Uwe Rose

A comparative analysis of the Work Ability Index

BACKGROUND The Work Ability Index (WAI) is a well-established instrument to measure work ability. However, the dimensionality of the WAI remains controversial. AIMS To identify the dimensionality of the WAI and to investigate dependencies of factors and subscales. METHODS The sample analysed in this study consisted of 371 subjects of different occupational groups (teachers, office workers, nursery school teachers and managers). The WAI was measured for all subgroups. Psychometric characteristics of the WAI were investigated using factor analyses with different numbers and different patterns of dependency among the factors. Chi-square analysis and the Comparative Fit Index were used to statistically assess fit quality. RESULTS The group of managers had to be excluded from the analysis as their results were probably overoptimistic due to reporting bias; thus, 324 subjects entered. The one-factor model and an orthogonal two-factor model did not fit the observed correlational structures. A satisfactory fit was obtained using a two-dimensional model with correlated factors. These factors could be interpreted as subjectively estimated work ability and objective health status. Only five of seven items of the WAI could be related unambiguously to one of both factors. CONCLUSIONS From our study, we conclude that using only the total score of the WAI is not adequate for population analysis of and assessment of work ability to individuals. Instead, the two-dimensional structure of the instrument must be taken into account.

Mental health and patterns of work-related coping behaviour in a German sample of student teachers: a cross-sectional study

PurposeThe aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the mental health of student teachers, to analyse the extent to which they feel prepared for their profession by the university curriculum and to investigate patterns of coping with occupational stress.MethodsA sample of 481 German student teachers was investigated using two standardised instruments: GHQ-12 (General Health Questionnaire) and AVEM (Arbeitsbezogenes Verhaltens- und Erlebensmuster), an occupational stress and coping questionnaire describing four patterns of work-related coping behaviour. In addition, we asked how well the student teachers felt that the curriculum prepared them for their profession.ResultsForty-four per cent of the student teachers report impaired mental health in the second teacher training period, indicated by a GHQ value equal to or over the cut-off of four. The AVEM responses revealed more than 40% showing risk patterns (A or B) compared to only 26.3% displaying a healthy coping style (G), while 32.8% demonstrate an unambitious style (S). These GHQ values are inversely correlated with the extent to which student teachers feel prepared for their work by the university curriculum.ConclusionsOur data indicate a problematic stress level for student teachers in the second training phase (high exposure to health risks and unfavourable coping styles). Since teaching is clearly an extremely demanding job, it is vital that teacher training systems contribute towards protecting the health of teachers by focusing on fostering healthy personal attitudes and equipping young teachers with coping styles and skills that will better prepare them for the challenges facing them in their daily work. Self-care health management should also be part of the teacher training curriculum.

Predictors of the discrepancy between calendar and biological age

BACKGROUND The rate of ageing can differ considerably between individuals. This might result in major differences between calendar age (CA) and biological age (BA). AIMS To identify work- and health-related predictors of the discrepancy between CA and BA. METHODS The sample analysed in this study consisted of 371 subjects of different occupational groups (teachers, office workers, nursery school teachers and managers). BA was measured with the vitality measuring station, which recorded 45 vitality indicators of physical, mental and social functions. Work ability index, effort-reward imbalance and relaxation inability were measured to determine work- and health-related predictors. RESULTS The greatest discrepancy between CA and BA (9 years) was found for the subgroup of managers, followed by female teachers (5 years). Managers showed also the best results in work ability, the effort-reward balance and relaxation ability. By means of multiple regression analysis, particularly mental attitudes and resources towards work, occupational reward and the body fat percentage were identified as relevant predictors for the discrepancy between CA and BA. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that not only health- but also work-related factors are associated with vitality and BA of employees. We assume that measures focused on promoting of health (healthy diet and physical activities) and improving working conditions (e.g. job satisfaction and social support and stress prevention) may also affect the ageing process positively.

