Showing 318 results for Type of Study: Research
Esmaeil Hani, Maryam Rafiee, Tahereh Eskandari,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: Pre-hospital emergency workers who are responsible for providing essential pre-hospital medical services are exposed to physical and mental disorders. Since musculoskeletal disorders can be affected by work-related stress and fatigue, the present study aimed to assess the relationship of work-related stress and fatigue with the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in pre-hospital emergency workers in Saveh.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023. A total of 88 personnel of urban and road pre-hospital emergency centers in Saveh were included in the study by the census method. Data collection tools were the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20, and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) using independent t-tests, analysis of variance, Poisson regression, and Pearson correlation coefficients.
Results: The most common areas involved in musculoskeletal disorders were back (34.1%; n=30), neck (19.3%; n=17), and upper back (19.3%; n=17). Moreover, mean scores of work-related stress and work fatigue were 113.52±4.09 and 62.95±5.06, respectively. Musculoskeletal disorders showed a significant relationship with marital status, workplace, age, work experience, and number of working hours (P≤0.05). Nonetheless, there was no significant relationship between work-related stress and work fatigue (P=0.28), musculoskeletal disorders and work-related stress (P=0.93), as well as musculoskeletal disorders and work fatigue (P=0.44).
Conclusion: The prevalence of skeletal-muscular disorders was relatively high, and considering that these disorders are more frequently observed in married people and those who work on the road, training should be provided to these workers according to their place of work. The risk of developing skeletal-muscular disorders increases with age and work experience. Therefore, it is necessary to take precautions in this regard. Furthermore, since skeletal-muscular disorders increase with an increase in working hours, it is necessary to adjust working hours and avoid long shifts.
Leila Sadat Razavi Manesh, Kamal Azam, Seyed Abolfazl Zakerian, Payam Khanlari,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: Signs and symbols are used to inform how different tools work. Considering that washing machines are a widely used device and tool in today's life, the present study was conducted to determine the level of comprehension of “Saraye-Irani” visitors regarding the symbols placed on Iranian washing machines.
Methods: The number of 300 people who referred to "Seraye-Irani" located in Qom city participated in this study. A researcher-made checklist based on the ISO 9186-1 2007 standard was used to collect the required data. After the checklist was approved by the experts, it was distributed among the participants and they were asked to write down the meaning of each symbol in front of it. The gathered data were analyzed in SPSS version 22 software using the Chi-square and Fisher's tests.
Results: The results showed that the symbol of "wrinkle-free washing" with a comprehension rate of 70% was the only symbol that the participants had a good comprehension of. However, the participants' comprehension of the other 13 symbols in question was below the standard level. The understanding of symbols of "extra rinse" (P=0.016), "cold water wash" (P=0.037), "child lock" (P=0.001), and "full power wash" (P=0.044) decreased with increasing age. Moreover, individuals with higher education levels had a better understanding of symbols (P=0.001).
Conclusion: Among the 14 symbols measured in the present study, only one symbol had an acceptable level of comprehension. Therefore, according to the widespread use of washing machines, to optimize the use of this tool, it seems necessary to design and implement the necessary training to familiarize and understand these symbols.
Mousa Nazari, Arezoo Sammak Amani, Mohammad Amin Mououdi, Mohammad Mahdi Alyan Nezhadi,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (1-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are the most significant challenges in both developing and developed countries, affecting the majority of individuals throughout their lives. Considering the detrimental effects of musculoskeletal disorders on the productivity and general health of employees, this research utilizes the Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire (CMDQ) to develop an intelligent model for assessing and predicting the levels of musculoskeletal disorders.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 810 employees from five organizations (in four occupational categories, including administrative, technical, production, and services) completed the CMDQ voluntarily. After collecting the questionnaire and performing relevant statistical analyses, data normalization and clustering based on the K-Means method were used to determine levels of musculoskeletal disorders. Finally, the multilayer perceptron artificial neural network was trained to predict the levels of musculoskeletal disorders; moreover, the criteria of precision, accuracy, recall, and F1-score were used to evaluate the proposed model.
