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Macassa, G. & McGrath, C. (2024). Common Problems! and Common Solutions? — Teaching at the Intersection Between Public Health and Criminology: A Public Health Perspective. Annals of Global Health, 90(1), Article ID 12.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Common Problems! and Common Solutions? — Teaching at the Intersection Between Public Health and Criminology: A Public Health Perspective
2024 (English)In: Annals of Global Health, E-ISSN 2214-9996, Vol. 90, no 1, article id 12Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Public health and criminology share similar current and future challenges, mostly related to crime and health causation, prevention, and sustainable development. Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to education at the intersection of public health and criminology can be an integral part of future training in areas of mutual interest. Based on reflections on teaching criminology students, this viewpoint discusses the main interconnections between public health and criminology teaching through the public health lens. The paper discusses potential challenges associated with interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity. Among these challenges is communication across the different fields and their perspectives to be able to achieve the desired complementarity at the intersection of the two disciplines.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Ubiquity Press, 2024
Keywords
causation, intersection public health–criminology, prevention, social determinants, sustainable development
National Category
Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-43833 (URN)10.5334/aogh.4375 (DOI)38370862 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85185614775 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2024-02-22 Created: 2024-02-22 Last updated: 2024-03-04Bibliographically approved
Ahmadi, E., Lundqvist, D., Bergström, G. & Macassa, G. (2023). A qualitative study of factors that managers in small companies consider important for their wellbeing. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 18(1), Article ID 2286669.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>A qualitative study of factors that managers in small companies consider important for their wellbeing
2023 (English)In: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, ISSN 1748-2623, E-ISSN 1748-2631, Vol. 18, no 1, article id 2286669Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Purpose

Given the importance of small businesses for society, and the significance of managers’ wellbeing for employee health, leadership, and business performance, more knowledge is needed on the sources of managers’ wellbeing. This study explored factors within the small business context that were perceived by managers to hinder or enable their wellbeing.

Methods

Data were collected through qualitative semi-structured interviews with 20 managers from 12 small companies, and analysed with content analysis.

Results

The factors that these managers in small businesses experienced as enhancing or hindering their personal wellbeing covered five categories: demands and resources in the daily managerial work, achievement of results, social factors, organizational factors, and individual factors.

