Perceived Collective Use of Selection, Optimisation, and Compensation: Associations with Work Ability

Background: Individual use of selection, optimisation, and compensation (SOC) is positively associated with work ability; however, this association has never been explored at the group or leadership levels.Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the strength of associations between employee-rated use of SOC at the individual, group, and leadership levels and self-rated work ability among nurses. Method: A random sample of 2000 nurses were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey, among whom 785 responded.Results: Employee-rated use of SOC at the individual and group levels was positively associated with self-rated work ability when controlling for psychosocial working environment factors and health. The association was strongest at the group level.Conclusion: Efforts to enhance the collective use of SOC may prove beneficial to maintain the work ability of nurses and retain them in the profession

A review of smartphone applications designed to improve occupational health, safety, and well-being at workplaces

BACKGROUND: As smartphones become more widespread, software applications for occupational health, safety and well-being (OHS&W) at work are increasing. There is sparse knowledge about the available apps and the research evidence of their effects. This study aims to identify available smartphone applications designed to improve OHS&W at workplaces, and examine to what extent the apps are scientifically validated. METHODS: We searched the Danish App Store and Google Play for free OHS&W apps. Apps were included if they targeted OHS&W and were designed for workplace use. After categorizing the apps, we searched bibliographic databases to identify scientific studies on the ‘intervention apps’. RESULTS: Altogether, 57 apps were included in the study; 19 apps were categorized as digital sources of information, 37 apps contained an intervention designed for workplace changes, and one app had too sparse information to be classified. Based on the publicly available information about the 37 intervention apps, only 13 had references to research. The bibliographic database search returned 531 publications, resulting in four relevant studies referring to four apps aimed at ergonomic measures, noise exposure, and well-being, which showed either limited effect or methodological limitations. CONCLUSION: There is no conceptual clarity about what can be categorized as an OHS&W app. Although some of the apps were developed based on scientific research, there is a need to evaluate the apps’ effects in promoting OHS&W. The sparse documentation of evidence should be kept in mind when applying apps to improve OHS&W. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13821-6

Contextualizing Violence Prevention – How Contextual Aspects Influence the Implementation of a Violence Prevention Initiative in Prisons and Psychiatry

The aim of this study was to investigate which contextual aspects and mechanisms are decisive in the implementation of an integrated, tailored intervention to prevent violence and threats of violence from patients or inmates towards employees in psychiatric units and in prisons and detention centers. Based on a standardized implementation degree assessment of fidelity, reach and dose delivered, we selected two workplace cases from each sector, one with a high and one with a low implementation degree. Using a realist evaluation framework, we conducted a thematic analysis of the four selected workplace cases to identify prevalent contextual aspects and mechanisms underlying the implementation degree. We found that prioritization, synergy with parallel change processes, and intervention fit, were decisive mechanisms for the successful implementation of the intervention. We also found that lack of resources (staff instability, insufficient time, poor mental resources) and resource-demanding parallel change processes, were contextual aspects that “blocked” all mechanisms. That is, when resources were not available, none of the mechanisms for implementing the intervention was activated. Our findings point to the importance of investigating the role of contextual aspects when assessing the effectiveness of organizational interventions