Thomas Höge

The impact of sense of coherence and negative affectivity on the work stressor--strain relationship.

This study investigated different ways in which work stressors, sense of coherence (SOC), and negative affectivity (NA) might influence strain. Three models covering direct, moderating, and mediating effects between the variables were tested for hyperresponsitivity, causality, perception, selection, and stressor-creation mechanisms. The sample consisted of 205 hospital employees (nurses, physicians, and medical technicians). Work stressors, SOC, NA, and strain were measured and analyzed in structural equation models and with analyses of variance. Besides direct effects on strain, significant perception, selection, and stressor-creation mechanisms of SOC could be identified. After controlling for SOC and NA, work stressors remain substantial predictors of strain.

Predicting meaning in work: Theory, data, implications

Literature on meaning in work indicates that a sense of meaning in work is inherently subjective, but impacted by different contexts. In the present paper, these contexts are operationalized by three inter-related levels: individual, work tasks, and organizational. Meaning in work is conceptualized in line with findings from an extensive research program exploring meaning in life. Analogously to meaning in life, meaning in work is defined as a sense of coherence, direction, significance, and belonging in the working life. Against this background, meaning in work and potential predictors have been measured and tested. A survey of employees from a broad variety of professions (N = 206) was conducted. As indicated by hierarchical multiple regression analysis, work-role fit, the significance of work tasks, socio-moral climate, and organizational self-transcendent orientation contribute positively to the prediction of meaning in work. Overall, the predictors account for 46% of the variance in meaning in work.

Aggression and violence against home care workers

This article describes the development of the Violence and Aggression in Health Care Questionnaire (VAQ) and the application of the measure in the field of home care. In a 1st sample of 361 German home care workers, the scales of the VAQ reached internal consistencies from .72 to .93. A confirmatory factor analysis gave evidence to the hypothesized factor structure. Significant correlation with indicators of psychophysical strain and health resulted in a 2nd sample of 180 home care workers. In multiple regression analysis based on a 3rd sample of 180 home care workers, verbal aggression by patients was a significant predictor of negative psychological outcomes. The relationship is completely mediated by negative emotional reactions after aggressive incidents.

Perceived flexibility requirements: Exploring mediating mechanisms in positive and negative effects on worker well-being

Based upon the interdisciplinary literature on organizational flexibility, the study investigates positive and negative effects of perceived flexibility requirements (PFR) on worker well-being. The authors define PFR as perceived expectations conveyed by the organization to its employees, regarding self-directed behavior related to flexibility and efficiency in organizational practices; their content can refer to (1) task fulfillment, (2) career development, (3) learning, and (4) working time. Based on a heterogeneous sample of N = 931 employees, the authors tested a structural equation model, in which time pressure, work–family conflict, and personal initiative mediated between PFR and strain. Negative effects on well-being were most pronounced for PFR with regard to working time and mediated via time pressure and work–family conflict. PFR related to task fulfillment had both negative and positive effects via time pressure, but also stimulating employee initiative. The other two dimensions of PFR explained only small amounts of additional variance in dependent variables.

Spezifische Anforderungen und Belastungen personenbezogener Krankenhausarbeit

Der Beitrag beschreibt empirische Befunde zur Arbeitssituation von Krankenpflegekraften und Arzten im Krankenhaus. Zunachst wird auf der Grundlage statistischer Daten der Trend zu einer Leistungsverdichtung in Krankenhausern herausgearbeitet. Aufbauend auf der arbeitspsychologischen Unterscheidung zwischen gesundheitsforderlichen Anforderungen und gesundheitsschadlichen Belastungen werden dann empirische Befunde aus dem Bereich der Pflege sowie des arztlichen Dienstes in Krankenhausern vorgestellt. Schlieslich werden an einem Beispiel Moglichkeiten zur Gestaltung anforderungsoptimierter und belastungsreduzierter Krankenhausarbeit aufgezeigt. Die Bedeutung der interdisziplinaren Schnittstellen wird dabei betont.

Screening psychischer Belastungen in der stationären Krankenpflege (Belastungsscreening TAA-KH-S)

Zusammenfassung. Der Beitrag dokumentiert die Entwicklung und empirische Erprobung des Screenings psychischer Belastungen in der stationaren Krankenpflege (Belastungsscreening TAA-KH-S). Es handelt sich um ein bedingungsbezogenes Selbstbeobachtungsverfahren zur Arbeitsanalyse im stationaren Pflegedienst. Die Reliabilitat des Instruments wird zum einen anhand der internen Konsistenz der Skalen, zum anderen im Hinblick auf die Beurteilerubereinstimmung mittels Intraklassenkorrelation uberpruft. Zur Prufung der Konstruktvaliditat werden Zusammenhange zwischen den Ergebnissen des Belastungsscreenings und konvergenten Kriterien der Arbeits(un)zufriedenheit und der psychophysischen Beanspruchung ermittelt. Daruber hinaus wird ein exemplarischer Vergleich von Ergebnissen des Belastungsscreenings mit Resultaten aus Fremdbeobachtungen vorgenommen, die im Rahmen von Ganzschichtbeobachtungen ermittelt wurden. Die Ergebnisse einer Untersuchung mit 160 Krankenpflegekraften aus zwei Krankenhausern der Maximalversorgung...

