The impact of rescue work on mental health and private life tasks:How to protect health and effectiveness in private life tasks in a high risk job

This thesis aims to assess the impact of rescue work on the mental health and the functioning levels in the private lives of rescue workers. We aspire to inspire further research and the development of preventive diagnostic tools, which could further strengthen the mental health of rescue workers and improve the effective functioning in their private lives. It presents the theoretical essence of the concept 'life task' and a discussion of four practical studies. Research questions 1) How can we conceptualize the private life functioning of rescue workers, and develop an adequate measure? 2) How does the accumulation of critical incidents and other work characteristics (workload, social support) relate to mental health in rescue workers? 3) How does the accumulation of critical incidents and other work characteristics (workload, social support) relate to private life functioning in rescue workers? 4) By what process do the accumulations of critical incidents and other work characteristics influence private life functioning in rescue workers; more specifically, what is the role of mental health in this process? 5) Can preventive training improve the private life functioning of rescue workers and if so, which rescue workers benefit from such an intervention? Research method Cross-sectional. Most important conclusions 'Life tasks' are defined as the experienced effectiveness in developing one's life and their maintenance as 'pillars of mental health' (Chapter 2). The concept consists of the following elements: social life; maintaining of mental health; household and finance; giving meaning; positivity. The experienced effectiveness of the life tasks concerns the care and the responsibility to maintain these tasks. If they are being well sustained, they will provide a resource of good mental health and well-being. This requires discipline and pro-active behavior. This thesis describes the development of a Life Task Test, which was found to be a reliable and a valid instrument that consists of the following scales: social life, mental health, household and finance, giving meaning, positivity.The first study (Chapter 3) examines the impact of accumulated critical incidents and the workload of 67 rescue workers (police officers and medical emergency drivers). Although health problems do not appear to be affected, the accumulation of critical incidents does lead to an increase in the experienced workload. Social support from managers and colleagues does not appear to have any moderating effect.The second study (Chapter 4) describes the development of a reliable and valid instrument that measures the experienced effectiveness in life tasks. Subjects of this study are police officers, who are absent from work due to their mental health adversities. The following are noteworthy conclusions: the experienced workload is related to an experienced diminished effectiveness in mental health status and positivity levels; the experienced lack of support from the managers and colleagues is related to an experienced diminished effectiveness in mental health, giving meaning and positivity; Ruminating about work is related to a diminished effectiveness in mental health, giving meaning and positivity. Police officers, who report experiencing more health complaints, feel less effective in positivity and in maintaining their mental health. Personal negativity and somatisation is related to an experienced diminished effectiveness in all life tasks. An exception is negativism. It is unrelated to an experienced diminished effectiveness in the social life.The third study (Chapter 5) examines the mediating effect of mental health on the effectiveness in life tasks. Predictors are critical incidents and workload. This study was performed among 166 police officers, who are absent from work due to mental health problems. Results confirm the process of erosion. Mental health is undermined by an accumulation of critical incidents and it leads to a deterioration in the functioning levels in the life tasks.The fourth study (Chapter 6) inspects the effect of a preventive training on the mental condition in a highly demanding professional environment, by means of self-management tools. The research group consisted of 67 rescue workers (police officers and ambulance personnel), who participated in two sessions. No significant improvement could be established. A possible explanation could be that this group consisted of more experienced rescue workers, who may be less susceptible to such training. Additionally, it is possible that a preventive training leads to an increased awareness of healthy stress signals, which could result in lower scores in the experienced levels of improvement. Differential analyses show that the higher the score on critical incidents is, the lower the score will be on giving meaning and positivity. Age was a negative predictor for the life task household and finance and positivity. Most important recommendations Practical recommendations stress the importance of incorporating preventive tools in the daily routines in the professional and the private life of the rescue workers (Chapter 7). These may comprise of recovery time, sources of energy, appreciation, acquiring more control and influence in work (e.g. work schedules), improving work organization, giving meaning and maintaining positivity (professionally and personally). In practical terms this implies the monitoring of accumulation and arrangement of recovery time (to be initiated by management and/or the rescue worker); setting limits to time served in the front line (3 to 5 years at most for the heaviest duties); limiting irregular work shifts (no more night shifts over the age of 55); discussing with colleagues what one did correctly and what went well. It is recommended that maintaining self-care and self-management are incorporated in the professional training courses, at a time when the professional and private environment is secure and safe. One of the great pitfalls of this type of profession is the fact that actions and behaviors are dictated by dangerous circumstances and then they are transferred to the private life.In treating psychological problems, it is recommended to integrate the reinforcement of life tasks in the course of treatment. Improving the effectiveness in life tasks contributes to recovery. Additionally, while evaluating a regular list of complaints, one should take the 'underscore' response into consideration, due to the tendency of a strong self-representation among this population. The Life Task Test can transcend this issue and provide more insight into the actual functioning levels of the rescue worker.Prior to trauma treatment, it is recommended to determine the level of erosion and functioning in life tasks by means of a diagnostic interview and the Life Task Test, since intensive trauma treatment may lead to even more serious disturbance of an already fragile balance

