Föreliggande studie undersökte hur kriminalvårdare upplever emotionellt arbete och i vilka situationer det förekommer. En kvalitativ stidie genomfördes och åtta kriminalvårdare anställda på ett häkte i Sverige intervjuades. Deras svar analyserades genom inuktiv tematisk analys. Analysen ledde till tre huvudteman: hantering av negativa känslor, konsekvenser för privatlivet och situationer där emotionellt arbete uppkommer. Resultat visade att emotionellt arbete har en negativ inverkan på kriminalvårdares välbefinnande och att de upplever negativa konsekvenser av det dagligen. Respondenterna uttryckte behov av hjälp och svårigheter att klara av utmaningar med emotionellt arbete på egen hand. De signalerade också bris på hälsosam återhämtning. Respondenterna visade oro över att förlora egen personlighet samt att kontinuerlig emotionellt arbete på ett häkte påverkar privat liv negativt.

Background Managers’ work, working conditions and wellbeing are important determinants of occupational health in organizations. Nevertheless, little research has investigated these factors in the context of small growing businesses, which are known to contribute to employment, economic growth and social stability. The aim of this thesis was to explore managers’ work, working conditions and wellbeing in the context of small businesses with profitable growth. 

Methods Study I used a cross-sectional design to assess patterns in managerial work activities and leadership behaviours. Studies II–IV used qualitative interviews with managers (II–IV) and employees (II) to explore the effects of managers’ wellbeing on their leadership (II), their working conditions (III), and changes in their working conditions and wellbeing in the context of growing small businesses (IV).

Results Managers worked long hours, posing risks for occupational health, but also adopted work practices that bolster occupational health. Firm size matters for managerial work. Managers’ wellbeing reflected in their mood and energy levels and influenced their leadership behaviours and performance, and the company’s work environment. Managers were more constructive when they felt well, and more passively destructive when they felt unwell. Certain factors mitigated the consequences of their negative behaviours in the organization. Five types of managers’ demands and resources (daily managerial work; achievement of results; and social; organizational; and individual factors) were identified, where the specificity of the small business context revealed unique characteristics. Company growth changed managers’ experiences of working conditions and wellbeing.

Conclusions The specific context of small growing businesses shaped managers’ work, working conditions and wellbeing and the interplay between them. Dynamism in the organizational context due to growth had implications for managers’ work, working conditions and wellbeing.

Purpose

In view of the importance of managers’ wellbeing for their leadership behaviour, employee health, and business effectiveness and survival, a better understanding of managers’ wellbeing and working conditions is important for creating healthy and sustainable businesses. Previous research has mostly provided a static picture of managers’ wellbeing and work in the context of small businesses, missing the variability and dynamism that is characteristic of this context. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore how managers in small companies perceive their working conditions and wellbeing in the context of business growth.

Methods

The study is based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with 20 managers from twelve small companies. Content and thematic analysis were applied.

Results

The findings indicate that a manager’s working environment evolves from its initial stages and through the company’s growth, leading to variations over time in the manager’s experiences of wellbeing and work–life balance as well as changes in job demands and resources. Managers’ working situation becomes less demanding and more manageable when workloads and working hours are reduced and a better work–life balance is achieved. The perceived improvement is related to changes in organizational factors (e.g. company resources), but also to individual factors (e.g. managers’ increased awareness of the importance of a sustainable work situation). However, there were differences in how the working conditions and wellbeing changed over time and how organizational and individual resources affected the studied managers’ wellbeing.

Conclusions

This study shows that, in the context of small business, managers’ working conditions and wellbeing are dynamic and are linked to growth-related changes that occur from the start of organizational activities and during periods of growth. In addition, the findings suggest that changes in managers’ working conditions and wellbeing follow different trajectories over time because of the interaction between organizational and personal factors.

The purpose of this study was to investigate speech anxiety in a small group of teachers, and their experiences of speaking in different situations in their professional practice. In addition, we wanted to know more about their experiences of handling the situation, and how they develop their abilities to speak in public, to cope with life as teachers. The sample consists of eight teachers who work in primary schools and secondary schools, who do experience or have experienced speech anxiety in their professional practice. Data were collected using interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The results of the study show that teachers rarely experience speech anxiety when speaking in front of their students, however, speech anxiety increases when students show bad attitude, when there are many people in the same place, such as conferences, when they speak in front of adults, or if they are somehow being reviewed.

Studiens syfte var att undersöka och få en djupare förståelse för rekryterares uppfattning av AI som rekryteringsverktyg. För att besvara syftet genomfördes semistrukturerade intervjuer med sex respondenter vars huvudsakliga arbetsuppgift var rekrytering. Intervjuerna analyserades sedan med tematisk analys där tre huvudteman med respektive underteman identifierades. Huvudresultatet visade på att respondenterna varken litar på sig själva eller på AI till hundra procent, de belyser vikten av att människor ska ta dem slutgiltiga besluten samt identifierades en oro kring teknikens framfart. De beskrev även att AI är viktigt för att vara konkurrenskraftig då det finns andra aktörer på marknaden som tävlar om samma kunder, det krävs då att leverera kvalitetssäkra och effektiva processer. Sammantaget har AI gjort stora framsteg inom rekryteringsvärlden och används på olika sätt för att optimera processen, trots att verktygen idag inte fungerar felfritt är det effektivare än att inte använda dem.

The purpose of the study was to investigate how office workers perceive the state of the psychological contract in hybrid work. The state of the psychological contract is about how well the employer fulfills mutual expectations and obligations. The method applied was thematic analysis, and the data was collected through nine semi-structured interviews with office workers who worked remotely at least two days a week. The result yielded two main themes: From instability to stabilityand trust and confidence. The findings indicated that office workers had positive experiences working in a hybrid manner. The positive experiences were related to the fulfillment of expectations regarding communication, autonomy, and development opportunities, which in turn created trust and confidence in the employer. In summary, the results suggest that the psychological contract among office workers is in a balanced state.