Results: The performance of the proposed model in predicting the levels of musculoskeletal disorders is presented in two scenarios (use and non-use of the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) method) based on the evaluation criteria provided. The accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score values were 0.724, 0.709, 0.756, and 0.720, respectively. The appropriate accuracy and precision in the proposed model indicate its capability to identify the levels of musculoskeletal disorders in individuals and help healthcare professionals take necessary measures to prevent and predict them.
Conclusion: This study employs the CMDQ questionnaire and artificial intelligence to analyze musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace. The proposed model demonstrates significant accuracy and precision compared to similar studies. The results indicate that this model can be utilized to identify and predict musculoskeletal disorders in organizational employees, offering the potential to expedite the identification process and reduce costs.
Seyed Ghafar Hoseini, Ebrahim Zarinkalam, Reza Heidary, Majid Jalili,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (1-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: The maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max) is the most important indicator of physical fitness, which is closely related to the general health of the body. Considering the problems of laboratory measurement of VO2max, estimating VO2max by non-exercise equations will be one of the alternative solutions. This study aims to evaluate the validity of the native non-exercise equation in estimating VO2max of healthy adolescent boys.
Methods: The variables of age, height, weight, and body mass index were measured in 248 healthy boys aged 15 to 18. The subjects' VO2max was measured and predicted by exercise test and non-exercise native equation respectively. To evaluate the validity of the native non-exercise equation, Pearson's correlation, paired t-test, and Bland-Altman's agreement were used.
Results: There is a significant correlation between measured and predicted VO2max (R = 0.76, p<0.05). Also, no significant difference was observed between predicted and measured VO2max (43.10 ml/kg/min and 43.38 ml/kg/min respectively) (mean difference=0.28 ml/kg/min, P>0.05). Also, the Bland-Altman graphic diagram indicated agreement between the methods of measuring and estimating VO2max.
Conclusion: In the present study, the native non-sports equation had a high validity in estimating VO2max of adolescent boys. It seems that the use of non-sports VO2max equations can be used as a simple, safe, and low-cost tool to evaluate the maximum aerobic capacity of students at a wide level.
Zahra Rafat, Hamidreza Mokhtarinia, Mohsen Vahedi,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (1-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Changes in mental workload are related to performance and level of fatigue, stress, human error, and job dissatisfaction. Questionnaires are simple, accessible, and valid tools for the assessment of mental workload. Therefore, the present study aimed at translation, cultural adaptation, and evaluation of psychometric properties of the Carmen-Q mental workload questionnaire.
Methods: This study was conducted on 296 subjects (100 women and 196 men) with a mean age of 38.59±7.61 years, working in industrial and administrative sectors in several centers in Saveh. The process of translation and cultural adaptation was carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and included the stages of forward and backward translation, synthesizing and preparing a final version, piloting, and then final approval of the Persian version. Psychometric properties, including face validity (simplicity and readability), content validity (through content validity index), convergent validity (through correlation with NASA-TLX questionnaire), and internal consistency (using Cronbach's alpha coefficient) were assessed.
Results: The translation, cultural adaptation, and face validity assessment were carried out according to related guidelines, and the text underwent some minor changes. The Content Validity Index values for each of the items and its total (0.914) were acceptable. Cronbach's alpha value was acceptable for all items (0.91) and each subscale (above 0.8). Pearson's correlation coefficient displayed a moderate to good relationship between Carmen-Q and NASA task load index.
Conclusion: The Persian version of the Carmen-Q questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating mental workload in Iranian society.
Mahnaz Rahimi, Mohammad Hassani, Hassan Ghalavandi,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (1-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Improving employees’ welfare and supporting them has led to the success of the organization. Employees who feel supported by the company will work harder to improve their output and meet the objectives of the company. Finding factors affecting employee well-being has helped organizations to improve performance and achieve success. Therefore, this research has sought to test a model of causal factors affecting employees' well-being with the mediation of self-efficacy among the employees of Razi University of Kermanshah.
