Psychometric Validity of the Areas of Work Life Scale (AWS) in Teachers and Healthcare Workers in México.

The areas of work life scale (AWS) has shown to be a suitable marker of perceived fit between employees' abilities and the psychosocial demands of the job, but validation studies are practically nonexistent in the Latino population. The purpose of this study was twofold: firstly, to examine the factor structure, reliability, and invariance between sex and occupation of the AWS scale, and secondly, to test the AWS-burnout relationship within the framework of the structural mediational model proposed by Leiter and Maslach (2005). N = 305 health workers and N = 324 teachers from different work settings answered the AWS and MBI-GS scales. In this study, 64.4% of the participants were females (N = 405), and the mean age was 34.7 (sd = 11.7, rank = 56). Robust methods for statistical analyses were used. The results showed that the original version had marginal fit indices due to a method effect (negative phrasing items), and when seven negative items were removed, a final best model was found (CFI = 0.997; RMSEA = 0.060; SRMRu = 0.047). Non-invariance between occupation and sex was found, and the internal consistency was from marginal to satisfactory (ω = 0.658 to 0.840). The mediational structural model tested confirmed the expected associations between AWS and burnout. In conclusion, the Mexican translation of the AWS in its 22-reduced version showed reliability and validity in Mexican work contexts, specifically in healthcare workers and teachers.

Neuroticism, negative life events, and dementia in older White and Black Brazilians.

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to negative life events (NLEs) and neuroticism are associated with dementia. It is unknown whether neuroticism explains or modifies the association of NLEs with dementia in older Black and White Brazilians. METHODS: A total of 1747 decedents 65 years and older White and Black (11% Black and 23% Mixed) Brazilians, 53% women, were included in the analyses. Data were obtained in a face-to-face interview with an informant (71% their children) who knew the decedents for 47 years on average. Dementia was classified using the Clinical Dementia Rating. NLEs were assessed with a 10-item scale involving common problems (e.g., death, illness, alcoholism, and financial). Neuroticism was assessed with a 6-item neuroticism scale adapted from the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Models adjusted for age, sex, and education. Black and mixed-race were combined in the analyses. RESULTS: NLEs (median of 2) were more common in Blacks than Whites (2.04 vs. 1.82, p = 0.007). More NLEs increased the odds of dementia (OR = 1.112, ß = 0.106, p = 0.002), similarly in Blacks and Whites (ß interaction  = 0.046, p = 0.526). More NLEs were also associated with higher neuroticism (ß = 0.071, p < 0.0001), in Whites but not in Blacks (ß interaction  = -0.048, p = 0.006). Neuroticism was associated with higher odds of dementia (OR = 1.658, ß = 0.506, p=<0.001), in Whites but not in Blacks (ß interaction  = -0.420, p = 0.040). Overall, 34% of the effect of NLEs on dementia was associated with the underlying neuroticism trait in Whites (65%, Indirect OR = 1.060, p < 0.001) but no association was evident in Blacks (6%, Indirect OR = 1.008, p = 0.326). Neuroticism did not moderate the association of NLEs with dementia (OR = 0.979, ß = -0.021, p = 0.717). CONCLUSION: The association of NLEs and dementia is partially explained by neuroticism in older White but not in Blacks Brazilians.

Working Time Society consensus statements: Psychosocial stressors relevant to the health and wellbeing of night and shift workers.

This consensus report summarizes the negative impact of work-related psychosocial factors and job stressors on the health and wellbeing of shift workers. Psychosocial factors may (a) directly affect work schedules or (b) mediate or moderate relationships between work schedules, circadian factors, and health. In this paper, prominent psychosocial models (e.g. Job Strain and Effort-Reward Imbalance) are used to help assess detrimental effects, including pathophysiologic outcomes. Several studies indicate the psychosocial environment can be more problematic for shift workers compared to regular day workers. This is likely due to shift worker's experiencing greater risks of low job control, high physical work demands, lower support from supervisors, and greater levels of over-commitment. Workplace violence is another frequently encountered psychosocial stressor for shift workers more likely to be in regular contact with the general public, such as police officers, security personnel, professional drivers, and other service employees being at elevated risk. A large body of literature confirms night and irregular shift schedules increase risk for injury. Non-diurnal schedules can trigger and worsen such incidents, especially under unsafe conditions. The problem of workplace violence for shift workers, in terms of severity and consequences, is probably underestimated, especially when present among other occupational stressors. Practical considerations and recommendations for action to mitigate the detrimental effects of psychosocial stressors on night and shift workers are presented.

