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Biomedical subjects

M J Colligan

Publications and source records attributed to M J Colligan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1985

Psychology in health risk messages for workers.

The content, style, and mode of company communications directed to workers regarding job hazards and health risks are frequently based only on concerns for technical accuracy and legal liability. These considerations as shaping factors in informational messages do not ensure worker understanding and responsiveness. Moreover, the uncertainty of health threats posed by many workplace chemical and physical agents, and the delayed, insidious disorders they may portend, present formidable obstacles in this regard. This report describes guidelines that attempt to overcome these difficulties, with specific reference to printed forms of informational material. The guidelines are based on concepts from the cognitive and social psychology literature, with additional input from experts in those fields as well as representatives from management and labor who have responsibilities for worker health education in their respective organizations. Selected guidelines are presented and critiques are offered of samples of hazard information materials directed to workers in light of the guidelines' prescriptions. Field trials are planned as a follow-up.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1980

Methodological and practical issues related to shiftwork research.

This paper cites inconsistencies in the current literature regarding the health impact of shiftwork and suggests that these disparities may be attributed, in part, to shortcomings in the nature and reporting of cross-sectional field research. Selected methodological (e.g., differential accretion, cross-over) and practical (e.g., definition of independent and dependent variables) problems in the design and communication of shiftwork investigations are discussed and strategies are provided for their solution.

Employment↗
PubMed1979

An investigation of apparent mass psychogenic illness in an electronics plant.

An investigation of a case of apparent mass psychogenic illness was undertaken in a midwestern electronics assembly plant. The plant employed 500 workers, of whom 80% were female. The illness outbreak involved a total of 90 female first shift workers who reported a variety of nonspecific symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and lightheadedness in response to a strange odor in the workplace. Although environmental testing revealed some localized concentrations of a few airbone contaminants, no environmental toxins were discovered that could account for the continuing outbreaks of illness. An ad hoc sample of affected and nonaffected workers was surveyed to assess the influence of psychological, sociological, and work environment factors in the outbreak. Analysis of the data revealed that affected workers reported more physical discomfort (temperature variations, poor lighting) in the workplace as well as psychological job stress (increase in workload, conflicts with supervisors) than did nonaffected workers. Moreover, affected workers scored significantly higher than nonaffected workers on personality tests measuring extraversion and hysteria traits.

Electronics↗
PubMed1978

An investigation of job satisfaction factors in an incident of mass psychogenic illness at the workplace.

An investigation was undertaken of an apparent outbreak of contagious psychogenic illness at an electronics plant in which approximately 50 females reported a variety of subjective nonspecific symptoms. The workers believed that the physical symptomatology was triggered by an unidentified odor in the plant which was not verified by environmental sampling for chemicals or by medical evaluations of affected workers. A random sample of non-affected and affected workers was surveyed by means of psychological health status inventories and epidemiological indices to determine the role that life-history, personality characteristics and job dissatisfaction had on susceptibility to illness. Results indicated that those workers reporting the highest level of perceived stress due to job dissatisfaction, family problems, and personal conflict were most likely to experience somatic symptoms. In the present study sources of dissatisfaction identified as potential precipitating factors of the illness outbreak were: 1) working conditions, 2) supervisory style, and 3) personal lifestyle.

Female↗
PubMed1977

Occupational incidence rates of mental health disorders.

This study attempted to provide occupational health professionals with an empirical basis for identifying and selecting specific occupations for further research into the relationship between job stress and worker health. Specifically, this involved an examination of the admission records of community mental health centers throughout one state (Tennessee) to determine the incidence rate of diagnosed mental health disorders for 130 major occupations (i.e., occupations employing 1,000 or more workers in the state). These occupations were then rank-ordered by incidence rate to provide a general scheme for evaluating the relative frequency of mental health disorders among the select occupations. The results indicated a disproportionate incidence of mental health anomalies among the hospital/health care professions. Some tentative explanations of this finding are presented, and suggestions are made for future research efforts.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Shiftwork effects on social and family life.

Advantages and disadvantages of different work schedules--fixed days, fixed afternoons, fixed nights, and rotating shifts--are reviewed in terms of social satisfaction and adjustment for the worker and his or her family. The chapter also calls for new studies assessing the impact of changes in the complexion of the workforce and composition of the American family on shiftworker satisfaction.

Family↗