Methods: The current applied research was conducted using a descriptive-survey method for data collection. The data collection tool was a questionnaire, which was examined for face validity, convergent validity, and differential validity of the variables. Data analysis was done using a structural equation modeling approach with a partial least squares method through Smart PLs3 software. The statistical population (n=490) included all employees of Razi University of Kermanshah, among whom, 215 individuals were selected as a sample using Morgan's table.
Results: The findings showed that perceived organizational support and role ambiguity were effective on employees' well-being both directly and through the mediation of self-efficacy.
Conclusion: According to the research findings, it can be concluded that ambiguity in employee roles lead to higher emotional burnout and lower well-being, while perceived organizational support can enhance both work engagement and well-being.
Sina Ghasemi, Behzad Imani, Ramin Rahmani, Shirdel Zandi,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (1-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders are among the common problems in most work environments and work ability is considered a factor affecting the performance and productivity of employees. In the present study, the status of these two components and their relationship with each other in the staff working in the operating room were investigated.
Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted in the winter of 2023. In this research, 96 employees working in the operating rooms of government hospitals in Hamadan, Iran were enrolled by census sampling method based on the inclusion criteria. The data were collected through the Nordic standard questionnaire and the work ability index questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 24) at two levels of descriptive (frequency, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential (t-test) statistics.
Results: In this study, 4 (4.2%) of the participants had one musculoskeletal disorder and the remaining 91 personnel (95.8%) had more than one disorder in their musculoskeletal systems. Average work ability index was 42.3±04.91. The results of the independent t-test showed that the work ability index among people with pain in the neck (P=0.003), shoulders (P=0.001), elbows (P=0.038), back (P=0.011), knees (P=0.001), and legs (P=0.002) were less than those without pain in these organs.
Conclusion: Results indicated the need to pay more attention to the implementation of ergonomic work environment and management interventions to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and thereby increase the efficiency and effectiveness of personnel.
Zohreh Goudarzi, Sara Izadi, Abbas Seifollah Zade, Roghayyeh Hassanzadeh, Neda Mahdavi,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (1-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders are among the health challenges for faculty members, affecting their performance and work-related quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between these disorders and the ergonomic features of their workstations.
Methods: This research was conducted among 22 faculty members after obtaining informed consent and using a census method. The prevalence of disorders was assessed using the Cornell questionnaire, and the evaluation of the workstation was performed using the Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA) method. Then, 14 anthropometric dimensions (differentiated by gender) were measured, and 13 workstation characteristics were assessed. Finally, 11 criteria were used for anthropometric fitness evaluation. Moreover, data analysis was carried out using SPSS software (version 26).
Results: Approximately 46% of the participants had experienced pain and discomfort in one of the musculoskeletal areas, with the wrist, neck, shoulder, and lower back being the most affected areas, respectively. The ROSA results indicated that 22.73% of the participants' workstations required ergonomic improvements. The most significant mismatches were found in the criteria of 1) trunk length-chair backrest length, 2) thigh thickness in a seated position-distance between thighs and desk, and 3) shoulder width-chair seat width.
Conclusion: The signs of a connection between the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and the lack of anthropometric compatibility/inadequate knowledge among faculty members in the field of ergonomics were observed. This issue underscores the importance of considering ergonomic/anthropometric characteristics of office desks and chairs during the procurement of office supplies and emphasizes the need to enhance ergonomics knowledge.
Hanieh Abdi, Seyed Abolfazl Zakerian, Kamal Azam, Payam Khanlari Baniyarani,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (1-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Road accidents and related damages and casualties are among the most important concerns of today's societies. Mental workload is one of the main human factors that can cause other factors, such as stress and anger. The present study was conducted to investigate the mental workload and its effect on changing the components of drivers' moods.
Methods: A total of 88 tour taxi drivers from Qazvin City participated in this study to examine the desired components. The driving Activity Load Index was used to evaluate mental load and the Profile of Mood States questionnaire to measure drivers' mood components. Based on the designed scenario of driving on high-traffic roads, the desired variables were evaluated. To check the relationship between these variables, paired t-tests and Pearson correlation analysis were used in SPSS version 24 software.