Sociala medier har blivit en stor del av många människors liv, vilket innebär att vi dagligen exponeras för en mängd olika information och budskap. En stor del av denna information innehåller bilder med normativa utseendeideal. Idag dominerar ett atletiskt utseendeideal, vilket delvis beror på den globala sociala medierörelsen fitspiration. Begreppet fitspiration innebär träningsrelaterade webbplatser, profiler, samt olika typer av text- och bildmaterial som karaktäriseras av vältränade kroppar, med låg andel kroppsfett och väldefinierade muskler. Den teoretiska utgångspunkten för denna studie var teorin om social jämförelse som innebär att det ingår i människans natur att vilja skapa en social identitet genom jämförelse med andra. Forskning om hur mäns kroppsuppfattning och träningsbeteende påverkas av sociala medier och fitspiration är begränsad. Studiens syfte var därför att undersöka hur påverkan av fitspiration på sociala medier relaterar till den egna kroppsuppfattningen och träningsbeteendet, bland fysiskt aktiva män mellan 18-65 år. Denna studie använde ett kvantitativt angreppssätt med en tvärsnittsdesign. För att samla in data genomfördes en digital enkät med hjälp av mätinstrumenten BAS-2 och EAI-skalan. Totalt ingick 56 respondenter i studien. Med hjälp av SPSS analyserades data genom Fishers exakta test och enkel linjär regression. Resultatet visade inga skillnader i kroppsuppfattning, eller i risken för ett ohälsosamt träningsbeteende hos respondenter som följer respektive inte följer fitspiration-innehåll på sociala medier. Det fanns inte heller något samband mellan exponering för fitspiration på sociala medier och kroppsuppfattning. Däremot fann studien ett samband mellan graden av exponering av fitspirations-innehåll på sociala medier och risk för ohälsosamt träningsbeteende. Studiens slutsats är att mäns kroppsuppfattning varken är kopplad till mängden exponering för fitspiration-innehåll, eller att aktivt följa respektive inte följa fitspiration-innehåll på sociala medier. Däremot tyder studien på att män som i högre grad exponeras för fitspiration löper en ökad risk att utveckla ett ohälsosamt träningsbeteende. 

Bakgrund: Över 80 % av alla barn och ungdomar har någon gång varit aktiva i enidrottsförening men i 20-årsåldern är bara hälften kvar. Flickors drop outinom fotboll tenderar till att vara högre än vad det är för pojkar. I förlängningen lederdet till att ungdomslag får lägga ned då lagidrotter som fotboll kräver ett visst antalspelare för att kunna bedrivas. Organiserad idrott bidrar, specifikt för flickor, till en merpositiv framtidssyn och idrottande ungdomar har också visat sig hantera motgångar påett bättre sätt än de som inte idrottar. Syftet är att undersöka vilka orsaker som ökar risken för drop out från organiseradfotboll för flickor i åldern 10-17 år.

Metod: Datainsamlingen bygger på enkätdata och för att besvara frågeställningarnaanalyserades svaren kvantitativt. Det stratifierade urvalet bestod av 275 flickfotbollsspelare från fotbollsklubbar i Sverige deltog.

Resultat: Huvudfynden i studien är att det finns en skillnad i drop outs när det gällerålder då det är tydligt att äldre slutar i högre grad än yngre. Av de spelare som harmindre än 10 minuters resa till träning slutar 11,4% att spela, medan de som har 10minuter eller längre slutar 30,9%, alltså att om en spelare behöver resa 10 minuter ellerför att ta sig till träning så ökar risken för att spelaren slutar. Det är en större risk att enspelare slutar med fotboll om denne endast utövar fotboll. Det vill säga att om enspelare utövar minst en annan idrott så är det en mindre risk att individen slutar medfotboll. De spelare som har skattat lägre på skalan support slutar i högre grad att spela,medan de spelare som skattat högre är mer benägna med fortsatt utövande.

Slutsats: Sammantaget verkar den här undersökningen visa att då det finns en konflikthos en aktiv så främjar det drop out. Konflikten kan gälla tidsåtgång, svårighet att kunna ta sig till och från träning eller huruvida vems ambition som ska styra antalet träningstimmar i veckan. Bristen på flexibilitet kan med stor sannolikhet vara en bidragande faktor till drop out.

Nyckelord: Drop out, drop outs, Flickfotboll, Fotboll. Ungdomsidrott. 

This study explores how trans individuals struggle to make themselves intelligible as humans in a cis- and heteronormativecontext of sports and exercise. Ten trans people with present or prior experience in sports and exercise were interviewed. Theanalysis draws from Butler’s idea of trans people’s exclusion as a question of unintelligibility instead of oppression. The studydemonstrates three overreaching ways trans people make themselves discursively intelligible as humans: by passing as cis, bycoming out as trans yet mediating potential inconvenience this may pose on others, and by coming out as trans paired withchallenging cis- and heteronormativity. We argue that practices aligning to intelligibility as humans are key for trans people insports, exercise, and possibly in other walks of life.

The use of zero hours contracts has increased in several workplaces including elderly health care. It is more common to have lower self- rated health in low-paid female-dominated workplaces, such as in health care, compared to male-dominated workplaces. Many studies have investigated the associations between various forms of job insecurity and a range of health outcomes, but few studies have specifically examined the self-rated health of zero hours contracts. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the association between self-rated health and employment type, as well as the association between self-rated health and preferred employment among employees in elderly care.  The study is a quantitative method with a cross-sectional design and uses register data collected from research project Flexible work: Opportunity and Challenge (FLOC) at the University of Gävle. The sample included 302 zero hours contract employees and 110 permanent employees in elderly care. An unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analysis were conducted; the adjusted model included the confounding variables: gender, age, origin, smoking habits and physical activity during leisure time. The result from the unadjusted model showed that employees with zero hours contract had 3 times higher odds of rating their health as high compared to permanent employees (P= 0,001, OR = 3,062), and after adjustment the model showed that zero hours contracts still had higher self-rated health than permanent employees. While there was no association between preferred employment and self- rated health (P=0,9). The conclusion was that employees with zero hour contracts in elderly care had higher self-rated health then permanent employees, and there are no differences in self-rated health between zero hours contracts employees preferred form of employment. Since the use of zero hours contracts is increasing within different work industries, it important to continue studying zero hours contract employees’ self-rated health. 