Conclusions

The specific context of managerial work in small companies encompasses unique factors. For instance, the small company managers’ wellbeing was affected by vulnerability due to the smallness of the business and the absence of available resources. Simultaneously, a small company context provided a strong social climate and close relationships with employees and customers that strengthened the managers’ wellbeing. The findings suggest that the availability of financial, personnel, and organizational resources varies between small companies of different size, which may have implications for small business managers’ work and wellbeing.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2023
Keywords
Managers, small businesses, qualitative content analysis, wellbeing, demands, resources
National Category
Sociology Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-43352 (URN)10.1080/17482631.2023.2286669 (DOI)38010829 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85178210827 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2023-11-30 Created: 2023-11-30 Last updated: 2024-01-31Bibliographically approved
Sizear, M. I., Macassa, G., Chowdhury, M. R. & Rashid, M. (2023). Coping with COVID-19 Pandemic and Sustained Health Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bangladesh. Epidemiologia, 4(4), 85-93
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Coping with COVID-19 Pandemic and Sustained Health Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bangladesh
2023 (English)In: Epidemiologia, E-ISSN 2673-3986, Vol. 4, no 4, p. 85-93Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people’s health behavioral changes have been transposed into a new dimension. Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic may have an impact on sustained health behavior (SHB). Therefore, this study aimed to explore the validity and reliability of the COVID-19 Coping Scale among working-age individuals and to assess whether coping with COVID-19-related stress could influence SHB in this population. A cross-sectional study was conducted based on the population of the city of Dhaka in Bangladesh. A total of 263 working-age individuals (19–65 years) participated in the study. The present study results confirmed the COVID-19 Coping Scale was a valid and reliable instrument for this population. Moreover, the present finding indicated decreased odds of SHB for individuals who rated lower scores on coping with COVID-19 compared to individuals who rated higher scores; the result remained significant after controlling for gender and education (OR 0.68, 95% CI: 0.54–0.87). The present study suggests two important findings: (i) the instrument used in this study was valid and reliable in this population, and (ii) coping with COVID-19-related stress may be an important aspect of practicing SHB. Policymakers may use the highlighted findings to facilitate sustainable health behavior for long-term health benefits and to tackle future pandemics like COVID-19 or in a similar context.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
MDPI, 2023
Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic; health behavior; sustainable; stress
National Category
Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Research subject
Health-Promoting Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-41210 (URN)10.3390/epidemiologia4010009 (DOI)36975617 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85165168806 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2023-03-20 Created: 2023-03-20 Last updated: 2023-08-01Bibliographically approved
Zammit, D., Tomaselli, G., Buttigieg, S. C., Garg, L. & Macassa, G. (2023). Digital virtual consultations and improved stakeholders’ health and wellbeing amongst hospital doctors. Sustainability, 15(5), Article ID 4428.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Digital virtual consultations and improved stakeholders’ health and wellbeing amongst hospital doctors
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2023 (English)In: Sustainability, E-ISSN 2071-1050, Vol. 15, no 5, article id 4428Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The past several decades have seen a shift in patient care towards digitalisation, which has ushered in a new era of health care delivery and improved sustainability and resilience of health systems, with positive impacts on both internal and external stakeholders. This study’s aim was to understand the role of digital virtual consultations in improving internal and external stakeholders’ health, as well as wellbeing among hospital doctors. A qualitative research approach was used with semi-structured online interviews administered to hospital doctors. The interviews showed that the doctors viewed digital virtual consultations as supplementary to in-person consultations, and as tools to reduce obstacles related to distance and time. If the necessary infrastructure and technology were in place, doctors would be willing to use these options. Implementing these technologies would improve the medical profession’s flexibility on the one hand; but it might affect doctors’ work–life balance if consultations extended beyond standard working hours.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
MDPI, 2023
Keywords
video consultations; digitalisation; stakeholders’ health and wellbeing; corporate social responsibility; hospital doctors; patient care
National Category
Health Sciences
Research subject
Health-Promoting Work, Digital shapeshifting
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-41155 (URN)10.3390/su15054428 (DOI)000947970300001 ()2-s2.0-85149906886 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2023-03-15 Created: 2023-03-15 Last updated: 2023-09-15Bibliographically approved
Macassa, G. (2023). Does Structural Violence by Institutions Enable Revictimization and Lead to Poorer Health Outcomes?—A Public Health Viewpoint. Annals of Global Health, 89(1), Article ID 58.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Does Structural Violence by Institutions Enable Revictimization and Lead to Poorer Health Outcomes?—A Public Health Viewpoint
2023 (English)In: Annals of Global Health, E-ISSN 2214-9996, Vol. 89, no 1, article id 58Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Although structural violence is known to interact with and reinforce direct violence in the form of interpersonal violence (e.g., intimate partner violence), little debate takes place in public health on how it can lead to revictimization, leading to even poorer health outcomes (including psychological ill health). This viewpoint aims to discuss this issue using examples from empirical studies to elucidate how structural violence (perpetrated through institutions) contributes to revictimization among people who are already suffering direct violence. Public health professionals (and researchers) need to make efforts to theorize and measure structural violence to aid efforts toward the study of how it intersects with interpersonal violence to influence health outcomes. This will ultimately contribute to better prevention and intervention efforts to curb interpersonal violence and improve population health and well-being. In addition, there is a need to include structural violence in the academic curriculum when training future generations of public health professionals. Increased education on structural violence will bring about an awareness of the grave consequences of the potential additional harm that institutions could inflict on the lives of people they should be protecting or care for.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Boston College, 2023
Keywords
institutional structural violence, interpersonal violence, revictimization, health, well-being
National Category
Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-43050 (URN)10.5334/aogh.4137 (DOI)001160064300009 ()37720339 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85171514304 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2023-09-21 Created: 2023-09-21 Last updated: 2024-03-08Bibliographically approved
Dadich, A., Buttigieg, S., Macassa, G. & West, T. (2023). Editorial: Health service management and leadership: COVID-style. Frontiers In Public Health, 11, Article ID 1141055.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Editorial: Health service management and leadership: COVID-style
2023 (English)In: Frontiers In Public Health, ISSN 2296-2565, Vol. 11, article id 1141055Article in journal, Editorial material (Other academic) Published
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Frontiers, 2023
National Category
Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-41158 (URN)10.3389/fpubh.2023.1141055 (DOI)000949707000001 ()36926174 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85150212452 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2023-03-16 Created: 2023-03-16 Last updated: 2023-04-02Bibliographically approved