Electromagnetic form factors of the (rho) meson in light cone QCD sum rules

We investigate the electromagnetic form factors of the (rho) meson in light cone QCD sum rules. We find that the ratio of the magnetic and charge form factors is larger than two at all values of Q^2, (Q^2 >= 0.5 GeV^2). The values of the individual form factors at fixed values of Q^2 predicted by the light cone QCD sum rules are quite different compared to the results of other approaches. These results can be checked in future, when more precise data on (rho) meson form factors is available.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, LaTeX formatte

The secret life of plant-beneficial rhizosphere bacteria: insects as alternative hosts

Root-colonizing bacteria have been intensively investigated for their intimate relationship with plants and their manifold plant-beneficial activities. They can inhibit growth and activity of pathogens or induce defence responses. In recent years, evidence has emerged that several plant-beneficial rhizosphere bacteria do not only associate with plants but also with insects. Their relationships with insects range from pathogenic to mutualistic and some rhizobacteria can use insects as vectors for dispersal to new host plants. Thus, the interactions of these bacteria with their environment are even more complex than previously thought and can extend far beyond the rhizosphere. The discovery of this secret life of rhizobacteria represents an exciting new field of research that should link the fields of plant–microbe and insect–microbe interactions. In this review, we provide examples of plant-beneficial rhizosphere bacteria that use insects as alternative hosts, and of potentially rhizosphere-competent insect symbionts. We discuss the bacterial traits that may enable a host-switch between plants and insects and further set the multi-host lifestyle of rhizobacteria into an evolutionary and ecological context. Finally, we identify important open research questions and discuss perspectives on the use of these rhizobacteria in agriculture

The impact of rescue work on mental health and private life tasks: How to protect health and effectiveness in private life tasks in a high risk job