To gain an in-depth understanding of the position of being a young adult and new at work simultaneously, this study examines the doing of age in relation to others in the lives of young adults, rather than focusing on age as a category and/or developmental phase. The study focuses on being a young adult from a critical and relational perspective of age. Based on focus group interviews with young adults, mostly women, working in retail, the aim is to analyse the position of being a young adult while new at work through age-marked relationships. The results reveal how this position can be understood both in terms of security and insecurity. Security arises in the sense of opportunities for learning and leaving responsibilities to older and more experienced colleagues. Insecurity arises in the sense of being exposed to insecure employment, the risk of being allocated less challenging tasks and being judged for failures. 

Purpose

The aim of this study is to analyse young adults’ positive experiences of learning when entering the labour market.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on 13 individual in-depth interviews with young adults (aged 18–28) working within the retail sector in Sweden. The interviews explored the interviewees’ experiences when entering the workforce, focusing on positive experiences of learning.

Findings

The findings highlight the relationship between learning and encounters with others both within and outside work, that is, with colleagues and customers as well as with family and friends. Learning is mostly depicted as informal and as related to work and here, more experienced colleagues, openness, trust and equality as well as self-initiative, responsibility and autonomy are highlighted.

Originality/value

Taking its point of departure in a health promotion perspective, the study reinforces the perspective of workplace learning as an interplay between contextual (work-related) factors and personal factors by highlighting the importance of relationships outside the workplace for understanding the experiences of learning when new at work. Furthermore, the study examines how the learning needs of young adults relate not only to the work itself but to the experience of entering the labour market.

Abstract

Background: The development of AI is rapid and affects working life. AI has the potential to both improve productivity and reduce workload, while also presenting risks that can jeopardize work-related health. There is a lack of previous research on AI's impact on the work environment.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to explore and describe managers' different perceptions of AI in working life.

Method: A qualitative study conducted through ten semi-structured interviews with six female and four male managers from various sectors. A phenomenographic analysis method was used to investigate and describe the variation in managers' perceptions.

Main results: Managers perceive that the use of AI redefines work content, leadership, and the organization's structure and culture. AI can facilitate work but requires human quality control while making job content more complex and requiring new skills. AI can allow managers to dedicate more time for leadership, and managers need to be role models and invite employees to dialogue. Managers need organizational support with clear frameworks and an ethical approach, as well as a culture that promotes transformation and collaboration.

Conclusion: The use of AI impacts key aspects of the organizational and social work environment. The study's results provide new knowledge that can be used to better understand and equip managers and organizations for the transformation that AI entails.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate how nursing staff in municipal elderly care experienced there organizational and social work environment after the introduction of the digital business system. Using a qualitative method and inductive thematic analysis from the empirical material from eight interviews, the study produced two main themes: Introduction to the digital way of working and Experiences of the digital way of working. In summary, the majority of respondents testified that their organisational and social work environment was good after digital business systems had been implemented. The majority highlighted that the digital systems had given them more structure, foresight, and a more even distribution of work between tasks and experiences of reduced workload as the user-friendliness of the systems was perceived to be good with all digital systems being managed in the same unit. This despite experiences of shortcomings during the introduction, a mistrust that the digital systems would be a control tool, varied difficulties in learning digital systems, fewer natural platforms for communication, and experiences of stress that the technology did not work optimally.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka vilka faktorer som ligger bakom att ungdomsspelare slutar spela fotboll i breddlag med frågeställningarna: vilka uppfattningar finns kring varför ungdomar slutar spela fotboll? och vilka uppfattningar finns kring vad som behövs för att ungdomar ska fortsätta spela fotboll?  Tidigare forskning visar på att ungdomar i större utsträckning är mer fysisk aktiva nu än för några år sedan. Svenska fotbollsförbundet visar på att allt fler ungdomar slutar spela fotboll i sina ungdomsår. Forskning visar att anledningar till att ungdomar slutar idrotta är att de får andra intressen, det vill säga ungdomars ambition och motivation för fotboll sjunker desto äldre ungdomarna blir. Tydligt är det att tränaren har en fundamental roll kring hur ungdomar väljer att fortsätta eller avsluta sina fotbollskarriärer.  Denna studie intervjuar åtta respondenter som är mellan 18–22 år gamla som tidigare har spelat i breddlag, men som nu har slutat med fotboll. Intervjuerna som används är baserade på en semistrukturerad intervjuguide. Studien grundar sig i Antonovskys (1987) teori känsla av sammanhang (KASAM) där resultatet och analysen baserades på teorins tre komponenter; meningsfullhet, hanterbarhet och begriplighet.   De resultat som framkom var att många av respondenterna valde att avsluta sina fotbollskarriärer på grund av att stödet och relationen mellan tränaren och spelaren vart sämre. Åtgärder som eventuellt skulle behövas för att behålla fler ungdomar inom fotbollen var att kunna erbjuda spel på olika nivåer eller eventuellt skaffa andralag eller fler korpenlag för att kunna tillgodose alla ungdomsspelares ambitioner.   Slutligen kopplat till studiens ramverk går det att dra slutsatser kring att om du har låga kopplingar till alla tre komponenter i KASAM är det större sannolikhet att du slutar med fotboll.   

Blixt, A. (2024): Organizational and social work environment in a male dominated profession - A quantitative study on the genders’ experiences controlled for mental issues. Master thesis in Occupational Health. University of Gavle: Department of Occupational Health. 

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine differences in perceived sense of community, managers’ social support and organizational justice between women and men in a male dominated profession. 

