Browsing by Author "Barros, Carla"
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- Development and validation of a health and work survey based on the rasch model among portuguese WorkersPublication . Barros, Carla; Cunha, Liliana; Baylina, Pilar; Oliveira, Alexandra; Rocha, ÁlvaroThe purpose of this study was to develop the Health and Work Survey (INSAT) and examine the validity of the discomfort rating scale. Data were collected from 706 Portuguese workers from six economic sectors with the support of the Health and Work Survey (INSAT - Inquérito Saúde e Trabalho). The INSAT is a self-administered questionnaire to assessing working conditions, health and wellbeing, and to provide information to the occupational health systems in the organisations. For the survey instrument validation, the Rasch Partial Credit Model (PCM) was used to analyse item fit statistics. From the application of PCM, Person Separation Reliability was obtained (0.8761) and the value can be considered very good (>0.8). From the statistical analysis, the Overall Model fit information, given by Outfit Mean square/Infit Mean square, is between 0.5 and 1.5, meaning "Productive for measurement" and "acceptable fit overall". The INSAT items can generate predictable response patterns. We recommend that the INSAT discomfort rating scale and some other items should be reviewed in future works. In any event, this tool proves to be useful in assessing the relationship between work and health and in evaluating key main risk factors, helping to prevent problems and improving occupational health systems.
- Disclosing strain: How psychosocial risk factors influence work-related musculoskeletal disorders in healthcare workers preceding and during the COVID-19 pandemicPublication . Barros, Carla; Baylina, PilarHealthcare workers, particularly nurses, engage in a daily work routine that takes a toll on their emotional well-being, rendering them vulnerable to psychosocial risk factors. This research seeks to analyse the influence of psychosocial risk factors on the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses. An additional analysis was performed to understand the role of age in work-related musculoskeletal disorders and the perception of psychosocial risk factors. The study was conducted during two separate periods—pre-pandemic and pandemic times—involving a sample of 456 nurses from both public and private hospitals in Portugal. The INSAT—Health and Work Survey—was used as measuring instrument. The primary observations indicated a consistency between psychosocial risk factors and the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The findings revealed a significant exposure to psychosocial risk factors, with work pace, intensity, work relationships, and emotional demands exhibiting higher global average percentages during both periods, pre-pandemic and pandemic. Nonetheless, we find that the psychosocial risk factors change when we analyse the pre-pandemic and pandemic results. During the period before the pandemic, the psychosocial risk factors that were most commonly reported included the demanding pace of work, long working hours, and emotional demands. Through the pandemic, the most pronounced psychosocial risk factors were work relationships, employment relationships, and ethical and values conflicts. Therefore, research in this domain is essential to understanding psychosocial risk factors and assessing the less obvious links between work and health.
- Healthcare workers’ mental health in pandemic times: the predict role of psychosocial risksPublication . Barros, Carla; Baylina, Pilar; Fernandes, Rúben; Ramalho, Susana; Arezes, PedroHealthcare workers perform an emotionally exhausting daily work activity, making them prone to occupational hazards, namely psychosocial ones. This study aims to assess the impact of psy chosocial risk factors on healthcare workers’ mental health. A cross-sectional study was developed between May and June of 2021 with 479 healthcare workers from Portuguese hospitals. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale was used to assess mental health, and psychosocial risks were assessed through the Health and Work Survey e INSAT. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the psychosocial risk factors related to anxiety, depression, and stress. Subsequently, a multiple linear regression was performed to identify the models that better explained psychosocial risk factors’ relationship with anxiety, depression, and stress. Data showed a strong exposure to psychosocial risks. Work pace and intensity, work relation ships, and emotional demands stood out with higher global average percentages for yes answers to “exposure and discomfort.” The analysis of the b values and p-values from the multiple linear regression shows that some cross-sectional psychosocial risks are predictors of anxiety and stress dimensions, and other psychosocial risks differ in the two mental health dimensions. However, it is important to highlight that healthcare workers still showed great joy and pleasure in performing their work activities. Support network development in the work environment is needed to prevent healthcare workers’ emotional stress and promote their psychological well-being. Therefore, new research is essential to understand the psychosocial risks that affect healthcare workers and assess the less visible effects of workehealth relationships
- Healthcare Workers: Occupational Health Promotion and Patient SafetyPublication . Baylina, Pilar; Barros, Carla; Fonte, Carla; Alves, Sónia; Rocha, ÁlvaroThe purpose of the present study was to explore the relation of work-related risk factors and well-being among healthcare workers and the impact on patient safety, using the Health and Work Survey (INSAT) and Mental Health Continuum - Short Form (MHC-SF). A sample of 361 Portuguese healthcare workers participated in this study. The results indicate some significant work-related risk factors: for emotional well-being, Impossible to express myself (β = -0.977), Not having recognition by superiors (β = -1.028) and Have to simulate good mood and/or empathy (β = -1.007); for social well-being, Exposed to the risk of sexual discrimination (β = -2.088), Career progress is almost impossible (β = -1.518), and Have to hide my emotions (β = -2.307); finally for psychological well-being Exposed to the risk of sexual discrimination (β = -2.153), Career progress is almost impossible (β = -1.377), and Have to simulate good mood and/or empathy (β = -3.201). The results showed high levels of well-being despite the exposure of several risk factors at workplace. Regarding the work-related risk factors, the study showed that most of the participants are exposed to several risk factors at workplace (ranging from environmental risk factors, biological to physical), although psychosocial risk factors (work relations with superiors and colleagues, employment relations, and emotional demands) are the ones that most impact on well-being.