Results: The mean scores of the drivers' work history and age were obtained at 46.60±10.12 and 13.47±9.39 years, respectively. The obtained findings showed that driving on high-traffic roads significantly increased the average mental workload of drivers (P<0.001). Growth in the drivers' mental workload led to a decrease in some mood components that had a positive effect, such as happiness (r=-0.143, P=0.157) and vitality (r=-0.646, P=0.050), while it resulted in a rise in the mood component of depression (r=0.020, P= 0.248).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that as driving continues, drivers experience a rise in mental workload. However, there was no correlation regarding the effect of this component on the mood components.
Abbas Mohammadi, Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, Fatemeh Assadian, Saeed Ghanbari,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (1-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Cargo workers at Ahvaz Airport in Ahvaz, Iran are at risk of musculoskeletal disorders. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate their carrying out tasks and postures.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the census method was used to select 21 cargo workers in Ahvaz Airport. Task analysis was carried out by Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) and Quick Exposure Check (QEC). Moreover, the Manual Handling Assessment Charts were used to evaluate the manual load. The tools employed in this study included observation, photography, and a Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire (CMQD) questionnaire. Statistical calculations were performed in SPSS (version 16) and Spearman's correlation coefficient for the variables.
Results: Each of the cargo workers of Ahvaz airport moves an average of 400 bags per shift. Spearman's correlation coefficient showed a significant relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and the variables of age, height, and Body Mass Index with values of 0.002, 0.005, and 0.003, respectively. The QEC method was used to observe the worst postures with a numerical score between 50 and 70, which were related to the standing posture at the flat roller and the sitting posture in the aircraft cargo. The examination of the CMQD questionnaire revealed that 61.6%, 65%, and 62% of diseases were related to shoulder, arm, and back, respectively.
Conclusion: After job analysis by the HTA method and evaluation of the results through the QEC method, it was determined that loading and arranging luggage in the cart and cargo were the most risky tasks. Both the MAC and QEC methods also indicated the necessity of an immediate change in the process of moving luggage.
Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi, Abbas Mohammadi, Marzieh Sadeghian, Maryam Tayebi, Azarnoosh Aryankia, Saeed Ghanbari,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (4-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems related to mobile phone usage and provide corrective solutions for dental students of Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz.
Methods: The current study was conducted based on an analytical cross-sectional design. In order to collect relevant data, such as the presence of pain in the upper limbs, back, and neck, questionnaires and instrumental methods were used. Students were examined in two groups: the first group included 150 dental students up to the 4th semester, and the second group encompassed 150 dental students from the 5th semester onwards (3rd, 8th, 5th, and 6th year). Data collection instruments were demographic characteristic form, nomophobia questionnaire (NMP-Q), neck disability index (NDI), and Cornell hand discomfort questionnaire (CHDQ).
Results: According to the results of the present study, the prevalence of nomophobia among dental students of Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Ahvaz was at an average level. The mean NDI score was 16.20, and the mean pain score among the students was 1.72. Moreover, 46.5% of students had pain in the hand area, and the highest amount of pain was reported in the F area. The mean score of Cornell's musculoskeletal disorders was reported as 2.72.
Conclusion: Examining the relationship between the pain area and the year of entry to the university demonstrated a significant relationship between the year of entry to the university and the pain area. In this regard, the incoming students 2021-22 had the greatest amount of pain. According to the results of the corrective intervention on skeletal disorders in the wrist and neck region, the mean scores of the variables increased significantly after the intervention and corrective measures.
Teimour Allahyari, Ali Mahboubi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (4-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Nowadays, due to the increase in the volume of accidents, pre-hospital emergency personnel, as the frontline of treatment by providing relief and assistance to patients and victims of various incidents, have encountered various work-related challenges and problems, including cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, excessive fatigue, and reduced sleep quality. In this regard, the present research aimed to study the relationship among shift work, sleep quality, and work ability index in pre-hospital emergency personnel.