Intention as an indicator for subjective need: A new pathway in need assessment

BackgroundThe current analyses focus on the need for services from the perspective of individuals considering preventive measures. A new approach imported from social and health psychology is used for assessing subjective need. This indicator is used for predicting actual health behaviour under field conditions and simultaneously other relevant background variables are taken into account.MethodsA mail survey was conducted prior to the start of a coaching program for teachers. A sample of n = 949 respondents were queried about mental distress and their intention to participate in the program. This intention to participate and actual attendance were taken as outcome variables in logistic regression analyses adjusted for relevant background variables.ResultsIntention and participation in the coaching program three months later were associated with an unadjusted OR of 90.1 (95% CI: 39.2 - 207.0) for male teachers. For female teachers the crude effect was OR = 80.0 (95% CI: 45.7 - 140.1). The positive predictive value (PPV) was 96.4% among males and 94.5% among females. Adjusting for covariates results in higher values. Among female, but not among male teachers, the participation depended on psychological distress as assessed by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ).ConclusionsThere is strong evidence for using subjective need as an additional component in assessing the need for services and for predicting actual health behaviour. But it needs to be confined to intended behaviour which is under behavioural control.

A manual-based group program to improve mental health: what kind of teachers are interested and who stands to benefit from this program?

PurposeIn order to evaluate a manual-based group program for teachers aiming at strengthening mental health, we examined (1) whether the teachers interested in participating differ from their colleagues without interest and (2) whether there is evidence of subgroups benefiting more than others among those who participated.MethodsOut of a basic sample of 949 schoolteachers, 337 teachers declared interest in a group program. All teachers were surveyed with the “General Health Questionnaire”, the “Maslach Burnout Inventory” and the “Effort Reward Imbalance Questionnaire”. In addition, participating teachers were screened with the “Symptom Checklist 27” T and χ2-tests were calculated to detect differences between those interested in the program and the remaining 612 teachers. Six factors were established and used for a regression analysis that identified specific parameters more or less correlating with health benefits of those who participated in the program.ResultsFindings showed that those declaring interest in the intervention displayed a higher degree of occupational stress according to all health parameters examined. Teachers interested in the program were significantly younger, more frequently female and single. The regression analysis showed that the baseline scores of the six health parameters were the strongest predictors for improvement. Worse scores before the beginning of the intervention correlated with a more positive effect.ConclusionsIntervention programs aiming at alleviating the mental stress of teachers find the interest of those who need it most. More importantly, the latter are the ones who—at least if our program is applied—benefit best.

The Study on Mental Health at Work: Design and sampling

Aims: The Study on Mental Health at Work (S-MGA) generates the first nationwide representative survey enabling the exploration of the relationship between working conditions, mental health and functioning. This paper describes the study design, sampling procedures and data collection, and presents a summary of the sample characteristics. Methods: S-MGA is a representative study of German employees aged 31–60 years subject to social security contributions. The sample was drawn from the employment register based on a two-stage cluster sampling procedure. Firstly, 206 municipalities were randomly selected from a pool of 12,227 municipalities in Germany. Secondly, 13,590 addresses were drawn from the selected municipalities for the purpose of conducting 4500 face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire covers psychosocial working and employment conditions, measures of mental health, work ability and functioning. Data from personal interviews were combined with employment histories from register data. Descriptive statistics of socio-demographic characteristics and logistic regressions analyses were used for comparing population, gross sample and respondents. Results: In total, 4511 face-to-face interviews were conducted. A test for sampling bias revealed that individuals in older cohorts participated more often, while individuals with an unknown educational level, residing in major cities or with a non-German ethnic background were slightly underrepresented. Conclusions: There is no indication of major deviations in characteristics between the basic population and the sample of respondents. Hence, S-MGA provides representative data for research on work and health, designed as a cohort study with plans to rerun the survey 5 years after the first assessment.