- A influência dos fatores psicossociais de risco no desenvolvimento de lesões músculo-esqueléticasPublication . Correia, Josefina; Barros, Carla; Baylina, PilarOs profissionais de saúde e, mais concretamente, os enfermeiros realizam diariamente uma atividade de trabalho desgastante e emocionalmente exaustiva, o que a torna suscetível à exposição de riscos ocupacionais, nomeadamente, riscos psicossociais. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os fatores psicossociais de risco e explorar os preditores no desenvolvimento de lesões músculo-esqueléticas. Participaram neste estudo 105 enfermeiros e os resultados identificaram o elevado ritmo e intensidade de trabalho, os tempos de trabalho, as relações de emprego e os níveis altos de exigência emocional, fatores significativos, ao nível da saúde. Foram identificados preditores de lesões músculo-esqueléticas, mais concretamente: Gerir instruções contraditórias (OR=20,43), depender dos pedidos diretos dos doentes (OR=39,948); ultrapassar o horário normal de trabalho (OR=4,822), e ter que simular boa disposição e/ou empatia (OR= 7,359). É importante desenvolver melhores práticas organizacionais para diminuir este problema de saúde que afeta uma elevada percentagem de enfermeiros.
- Psychosocial risks factors among psychologists: What are we talking about?Publication . Barros, Carla; Baylina, Pilar; Fonte, Carla; Alves, SóniaMental health professionals, as psychologists, have a demanding and emotionally exhausting profession, which makes it susceptible to occupational risks, namely psychosocial risks. Three areas of psychology practice, Clinical and Health Psychology, Work and Organizational Psychology, and Education Psychology are expose to different working contexts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate psychosocial risks factors and their differences between the three psychology specialties. 339 psychologists participated in the study and results suggest significant differences in terms of high demands and work intensity, working hours, work and employment relations, ethical and values conflicts and work characteristics. In conclusion, this study allows a better understanding to provide strategies for preventing and reducing the incidence of psychosocial risks among psychologists.
- Unveiling the path to resilience: prioritizing mental health, sleep, and nutrition in the Post-COVID EraPublication . Ramalho, Susana; Martins-Mendes, Daniela; Macedo, José Mário; Barros, Carla; Luís, Carla; Sá, Sara; Gestoso, Álvaro; Pereira, Ana Cláudia; Baylina, Pilar; Fernandes, RúbenThe COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted daily life, impacting relationships, work, and education. This has led to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, along with altered sleep patterns and eating behaviors. Quarantine and isolation have worsened mental health, especially in children and the elderly, due to the loss of activities and physical contact. Sleep disorders and negative dreams perpetuate poor sleep quality, increasing the risk of health issues. Sedentary lifestyles and emotional effects contribute to unhealthy eating patterns and obesity, exacerbated by disrupted routines and limited outdoor activities. Addressing these challenges requires prioritizing mental health, promoting healthy sleep habits, and addressing obesity factors. The pandemic has profoundly affected human well-being, but resilience, mental health, sleep, and nutrition can enhance overall well-being and adaptability in the post-COVID era. This comprehensive opinion aims to raise awareness of the wide-ranging impacts of this pandemic on various aspects of human well-being and to emphasize the importance of implementing strategies that prioritize mental health, improve sleep habits, address eating behaviors, and foster resilience to navigate and thrive in the face of future challenges.
- Workplace violence in healthcare settings: Work-related predictors of violence behavioursPublication . Barros, Carla; Meneses, Rute F.; Sani, Ana; Baylina, PilarHealthcare workers are exposed to workplace violence such as physical assaults, psychological violence and threats of violence. It is crucial to understand factors associated with workplace violence to prevent and mitigate its consequences. This study aims to identify work-related factors that might influence workplace violence in healthcare settings. A cross-sectional study was developed between March and April of 2022 with healthcare workers. The Aggression and Violence at Work Scale was used to assess workplace violence, and psychosocial risks were assessed through the Health and Work Survey—INSAT. Statistical analysis using bivariate analysis was performed to identify the psychosocial risk factors related to physical violence, psychological violence and vicarious violence. Subsequently, a multiple linear regression was performed to identify the models that better explained the relationship between psychosocial risk factors and the three dimensions of violence. Psychological violence was frequently experienced by the healthcare workers. Significant associations were found between psychosocial risk factors and physical, psychological and vicarious violence, namely working hours, work relationships, employment relations, high demands and work intensity. These findings highlight the importance of taking into consideration work-related factors when designing interventions to prevent and address workplace violence in healthcare settings.