Publikationer från Högskolan i Gävle
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Reintroduction of Occupational Social Work : A lost key to psychosocial supportand a health- promoting work enviroment in inpatient care
No full textThis literature review explores how social work can contribute to a health-promoting and sustainable work environment for nurses and first-line managers in inpatient care, with a focus on strengthening leadership, collaboration, and organizational conditions. Purpose: To investigate how social work can help prevent ill-health and promote sustainable working conditions for nurses and first-line managers in inpatient care. Research questions: How can social work contribute to preventing ill-health and strengthening a sustainable work environment? Which specific interventions and strategies can support long-term well-being and work engagement? A structured literature review was conducted using systematic searches in PubMed and Cinahl, complemented by thematic analysis. The results are presented in two themes: (1) recurring stressors affecting health and retention, and (2) the role of social work in preventing ill-health and fostering sustainable working conditions. Findings show that supportive leadership, ethical reflection, and interprofessional collaboration are crucial for improvement. Integrating occupational social work can address psychosocial risks at both individual and organizational levels, reducing stress and strengthening resilience.
Health-Aware Control for Planning Battery Lifespan
No full textIn controlling the State of Health (SOH) of batteries, understanding the individual and collective impact of physical factors such as current draw, temperature, and age is crucial. Traditional lab tests offer deep insights into battery degradation but cannot isolate the effects of specific variables, as they typically analyze a series of actions and conditions in combination. Although this is useful for estimating the SOH, it limits the ability to develop strategies for optimal control of the battery lifetime. To address this, as a first step, this article proposes a method for designing a function estimator based on the State–Action Cost (SAC) that considers current, voltage, temperature, and age to predict the micro-effects of each state– action combination on the SOH. This estimator will provide a more granular understanding of how individual actions and conditions contribute to battery health. In the second step, it will be demonstrated how this approach could significantly enhance the precision of SOH control and facilitate better management strategies for extending battery lifespan
Is a Problem-Solving Intervention with Workplace Involvement for Employees on Sickness Absence Due to Common Mental Disorders More Effective, than Care as Usual, in Reducing Sickness Absence Days? Results of a Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial in Primary Health Care
No full textPurpose The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a problem-solving intervention with workplace involvement (PSI-WPI) added to care as usual (CAU) in reducing sickness absence days among employees with common mental disorders compared to CAU alone in Swedish primary health care on a monthly basis over 18-months follow-up. Methods We conducted a cluster-randomised controlled trial including 197 employees blinded to allocation (85 PSI-WPI and 112 CAU). As sickness absence data was skewed and over-dispersed, generalised estimating equations was used to enable a comparison between the intervention and control group for each month of the follow-up period. Results The median number of sickness absence days over the 18-month follow-up was 78 days, inter-quartile range (IQR) 18–196 for employees receiving PSI-WPI and 64 days, IQR 18–161 for employees receiving CAU. The time x group generalised estimating equations analysis showed no statistically significant difference in sickness absence days per month. Conclusion The addition of a PSI-WPI to CAU was not more effective in reducing sickness absence days. This may be explained by the primary health care context, lack of specialisation in occupational health and the Swedish social insurance system with specific time limits. Trial registration. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03346395 on January 12th, 2018
Return to Work Trajectories of Swedish Employees on Sick-Leave Due to Common Mental Disorders
No full textObjectives Recent research has emphasized that return to work (RTW) is a dynamic, gradual and often uneven process with a great degree of individual variation. This study aimed to identify RTW trajectories of Swedish employees on sick-leave due to common mental disorders (CMDs). The second aim was to explore which demographic, employment, health-related and work environment characteristics predicted RTW trajectory membership. Methods Data comes from two 2-armed cluster-randomized controlled trials (RCT) with a 12-month follow-up. A participative problem-solving intervention aimed to reduce sick-leave was compared to care as usual (CAU) involving any kind of work-directed interventions. Participants on sick-leave due to CMDs at baseline (N = 197) formed the study sample. Latent growth mixture modeling and logistic regression were the main analytical approaches. Results Five distinct RTW trajectories of Swedish employees were identified: Early RTW (N = 65), Delayed RTW (N = 50), Late RTW (N = 39), Struggling RTW (N = 21) and No RTW (N = 22). RTW trajectories differed consistently with regard to previous sick-leave duration and social support at work. More unique predictors of RTW trajectories included gender, rewards at work, work performance impairment due to health problems, home-to-work interference and stress-related exhaustion disorder. Conclusion The study may have important clinical implications for identifying patients belonging to a particular RTW trajectory. Knowledge on the modifiable work environment factors that differentiated between the RTW trajectories could be useful for designing effective workplace interventions, tailored to particular needs of employees with CMDs. However, in a first step, the results need to be replicated