Tasneem, T., Begum, A., Chowdhury, M. R., Rahman, S., Macassa, G., Manzoor, J. & Rashid, M. (2023). Effects of acne severity and acne-related quality of life on depressive symptoms among adolescents and young adults: A cross-sectional study in Bangladesh. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article ID 1153101.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Effects of acne severity and acne-related quality of life on depressive symptoms among adolescents and young adults: A cross-sectional study in Bangladesh
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2023 (English)In: Frontiers in Psychology, ISSN 1664-1078, Vol. 14, article id 1153101Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Introduction: Depression is a common mental health disorder and one of the major causes of disability. This study aimed at investigating the relationship of acne severity and acne-related quality of life with depressive symptoms, and the mediating effect of acne-related quality of life in a relationship between acne severity and depressive symptoms. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from acne patients attending a tertiary-level hospital, using a questionnaire that comprised three validated instruments – Investigator’s Global Assessment (a single item) scale, Cardiff Acne Disability Index, and Beck Depression Inventory for measuring acne severity, acne-related quality of life, and depressive symptoms, respectively. Logistic regression and linear regression were used to examine the association between acne severity and depressive symptoms and a correlation between the acne-related quality of life and depressive symptoms, respectively. A mediation analysis was also performed to see the mediation effects of acne-related quality of life in a relationship between acne severity and depressive symptoms. Results: A total of 185 acne patients (155 females, 83.8%) with a mean age was 22.55 ±8.67 years were included in the study. Adolescents and young adults with severe and moderate acne had 6.14- and 2.28 times higher odds of depression compared to their peers with mild acne, respectively. Patients with low levels of acne-related quality of life had a higher level of depressive symptoms (β= 0.42, p < 0.001). The total effect (direct + indirect) was also significant (β= 0.27, 95% CI: 1.29–4.09), implying the effect of acne severity on depression. Conclusion: The present study suggests that acne severity and acne-related quality of life were associated with depressive symptoms among patients with acne vulgaris. The study also indicates that the relationship between acne severity and depressive symptoms might occur through a chain-mediating effect of acne disability in this population.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Frontiers, 2023
Keywords
Acne severity, Acne-related quality of life, adolescents, young adults, Depression
National Category
Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Research subject
Health-Promoting Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-42772 (URN)10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1153101 (DOI)001043378400001 ()37554134 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85167369278 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2023-07-19 Created: 2023-07-19 Last updated: 2023-08-24Bibliographically approved
Militao, E., Uthman, O. A., Salvador, E. M., Vinberg, S. & Macassa, G. (2023). Food Insecurity and Associated Factors among Households in Maputo City. Nutrients, 15(10), Article ID 2372.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Food Insecurity and Associated Factors among Households in Maputo City
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2023 (English)In: Nutrients, E-ISSN 2072-6643, Vol. 15, no 10, article id 2372Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Food insecurity (FI) is a global concern and is one of the main causes of malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries. In Mozambique, the burden of FI and how various factors contribute to FI is not well known. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of FI and its associated factors in southern Mozambique. Data from 1842 household heads in Maputo City were analyzed in a cross-sectional design. Food insecurity was measured using a modified version of the US Department of Agriculture Household Food Security scale, and its association with socio-demographic factors was assessed through multiple regressions. Altogether, 79% of the households were food insecure; of these, 16.6% had mild FI, 28.1% moderate and 34.4% severe FI. The study revealed that low-income households, those with less educated heads, and those engaged in informal work were significantly more prone to FI. Likewise, dietary diversity and the number of meals were also significant predictors of FI. These findings suggest the need for decent work and job creation, which calls for joint efforts from government, the private sector, and international institutions. Furthermore, these key drivers should be considered in the development of public health policies and programs designed to alleviate household FI and malnutrition in Mozambique.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
MDPI, 2023
Keywords
associated factors; food insecurity; prevalence; southern Mozambique
National Category
Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-41928 (URN)10.3390/nu15102372 (DOI)000998146600001 ()37242255 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85160350712 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Sida - Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, 8-71101-3283
Available from: 2023-06-01 Created: 2023-06-01 Last updated: 2023-08-28Bibliographically approved
Macassa, G., Wijk, K., Rashid, M., Hiswåls, A.-S., Daca, C. & Soares, J. (2023). Interpersonal violence is associated with self-reported stress, anxiety and depression among men in east-central Sweden: Results of a population-based survey. Medicina, 59(2), Article ID 235.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Interpersonal violence is associated with self-reported stress, anxiety and depression among men in east-central Sweden: Results of a population-based survey
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2023 (English)In: Medicina, ISSN 1010-660X, E-ISSN 1648-9144, Vol. 59, no 2, article id 235Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background and Objectives: Interpersonal violence is a social and public health problem globally, and though it is related to poor health outcomes across all genders, most research has been directed towards violence against women. As a result, the health consequences of men’s victimization may be underreported and unaddressed. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between interpersonal violence and the psychological health outcomes of self-reported stress, anxiety, and depression among men. Materials and Methods: The study used data from the male sample (n = 2597) of the 2018 Health on Equal Terms Survey conducted in Gävleborg County in East-Central Sweden. Regression analysis was carried out to study the relationship between interpersonal violence and self-reported stress, anxiety, and depression. Results: The bivariate analysis showed that there was a statistically significant association between interpersonal violence and self-reported stress (OR 2.35; CI 1.45–3.81), anxiety (OR 1.54; CI 1.06–2.25), and depression (OR 2.30; CI 1.48–3.57). Controlling for other variables in the multivariate analysis removed the statistically significant relationship and reduced the odds ratios for stress (OR 1.46; CI 0.57–3.74), anxiety (OR 0.86; 0.40–1.84), and depression (OR 1.40; CI 0.67–3.32) respectively. Conclusions: The study found that interpersonal violence among men was associated with stress, anxiety and depression which was largely explained by demographic, socioeconomic, and health/behavior-related factors. The findings suggest the need for longitudinal studies to assess causal links between male victimization and psychological health outcomes at the county level.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
MDPI, 2023
Keywords
interpersonal violence; men; Gävleborg County; Health on Equal Terms Survey; stress; anxiety; depression
National Category
Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Research subject
Health-Promoting Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-40938 (URN)10.3390/medicina59020235 (DOI)000940008900001 ()36837437 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85148906652 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2023-01-27 Created: 2023-01-27 Last updated: 2023-03-24Bibliographically approved
Ahmadi, E., Lundqvist, D., Bergström, G. & Macassa, G. (2023). Managers’ and employees’ experiences of how managers’ wellbeing impacts their leadership behaviours in Swedish small businesses. Work: A journal of Prevention, Assessment and rehabilitation, 75(1), 97-112
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Managers’ and employees’ experiences of how managers’ wellbeing impacts their leadership behaviours in Swedish small businesses
2023 (English)In: Work: A journal of Prevention, Assessment and rehabilitation, ISSN 1051-9815, E-ISSN 1875-9270, Vol. 75, no 1, p. 97-112Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