Methodology: This study is based off data from a cross-sectional study. Questionnaire data applicable for this study consisted of 3 aspects from the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, mental issues, and demographic parameters. A multivariate analysis of covariance was performed to analyze the genders’ perceived aspects of the organizational and social work environment controlled for mental issues. Prior to the analysis seven assumptions were tested. Several assumptions were violated, and a Box-Cox transformation was performed which corrected several assumptions. 

Findings: Studied population (N=136) could not confirm that the profession was predominantly male dominated (Female=58, Male=78). The conducted analysis showed no statistically significant differences between women and men (V = 0,007, F(3, 126) = 0,30, p = 0,82). 

Conclusion: The result may indicate that the women and men experience their work environment equally, and that gender does not affect the outcome in perceived aspects of the organizational and social work environment. However, to be able to generalize or draw conclusions from the result, a bigger population needs to be examined. 

Keywords: Inqeuality, mental health, psychosocial work environment, warehousing 

Utvecklingen av svensk sport management som såväl utbildnings- som forskningsfält har varit markant de senaste decennierna och pågår i allra högsta grad fortfarande. I detta kapitel beskriver vi denna utveckling. Vad som ingår i fältet sport management är dock en diskussionsfråga. Vi har valt att avgränsa det utifrån de fyra verben planera, organisera, leda och utvärdera, vilka hämtats från en trilogi om svensk sport management (Bäckström m  fl 2018, 2019, 2020). För att illustrera svensk sport managements utveckling redogör vi för hur sport managementutbildning tar sig uttryck, då detta säger en del om hur vi ser på ämnesområdet i Sverige. Därefter redogör vi för forskningsfältets framväxt med särskilt fokus på ett urval av avhandlingar, och annan forskningsproduktion. Avslutningsvis belyser vi hur svensk sport management förhåller sig till internationell dito. Att sätta genomgången i ett internationellt perspektiv blir ett sätt belysa det särskilt svenska.

Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka vilka faktorer som till störst del påverkar tonårskillar till att sluta med tävlingsidrott, samt hur individuell kontra lagidrott, ålder och födelsekvartil påverkar beslutet. Studiens metod är kvantitativ enkät undersökning med tvärsnittsdesign, där enkäter bestående av fem bakgrundsfrågor och 16 delfrågor skickades ut till urvalsgruppen killar mellan 18-35 år som tävlat inom idrott men som i tonåren slutat. Enkäten utformades i Google Forms och delades med bekvämlighetsurval via länk på författarnas respektive Instagram och Facebook konton. Studien utgår från Leisure constraints theory och har därmed sin utgångspunkt i tre huvudsakliga begränsningsområden; intrapersonella begränsningar, interpersonella begränsningar och strukturella begränsningar. Vardera begränsningsområde har undersökts närmare genom enkäten, med hjälp av påståenden som uttryckt eventuella anledningar bakom avslutade tävlingskarriärer, vilket respondenterna fått ta ställning tillgenom likertskala och fritextsvar. Antalet respondenter i studien var 41 stycken och resultatet visade att interpersonella begränsningar var den kategori som påverkat respondenterna mest, specifikt att andra prioriteringar kommit före tävlingsidrotten. Strukturella begränsningar var den typ av begränsning som påverkat respondenterna minst. Intrapersonella begränsningar visade sig vara vanligare bland de respondentersom tävlat i individuell idrott jämfört med de som tävlat i lagidrott där för högkonkurrens i tävlingssammanhang visade sig vara den begränsning som var vanligast. Överlag visar studien relativt låga värden på samtliga begränsningsområden, vilket tyder på att det finns ytterligare faktorer bakom avslutade tävlingskarriärer blandtonårskillar som inte presenterats i denna studie. Dessutom skiljer sig studiens resultat delvis från tidigare forskning inom ämnet. Sammanfattningsvis går det att tolka resultatet som att beslutet grundas i individuella förutsättningar snarare än något specifikt begränsningsområde, vilket med hjälp av vidare forskning kan undersökas närmare.

Sensorimotor difficulties are common in children with autism spectrum disorder, and it has been suggested that motor planning problems underlie their atypical movements. At early school-age, motor planning development typically involves changes in visuomotor integration, a function known to be affected in autism spectrum disorder. However, there is a lack of detailed characterization of typical motor planning development during this stage, and how motor planning develops in children with autism spectrum disorder is largely unknown. This longitudinal kinematic study examined goal-directed sequential manual movements in children with autism spectrum disorder and in typically developing children across ages 7, 8, and 9 years. We manipulated goal-difficulty and availability of initial visual information to investigate visuomotor integration and chaining of subparts during movement performance. The results revealed emerging group differences at older age, suggesting atypical motor planning development in children with autism spectrum disorder. Notably, unlike the typically developing group, availability of initial visual information did not facilitate motor planning for the autism spectrum disorder group. The results show that motor planning differences in autism spectrum disorder appear related to atypical visuomotor integration and global processing of sensorimotor information. The findings also emphasize the importance of considering developmental aspects in research and practice related to motor problems in children with autism spectrum disorder.

This presentation critically explores elite athletes’ accounts on the anti-doping system and how ideas of purity and danger shape their experiences and practices within it. Theoretically, we draw from Mary Douglas’ influential ideas on purity and danger. These ideas encompass the idea that separating dirtiness from cleanliness provides a way to systematically create and maintain symbolic, societal and cultural order. Data from 13 qualitative interviews with elite athletes in three different sports dispersed over five geographical continents was analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis shows a strict conviction of the importance to distinguish the pure from the impure, in our study played out as practices and experiences of assurance, intimidation and shaming. The danger of breaching the sharp line between purity and danger had to be handled by the individual athletes through taking precise measures to avoid pollution. The elite athletes’ bodies become the places where boundaries can be built, and sharp limits arise. A conclusion is that the athletes have much to gain from becoming ‘guardians of purity’. We caution, however, that such positioning implicates symbolic values on cleanliness that may simultaneously infer others’ dirtiness.

