Vinita Duraisingam

The impact of work stress and job satisfaction on turnover intentions: A study of Australian specialist alcohol and other drug workers

Aims: A national study was conducted to investigate the extent and nature of job attitudes and well-being of specialist alcohol and other drug (AOD) workers in Australia. As part of that larger study, work stress and job satisfaction and their relationship with turnover intentions were examined. Method: A postal survey measuring working conditions, work stress, job satisfaction, turnover intention and key demographics among specialist frontline workers from AOD treatment services across Australia was undertaken. A total of 1345 responses from workers in 369 participating AOD treatment services were obtained. Findings: Although the majority of workers were satisfied with their jobs, one in five workers reported above average levels of stress. One in five workers also expressed intentions to leave the AOD field. Significant predictors of higher turnover intention were low job satisfaction, high work stress, low workplace social support and negative attitudes towards remuneration. Conclusion: This study was the first attempt to collect empirical data on levels of stress and job satisfaction among the Australian specialist AOD workforce. The findings presented here focus on work stress and job satisfaction and their association with turnover intention. The results indicate cause for concern and have important implications for the development of strategies to minimize turnover and improve the well-being of specialist AOD workers in Australia.

Effective interventions for mental health in male-dominated workplaces

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify mental health interventions within male-dominated industries. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review was undertaken, examining mental health interventions within male-dominated industries. Major electronic databases, grey literature and reference lists for English language studies published January 1990-June 2012 were searched. Independent extraction of the studies was completed by two reviewers using predefined data fields including study quality measures. Findings – Five studies met inclusion criteria. The available evidence suggests that effective interventions to address anxiety and depression in male-dominated industries include: improving mental health literacy and knowledge, increasing social support, improving access to treatment, providing education for managers and addressing workload issues. Practical implications – Working conditions and the workplace can have a significant impact on a workers mental health. Work-related...

Workplace alcohol harm reduction intervention in Australia: Cluster non-randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS The workplace holds substantial potential as an alcohol harm reduction and prevention setting. Few studies have rigorously examined strategies to reduce workplace alcohol-related harm. Hence, an in-situ 3 year trial of a comprehensive alcohol harm reduction intervention in Australian manufacturing workplaces was undertaken. DESIGN AND METHODS Informed by a gap analysis, a multi-site trial was undertaken. Three manufacturing industry companies, located at four separate worksites, with a minimum of 100 employees were recruited through a local industry network. Based on worksite location, two worksites were allocated to the intervention group and two to the comparison group. The pre-specified primary outcome measure, risky drinking (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, AUDIT-C) and other self-report measures were collected pre-intervention (T1), 12 months (T2) and 24 months post-intervention (T3). RESULTS No significant intervention effect was observed for the primary outcome measure, risky drinking. Significant intervention effects were observed for increased awareness of alcohol policy and employee assistance. At T3, the odds of intervention group participants being aware of the workplace policy and aware of employee assistance were 48.9% (95% confidence interval 29.3-88.9%) and 79.7% (11.5%, 91.8%), respectively, greater than comparison group participants. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Comprehensive tailored workplace interventions can be effective in improving workplace alcohol policy awareness. This is one of few workplace alcohol trials undertaken to-date and the findings make an important contribution to the limited evidence base for workplace alcohol harm prevention initiatives.

Young construction workers: substance use, mental health, and workplace psychosocial factors

Purpose Young Australian workers are at elevated risk of mental health and alcohol and other drug related problems. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between alcohol and drug (AOD) use, psychological wellbeing, and the workplace psychosocial environment among young apprentices in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey of a cohort of 169 construction industry apprentices in their first year of training was undertaken. The survey included measures of psychological distress (K10), quantity/frequency measures of alcohol and illicit drug use, and workplace psychosocial factors. Findings Construction industry apprentices are at elevated risk of AOD related harm and poor mental health. Levels of psychological distress and substance use were substantially higher than age/gender equivalent Australian population norms. Job stress, workplace bullying, and general social support accounted for 38.2 per cent of the variance in psychological distress. General social support moderated the effects of job stress and bullying on psychological distress. Substance use was not associated with psychological distress. However, workplace social support accounted for 2.1 per cent of the variance in AUDIT-C scores, and 2.0 per cent of the variance in cannabis use. Workplace bullying explained 2.4 per cent of the variance in meth/amphetamine use. Practical implications Construction trades apprentices are a high-risk group for harmful substance use and poor mental health. Study results indicate that psychosocial wellbeing interventions are warranted as a harm reduction strategy. Originality/value This is the first study of its kind to describe a cohort of Australian construction trade apprentices in terms of their substance use and psychological wellbeing. The study shows workplace psychosocial factors may predict young workers psychological wellbeing.