The Effect of Employee Appreciation Methods on Job Satisfaction of Higher Education Support Staff

Almost 80% of U.S. companies have an employee recognition program. Although there is a great deal of research on the factors that affect employees\u27 job satisfaction in general, little is known about the effect of employee appreciation methods on support staff\u27s job satisfaction within higher education institutions. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the effect of seven employee appreciation methods on the job satisfaction of support staff within higher education institutions. The study\u27s theoretical framework consisted of Abraham Maslow’s theory of motivation, Victor Vroom’s expectancy theory, Frederick Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory, and Arne Kallenberg’s theory of job satisfaction. Survey data provided by a sample of 241 participants were used to test the eight study hypotheses. The results of t tests showed that each of the seven types of employee appreciation methods significantly influenced support staff\u27s job satisfaction. The result of the ANOVA test on all seven employee appreciation methods collectively led to a rejection of the null hypothesis, as there were significant differences between the mean job satisfaction scores for some of the employee appreciation methods, with not having an employee appreciation method having the least effect on job satisfaction and using verbal one-on-one appreciation methods having the highest effect. By implementing the findings of this study, organizational leaders and managers could demonstrate their compassion and concern for the well-being of support staff, thus creating positive social change for these employees as well as the customers and other stakeholders they deal with in higher education institutions

The Effect of Employee Appreciation Methods on Job Satisfaction of Higher Education Support Staff

Almost 80% of U.S. companies have an employee recognition program. Although there is a great deal of research on the factors that affect employees\u27 job satisfaction in general, little is known about the effect of employee appreciation methods on support staff\u27s job satisfaction within higher education institutions. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine the effect of seven employee appreciation methods on the job satisfaction of support staff within higher education institutions. The study\u27s theoretical framework consisted of Abraham Maslow’s theory of motivation, Victor Vroom’s expectancy theory, Frederick Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory, and Arne Kallenberg’s theory of job satisfaction. Survey data provided by a sample of 241 participants were used to test the eight study hypotheses. The results of t tests showed that each of the seven types of employee appreciation methods significantly influenced support staff\u27s job satisfaction. The result of the ANOVA test on all seven employee appreciation methods collectively led to a rejection of the null hypothesis, as there were significant differences between the mean job satisfaction scores for some of the employee appreciation methods, with not having an employee appreciation method having the least effect on job satisfaction and using verbal one-on-one appreciation methods having the highest effect. By implementing the findings of this study, organizational leaders and managers could demonstrate their compassion and concern for the well-being of support staff, thus creating positive social change for these employees as well as the customers and other stakeholders they deal with in higher education institutions

Shipbuilding integration

The build cycle of a first in class combat ship takes about six years. During that timeframe, systems are being designed, installed, and tested, but, until the ship is in the water and tested at sea trials, it is not known if the ship is fully integrated and will actually work. As time progresses, integration problems become harder and more expensive to solve. Every time a new system is added or upgraded, there may be interference from another system that was not anticipated. It is important to test and verify each system, but there is limited time and resources to do so. By successfully planning and performing systems integration at the correct time of the acquisition cycle, it is possible to reduce the chance of system failure. This thesis explains and establishes a process for designing and building a fully integrated combat ship by first defining systems integration for the customer and the shipbuilder and explaining why performing systems integration is important.http://archive.org/details/shipbuildinginte109451841Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Recruiting Family and Consumer Sciences Volunteers

The purpose of the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) volunteer program is to build a network of advocates in counties across the state to support Extension FCS programming. This presentation will provide information to Extension FCS educators and program coordinators so they will be able to successfully recruit volunteers in their own county for 2018. The volunteer program recruits volunteers to be advocates, promoters and teachers. We will explain the roles and responsibilities of each type of volunteer and give examples of how volunteers have worked in counties. Information will be provided on how to access the volunteer website, application materials and resources for recruiting, selecting and interviewing of volunteers. Current volunteer supervisors will be sharing success stories from our first 2017 class of volunteers. Expertise of presenters reflect their experience in recruiting, training and partnering with community volunteers.AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Linnette Goard, Family and Consumer Sciences Volunteer Coordinator, The Ohio State University Extension, [email protected] (Corresponding Author); Joanna Fifner, Educator, The Ohio State University Extension; Michelle Treber, Educator, The Ohio State University Extension; Tammy Jones, Educator, The Ohio State University Extension; Shannon Carter, Educator, The Ohio State University Extension.This information is for Extension educators and program coordinators who are interested in recruiting family and consumer sciences volunteers for 2018. Learn about the successes and challenges of the first year and how the process will proceed moving forward. We will share application materials and resources for recruiting, selecting and interviewing potential volunteers. Learn how to navigate the volunteer recruiting process from those who have been successful

Does Resistance Training Reduce Falls and Improve Quality of Life in People with Parkinson’s Disease using Strength Training Exercise Programmes?