During the autumn of 2023, the new directive regarding 11 hours of continuous daily rest foremployees within Sweden's municipalities and regions was introduced. The directive haschanged the working conditions for healthcare staff, a professional group that often works inshifts. The purpose of the study was therefore to investigate the healthcare workers'experience of work-life balance during shift work since the new directive came into effect. Toexamine this, a qualitative study was performed in which eight semi-structured interviewswere conducted with assistant nurses and nurses, which were analyzed using inductivethematic analysis. The results showed that the respondents put a lot of emphasis on trying toseparate work life from private life in order to create balance in life. Despite this, however,the majority of respondents felt that work overrides private life. The results indicate that thenew directive regarding 11 hours of continuous daily rest have had a negative impact on therespondents' work-life balance.

Objectives

To explore predictive factors for the development and maintenance of jaw pain over a 2-year period.

Methods

One hundred nineteen cases (73 women) and 104 controls (59 women), mean age 34.9 years (SD 13.9), attended baseline and 2-year follow-up examinations. The whiplash cases visited the emergency department at Umeå University Hospital, Sweden, with neck pain within 72 h following a car accident, and baseline questionnaires were answered within a month after trauma. Controls were recruited via advertising. Inclusion criteria were age 18–70 years, living in Umeå municipality and Swedish speaking. The exclusion criterion was neck fracture for cases and a previous neck trauma for controls. Validated questionnaires recommended in the standardized Research Diagnostic Criteria for temporomandibular disorders were used. Jaw pain was assessed by two validated screening questions answered with “yes” or “no.” A logistic regression analysis was used to predict the outcome variable jaw pain (yes/no) after 2 years.

Results

Whiplash trauma did not increase the odds of development of jaw pain over a 2-year period (OR 1.97, 95% CI 0.53–7.38). However, non-specific physical symptoms (OR 8.56, 95% CI 1.08–67.67) and female gender (OR 4.89, 95% CI 1.09–22.02) did increase the odds for jaw pain after 2 years.

Conclusion

The development and maintenance of jaw pain after whiplash trauma are primarily not related to the trauma itself, but more associated with physical symptoms.

Clinical relevance

The development of jaw pain in connection with a whiplash trauma needs to be seen in a biopsychosocial perspective, and early assessment is recommended.

This study examines the concurrent influence of health-impairment and motivational processes proposed by the Job Demands-Resource model on teachers' intention to remain at their workplace at 12 and 24 months among 308 certified teachers in Sweden. Teachers' perceptions of job demands (quantitative demands, emotional demands, work pace) and job resources (possibilities for development, social support from supervisor, social support from colleagues, recognition) were measured at baseline whereas exhaustion, work engagement, and retention intention were measured at 12 months and 24 months. Data was analysed using structural equation modelling and subsidiary analyses explored the moderating effects of job resources on the health-impairment process at 12 and 24 months. The findings indicate that the health-impairment process is a stronger predictor of teachers' retention intention at 12 and 24 months than the motivational process and that the primary focus of teacher retention policies should be optimising teachers job demands rather than enhancing teachers' job resources.

This study presented a positive deviant case: a Swedish hard-to-staff school which has had a low rate of teacher turnover over time. In line with the purpose of studying positive deviance in organisations, our exploratory inquiry was geared towards understanding how and why ‘at-risk’ teachers, i.e., teachers who teach in subjects which are known to have high levels of staffing difficulties in Sweden, stayed at this particular school. Using a modified grounded theory approach, our results suggested that teachers remained at the school due to being embedded in a protective professional community that was enculturated by different expressions of collegiality. Finally, these findings are discussed in relation to the theoretical concepts of teachers’ job embeddedness and social capital. 

In recent years, accessibility to services and activities using sustainable transport modes has become an important goal for land use and transport planning policies. Traditional approaches rely on objective measures, such as travel time, distance, costs, and other spatial data, overlooking personal preferences, experiences, demographic features, and socio-cultural and economic dynamics. Attributes that affect perceptions of accessibility require attention but our understanding of the factors influencing perceived accessibility is inadequate, particularly in Australia’s expanding suburbs. Through a literature review and questionnaire surveys, this study aims to take into account various travel characteristics and enhance the understanding of how perceived safety and service quality impact mobility behaviour and perceived accessibility within the Australian context. The study found that perceived safety and service quality have significant impacts on perceived accessibility and hence influence the use of public transport. We have identified critical factors that require proper consideration in transport and land use planning and policies to enable a better contribution from public transport to the liveability and well-being of residents in Australian suburbs.

Accessibility is commonly defined and operationalised through objective measurements,such as travel time and physical distance to destinations; however, there is a lack of empirical studiescapturing perceived accessibility from individual perspectives. With the aim of sustainable transportfor inclusive communities, it is crucial to investigate the impact of socio-economy and travel modeon perceived accessibility and key driving factors of perceived safety and service quality. Throughthe collection of primary data from one of the fastest-growing suburbs in Melbourne, this studyexamined variation of perceptions towards accessibility, safety, and service quality among diversesocial groups and travellers using different modes of transport. The findings of this study wouldassist transport planners in making informed decisions in creating inclusive transport networks thatcan improve community health and well-being.

The aim of the study was to investigate group managers’ experiences of managing employees' mental health issues within an industrial company in Sweden, as well as their thoughts on how to approach hidden mental health problems. A qualitative approach was employed, and ten group managers were interviewed at an industrial site using a semi-structured interview guide. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the collected data. The data resulted in three main themes and nine subthemes. The findings revealed that managers’ ability to address mental health issues is influenced by their approach, tools, and the support they receive from their employer. Additionally, the results indicated that present and trustworthy group managers can impact their ability to detect signs of mental health issues in employees. The group managers expressed that a trustworthy and present leader enhances employees' trust in them and reduces stigma by fostering an open work environment.

Introduction

A growing body of evidence has established alcohol consumption as a causative factor in an increasing array of cancer types, thereby positioning it as a leading global risk factor for cancer. Surprisingly, there is a scarcity of studies examining the extent to which shifts in population drinking affect cancer mortality, despite the substantial public health implications. This paper aims to: (i) estimate the impact of changes in per capita alcohol consumption on both overall cancer mortality rates and specific types of alcohol-related cancer; and (ii) assess whether the association between cancer and population alcohol consumption is influenced by a country's drinking patterns.

