Naslov
Beliefs about age and physical demands of work in shiftworkers

Autori
Kaliterna Lipovčan, Ljiljana ; Prizmić-Larsen, Zvjezdana ; Brkljačić, Tihana

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Shiftwork International Newsletter / Kazutaka, Kogi - Kawasaki, 2001

Skup
15th International Symposium on Night and Shiftwork: Innovative Strategies in Managing Shiftwork

Mjesto i datum
Hayama, Japan, 10.09.2001. - 13.09.2001

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Cognitive age; Desired age; Work demands

Sažetak
The aim of the study was to investigate differences between shiftworkers and non-shiftworkers in terms of several aspects of aging. In particular, we investigated differences in variables of chronological and subjective age, desired age, beliefs about age, and age-related physical, mental and social demands of work. Subjects were workers in a medical setting, from which 59 shiftworkers and 55 non-shiftworkers were sampled. All subjects were administered a questionnaire from which we selected aging related items for analysis. Subjective age items were the following: how old do you feel, act and look. Subjects responded with their estimated age. Desired age was assessed with question &#8220 ; What age would you like to be?&#8221 ; . Beliefs about age were assessed by having subjects estimate the age at which people are most successful in work. Demands of work were assessed in terms of the subjects&#8217 ; reports of effort required by the work, tiredness resulting from the work, and personal skills needed to complete the work. Results showed that, compared to non-shiftworkers, shiftworkers report being more physically tired by their work and that their work required more physical effort. However, shiftwork was not associated with increased reports of mental and social effort or tiredness produced by work. No differences were found in the physical, mental and social skills required to perform the work, confirming that work skills were equivalent between groups. Shiftworkers endorsed the belief that younger people were more successful in work. In addition, shiftworkers had younger desired age compared to non-shiftworkers. There were, however, no differences in chronological or subjective age between the two groups. In conclusion, shiftworkers did not view their work as more mentally or socially demanding ; only physical components of the work ratings were related to shift- versus non-shiftwork. It could be that, if a group of people believe their work is physically demanding, they may also have specific age-related beliefs about work performance. In particular, people may believe that physically demanding work is best done by younger workers. Hence, if they believe their work is physically demanding they may wish they were younger. Shiftworkers conformed to this pattern of beliefs. First, shiftworkers believe that their work is more physically demanding and physically tiring. They also believe that younger people are more successful in their work. And finally, shiftworkers reported a desire to be younger than non-shiftworkers. Future studies may profitably investigate the consequences of experiencing shiftwork as more physically demanding than non-shiftwork.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Sociologija

POVEZANOST RADA