Methods: This research was performed on 102 operational personnel of a pre-hospital emergency department in Urmia, Iran. After the collection of demographic information, the number of work shifts per week, the number of working hours per month, the quality of sleep, and the work ability of the personnel were measured by the Petersburg sleep quality questionnaire and work ability index questionnaire. The relationship between research variables was investigated using correlation coefficient, Fisher's exact test, and one-way analysis of variance tests.
Results: Mean total sleep quality score of the personnel was 6.01 ± 2.38, which indicated poor and unfavorable sleep quality. Moreover, work ability index scores of 34.3%, 52%, and 13.7% of participants were at poor, moderate, good, and excellent levels, respectively. Regarding the comparison between the two variables of shift work and sleep quality, there was a significant difference, and a strong and significant relationship was observed between sleep quality and work ability index.
Conclusion: Through the increase in the number of work shifts and working hours, the sleep quality of the personnel became unfavorable and weak which led to a decrease in the work ability index score and a reduction in the job performance of the personnel. Reduction of working hours, usage of young people with high work ability, management and control of the number of work shifts of the personnel by considering resting and closure time, consideration of morning-evening and night shifts in a balanced and equal manner, and prevention of people from working in monotonous shifts (activity only in the form of night work or only day work), and avoidance of working in consecutive work shifts without rest and vacation in order to improve the quality of sleep and work performance is recommended.
Mohammad Sadegh Sohrabi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (4-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: In the last decade in Iran, the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort among office workers has been reported in the neck, back, and shoulder areas. The present study aimed to assess the impact of ergonomic interventions in knowledge-based companies on musculoskeletal disorders, work-related stress, and quality of work life.
Methods: In this quasi-randomized controlled trial study, the participants, including 311 office workers, received ergonomic interventions at both individual and managerial levels.
Results: The implementation of individual ergonomic training interventions significantly reduced disorders in the neck, right and left shoulders, right forearm, and right wrist. Social support also demonstrated a significant increase in all three intervention groups. The interventions had a significant impact on the quality of working life. The changes in the mean quality of working life for the second and third groups in the first month of growth were significant and then continued similar to the trend of the control group.
Conclusion: The implementation of individual ergonomic training interventions significantly reduced musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, shoulders, and upper limbs. Nonetheless, management training interventions did not affect the musculoskeletal disorders of employees. Furthermore, concurrent implementation of individual ergonomics and management interventions exerted a more pronounced effect on the reduction of disorders. The implementation of management educational interventions and combined interventions led to a marked increase in the level of control experienced by participants, while both types of social support interventions also increased. The implementation of a multi-component ergonomics intervention program was demonstrated to enhance the impact of interventions on employees' health and productivity.
Abdollah Vahedi, Iman Dianat,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (4-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Despite the increasing trend of automation and mechanization in the industry, many workers are exposed to high physical workloads, repetitive motions, and unusual body postures. In this regard, assistive technology (AT) is a relatively new and practical solution. This study was conducted to design an assistive arm according to ergonomic principles and investigate its effect on the electrical activity of shoulder muscles.
Methods: This research was fundamental in its approach, using an experimental intervention method. The investigated samples included students studying in the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health in 2021, of which 12 participated in the study, half of whom were female and half were male. A prototype of a passive assistive arm was first designed. The electrical activity of muscles was then evaluated at two work heights and two tasks in a simulated workstation with and without the use of an assist arm. The data were analyzed at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS26 software.
Results: The designed assistive arm reduced the electrical activity of the muscles in the tested heights and tasks, and among the six investigated muscles, the activity of the trapezius and anterior deltoid muscles decreased the most.
Conclusion: According to the results, the designed assistive arm reduces the electrical activity of the shoulder muscles and differentially affects different tasks and work heights. The results generally indicate that the use of an assistive arm can be an effective intervention for overhead tasks.
