Michael Peterson

The Culture-Work-Health model and work stress.

OBJECTIVE To describe the role of organizational culture in the etiology of workplace stress through the framework of the Culture-Work-Health model. METHODS A review of the business and health literature related to organizational culture was conducted and applied to the model. RESULTS Culture is an important component of work stress and may be a key to creating effective organizational stress interventions. CONCLUSION Work stress is as much a managerial and business concern as a health concern when it is framed in a cultural argument, and the Culture-Work-Health model provides a theoretical basis for new directions in ameliorating work stress.

Analysis of a worksite health promotion program's impact on job satisfaction

This study assessed the impact of participation in a health promotion program and engagement in healthy behaviors on job satisfaction. A survey response rate of 70% (n = 1,283) was obtained at a northern state university with an established worksite health promotion program. Significant differences in job satisfaction were obtained by education level, job classification, marital status, dependents, and regular exercise behaviors. No differences in job satisfaction were obtained by health promotion program involvement or any other health behavior other than regular exercise. Results suggest that health promotion programs do not significantly impact job satisfaction. Rather, job design and the psychosocial aspects of the work environment may be more influential in improving job satisfaction. Based on the results of this study, organizations attempting to improve employee health should provide health promotion programs and address the job itself. To improve job satisfaction, attention to the job itself is required.

Mental health issues in the workplace: a case for a new managerial approach.

Anger, stress, and depression in the workplace are growing concerns among management. Traditionally, health outcomes have functioned under the realm of workplace health professionals. This study assessed whether a traditional worksite health promotion program had an impact on mental health factors. The results suggested that worksite health promotion programs play a limited role in ameliorating work-related mental health outcomes. Rather, management must play a greater role in addressing workplace stress, anger, and depression.

What men and women value at work: implications for workplace health.

BACKGROUND Current research suggests that workplace culture can influence health outcomes. OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to determine what men and women value at work, how each defines a healthy workplace, and what work factors best predict their health outcomes and stress. METHODS A national study was conducted by LLuminari, Inc., a health education company, via a Harris Interactive Inc. online panel that screened for US participants who were employed full-time in organizations with >1000 employees. The online questionnaire used stimulus words/phrases to which respondents verbally free-associated. Each verbatim response was given a weighted score based on the order in which it was written, then thermatically clustered with similar responses to form categories for each stimulus item. RESULTS A total of 1123 individuals participated in the study (608 males, 515 females). Results indicated that men and women value the same aspects of work but ranked them differently. Men valued pay, money, and benefits, as well as power, authority, and status significantly more than women did (P < 0.001). Women valued the following significantly more than men did: friends and relationships (P < 0.05); recognition and respect (P < 0.001); communication (P < 0.001); fairness and equity (P < 0.001); teams and collaboration (P < 0.001); family and home (P < 0.001). The results also indicated that men underestimate and are generally unaware of womens work-related values (P < 0.05). In comparison, women overestimate how men value pay, money, and benefits, and power, authority, and status (P < 0.05). Although little difference was observed in health status between the sexes, women did report being slightly more distressed at work. Findings also suggested that the cultural and environmental aspects of work best predicted womens health outcomes; for men, health outcomes were related to supervision and management factors. The health of both sexes was significantly predicted by their perceived home life (P < 0.001). Men and women also defined a healthy workplace differently, with women more than men emphasizing understanding, support, communication (P < 0.05), relationships, and ethics (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Knowing and managing gender differences may help to effectively motivate employees, increase productivity, foster loyalty, and improve physical and mental well-being.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Statewide Media Campaign to Promote Adolescent Physical Activity

A cost-effectiveness analysis of a statewide social marketing campaign was performed using a statewide surveillance survey distributed to 6th through 12th graders, media production and placement costs, and 2000 census data. Exposure to all three advertisements had the highest impact on both intent and behavior with 65.6% of the respondents considering becoming more active and 58.3% reporting becoming more active. Average cost of the entire campaign was

Efficacy of a Health-Related Facebook Social Network Site on Health-Seeking Behaviors:

4.01 per person to see an ad,

Marketing physical activity: lessons learned from a statewide media campaign.

7.35 per person to consider being more active, and

Work Stress in America.

8.87 per person to actually become more active, with billboards yielding the most positive cost-effectiveness. Findings highlight market research as an essential part of social marketing campaigns and the importance of using multiple marketing modalities to enhance cost-effectiveness and impact.

Associative Group Analysis: A Tobacco Prevention Case Study

The current study was designed to determine the impact of a health-related Facebook fan page on health-seeking actions, thoughts, and behaviors. Ninety Get Up and Do Something (GUADS) fans who were 18 years and older completed an online questionnaire about their perceptions, use, and reaction to a Facebook page. Results revealed the GUADS Facebook page prompts health-seeking actions by motivating fans to search for more health information online. The page positively influences health-related thoughts and behaviors by motivating and reminding fans to engage in healthy behaviors. Frequency of seeing, clicking, and reading GUADS posts was significantly related to health information seeking and health-related thoughts and behaviors. Results suggest that Facebook may be an effective medium to help individuals maintain and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Analysis of the American Cancer Society's Generation Fit Project

Steps taken to create, implement, and initially assess a statewide physical activity social marketing campaign targeted to 18-to 30-year-olds are presented. Included is a summary demonstration of the application of the associative group analysis in formative market research and message development. Initial postcampaign questionnaire (n= 363) results indicated that 39.1% of respondents had seen the television ad, of which 31.2% indicated they intended to be more active, and 62.5% of respondents had been exposed to either the television or outdoor media ads. Lessons learned through the social marketing process including media channel effectiveness, message development and assessment, and marketing firm relationships are provided.