Windcatchers as a Green Ventilation Device: A Lost Tale From Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan
No full textThe rapid urbanization process is majorly associated with extreme climate change and many other urban issues that pose new challenges in terms of urban resilience. Bold climate action is one of the main principles addressed by UN-Habitat in Sustainable Development. This problem demands an immediate reduction in carbon footprints. One way of doing this is to revive the traditional climate-controlling techniques/natural ventilation methods in architecture. Windcatchers have been used as a passive technique for ventilation for many centuries. The windcatchers of Hyderabad (Mangh/Hawadani/Badgeers/Malqaf) were a dominant identity of vernacular architecture. This article aims to understand the traditional methods of dealing with climate-controlling techniques in architecture by (1) studying windcatchers in both vernacular and modern buildings in the context of Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan by (2) understanding the user’s perspective about windcatchers. A comparison of four buildings in Hyderabad, Pakistan, was performed. The findings of this study show that old Windcatchers in Hyderabad are in dilapidated condition and are found insignificant because they are not fulfilling the current needs of the users looking for modernized solutions. However, newly built windcatchers are well appreciated by users because of their well-functioning mechanism in relation to the local climate and current living requirements. The performance study of windcatchers conducted in this research represents an initial step towards developing a more extensive guide for utilizing windcatchers in passive cooling systems for buildings located in hot regions
The concept of sponge city as a nature-based solution for urban resilience: Insights from stakeholders in Karachi, Pakistan
No full textThe vulnerability of growing cities to climatic challenges has led to substantial degradation of ecosystem services resulting in increased flooding and reduced green spaces. Sponge City (SC) concept has been promoted currently, as part of the wider scope of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) as sustainable measure that can be adopted to build resilient cities. However, Pakistan is still far behind in adapting such new practices. Its major cities like Karachi suffer from urban flooding and poor landscape management producing unhealthy urban environments. This study examines the familiarity and willingness of the experts related to architecture, urban planning and environmental development in adapting the concept of SC and the existing practical limitation perceived by these experts in Karachi for SC implementation. It employed a structured questionnaire survey administered to stakeholder groups to ascertain the status of knowledge amongst them related to NBS and SC. The research findings revealed that more than 50 % of experts are familiar with the concept of NBS and are willing to take part in implementing the SC initiatives in Karachi. At the same time, a significant majority of experts (74 %) are of the view that the absence of open and green spaces has a negative impact on quality of life in Karachi. However, most experts (72 %) consider the lack of government support as one of the major hinderances, while others consider high maintenance costs, shortage of skilled individuals and technology as barriers in adapting and implementing the SC concept in Karachi. This research subsequently identifies what could persuade experts to innovate SC concept within their practices. It emphasizes the urgent need for stakeholders and experts to collaborate with policy makers, advocating for a shift in mindset among both educated professionals to uninformed residents to drive meaningful change in the society
Environmental performance of type IV hydrogen storage systems
No full textAdopting hydrogen as an energy carrier represents an important step towards a more sustainable future in energy production and utilisation on an industrial scale. Owing to the importance of hydrogen as an energy carrier, it is paramount to design and manufacture efficient storage systems that can cope with the chemical properties of hydrogen and can ensure a sustainable utilisation of hydrogen. In this paper the focus is on type IV gaseous hydrogen (H2) storage tanks covered with a carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) layer, and in this respect, a life cycle analysis (LCA) modelling in Simapro will be conducted for this type of tank. Afterwards we will perform an LCA sensitivity analysis under the scenarios that the tank’s CFRP layer is replaced, firstly by a glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) layer and, secondly, by a basalt fibre reinforced plastic (BFRP) layer. The results of our LCA for the type IV H2 storage tank show that, during the life cycle of this tank, the use stage has the biggest climate impact, followed by the manufacturing and disposal stages. The results of our LCA sensitivity analysis reveal the following: CFRP tanks exhibit the highest environmental impact throughout their whole life cycle when compared to GFRP and BFRP tanks because during the manufacturing process, manufacturing of carbon fibres will generate more CO2 emissions and have more energy demands than glass and basalt fibres. During the life cycle of each type of tank, more non-renewable energy is consumed than renewable energy