12-month trajectories of depressive symptoms among nurses—Contribution of personality, job characteristics, coping, and burnout

BACKGROUND Job related factors have been associated with higher risk for developing depression, but past studies lacked full consideration of individual factors such as personality and coping. We sought to evaluate associations of personality, coping, job characteristics, and burnout with 12-month trajectories of depressive symptoms among nursing workers. METHODS Cohort of nursing workers (N = 281) in a private hospital system, with baseline assessments of personality, job characteristics, and coping. Burnout and depression were measured at baseline and during monthly follow-ups. Linear mixed modeling was used to examine contributions to between- and within-individual variation in monthly depressive symptoms. RESULTS Personality trait of negative affectivity accounted for 36% of between-individual variation in depressive symptoms over 12 months, while job characteristics and coping explained an additional 5% and 8% of this variation, respectively. Exhaustion dimension of burnout was associated with between-individual variation in depressive symptoms (fixed effect β coefficient 2.44, p < 0.001), but not with within-individual variation in symptoms. Disengagement dimension of burnout was not associated with between-individual variation in depressive symptoms, but contributed to within-individual variation in depressive symptoms over time (fixed effect β coefficient 0.52, p = 0.01). LIMITATIONS Participants were nursing workers within a single hospital system. Participants who were excluded due to missing baseline data were more likely of non-white race, which may also limit the generalizability of our results. We used latent variables to represent certain job and coping characteristics, which may make our results less comparable with other studies examining the role of these factors in work-associated depression. CONCLUSIONS Future interventions to prevent depression in healthcare workers should consider multiple job and individual factors. Potential components include strategies to manage negative affectivity and reduce avoidant coping, such as cognitive reframing and mindfulness-based techniques, and organizational approaches to address burnout through augmentation of job resources.

Influence of Personal Characteristics and Device Properties on Wearable’s Rank Order

Emerging sensor technology and mobile devices offer the possibility to capture users’ current state more easily. However, the registration of users’ biosignals is still a challenge because of the lack of user acceptance.

0184 Considering giving up gainful employment as predictor for early exit from the labour force

Introduction I ll health, socio-economic status and working conditions are important determinants for labour market participation. But this perspective neglects the subjective view of individuals and the role of cognitive processes. The aim of the present study is to investigate the contribution of these considerations for the prediction of subsequent exit from the labour force. Method The sampling frame is defined by all German employees being subject to social security contributions and born between 1951 and 1980. The sample consists of 4511 survey participants of whom 4182 employees are with full- or part-time employment. At the time of the first interview they were asked how often they have thought about giving up gainful employment within the last year. The analysis focusses on the prediction of employment status five years later. Results At baseline 8% of female and of 7.2% male employees reported having “sometimes thoughts within the last year” and 4.4% of the female and 3.7% of the male employees reported a frequency up to “every day”. The follow-up interviews are currently underway and are expected to end May 2017. Results on associations between considerations at baseline and status of employment at follow-up and will be presented at the conference. Discussion Research on the association between cognitive processes and subsequent behaviour is very limited. We assume that the inclusion of these aspects will improve the prediction of labour force participation. However, there are strong limitations by the sample size and the number of observations at the second wave of assessment.

O01-2 Psychosocial working conditions and burnout among german employees: initial results from a population based cohort study

Introduction A major deficit in studies on occupational burnout is the lack of population based samples not restricted to professions in the social services or health care system. The same limitation applies to studies on psychosocial working conditions and mental health outcomes, which together comprise the focus of the German Study on Mental Health at Work (S-MGA). The study entails a registry based sample of German employees subject to social security contributions. This presentation gives an overview of the distribution of burnout within the population and its associations with psychosocial working conditions. Method The sampling frame is defined by all German employees subject to social security contributions and born between 1951 and 1980. The sample consists of 4511 survey participants, of whom 4182 were engaged in full- or part-time employment at the time of interview. Psychosocial working conditions were assessed by a computer assisted personal interview (CAPI). Five working conditions were selected on basis of a previous review. For the statistical analysis all scales are transformed into quartiles. Occupational burnout is assessed by the exhaustion scale of the Oldenburg-Burnout-Inventory (OLBI) using a paper and pencil questionnaire. Cases of burnout are defined by a score of ≥3 (range: 1–4). Results The prevalence for burnout within this population based survey is 10% for male and 11% for female respondents. The strongest increase of burnout is associated with quantitative demands: the prevalence increases from 3% within the first quartile to 23% within the fourth quartile. Also the remaining COPSOQ-scales are associated with Burnout. Discussion The current analysis was motivated by findings from international longitudinal studies. The results for this representative sample offers evidence that these findings are applicable to German employees. Furthermore, there are some indications for non-linear aspects in the association between burnout and psychosocial working conditions.