ABSTRACT
Working outside of the employer's physical space using information and communication technology can be labeled as telework. With the Covid-19 pandemic, telework assumed an unprecedented relevance with substantial impact for the future. Therefore, the development of assessment scales that allow a better comprehension of telework is essential. In this study, the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Impact of Telework on Career Scale (ITCS) were assessed tested on 533 workers, and confirmatory analyses were performed on 532 remote workers. Results suggested good psychometric properties and a two-factor structure, Work-Related Well-Being, and Psychological Well-Being. Furthermore, this Portuguese sample considered that telework has little impact on the connection with colleagues, employers, and the probability of being promoted, but it can promote work-related satisfaction and performance, as well as reduce work-family conflict. Implications for scale usage are discussed.
ABSTRACT
Working outside of the employer's physical space using information and communication technology can be labeled as telework. With the Covid-19 pandemic, telework assumed an unprecedented relevance with substantial impact for the future. Therefore, the development of assessment scales that allow a better comprehension of telework is essential. In this study, the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Impact of Telework on Career Scale (ITCS) were assessed tested on 533 workers, and confirmatory analyses were performed on 532 remote workers. Results suggested good psychometric properties and a two-factor structure, Work-Related Well-Being, and Psychological Well-Being. Furthermore, this Portuguese sample considered that telework has little impact on the connection with colleagues, employers, and the probability of being promoted, but it can promote work-related satisfaction and performance, as well as reduce work-family conflict. Implications for scale usage are discussed. © 2022 AIDEP. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak to be a global pandemic. Restrictions were imposed to mitigate the transmission of the virus, and people's daily routines were interrupted. This exposed both cat caregivers and, potentially, their cats to additional stress factors, such as psychosocial stress. Lower urinary tract signs (LUTS) are common in domestic cats and can include some or different combinations of the following clinical signs: dysuria, haematuria, periuria, pollakiuria, stranguria and obstruction. Environmental and management factors, such as indoor environments and an increase in stressors, have been identified as predisposing factors to LUTS. This retrospective study attempted to assess the effects of the pandemic and cat caregiver's confinement at home, which may be considered a stressor, thus triggering more cases of LUTS in cats. The study included 298 cats that were presented to the Veterinary Hospital of Associaicao Zoofila Portuguesa, Lisbon, between 2019 and 2021. A group from the pre-pandemic period (PPP;control group) contained 142 cats and a group from the period during the pandemic (PDP;study group) contained 156 cats. In the PDP group there were decreases in LUTS relapses and subsequent obstructions (P <0.01) and mortality rate (P <0.05) compared with the PPP group. A statistically significant difference was also observed in terms of the number of episodes of LUTS, with the PPP group associated with two episodes and the PDP group more frequently seen with only one episode (P <0.01). The results appear to demonstrate a positive effect of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic on LUTS. This is perhaps owing to the increased wellbeing of the cats due to the increased amount of time caregivers spent with their cats. This might mean they were better able to observe and meet their cats' needs, thus reducing the cats' stress during the period of the pandemic-related restrictions.
ABSTRACT
Brazil confirmed the first Covid-19 case in February 2020, in a framework of a massive introduction of neoliberal policies which worsen the potential to tackle the problem, especially, health, food and nutrition security and social assistance policies for vulnerable populations. In the absence of the State, civil society initiated a process of (re)constructing social participation actions to fight hunger in Brazil, either spontaneously or through organizations. Objective To identify and reflect about civil society's initiatives to curb hunger in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil. Methods In order to identify society's initiatives to fight hunger, two independent systematic searches were conducted in the Google (R) search engine using the following keywords: "covid civil society initiatives" and "hunger pandemic solidarity campaign". Results Fourteen nationwide civil society-promoted initiatives were identified, that among their objectives aimed at fostering collective funding to purchase and distribute foods. Conclusion Brazilian society has been historically sensitive to the hunger problem and shows solidarity as a social value. Nevertheless, the State is legally bound to provide food, as a social right.
ABSTRACT
Brazil confirmed the first Covid-19 case in February 2020, in a framework of a massive introduction of neoliberal policies which worsen the potential to tackle the problem, especially, health, food and nutrition security and social assistance policies for vulnerable populations. In the absence of the State, civil society initiated a process of (re)constructing social participation actions to fight hunger in Brazil, either spontaneously or through organizations. Objective To identify and reflect about civil society's initiatives to curb hunger in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic in Brazil. Methods In order to identify society's initiatives to fight hunger, two independent systematic searches were conducted in the Google® search engine using the following keywords: “covid civil society initiatives” and “hunger pandemic solidarity campaign”. Results Fourteen nationwide civil society-promoted initiatives were identified, that among their objectives aimed at fostering collective funding to purchase and distribute foods. Conclusion Brazilian society has been historically sensitive to the hunger problem and shows solidarity as a social value. Nevertheless, the State is legally bound to provide food, as a social right.