Methods

We used time-series data for 19 high-income countries spanning the period 1960–2018. Cigarette sales and GDP per capita were included as control variables. The data were analysed using first-difference modelling. The World Health Organization drinking patterns score was used to evaluate a country's drinking pattern.

Results

Our findings revealed that a 1 L per capita increase in alcohol consumption was associated with a 0.9% rise in total cancer mortality among women and a 1.1% increase among men. Notably, among men, the association was more pronounced for cancers with strong evidence of alcohol's effect and for prostate cancer. For women, the alcohol effect was statistically significant for breast cancer. Generally, the estimated alcohol effects were elevated in the country group with more harmful drinking patterns.Discussion and ConclusionsOur results indicate that lowering per capita alcohol consumption is likely to reduce cancer mortality.

Syftet med studien var att undersöka om det fanns skillnader i personlighetsdragen ingående i Big Five-modellen hos ledare i arbetslivet med hänsyn till deras syskonplacering. Studien genomfördes med en digital enkät där 65 deltagare medverkade. Mätinstrumentet som användes i studien var Big Five Inventory (BFI) som mätte deltagarnas personlighetsdrag i Big Five modellen (extraversion, neuroticism, välvillighet, samvetsgrannhet och öppenhet). Medelvärdet skiljde sig i varje personlighetsdrag hos förstfödda jämfört med sistfödda. Resultatet (Wilks´ Lambda) visade en signifikant effekt av syskonplacering, däremot visade de univariata analyserna ingen signifikant effekt för någon av personlighetsdragen på syskonplacering.

Previous empirical research of co-workership focuses on experiences of implementation or development programs. This study particularly intends to examine co-workership itself as there are no studies with the same focus. The purpose of this study was to shed light on employees’ perceptions of co-workership after an implementation of the topic and describe employees’ perceptions of sustainable and health-promoting working life factors in relation to co-workership. This is a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews based on ten employees from the same organization. The data collection is analyzed according to a phenomenographic approach to highlight significantly different perceptions. The outcome space describes employees’ perceptions of co-workership. Categories which highlight interactions & relationships and organizational insight & awareness as central perceptions of co-workership in this study. The category harmony emerged from perceptions of sustainable and health-promoting working life factors. Finally, the category symbiotic relationship, refers to perceptions of the relationship between sustainable and health-promoting working life factors and co-workership. This research contributes to increasing knowledge about how employees and work groups perceive co-workership where the implementation has taken place. Which also highlight the topics importance in promoting a sustainable and healthy working life.

The study examines management's and employees' perception of the development of a new HRM function at a Swedish medium-sized company, with the following question: How do management and employees perceive the development of the HRM function in relation to their needs and expectations? In order to answer the study's purpose and question, semi-structured interviews have been conducted with management and employees to explore the implementation of work environment work with the HRM function within the medium-sized company. A qualitative content analysis was applied to analyze the interview data and identify patterns around the HRM function's impact on the work environment. The study concluded that the HRM function has played an important role in the structuring and improvement of the work environment with a higher participation of employees and social sustainability. This has created increased safety and candidness in the workplace. Despite positive changes, the HRM function faced initial challenges with communication gaps, underscoring the need for a clear and early dialogue to maximize its positive effects and minimize barriers.

Background

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSK) are a global burden causing significant suffering and economic impact. Systematic identification and targeting of research questions of highest interest for stakeholders can aid in improving MSK disorder knowledge and management.

Objective

To obtain Swedish MSK researchers' opinions and views on a collaborative Swedish MSK network (SweMSK) and identify future research areas of importance for Swedish MSK research.

Methods

A web-based survey was conducted July to September 2021 to collect data from 354 Swedish MSK researchers. The survey focused on the need, objectives, and structure of a SweMSK network and identified prioritised areas for future MSK research.

Results

The study included 141 respondents, of which 82 were associate professors or professors. The majority (68%) supported the creation of a new musculoskeletal network. The most supported element was increased collaboration regarding nationwide and multicenter studies. Respondents recommended the creation of a homepage and the establishment of national work groups with different specific interests as the primary elements of a new network.

Conclusion

The results demonstrated a need and desire for increased national research collaboration and the creation of a new musculoskeletal network. The high academic experience and active research participation of the respondents suggest the need for MSK disorder knowledge and management improvement in Sweden. Therefore, the SweMSK network may help facilitate effective collaboration and research efforts that can contribute to the advancement of MSK disorder management and care. This study may provide valuable insights for policymakers, clinicians, and researchers to improve MSK disorder care and management in Sweden.

Motor issues are frequently observed accompanying core deficits in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Impaired motor behavior has also been linked to cognitive and social abnormalities, and problems with predictive ability have been suggested to play an important, possibly shared, part across all these domains. Brain imaging of sensory-motor behavior is a promising method for characterizing the neurobiological foundation for this proposed key trait. The present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) developmental study, involving children/youth with ASD, typically developing (TD) children/youth, and neurotypical adults, will investigate brain activations during execution and observation of a visually guided, goal-directed sequential (two-step) manual task. Neural processing related to both execution and observation of the task, as well as activation patterns during the preparation stage before execution/observation will be investigated. Main regions of interest include frontoparietal and occipitotemporal cortical areas, the human mirror neuron system (MNS), and the cerebellum.

The purpose of this study was to investigate in what way occupational self-efficacy predicted the work-related stressors job demands, control and social support among human services workers (N=63). Furthermore, this study aimed to investigate if, and subsequently how, the predictions were moderated by age. Through a quantitative study, a web-based survey was distributed to closed Facebook-groups for workers in human services. The web-based survey contained a measure for occupational self-efficacy and a measure for job demands, control and social support. Additionally, age and other demographic questions were included. The results were analysed by three linear (simple) regression analyses which showed no statistically significant linear relationships between occupational self-efficacy and job demands, control or social support. Three moderation analyses found no statistically significant moderating effects by age on the predictions between occupational self-efficacy and job demands, control or social support. 

