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Showing 27 results for Stress
Investigation and Evaluation of Management Strategies to Reduce Occupational ‎Stress among Human Resources at Imam Reza Hospital
Roholah Hosseini, Mojtaba Chekideh,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: Human resources are the most important capital and strategic factor in any organization, especially hospitals. Managers need to employ suitable strategies to decrease and remove job stressors to utilize this capital more effectively for enhancing the quality of hospital services. Reducing occupational plays a significant role in improving the morale and motivation among the hospital's human resources. In this research, management strategies were investigated to reduce occupational stress among human resources in Imam Reza Hospital, Zarandiya, Iran.
Methods: The current applied research was conducted based on the descriptive-analytical method. The data were collected using the field survey method. The statistical population of the research included all experts working at the Imam Reza Hospital. The samples (n=28) were selected using a snowball sampling method. The data collection tool in this research was a researcher-made matrix questionnaire in the context of the research problem. The data were analyzed by the Taxonomy technique.
Results: According to the data analysis based on the calculation of the importance coefficient of the research indicators, self-confidence with Wj = 28.1% and employee motivation and morale with Wj = 27.1% were identified as effective indicators, Moreover, based on the data analysis obtained in this research with the Taxonomy technique, among different management strategies to reduce job stress, strengthening the work environment by intimacy (confidence interval [CI]=0.469), transparency of job goals (transparency in roles and tasks, CI=5.521), and participatory management (CI=3.798) were prioritized.
Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, hospital managers need to develop and execute strategies focused on creating a more intimate work environment, transparent roles, and a collaborative management approach to alleviate employee occupational stress.

Prevalence of Work-related Musculoskeletal Pains and Their Association with Body Posture, Work-related Stress, Mental Health, and Psychological Flexibility among the Employees of an Industrial Company
Mohsen Arefian, Fatemeh Raeesi, Mohammadjavad Hadianfard,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Objectives: Work-related musculoskeletal pains (WMSPs) are considered one of the major factors affecting the quantity and quality of work and threatening the physical and psychological health of employees. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and prediction of WMSPs based on body posture, work-related stress, mental health, and psychological flexibility among the employees of an industrial company in Shiraz.
Methods: To this end, among the employees of an industrial company in 2023, 147 people (51 women and 96 men) were selected and evaluated by 1. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, 2. Quick Exposure Check, 3. Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire, 4. General Health Questionnaire, and 5. Cognitive Flexibility Inventory. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 26) using regression analysis test.
Results: Descriptive findings demonstrated that the most common WMSPs in the sample group were back pain(76.19%), neck pain (69.38%), and lower back pain (56.46). Moreover, the mean hours of physical exercise per week were significantly associated with WMSPs (P<0.05). Based on the findings, body posture had the greatest ability to predict neck, shoulder, hand, and back pain (P<0.01). Furthermore, work-related stress, mental health, and psychological flexibility significantly predicted WMSPs (P<0.05).
Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results,  body posture education may contribute greatly to the mitigation of WMSPs.Moreover, work-related stress management and the promotion of employees’ psychological flexibility will reduce WMSPs.

Investigating the Relationship of Work-related Stress and Work Fatigue with the Prevalence of Skeletal-muscular Disorders in Pre-hospital Emergency Staff in Saveh in 2023
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.

Investigating the Relationship between Presenteeism and Workforce Productivity and Job Stress
Manizhe Afrashte Fard,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: Presenteeism is defined as a global phenomenon that causes problems for workers who are present at work but are not fully efficient due to illness, boredom, unwellness, or other medical conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between presenteeism and the levels of labor productivity and job stress among the employees of a company affiliated with the Ministry of Petroleum.
Methods: The study subjects (n=59) were randomly selected from among the official employees of a provincial gas company according to the Cochran formula. The data of the study were collected using the Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS-6) and Health and Work Questionnaire (HWQ). The one-sample t-test was used to check the significance of presenteeism among employees. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 26 software.
Results: In this research, it was found that 27 individuals (46%) participating in the project were presentees, while 32 people (54%) were not. The results showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between presenteeism and the subcategories of productivity (r=0.003) and the subcategories of job stress (r=0.016).
Conclusion: In this research, it was found that higher levels of presenteeism led to lower productivity of the workforce and higher levels of job stress, which imposes high costs on the organization.

