eurofound (2006) estimated that in 2005, 20% of EU-15 workers reported health related risk due to work-related stress and the EU OSHA (2007) has identified high emotional demands and work intensification as key emerging psychosocial risks for the occupational health and safety of workers. Methods This paper draws on the 2015 European Working Conditions Survey to examine differences in the exposure of workers across Europe to (a) work stressors (physical risks, chemical/biological hazards, physically demanding work, psychosocial risks and work pressure); (b) the mediating role of work organised to enhance autonomy, supportiveness of management and colleagues and (b) the response of workers in terms of the subjective experience of stress, anxiety and depression. Results Results to include the following: Country differences in exposure to workplace hazards and stressors Extent to which these are linked to country differences in the composition of jobs by sector The role played by the organisation of work (autonomy, supportiveness) in mediating the impact on workers Country differences in the extent to which they adopt forms of work organisation that ameliorate the impact of stressors on workers. Discussion The organisation of work has an important role to play in ameliorating the impact of workplace risks on outcomes for workers.

Playing senior inter-county Gaelic games: experiences, realities and consequences

Given the developments that have taken place in Gaelic games over the past decade, particularly at the senior inter-county level, there is a concern that the demands that today’s games are placing on players are having negative effects on their lives. The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) have introduced a number of measures to ensure that players’ needs are taken care of and that those who play enjoy their experience. Nevertheless, questions continue to be raised. Given this, the GAA and GPA jointly commissioned the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to conduct an independent examination of the commitment required to play senior inter-county, and the impact that this has on players’ personal and professional lives and club involvement. The research was primarily conducted through senior inter-county player workshops and a survey of 2016 players. Workshops were also conducted with 2016 senior inter-county managers, County Board Secretaries and third-level Games Development Officers (GDOs). What follows is a summary of the principal findings arising from the study, consideration of their implications for both player welfare and policy in this area, and some discussion on future directions.