BACKGROUND:There is a growing interest in managers’ wellbeing due to the observed associations between their wellbeing and leadership behaviours, and between leadership behaviours and employees’ wellbeing. However, it is still unclear how managers’ wellbeing influences their practiced leadership across different workplace contexts, which specific behaviours are affected, and how this varies across time.

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was therefore to explore managers’ and employees’ experiences and perceptions regarding the consequences of managers’ wellbeing for their leadership behaviours in small businesses.

METHODS:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 37 participants (19 managers and 18 employees) working at 12 Swedish small firms, and analysed using content analysis.

RESULTS:The findings show that managers were more constructive when they felt well, and more passively destructive when unwell. Variations in managers’ wellbeing influenced their mood, energy level, and performance, as well as the company’s working climate. However, these destructive leadership variations did not have a substantial impact, because several protective factors were present.

CONCLUSION:This study shows that the wellbeing of managers in small businesses has perceptible consequences for their leadership behaviours. The study also shows that sustained leadership behaviours may coexist with temporary variations of these behaviours on a constructive-destructive continuum depending on the leader’s wellbeing. Overall, the findings contribute to a more nuanced and dynamic understanding of how the interaction between managers’ wellbeing and their behaviours unfolds in the particular context of small companies.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
IOS Press, 2023
Keywords
SME; health; managerial behaviours; wellbeing
National Category
Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-40705 (URN)10.3233/wor-220159 (DOI)000989666900010 ()36591688 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85159784840 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2023-01-05 Created: 2023-01-05 Last updated: 2024-01-31Bibliographically approved
Organisations
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0003-4415-7942

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