This thesis aims to assess the impact of rescue work on the mental health and the functioning levels in the private lives of rescue workers. We aspire to inspire further research and the development of preventive diagnostic tools, which could further strengthen the mental health of rescue workers and improve the effective functioning in their private lives. It presents the theoretical essence of the concept 'life task' and a discussion of four practical studies. Research questions 1) How can we conceptualize the private life functioning of rescue workers, and develop an adequate measure? 2) How does the accumulation of critical incidents and other work characteristics (workload, social support) relate to mental health in rescue workers? 3) How does the accumulation of critical incidents and other work characteristics (workload, social support) relate to private life functioning in rescue workers? 4) By what process do the accumulations of critical incidents and other work characteristics influence private life functioning in rescue workers; more specifically, what is the role of mental health in this process? 5) Can preventive training improve the private life functioning of rescue workers and if so, which rescue workers benefit from such an intervention? Research method Cross-sectional. Most important conclusions 'Life tasks' are defined as the experienced effectiveness in developing one's life and their maintenance as 'pillars of mental health' (Chapter 2). The concept consists of the following elements: social life; maintaining of mental health; household and finance; giving meaning; positivity. The experienced effectiveness of the life tasks concerns the care and the responsibility to maintain these tasks. If they are being well sustained, they will provide a resource of good mental health and well-being. This requires discipline and pro-active behavior. This thesis describes the development of a Life Task Test, which was found to be a reliable and a valid instrument that consists of the following scales: social life, mental health, household and finance, giving meaning, positivity.The first study (Chapter 3) examines the impact of accumulated critical incidents and the workload of 67 rescue workers (police officers and medical emergency drivers). Although health problems do not appear to be affected, the accumulation of critical incidents does lead to an increase in the experienced workload. Social support from managers and colleagues does not appear to have any moderating effect.The second study (Chapter 4) describes the development of a reliable and valid instrument that measures the experienced effectiveness in life tasks. Subjects of this study are police officers, who are absent from work due to their mental health adversities. The following are noteworthy conclusions: the experienced workload is related to an experienced diminished effectiveness in mental health status and positivity levels; the experienced lack of support from the managers and colleagues is related to an experienced diminished effectiveness in mental health, giving meaning and positivity; Ruminating about work is related to a diminished effectiveness in mental health, giving meaning and positivity. Police officers, who report experiencing more health complaints, feel less effective in positivity and in maintaining their mental health. Personal negativity and somatisation is related to an experienced diminished effectiveness in all life tasks. An exception is negativism. It is unrelated to an experienced diminished effectiveness in the social life.The third study (Chapter 5) examines the mediating effect of mental health on the effectiveness in life tasks. Predictors are critical incidents and workload. This study was performed among 166 police officers, who are absent from work due to mental health problems. Results confirm the process of erosion. Mental health is undermined by an accumulation of critical incidents and it leads to a deterioration in the functioning levels in the life tasks.The fourth study (Chapter 6) inspects the effect of a preventive training on the mental condition in a highly demanding professional environment, by means of self-management tools. The research group consisted of 67 rescue workers (police officers and ambulance personnel), who participated in two sessions. No significant improvement could be established. A possible explanation could be that this group consisted of more experienced rescue workers, who may be less susceptible to such training. Additionally, it is possible that a preventive training leads to an increased awareness of healthy stress signals, which could result in lower scores in the experienced levels of improvement. Differential analyses show that the higher the score on critical incidents is, the lower the score will be on giving meaning and positivity. Age was a negative predictor for the life task household and finance and positivity. Most important recommendations Practical recommendations stress the importance of incorporating preventive tools in the daily routines in the professional and the private life of the rescue workers (Chapter 7). These may comprise of recovery time, sources of energy, appreciation, acquiring more control and influence in work (e.g. work schedules), improving work organization, giving meaning and maintaining positivity (professionally and personally). In practical terms this implies the monitoring of accumulation and arrangement of recovery time (to be initiated by management and/or the rescue worker); setting limits to time served in the front line (3 to 5 years at most for the heaviest duties); limiting irregular work shifts (no more night shifts over the age of 55); discussing with colleagues what one did correctly and what went well. It is recommended that maintaining self-care and self-management are incorporated in the professional training courses, at a time when the professional and private environment is secure and safe. One of the great pitfalls of this type of profession is the fact that actions and behaviors are dictated by dangerous circumstances and then they are transferred to the private life.In treating psychological problems, it is recommended to integrate the reinforcement of life tasks in the course of treatment. Improving the effectiveness in life tasks contributes to recovery. Additionally, while evaluating a regular list of complaints, one should take the 'underscore' response into consideration, due to the tendency of a strong self-representation among this population. The Life Task Test can transcend this issue and provide more insight into the actual functioning levels of the rescue worker.Prior to trauma treatment, it is recommended to determine the level of erosion and functioning in life tasks by means of a diagnostic interview and the Life Task Test, since intensive trauma treatment may lead to even more serious disturbance of an already fragile balance

Integrated smart control of heating, cooling, ventilation, daylighting and electrical lighting in buildings

The present energy consumption of European Buildings is higher than necessary, given the developments in control engineering. Optimization and integration of smart control into building systems can save substantial quantities of energy on a European scale while improving the standards for indoor comfort. Many tools are available for the simulation of one or some of the following aspects: (1) heating, cooling and indoor thermal comfort, (2) ventilation and indoor air quality, (3) daylighting, electrical lighting and light quality, (4) installations, local control and fault detection, (5) Genetic optimized Neuro-Fuzzy control. The interaction between these aspects, however, is very relevant and cannot be neglected. Therefore, an integrated software tool is required. TNO together with the University of Delft develops such an integrated tool partly within the EU-Joule project EDIFICIO. This paper describes the first version of this new tool

