The impact of shift-work and organizational climate on health outcomes in nurses

Shift workers have a higher rate of negative health outcomes than day shift workers. Few studies however, have examined the role of difference in workplace environment between shifts itself on such health measures. This study investigated variation in organizational climate across different types of shift work and health outcomes in nurses. Participants (n = 142) were nursing staff from a metropolitan Melbourne hospital. Demographic items elicited the type of shift worked, while the Work Environment Scale and the General Health Questionnaire measured organizational climate and health respectively. Analysis supported the hypotheses that different organizational climates occurred across different shifts, and that different organizational climate factors predicted poor health outcomes. Shift work alone was not found to predict health outcomes. Specifically, permanent night shift workers had significantly lower coworker cohesion scores compared with rotating day and evening shift workers and significantly higher managerial control scores compared with day shift workers. Further, coworker cohesion and involvement were found to be significant predictors of somatic problems. These findings suggest that differences in organizational climate between shifts accounts for the variation in health outcomes associated with shift work. Therefore, increased workplace cohesion and involvement, and decreased work pressure, may mitigate the negative health outcomes of shift workers

Digital safety plan effectiveness and use: Findings from a three-month longitudinal study

Few studies have examined the effectiveness of self-guided smartphone apps for suicide safety planning, despite their increasing use. Participants (n = 610) were self-selected users of the Beyond Now suicide prevention safety planning app with a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Surveys were completed (baseline, one and three months), safety plan content and app usage data was shared. Repeated-measures ANOVAs examined changes in suicidal ideation and suicide-related coping over three months. Multiple regression models were used to predict suicidal ideation and suicide-related coping at one- and three-month follow-ups with plan-related variables: perceived usefulness, personalised content, app use time and co-authoring of the plan with a third party. Significant reductions in suicidal ideation and increases in suicide-related coping were found over three months. Higher suicide-related coping at three months predicted lower suicidal ideation. Higher perceived usefulness and personalised content at three months were associated with higher suicide-related coping, but not suicidal ideation. App use time and co-authoring were not significantly related to suicidal ideation or suicide-related coping. Practitioners should empower clients to create safety plans with personalised (not generic) strategies that a client perceives to be useful. Such plans may strengthen beliefs about coping with suicidal ideation, which in turn reduces suicidal ideation over time

Editors’ response to Clarivate Analytics’ decision to suppress Body Image from receiving a 2019 Impact Factor

Editors’ response to Clarivate Analytics’ decision to suppress Body Image from receiving a 2019 Impact Facto