Background: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder behind Alzheimer’s, affecting around 1% of the population over 50 years old. PD is associated with inhibited motor functions including tremors, muscle rigidity, impaired posture, bradykinesia (slowed movement) and loss of balance. Physical activity is thought to be one of the most important non-pharmacological strategies to target and improve the management of motor symptoms of PD. Objective: To identify the effect of Strength Training (ST) on Falls and Quality of Life (QOL) on people suffering with PD. Method: A systematic search of AMED, Cinahl, Cinhal Plus, CSP Online Library Catalogue, Medline and SportDiscus was conducted; articles were searched until November 2018. Results: Eleven studies were included in this review, with a total of 549 participants of which 539 had a confirmed diagnosis of PD, 10 did not. All eleven included studies were randomised control trials. The training volume including repetitions, sets, frequency and intensity varied between all studies. Interventions showed positive trends in reducing the proportion of fallers and improving QOL Scores. Conclusion: There is some evidence to show that ST is effective at improving strength in People with Parkinson’s Disease (PwPD) and has some passover effects in reducing falls and improving QOL. Future research is required to determine if optimum guideline training volumes for PwPD better support the secondary effects on falls and QOL

Group cognitive stimulation therapy versus usual care for people with intellectual disabilities and dementia (CST-IDD) in the UK: protocol for a mixed-methods feasibility randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of dementia is almost five times higher in people with intellectual disabilities compared with the general population. However, evidence-based treatments for this population are lacking, as most randomised controlled trials for dementia interventions have not included people with intellectual disabilities. Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) has a robust evidence base in the general dementia population, consistently showing benefits to cognition, quality of life and being cost-effective. We are conducting a mixed-methods feasibility trial of group CST for people with intellectual disabilities and dementia, to determine if a future definitive randomised controlled trial is feasible. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Fifty individuals with intellectual disabilities and dementia will be randomised to either the intervention arm (14 sessions of group CST plus treatment as usual) or the control arm (treatment as usual). Randomisation will occur after informed consent has been obtained and baseline assessments completed. Each arm will have 25 participants, with the intervention arm divided into five or more CST groups with three to five participants in each. The outcomes will be feasibility of recruitment, acceptability and adherence of the intervention, suitability of study outcome measures and feasibility of collecting resource use data. Quantitative and qualitative approaches, including semistructured interviews with group participants, carers and group facilitators, will be employed to assess these outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by Essex REC (Ref: 21/EE/027) and the HRA ethical approval process through the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS ID: 306 756). We plan to publish the results in peer-reviewed journals and conferences as well as provide feedback to funders, sponsors and study participants. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN88614460

PROTOCOL: What is the effect of intergenerational activities on the wellbeing and mental health of older people?

This is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. The objectives are as follows: This systematic review will examine the impact of intergenerational interventions on the mental health and wellbeing of older people and will identify areas for future research as well as key messages for service commissioners

What is the effect of intergenerational activities on the wellbeing and mental health of older people?: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Opportunities for social connection between generations have diminished over the last few decades around the world as a result of changes in the way that we live and work. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated loneliness for many with young and old being kept apart for safety. The Public Health England prevention concordat for better mental health (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities) aims to bring a prevention-focused approach to improving public mental health. The concordat promotes evidence-based planning and commissioning to increase the impact on reducing health inequalities using sustainable and cost-effective interventions that impact on the wider determinants of mental health and wellbeing for children and young people and older people. Intergenerational activities could provide an opportunity to support both populations. In 2023, we produced an evidence and gap map to illustrate the amount and variety of research on intergenerational interventions and the gaps in research that still exist in this area. The review conducted here is based on the evidence in that map. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review examines the impact of intergenerational interventions on the wellbeing and mental health of older people and identifies areas for future research as well as key messages for service commissioners. SEARCH METHODS: We searched an evidence and gap map published in 2022 (comprehensive searches conducted July 2021 and updated June 2023) to identify randomised controlled trials of intergenerational interventions that report mental health and wellbeing outcomes for older people. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials of intergenerational interventions that involved unrelated younger and older people with at least one skipped generation between them and reported mental health or wellbeing outcomes for older people were included in this review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Campbell Collaboration. We conducted data extraction and Cochrane risk of bias assessments in EPPI reviewer. Where data allowed meta-analyses were conducted in STATA. MAIN RESULTS: This review includes 14 trials from six different countries. The trials had some important methodological weaknesses. Interventions were mainly delivered in-person and often in groups. They included visiting programmes, school volunteering programmes, music-based interventions and task-oriented interventions such as activities set in a multigenerational park, reminiscing activities, aggression management programmes, learning a language, making local environmental changes and in-school project work. Intergenerational interventions showed a small positive trend towards improving self-esteem (effect size [ES]: 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.35, 1.01) and depression (ES: 0.19, 95% CI: -0.23, 0.60) for older people participating. However, due to the small study sizes and low number of studies available, we cannot be confident about any effects. The results for other mental health and wellbeing outcomes are reported but due to little overlap in similar assessments across the studies, we could not combine them to assess the strength of evidence. There were no data about social isolation, spiritual health or sense of community. There are no long-term studies and no data on equity. We still know very little about what works and how or why. Whilst some interventions do use theories and logic to inform their development others do not. More exploration of this is needed. AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: Commissioners and intervention developers should ensure interventions provide sufficient theoretical evidence for the logic behind the proposed intervention and should improve their consideration of equity within the interventions Research on intergenerational interventions need more consistent and agreed measures for reporting outcomes including community outcomes (core outcome sets). More understanding is needed on how best to measure 'community' outcomes. Research on intergenerational interventions should measure outcomes for BOTH the older and younger population engaged in the intervention-these may or may not be the same outcomes reflected in both populations. Further research is needed on the long-term impact of interventions on outcomes (whether participants need to keep being involved in an 'intervention' to continue to benefit) and sustainability of interventions beyond the initial funding of the research project. Supporting this our stakeholders highlighted that interventions that are initiated for research and then end (usually within a year) are not helpful