Emotional demands involve an expectation for individuals to control theiremotions and act appropriately for their professional role. This study aimed toinvestigate the relationship between perceived emotional demands and stress, as well asdifferences between male and female police officers. Quantitative data was collectedthrough surveys with 112 police officers. The aim was examined by measuring thedimensions of emotional demands, demands for hiding emotions, and stress based onthe COPSOQ instrument. The analysis was conducted using multiple regressionanalysis and two moderating hierarchical multiple regression analyses. The resultsshowed that emotional demands have a significant relationship with stress, but nosignificant relationship was found between demands for hiding emotions and stress. Nosignificant difference in the experience of emotional demands and demands for hidingemotions in relation to stress was observed between men and women. The studycontributes to the understanding of how work-related emotional demands can be linkedto stress and emphasizes the importance of counteracting emotional demands to reducestress within the police profession.

The purpose of the study was to investigate how individuals with access to flexible work arrangements (FWA) perceive their job satisfaction and whether computer skills had any impact on this relationship. Data collection was conducted through a Google survey questionnaire. The measurement instrument was based on MSQ to collect job satisfaction data and a questionnaire from a previous study regarding computer skills. The survey was then distributed to employees of a governmental agency for their responses. The study included 52 participants, whose responses were analysed using multiple regression analysis in SPSS, with computer skills used as a moderating variable, flexible work arrangements as an independent variable, and job satisfaction as a dependent variable. This aimed to explore any potential connection between job satisfaction and flexible work arrangements (FWA), as well as the influence of computer proficiency. The study's results revealed no significant correlation between FWA and job satisfaction. However, it was found that in the context of FWA, there was a significant correlation between computer proficiency and job satisfaction.

Background

Problem-solving interventions with workplace involvement (PSI-WPI) have been shown to reduce sick leave and increase return to work in an occupational health services context. However, many employees struggle with reduced work functioning, anxiety-, and depressive symptoms up to 12 months after a sick leave episode, and it is unclear if the intervention affects outcomes other than sick leave. The aim of this study is to investigate if a PSI-WPI added to care as usual (CAU) is superior to CAU with respect to self-reported sick leave, psychological symptoms, work ability, work performance, and health after RTW when provided in primary care.

Methods

Employed individuals aged 18–59 years on sick leave (2 to 12 weeks) diagnosed by a physician at a primary care center with mild to moderate depression, anxiety, or adjustment disorder were enrolled in a two-armed cluster-randomised trial evaluating the effectiveness of a PSI-WPI. Multiple outcomes were recorded at baseline, six months, 12 months, and every fourth week during the study period. Outcomes were categorised into psychological symptoms, health, work ability, work performance, and self-reported sick leave. Data were analysed using MANOVA, GEE (Generalized Estimating Equations), and cox regression.

Results

One hundred ninety-nine individuals responded to the invitation to participate; one participant withdrew, one was excluded as the employment ended, nine did not answer the baseline survey, and three were removed from the analysis due to missing data. The analysis included 81 subjects who received the intervention and 104 subjects who received the control. Baseline characteristics were similar across both groups. No differences between the groups were found among either variables except one. There was a significant difference between the groups in self-rated health (EQ5D) in favour of the CAU group from baseline to six-month follow-up, with a mean difference of -8.44 (-14.84, -2.04).

Conclusions

A problem-solving intervention with workplace involvement added to CAU did not result in statistically significant reductions in outcomes. Further research is needed to understand why problem-solving interventions appear to have an effect on sick leave in an occupational health services context and not in a primary care context.

Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur heltidsanställda upplevde sin arbetspsykologiska trygghet utifrån deras sociala relationer med kollegor och chefer. Det undersöktes även vilka specifika aspekter av relationerna med kollegor och chefer som heltidsanställda upplevde som mest betydelsefulla för deras arbetspsykologiska trygghet. Utifrån en semistrukturerad intervjuguide genomfördes åtta intervjuer. Insamlad data analyserades med hjälp av en induktiv tematisk analys. Resultatet visade att heltidsanställda upplevde arbetspsykologisk trygghet genom tre huvudteman. Varje huvudtema hade två underteman som var mest betydelsefulla för deras arbetspsykologiska trygghet. Ett huvudtema var relationsskapande, med två underteman, kamratskap och samhörighet. Tillgänglighet var ett annat viktigt huvudtema där underteman var närvaro och be om hjälp. Syns jag så finns jag, var det tredje huvudtemat som resultatet visade, där kommunikation och prestation och förväntningar var underteman.

The purpose of the study was to investigate unit managers' experiences of managing employee's psychological contracts after organizational changes. The study was based on eight qualitative interviews with unit managers within the same organization. Through a mixture of inductive and deductive thematic analysis, three main themes with associated subthemes emerged. Results showed that the respondents perceived communication as their most important tool for managing the psychological contract. It appeared that the respondents experienced differences in management depending on which employee the management concerned. Management was perceived as a balancing act, both in providing support during the revision of the contract and not becoming too emotionally affected, and in creating space for management after an organizational change. The conditions for management were also perceived to be influenced by the management's demands for delivery. Results showed that all respondent recognized the need to work with employees' psychological contracts and unspoken expectations after an organizational change.