School Staff Strategies for Identifying, Dealing with and Preventing Cyberbullying Among Swedish Primary School Pupils
No full textThis study, using a socio-ecological model of bullying, examines how school staff, in a Swedish municipality, identify and deal with cyberbullying among primary school pupils, focusing on gender differences to better inform staff participation in the municipality’s anti-bullying strategy. Twenty-five (25) semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff members (including non-teaching staff). Results indicate that cyberbullying, predominantly occurring outside school, impacts educational activities and practices within it. Results also suggest a higher prevalence of cyberbullying among girls. Seven anti-cyberbullying strategies employed by school staff to identify, intervene in, prevent and deal with cyberbullying among primary school pupils were indicated, providing additional insights into the unique socio-ecological context in which cyberbullying takes place, characterized by ubiquitous ‘twenty-four-seven’ availability. The implications of identifying cyberbullying and addressing initiatives related to this form of bullying in schools are also discussed
Sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av fysisk aktivering av äldre personer på särskilt boende : En kvalitativ intervjustudie
No full textSammanfattning Bakgrund: Forskning visar många fördelar fysisk aktivitet har på äldres personers hälsa och välbefinnande, men fysisk inaktivitet är utbrett bland äldre personer på särskilt boende. Sjuksköterskor har en nyckelroll i att främja och upprätthålla hälsa hos äldre personer, men fysisk aktivitet prioriteras inte alltid. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att beskriva sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av fysisk aktivering för äldre personer på särskilda boenden. Metod: Studien hade en beskrivande design med kvalitativ ansats. Tio intervjuer med sjuksköterskor på åtta särskilda boenden genomfördes. Genom manifest innehållsanalys framkom sju subkategorier och tre kategorier. Huvudresultat: Resultatet visade att tidsbrist och kompetensbrist försvårar arbetet med fysisk aktivering av äldre personer på särskilt boende och sjuksköterskor beskrev att stillasittande och inaktivitet är utbrett, men variationen är stor. Insatser från teamets medlemmar, liksom tillgång till en öppen och tillåtande utemiljö, beskrevs som viktiga för att öka den fysiska aktivitetsnivån. Sjuksköterskans roll för fysisk aktivering beskrevs främst innefatta handledning av omvårdnadspersonal samt aktivering i omvårdnadssituationer. Slutsats: Denna studie visar att tids- och kompetensbrist är hinder för fysisk aktivering, vilket i slutändan kan öka komplikationer relaterat till inaktivitet för äldre personer på särskilt boende. Flertalet åtgärder för att främja fysisk aktivering förslås; en säker inbjudande utemiljö, ökad kompetens och kontinuitet, schemalagda aktiviteter, ett rehabiliterande förhållningssätt samt ett fungerande samarbete i team. Sjuksköterskan ska arbeta evidensbaserat och fysisk aktivitet har starkt vetenskapligt stöd men individuella, organisatoriska och strukturella faktorer kan motverka. Därför behöver fysisk aktivering värderas högre och prioriteras, hela vägen från patient och teamet runt denna, till chefer, politiker och myndigheter. Nyckelord: fysisk aktivering, sjuksköterska, särskilt boende, äldre persone
Emotional demands, burnout, and mental wellbeing in healthcare, care, and service work: the mediating role of surface acting across age
No full textThis study examines how emotional demands and surface acting contribute to burnout and mental wellbeing among professionals in healthcare, care, and service roles. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 1,506 participants involved in frequent patient, care-receiver, or customer interactions. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), we tested a serial mediation model. Surface acting mediated the relationship between emotional demands and burnout, defined as exhaustion and disengagement. In turn, these burnout dimensions mediated a negative association with mental wellbeing. These effects were consistent across professional groups, indicating the widespread impact of emotional demands and surface acting across occupations. We found no significant linear or curvilinear age moderation effects in the relationships between emotional demands and surface acting, nor between surface acting and burnout. Only workers aged 60+ showed a slightly stronger reliance on surface acting in response to perceived (but not contact-related) emotional demands compared to those aged 50–59. The absence of broader age effects suggests that emotional demands and surface acting contribute to burnout and mental wellbeing similarly across ages. These findings underscore the importance of recognising emotional demands as key occupational hazards affecting workers across professions and throughout the working lifespan