Master\u27s Recital

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Internet-Based Health and Well-Being Interventions in a Working Population

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effectiveness of educational email interventions in improving employee health. Employees' levels of workaholism, work stress, job satisfaction, and physical health were investigated. Additionally, self-efficacy and mindfulness were tested as moderators to the hypothesized intervention-health outcome relationship. Results indicated a significant decrease in fast food consumption following an intervention for the entire sample. When comparing treatment groups, no differences in the hypothesized direction were found on all health outcome variables. Self-efficacy and mindfulness did not moderate the hypothesized relationship. Additional results included an increase in alcohol consumption in the experimental group, relationships between self-efficacy and work stress, fast food consumption, and exercise frequency, and a relationship between mindfulness and work stress. The practical implications of these results are discussed and include suggesting that organizations carefully scrutinize employee health interventions prior to implementation to ensure sound methodological characteristics.  M.A

The Tree to Success: Using Decision Tree Analysis to Predict Employee Performance and Health

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the relative advantages and disadvantages of a novel statistical technique within the context of personnel decision-making. Specifically, the use of decision tree analysis was examined regarding its potential benefits over binary logistic regression. Using Monte Carlo simulation, a series of data sets were generated based on meta-analytic correlation matrices representing the topics of (1) employee performance and (2) employee health. Each data set was analyzed via both decision tree analysis and binary logistic regression with subsequent comparisons being made concerning model validity, adverse impact, and interpretability. Overall, decision tree analysis demonstrated a variety of benefits over the more traditional method. In general, decision tree analysis produced predictive models that possessed nearly equivalent levels of validity as models produced by logistic regression. Of greater importance, the majority of decision tree analysis models produced no adverse impact, whereas logistic regression models were largely associated with discriminatory results. Lastly, decision tree analysis models were generally more parsimonious and interpretable than the competing logistic regression models. The practical implications of these results are discussed and suggest that the use decision tree analysis holds the potential to greatly improve the way in which organizations make decisions regarding the productivity and health of employees

Labour Market Regulation and Foreign Direct Investment : Regional and Industrial Policy Research Paper Number 22

The effects of EU social dimension measures on foreign investment are limited to date. Few measures have been implemented and in most cases, they only affect a small proportion of mobile investment. More concern has been expressed about potential areas of future EU action - such as atypical employment or national level information and consultation. Furthermore, the UK opt-out has not altered FDI patterns greatly. Overall, it seems that differences in national regulatory frameworks have either not been significantly changed by current EU measures or firms are more interested in these differences than the application of EU policies. However, questions remain though about the extent to which social dimension regulation at the EU level is preventing 'social dumping' occurring in labour standards at the individual plant and company level

An Email-Based Workplace Health Intervention: Failures, Lessons Learned, and Guidance for Future Research

A brief email-based workplace health intervention aimed at modifying employee well-being was evaluated. Data were collected from 346 faculty and staff members. A unique set of outcomes (workaholism, work stress, job satisfaction) and moderators (self-efficacy, mindfulness) were utilized. The interventions failed to produce significant behavior changes in the targeted outcomes. Future investigators should examine the amount of active participation to provide insight on inactive participants and the appropriate amount of time needed for effective interventions. To accomplish health goals in holistic Employee Assistance Programs, increased levels of tailoring to employee’s needs should be implemented when using non-intrusive email-based workplace interventions

Challenging Industry to Innovate! How the Government Can Apply Transparency, Collaboration, Unencumbered Communication, and Dynamic Engagement Through Challenge-Based Acquisition

Symposium PresentationApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

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A Content Analysis of Psychological Resilience Among First Responders and the General Population

The current study examined how first responders and the general population described the concept of resilience. Categories of resilience were coded a priori using Stemler’s content analysis. For the general population, positive coping was the most frequently occurring category followed by social support and adaptability. The next most frequently occurring terms were societal resources and personal competence. Consistent with the general population, first responders described resilience most frequently with positive coping. Social support was the next most frequently occurring category, followed by personal competence, perseverance, emotional regulation, and physical fitness. Although both the general population and first responder participants highlighted the importance of having a support network, first responders suggested that dealing with traumatic experiences was more of an individual process, and seeking professional help was not common practice. Implications for mental health professionals and future directions for research are offered.ECU Open Access Publishing Support Fun

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Disparities in Healthy Food Zoning, Farmers\u27 Market Availability, and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among North Carolina Residents

Background: Context and purpose of the study. To examine (1) associations between county-level zoning to support farmers\u27 market placement and county-level farmers\u27 market availability, rural/urban designation, percent African American residents, and percent of residents living below poverty and (2) individual-level associations between zoning to support farmers\u27 markets; fruit and vegetable consumption and body mass index (BMI) among a random sample of residents of six North Carolina (NC) counties. Methods: Zoning ordinances were scored to indicate supportiveness for healthy food outlets. Number of farmers\u27 markets (per capita) was obtained from the NC-Community Transformation Grant Project Fruit and Vegetable Outlet Inventory (2013). County-level census data on rural/urban status, percent African American, and percent poverty were obtained. For data on farmers\u27 market shopping, fruit and vegetable consumption, and BMI, trained interviewers conducted a random digit dial telephone survey of residents of six NC counties (3 urban and 3 rural). Pearson correlation coefficients and multilevel linear regression models were used to examine county-level and individual-level associations between zoning supportiveness, farmers\u27 market availability, and fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI. Results: At the county-level, healthier food zoning was greater in more urban areas and areas with less poverty. At the individual-level, self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with healthier food zoning. Conclusions: Disparities in zoning to promote healthy eating should be further examined, and future studies should assess whether amending zoning ordinances will lead to greater availability of healthy foods and changes in dietary behavior and health outcomes