Hoe mensen werken : Een praktijkboek voor leidinggevenden

Met hard werken is niets mis, als er maar gelegenheid is voor herstel. In Hoe mensen werken geven de auteurs aan hoe je als leidinggevende werknemers kunt helpen in balans te blijven. Werkgevers zijn namelijk sinds kort verplicht mee te werken aan het herstel van werknemers met psychische problematiek. (Psychologie) Een loopbaan start met wensen en verwachtingen van medewerker en leidinggevende. Deze worden al dan niet direct uitgesproken. Voor een succesvolle match tussen persoon, functie en organisatie wordt vooraf steeds vaker gekeken naar competenties. Deze geven zicht op de mate van geschiktheid voor het werk en hebben een voorspellende waarde voor een effectief functioneren in de toekomst. Echter de mate van succes of stagnatie in het werk wordt bepaald door meer dan kennis en vaardigheden. Hier wordt gedoeld op het samenspel tussen medewerker, leidinggevende, werk, organisatie en prive-leven. Daarnaast is het cruciaal te weten hoe de medewerker omgaat met zichzelf, met de ander en met eisen\verwachtingen vanuit de werkomgeving. Hoe is zijn gebruiksaanwijzing? Of zoals een leidinggevende vertelde: 'Als ik een CD-speler koop, krijg ik de handleiding erbij: de gebruiksaanwijzing van de medewerker moet ik met vallen en opstaan leren kennen'. Hoe mensen werken geeft u een visie en aanpak die het mogelijk maken het vallen te beperken en te komen tot actieve positieve samenwerking met uw medewerker. Ook bij stagnatie in functioneren en psychisch verzuim. We richten ons in dit boek op de leidinggevende en HR-manager. Het boek is echter geschikt voor een ieder die beroepshalve te maken heeft met de werkende mens. Het bijzondere van dit boek is dat het een integrale benadering biedt vanuit de klinische en arbeid- en organisatiepsychologie. De auteurs maken zowel gebruik van wetenschappelijke inzichten als van hun praktijkervaring

Coal mining governance in Indonesia: Legal uncertainty and contestation

Coal production and coal export are important elements of the Indonesian economy, but mining operations are frequently plagued by conflicts among companies or between companies and local communities. In this article, we consider the role law plays in these conflicts and argue that it is, in fact, a factor that causes conflict. This is because mining governance rests with different levels and institutions of government, which has divided and delegated government authority and efficiency, and because revisions of relevant laws fail to take this complexity into account. Coal mining governance is therefore hampered by the inconsistency, ambiguity and incompleteness of the law, causing legal uncertainty for the stakeholders. Making use of cases encountered during research in the province of East Kalimantan, a major coal-producing area, we discuss the causes and consequences of the current state of coal mining legislation

The effect of strain rate on hydrogen distribution in round tensile specimens

Round bars under tensile loading are modelled using coupled diffusion elastic-plastic finite element analyses based on a hydrogen transport model. High strain rates result in low hydrogen concentrations in lattice sites, while low strain rates result in high hydrogen concentrations in lattice sites. This could be an explanation why at slow tensile tests a low ductility is observed while this is not observed at high strain rates. However, no unique criterion for the ductility based on the hydrogen concentration and the strain rate could be derived. © 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved

Environmental management of coal mining areas in Indonesia: The complexity of supervision

This article examines the complexity of supervising the environmental management of coal mining operations in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. We found that the current cross-sectoral and multi-level arrangement of mining supervision leads to uncertain regulations on supervising the environmental management of coal mining operations. This study also shows that incomplete provisions lead to a legal vacuum at the implementation level. Inconsistent, ambiguous, and vague norms cause uncertainty and different understandings of performing supervision of environmental management in coal mining areas. Moreover, supervisors are limited by a lack of capacity, funding, and personnel. Mining and environmental inspectors tend not to follow up on environmental damage if permit holders assure them of their intentions to address such issues. We conclude that mining permit holders benefit most from this situation, while local populations and the environment are most at risk of being negatively affected