Salman Khazaei, Mobin Faghih Soleimani, Saman Khosronejad, Ali Safdari, Ensiyeh Jenabi, Shokoufeh Eskandari, Erfan Ayubi,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (4-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Various causal pathways play a role in the occurrence of depression in healthcare workers. This study aimed to assess the effect of perceived stress and insomnia on depression in healthcare workers using path analysis in Hamadan, Iran.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, healthcare workers from Shahid Beheshti and Sina hospitals in Hamedan in 2023 were recruited. Perceived stress with two subscales of perceived helplessness and perceived self-efficacy, as well as insomnia and depression, were investigated using validated questionnaires. The path analysis was applied to assess the association.
Results: In total, 235 healthcare workers (35.7% nurses) were included. Gender, age, monthly working hours, and number of night shifts per month had a significant impact on depression (P<0.05). Path analysis demonstrated that except for the effect of perceived self-efficacy on insomnia, all standardized regression weights for relationships were statistically significant (P<0.05). The effect size of perceived helplessness on depression was the strongest compared to other relationships (standardized regression weight = 0.40). The direct effect of perceived helplessness and perceived self-efficacy on depression or insomnia as a mediator had a good fit to the data.
Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, with the implementation of intervention and preventive programs to reduce stress and improve sleep, the occurrence of depression in healthcare workers is expected to decrease significantly.
Reza Ziyari, Parvin Afshar, Mahsan Afshar,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (4-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: It was expected the healthcare system would help to provide better services by taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the expansion of information and communication technology. In some cases, the efforts of service providers or users to increase their interests have resulted in the commercialization of health at the cost of effectiveness and personal well-being. The present study aimed to identify and analyze the impact of digital components of social media on the commercialization of health with the aim of improving ergonomics at macro and cognitive levels.
Methods: This applied research was conducted based on a descriptive cross-sectional design. The statistical population included 300 professors of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, out of whom 169 cases were selected by simple random method. The components were determined by the descriptive method. The questions were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis in SPSS software. The ranking of the components was performed using Friedman's method, and the final model was then presented.
Results: The digital components of social media in the commercialization of health include five parts(the health system, medicine, patient, insurance, and healthcare personnel) and 30 sub-components.
Conclusion: The digital components related to the health system have the most marked impact on the commercialization of health, highlighting the need to pay attention to the development of social media regulations in the health sector. Common strategies include controlling data availability, building coalitions among health stakeholders with compliance monitoring, using social responsibility laws for digital companies, and promoting self-regulation among stakeholders.
Madineh Mahmoodi, Behnaz Mohajeran, Hassan Ghalavandi,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (7-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: In contemporary times, educational institutions are instrumental in the development of societies, and universities in every country, along with their leaders, play a significant role in this domain. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effect of spiritual leadership characteristics and social identity on cultural intelligence with an emphasis on the mediating role of social responsibility among the managers of Urmia University.
Methods: The research method was descriptive. The entire population of Urmia University managers (151 individuals) was included as the sample, given the limited population size. The data collection tools included the Cultural Intelligence Questionnaire (Early & Ang, 2004), Carroll's Social Responsibility Questionnaire (1991), Fry's spiritual leadership characteristics (2005), and Jenkins' social identity (1996). The validity of the instruments was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis and their reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The data were analyzed in SPSS (version 28) and LISREL (version 8.1) software packages using descriptive and inferential statistics (structural equation modeling).
Results: The research findings pointed to the significant positive impact of spiritual leadership characteristics on the cultural intelligence of Urmia University administrators. In addition, social identity had a meaningful positive effect on the cultural intelligence of these managers. Spiritual leadership characteristics also exerted a significant positive effect on the social responsibility of Urmia University administrators, as does social identity. Furthermore, social responsibility has a significant positive impact on the cultural intelligence of university managers. Notably, spiritual leadership characteristics, mediated by social responsibility, affected the cultural intelligence of Urmia University administrators. In a similar vein, social identity, through the mediation of social responsibility, affected the cultural intelligence of these managers.
Conclusion: The enhancement of spiritual leadership traits and social identity of Urmia University administrators, which in turn influence their cultural intelligence, can make it possible to improve the performance of the university. Furthermore, this enhancement is expected to increase employees' accountability.