Autoestima en estudiantes de medicina de la universidad nacional de Asunción, Paraguay / Self-esteem in medical students of the national university of Asunción, Paraguay

Introducción: Autoestima puede ser definida como el desarrollo de la convicción de que uno es competente para vivir y merece la felicidad, es por tanto capaz de enfrentar la vida con confianza, benevolencia y optimismo lo cual ayuda a alcanzar las metas. Materiales y método: Fue un estudio observacional descriptivo con corte transverso con muestreo no probabilístico de casos consecutivos que se realizó de mayo a junio del 2016 a estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción. Se incluyó a todos los estudiantes que aceptaron participar voluntariamente. Resultados: Se incluyó a 75 sujetos. 60% fue del sexo femenino con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 28 años y una media de 22±2 años. El 48% presenta autoestima elevada, el 18,7% autoestima baja y el 33,3% autoestima baja. Discusión: La prevalencia de autoestima baja en nuestro estudio fue mayor a la encontrada en una población similar donde el 24,5% mostraba puntajes acordes a baja autoestima en contraste con el 33,3% de nuestro estudio. Estos resultados pueden ser explicados por las altas prevalencias de ansiedad, depresión, estresores psicosociales y estrés académico propios de esta población.

Introduction: Self-esteem can be defined as the development of the conviction that one is competent to live and deserves happiness, it is therefore able to face life with confidence, benevolence and optimism which helps to achieve the goals. Methods: It was a descriptive study with transverse cutting non-probability sampling of consecutive cases was conducted from May to June 2016 to medical students at the National University of Asuncion. All students who agreed to participate were included voluntarily. Results: We included 75 subjects. 60% were female with aged between 18 and 28 years and a mean of 22 ± 2 years. 48% have high self-esteem, 18.7% low self-esteem and 33.3% low self-esteem. Discussion: The prevalence of low self-esteem in our study was higher than that found in a similar population where 24.5% had low self-esteem scores chords in contrast to 33.3% of our study. These results can be explained by the high prevalence of anxiety, depression, psychosocial stressors and academic stress of this population.

Escala para avaliação de estressores psicossociais no contexto laboral: construção e evidências de validade / Evaluation of psychosocial stressors in the labor context scale: development and psychometric evidence

Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver e verificar as evidências iniciais de validade e a consistência interna de uma Escala de Avaliação de Estressores Psicossociais no Contexto Laboral. Participaram do primeiro estudo 630 trabalhadores (mulheres = 51,5%, média de idade = 32,77; DP = 10,33) e, do segundo, 305 trabalhadores (mulheres = 44,3%; média de idade = 34,62; DP = 12,36). As análises fatoriais exploratórias indicaram uma estrutura fatorial latente de sete fatores, com índices de consistência interna aceitáveis. Tal estrutura foi replicada na análise fatorial confirmatória. As correlações dos fatores com os afetos negativos dirigidos ao trabalho e a satisfação no trabalho foram, em geral, nas direções esperadas. Concluiu-se que a escala apresentou evidências iniciais de validade e consistência interna, o que recomenda seu uso futuro para fins de diagnóstico e pesquisa. (AU)

The present study reports the development and psychometric parameters of the Evaluation of Psychosocial Stressors in the Labour Context Scale. Exploratory factor analysis conducted in Study 1 with data from 630 employees (females = 51.5%; mean age = 32.77; SD = 10.33) suggested a seven-factor structure for the 35 items, with good internal consistency indicators for all subscales. The seven-factor structure was supported with confirmatory factor analysis in another sample of 305 employees (44.3% females, mean age = 43.62; SD = 12.36) in Study 2. The correlations between the seven factors and both negative affects towards work and job satisfaction were overall consistent with predictions. This study provides initial evidence of validity and internal consistency for the new scale. The study concludes by recommending further psychometric tests of the scale as well as its future use for diagnosis and research. (AU)