Evaluation of the Effect of Educational Intervention on the Cognitive Performance of Taxi Drivers Exposed to Heat Stress in a City in Southern Iran
Nilufar Davoodi, Arash Salahshouri, Marzieh Sadeghian,
Volume 12, Issue 3 (12-2024)
Abstract
Objectives: One of the occupations that is exposed to a lot of heat stress is taxi drivers. Due to their working conditions, these people spend a lot of time standing next to their cars in the sun to pick up passengers, and they are also exposed to heat stress throughout the entire driving journey. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention program on the cognitive performance of taxi drivers exposed to heat stress in a city in southern Iran.
Methods: The present study was a semi-experimental intervention that was conducted in three stages: initial assessment, training, and secondary assessment for 80 taxi drivers in two intervention and control groups. In the first stage, a general assessment of all drivers' knowledge and awareness of heat stress was performed, while cognitive parameters, including concentration skills and mental fatigue, were measured using a questionnaire. Then, training was given to the intervention group in both in-person and online formats. Two months after the start of training, cognitive parameters were measured for both intervention and control groups. Data analysis was also performed using SPSS software.
Results: The results after the intervention showed that the training significantly increased concentration skills and significantly reduced mental fatigue (P<0.001). Regarding concentration skills and mental fatigue, along with all subcategories of the two questionnaires, the results showed that there was no significant difference between these variables before the intervention between the two groups. However, the difference between the two groups was significant after the intervention (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Implementing an appropriate training program with follow-up over a period of two months to familiarize individuals with heat stress improved cognitive performance, and using follow-up training with a virtual structure improved the teaching and learning process and had an impact on individuals' performance.

Investigating the Association of Noise Exposure with Occupational Stress and Work Ability among Workers of a Food Processing Plant
Rasoul Hemmatjo, Abolfazl Ghahramani, Mansour Mahmood Aghbash,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (2-2025)
Abstract
Objectives: Numerous factors such as job types and conditions, work organizations, and individual characteristics affect work ability of the workers. Furthermore, occupational stress is not solely influenced by individual characteristics; a stressful work environment is also a significant source of stress. Noise has been recognized as one of the major occupational hazards that adversely affects work condition in many industries. In the present study, the association of noise exposure with occupational stress and work ability of the workers in a food processing plant was investigated.
Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was performed on 142 workers of a food processing plant in various work groups. The OSIPOW questionnaire results were utilized to measure occupational stress and the work ability of the workers was determined by Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire. Noise exposure of the workers was calculated as a measure of 8-hour time weighted average. The association between noise exposure and work ability was analyzed using Pearson and Spearman correlation tests. Multiple regression test was utilized to analyze the simultaneous effect of variables. Moreover, one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) was used to analyze the mean difference of independent variables.
Results: The findings demonstrated a significant positive association between noise exposure and stress level across various work groups (P<0.001). Furthermore, a significant negative relationship can be found between noise exposure and work ability of the workers (P<0.001). A simultaneous analysis of variables influencing occupational stress and WAI showed that noise had the most effect. Although  occupational stress levels were not significantly different across working groups, mean difference of WAI was significant.
Conclusion: Based on the obtained findings, higher levels of noise exposure may contribute to increased occupational stress and decreased work ability among workers.

Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Mental Workload, General Health, and Occupational Stress Among Office Employees
Shiva Mohammadjani Kumeleh, Mohammad Amin Rashidi, Azim Akbari,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (2-2025)
Abstract
Objectives: Administrative employees are often at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders due to prolonged computer use. Additionally, frequent interactions with clients expose them to a high mental workload and job stress. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, mental workload, general health, and job stress among administrative employees to improve their working conditions.
Methods: The present work followed a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical method and was conducted on the administrative employees of an engineering company in 2021. Finally, 119 individuals participated in the study using the census method. Demographic information questionnaires, as well as Rapid Office Strain Assessment (ROSA), Cornell, NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and Health and Safety Executive (HSE)-UK job stress checklists were used to collect data. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software, employing descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results: According to the posture assessment with the ROSA method, the average final ROSA score was 4.33±1.03. Examination of mental load with the NASA-TLX indicated that 78% had a high mental load. In addition, according to the GHQ questionnaire, the average final general health score was 24.4±11.73. Moreover, based on the HSE-UK occupational stress questionnaire, more than 80% (103 people) of employees were under severe stress, and 12% (15 people) were under critical stress. A significant relationship was observed between occupational stress, body mass index (BMI), and age (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The implementation of intervention and control measures to improve musculoskeletal disorders, workload, general health, and job stress seems to be essential.

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