Niloofar Chinisaz, Marzieh Sadeghian, Amir Akbari, Maryam Yazdi,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (7-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: High workload, shift work, risk of disease, and mental workload caused by the possibility of transmission can create challenging and stressful situations for nurses. The present study aimed to assess the cognitive performance of nurses before and after working in COVID-19 wards to understand the potential effects.
Methods: A total of 250 nurses from hospitals in Ahvaz in 2020 who had more than two years of work experience and had not worked in departments in direct contact with COVID-19 patients were included in the study. The participants were asked to complete the cognitive ability assessment questionnaire before starting to work in COVID-19 departments and after two months of their work. The results before and after working in COVID-19 wards were compared using paired t-tests.
Results: The cognitive ability score after working in COVID-19 wards decreased significantly (mean difference±standard deviation: 23.92±12.00; P<0.001). The scores of all cognitive ability subscales except social cognition (mean difference±standard deviation: 3.03±2.43; P< 0.001) also decreased after working in COVID-19 wards.
Conclusion: Working in COVID-19 wards leads to a marked decrease in cognitive abilities of nurses. Given that the weakening of nurses' cognitive ability has a significant role in the quality of patient care measures, it is necessary to prioritize measures to improve their working conditions in order to improve cognitive abilities.
Zahra Gomari, Mohsen Nazarzadeh Zare,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (7-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: The emergence of presenteeism in the organizational environment can have significant negative consequences. A key point in this regard is that the quality of leader-member exchange can influence the increase or decrease of presenteeism. Additionally, organizational commitment has a significant relationship with presenteeism. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze the relationship between leader-member exchange and organizational presenteeism among university employees through the mediating role of organizational commitment.
Methods: This descriptive-correlational method was conducted using the structural equation modeling technique. The research population consisted of all 145 male and female employees of Malayer University, and due to their small number, a census method was used to select the samples. The required data were collected using three questionnaires, namely Leader-Member Exchange, Organizational Presenteeism, and Organizational Commitment. The gathered data were analyzed in SPSS version 23 and SMART PLS version 3 software packages using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.
Results: The research findings showed that leader-member exchange had a significant negative path coefficient (-0.271) on organizational presenteeism, leader-member exchange had a significant positive path coefficient (0.585) on organizational commitment, and organizational commitment had a significant negative path coefficient (-0.286) on organizational presenteeism, all at the 0.01 level of significance. Additionally, the indirect effect of leader-member exchange on organizational presenteeism through the mediating role of organizational commitment was significant, with a Sobel test statistic of 2.627 at the 0.05 level of significance.
Conclusion: Overall, the results of this study indicate that improving leader-member exchange as well as increasing organizational commitment can lead to a reduction in organizational presenteeism in an academic environment.
Raha Seidi, Mahnaz Saremi, Azam Malekighahfarokhi, Mahshid Namdari,
Volume 12, Issue 2 (7-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: User engagement with digital technologies refers to the sense of belonging and individual satisfaction. Visual aesthetics, characterized by simplicity and diversity, plays a crucial role in the design of products and online sales strategies. This study investigates the relationship between visual aesthetics and user engagement with in a selected social network.
Methods: This correlational descriptive-analytical study examines the attractiveness of two pages with similar educational content but differing visual aesthetics criteria on one of the social networks. The first page (Researcher-made page) exhibits higher standards of attractiveness compared to the second page (Basic page). Data were collected through online questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: The study involved 116 participants, of whom 91 (78.4%) were female, with an average age of 26.8 ± 2.54 years. The majority of participants held a bachelor's degree (57.8%). The average visual aesthetics scores for the content pages (Researcher-made page) and (Basic page) were 95/92 and 84/9, respectively, indicating that Researcher-made page had greater visual appeal. Furthermore, the user engagement scores for Researcher-made page and Basic page were 107/9 and 100/02, respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between visual appeal and user engagement on both pages (P<0.001), while no significant relationship was observed between gender or education level and these metrics (P>0.05).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the visual aesthetics of virtual content pages has a significant impact on user engagement. These findings underscore the importance of adhering to attractiveness criteria in content design, which can be beneficial for content creators, managers, and business owners.