Vid matchspel i lagidrott uppstår akut trötthet som drabbar muskelfunktionen hos deltagarna. Tidigare studier inom lagidrotter har visat skillnader mellan fysiska egenskaper och akut trötthet. Hur dessa skillnader visar sig hos bandyspelare är i dagsläget outforskat. Syfte och frågeställningar: Studien syftar till att undersöka hur aerob förmåga och muskelstyrka påverkar akut trötthet efter avslutad bandymatch bland bandyspelare i åldern 16-19 år. För att besvara studiens syfte utarbetades följande frågeställningar; Vilka skillnader finns det i akut trötthet hos bandyspelare i åldern 16-19 år med hög fysisk kapacitet och låg fysisk kapacitet sett till aerob förmåga och muskelstyrka? Vilka samband finns det mellan akut trötthet och aerob förmåga samt muskelstyrka hos bandyspelare i åldern 16-19 år? Metod: 15 stycken bandyspelare i åldrarna 16–19 år hemmahörande i två olika bandyföreningar i Sverige deltog i studien. Syfte och frågeställningar besvarades genom mätningar av fysiska egenskaperna, aerob förmåga och muskelstyrka. Fysiska egenskaperna analyserades genom skillnader och samband till studiens trötthetsmarkörer, som innefattade CMJ, laktat, upplevt mående och muskeltrötthet. Dessa markörer användes för att studera den akuta trötthet som uppstod efter en simulerad bandymatch. Resultat: Studien visade inte på någon skillnad mellan hög och låg fysisk kapacitet på deltagarnas akuta trötthet. Studien fann inte heller något signifikant samband mellan akut trötthet och aerob förmåga samt muskelstyrka. Något som antyder att aerob förmåga och muskelstyrka inte påverkar akut trötthet hos bandyspelare i åldrarna 16-19 år efter avslutad bandymatch.

Bakgrund: Trots den synliga framgången inom idrotten kan tävlingsångest vara en dold utmaning som potentiellt påverkar prestationen negativt. Könsskillnader på tävlingsångest är komplicerad och kan härledas till en kombination av biologiska, psykologiska och sociokulturella faktorer. För att hantera tävlingsångest och optimera prestationen kan flera metoder tillämpas för mental träning, som visualisering, coping-strategier, mindfulness och self-talk. Genom att förstå och hantera tävlingsångest kan atleter uppnå bättre resultat och bidra till en hälsosammare idrottsmiljö.

Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att belysa eventuella könsskillnader på upplevelsen av tävlingsångest hos atleter. Studien syftar även till att belysa potentiella faktorer som påverkar tävlingsångest samt potentiella åtgärder för att minska tävlingsångest hos atleter.

Metod: Studien är en strukturerad litteraturöversikt med en deskriptiv ansats. Fyra olika databaser (Medline, APA PsycInfo, Scopus, Cinahl) användes för att inhämta relevant litteratur, vilket resulterade i inkluderingen av totalt tretton artiklar.

Resultat: Resultaten tyder på att kvinnliga atleter rapporterade högre somatisk och kognitiv ångest samt lägre självförtroende än manliga atleter. Även ålder och erfarenhet är avgörande faktorer för tävlingsångest. Äldre och mer erfarna atleter visade lägre nivå av både somatisk och kognitiv ångest samt högre självförtroende. Flera åtgärder utforskades för att hantera tävlingsångest, inklusive self-talk och mental träning, vilket visade sig vara effektivt för att minska tävlingsångest och öka självförtroendet hos atleter.

Slutsats: En väsentlig betoning läggs på att individualisera interventioner för att hantera tävlingsångest utifrån enskilda behov och förutsättningar. Dessutom identifieras könsskillnader och individuella skillnader i upplevelsen av tävlingsångest, vilket bidrar till utformningen av skräddarsydda och effektiva stödåtgärder för atleter. För framtiden förespråkas en ökad forskningssatsning i Sverige där forskningsläget är otillräckligt.

This study aims to describe managers` experiences of working to promote the mental health of office employees. The sample in this study consists of six managers with work environment responsibility. Data material was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Based on the analyses, three main categories were identified. The results showed that the managers` described several factors to promote mental heath, such as an open work environment and present leadership. They worked with preventive measures to promote mental health, such as group activities and individual counseling. Finally, the results indicated that managers had different experiences and described severalchallenges in promoting mental health in the workplace, such as high workload, digitalization and lack of time. This study contribute with knowledge about how managers can work to promote mental health among office workers. It also raises awareness of factors that can enhance mental health in the workplace. The results can provide insights into the challenges managers face in promoting mental health, but also how managers can become more successfully in doing so and, hence, a more mentally sustanable working life can be achieved.

Gender differences in pain reporting and prevalence have been demonstrated. As gender of examiner also affects reporting of pain on palpation, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of examiner gender on palpation performance using three different palpation methods. Examiners of both genders were instructed on the correct technique for each palpation method by either a female or male instructor. The target was to achieve a pressure of 100 kPa, corresponding to the 1 kg of force for muscle palpation described in the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD). All examiners performed traditional palpation with the index finger, palpation with a palpometer, and a novel bimanual palpation with visual feedback, in a randomized order. The examiner's gender, and its interaction with the gender of the instructor did not significantly affect magnitude, accuracy, or precision of the pressure applied. The method of palpation was the only factor that significantly impacted all metrics. The palpometer achieved the lowest palpation magnitude (mean pressure applied = 113.7  kPa, 95% CI: 109.8–117.6), the highest accuracy (absolute difference = 15.7  kPa, 95% CI: 12.3–19.1), and the highest precision (mean coefficient of variation = 6.8, 95% CI: 6.0–7.6), followed by bimanual palpation and traditional palpation. The results suggest that gender differences in pain reporting in patients are not likely to be a result of the technical aspects associated with the gender of the examiner. Instead, these differences may be attributed to other factors, such as sociocultural influences.

Aim: The aim was to investigate and describe the social support that employed women desire in their workplace during pregnancy.

Method: This study was conducted as a qualitative interview study with an inductive approach. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who had experience of being employed during pregnancy. The collected data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. 

Results: Based on the analysis, three categories were identified. The study results indicated that emotional support from employers and colleagues was particularly important for the social support desired by pregnant employees. Additionally, information and workplace accommodations were identified as important aspects of the desired social support.

Conclusion: Acceptance from employers and colleagues is a prerequisite for being able to work during pregnancy. Employers often lack sufficient social support for pregnant employees and should therefore improve their workplace responsibility. Employers should utilize their empathic qualities to better accommodate pregnant employees' desires for emotional support.