Psychische und physische Belastungen in der ambulanten Pflege: Ein Screening zum Arbeits- und Gesundheitsschutz

Zusammenfassung. Im Zuge der Strukturreformen im deutschen Gesundheitswesen, mit der Einfuhrung des Pflegeversicherungsgesetzes (PflegeVG) und der Liberalisierung des Pflegemarktes ist die Zahl der ambulanten Pflegedienste in den letzten Jahren deutlich angestiegen. Trotz der wachsenden Bedeutung dieses Pflegesegmentes wurden jedoch Arbeitsbelastungen und Masnahmen zum Arbeits- und Gesundheitsschutz in der ambulanten Pflege bisher kaum untersucht. Der Beitrag beschreibt die Entwicklung und den Einsatz eines Fragebogens zum Screening psychischer Belastungen (Belastungsscreening TAA ambulante Pflege) sowie physischer Belastungen und Masnahmen zum Arbeits- und Gesundheitsschutz (AuG-Schutz) in der ambulanten Pflege. Die Stichprobe setzt sich aus 721 Pflegekraften aus 97 ambulanten Pflegediensten in Bayern zusammen. Die Reliabilitat wird zum einen anhand der internen Konsistenz der Skalen, zum anderen im Hinblick auf die Beurteilerubereinstimmung mittels Intraklassenkorrelation uberpruft. Zur Prufung der Kons...

Distinguishing Relational Aspects of Character Strengths with Subjective and Psychological Well-being

Research has shown that character strengths are positively linked with well-being in general. However, there has not been a fine-grained analysis up to date. This study examines the individual relational aspects between the 24 character strengths, subjective well-being (SWB), and different aspects of psychological well-being (PWB) at two times of measurement (N = 117). Results showed that overall the “good character” was significantly stronger related with PWB than with SWB. The character strength “hope” was at least moderately correlated with the PWB aspects meaning, optimism and autonomy, and “zest” with the PWB aspects relationships and engagement. “Persistence” showed the highest correlation with the PWB aspect mastery. Out of the 24 character strengths, the happiness-related strengths (hope, zest, gratitude, curiosity, and love) were more likely to correlate with PWB and SWB than any other character strength. This study offers a more fine-grained and thorough understanding of specific relational aspects between the 24 character strengths and a broad range of well-being aspects. Future studies should take up a detailed strategy when exploring relationships between character strengths and well-being.

Salutogenese in der ambulanten Pflege

Zusammenfassung. Im Modell der Salutogenese wird dem Personlichkeitsmerkmal des Koharenzsinns (Sense of Coherence) eine besondere Bedeutung beigemessen. Zusammenhange zwischen Koharenzsinn und psychophysischer Gesundheit wurden in zahlreichen Studien belegt. Ausgehend von Uberlegungen zur Entwicklung des Koharenzsinns im Erwachsenenalter werden in der vorliegenden Studie an einer Stichprobe von 721 ambulanten Pflegekraften Zusammenhange zwischen organisationalen Ressourcen von Pflegediensten, der erlebten Fairness in der Austauschbeziehung zwischen Pflegekraft und Pflegedienst (wahrgenommene Erfullung des psychologischen Kontrakts), dem Koharenzsinn der Pflegekrafte und deren psychophysischer Gesundheit untersucht. Die Ergebnisse von Pfadanalysen weisen darauf hin, dass insbesondere die erlebte Fairness im Pflegedienst einen bedeutsamen Effekt auf den Koharenzsinn der Pflegekrafte und deren psychophysischer Gesundheit aufweist. Partizipationsmoglichkeiten, Transparenz der Aufgaben und die Gute der Koopera...

Associations between the Application of Signature Character Strengths, Health and Well-being of Health Professionals

Previous research has shown a positive relation between character strengths, well-being and health. The aim of this analysis was to identify relations between the application of signature character strengths (ASCS) at work, and well-being and health, among medical students (Study 1) and resident physicians (Study 2). We expected positive direct links between the constructs and indirect effects through emotional exhaustion. To test these hypotheses, 387 medical students in their first year and 136 resident physicians completed five scales measuring well-being, mental/physical health, character strengths, the application of their five individual signature strengths, and emotional exhaustion as an indicator of burnout. Partial correlations were examined, and mediation analyses performed. ASCS at work was positively linked with well-being and mental health but not with physical health. All links were mediated by emotional exhaustion in Study 1 and (except for mental health) also in Study 2. Future studies would therefore do well to investigate the promotion of ASCS at work of people operating in medical education and its potential in fostering well-being and preventing burnout from the outset.