Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Investigating the influence of cognitive demands and personal factors on work-body postures(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2021) Nino, Luisa Valentina; Co-chairs, Graduate Committee: David Claudio and Scott Monfort; Frank Marchak and David Claudio were co-authors of the article, 'Evaluating physical and mental workload interactions in a sterile processing department' in the journal 'International journal of industrial ergonomics' which is contained within this dissertation.; Frank Marchak and David Claudio were co-authors of the article, 'Association between perceived workload and adverse body postures' in the journal 'Proceedings of the International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care' which is contained within this dissertation.Mental workload is a broad concept used by human factors and ergonomics professionals. It has become a topic of increasing importance since the introduction of technology in modern working environments. Mental workload assessment is an important component in the design of occupational tasks since inappropriate levels can cause errors, incidents, and be responsible for occupational diseases and musculoskeletal disorders. Until now, research studies have explored the effects of physical activity on mental workload. No study has analyzed the effects of mental workload on body postures even though studies have stated that in response to new information from the workplace environment, the human body orients in the direction of a stimulus, and this orientation reaction could affect the ongoing activity. This dissertation looked to 1) determine if psychosocial work factors affect perceived mental workload, 2) determine if changes in perceived mental workload generated changes in the body postures undertaken to perform an activity, and 3) explore if individual factors such as age, sex, personality traits, and anxiety mediate or exacerbate the influence of psychosocial work factors. Thirty-two participants performed two physical activities under four levels of mental workload. The results indicate, for the first time, that an increase in the perception of mental workload is associated with worse body postures that consequently could lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Regarding the potential influence of individual factors, differences were not observed between mental workload conditions. However, individual characteristics such as anxiety, personality traits, and sex exhibited higher contributions to changes in perceived mental workload and body postures. This study is novel and contributes to overcoming an important shortcoming in the field of mental workload by considering the influence of psychosocial factors, keeping the physical load constant, on the perception of mental workload and its influence on body postures. This interaction between perceived mental workload and its effects on physical risk should be considered in occupational settings since often, employees are exposed to concurrent physical and mental demands that increase the likelihood of developing WMSDs.Item De-escalation training for pyschiatric/mental health nurse practitioner students(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2020) Hatfield, Carly Jordan; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Dale MayerWorkplace violence towards nurses is occurring at alarming rates throughout Montana and the United States. Verbal de-escalation is recommended for the prevention and management of aggressive patients in health care settings. However, de-escalation training is not required to be provided in nursing education programs. The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate simulation-based verbal de-escalation training for psychiatric/mental health graduate nursing students on the prevention and management of aggressive patient behavior. The de-escalation training included an education module and simulated scenario using a simulated patient behaving as an agitated psychiatric patient. Confidence levels before and after the training were measured with the Confidence in Coping with Patient Aggression (CCWPA) scale and de-escalation techniques were assess with the English Modified De-escalating Aggressive Behavior scale (EMDABS). Strengths and weakness of the de-escalation techniques used in the simulation were identified and discussed. Overall scores on the CCWPA increased after the training. All participants received EMDABS scores representing acceptable de-escalation techniques. Identified strengths include use of a calm demeanor and maintaining a safe distance. Weakness include use of emotional suppression, limited use of inference, and lack of confidence. De-escalation training can positively affect nurses' confidence levels for coping with patient aggression. Use of a simulated patient scenario can provide a high-fidelity mental health experience that is effective for practicing de-escalation techniques. Participants reported that they felt the training was beneficial to their education and recommended that de-escalation training with a simulated patient be required in all nursing education.Item An educational program to increase staff knowledge and skills in the therapeutic management of violent behaviors by patients(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2016) Combs, Eleanor Stacey; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Christina SieloffWork place violence (WPV) is an unfortunate fact of life for health care workers and has evolved into a serious health hazard among both in the United States, and worldwide. Health care workers, facilities, and patients themselves often suffer negative consequences, both physically and mentally, by experiencing or witnessing WPV. An educational intervention, consisting of a pre-test, PowerPoint R presentation, and a post-test, was conducted to increase health care workers' knowledge regarding the therapeutic management of WPV. The intervention group (N=18) consisted of a variety of the direct care employees of an adult inpatient psychiatric facility in a rural/frontier western state. The educational intervention and tests were based on the Centers for Disease Control, Workplace Violence Prevention for Nurses Program (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2014). Topics covered in the intervention included: definition of violence, types of violence, workplace violence consequences, and risk factors for violence, prevention strategies for health care workers, and intervention strategies. The goal was to compare the pre-test and post-test mean scores, in an effort to see if the educational intervention could significantly increase the participants' overall knowledge of WPV. Test data was analyzed using a dependent sample t-test of mean scores, as the same group completed both the pre-test and the post-test. Results indicated that the educational intervention significantly increased WPV knowledge of the participants. Future research would benefit from using a larger sample size and by conducting a long term project to identify if there was a correlation between the evidence-based WPV education and the overall reduced incidents and/or injuries related to WPV. Continued research is important as an effective system needs to be implemented to safely manage potentially dangerous situations while protecting health care workers.Item The aging workplace(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Business, 1998) Schulz, Deborah; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Norman L. MillikinProblem Statement: The major purpose of this study was to discover the nature of the attitudes of Gallatin County employers toward older workers. Questions to be answered: 1. Are employers open minded in their hiring practices? 2. Do employers use language in advertising for employment opportunities that discourages older workers from applying? 3. Must older employees constantly try to combat stereotypes and attitudes of other employees or their supervisors in the workplace? 4. Are older employees given the same opportunities for growth and development as other employees? 5. Is there a difference in the way male and female are treated? 6. Does working in Bozeman, Montana have greater or lesser opportunities for the aging worker than in other communities?Item Perceptions of office workers in the office(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Business, 1992) Barnes, Frances P.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Norman L. MillikinThe major purpose of this study was to determine the Medicine Hat, Alberta Chapter of Professional Secretaries International's (P.S.I.) members' perceptions and attitudes of their role in the office and their employers' perceptions and attitudes of the secretary's role in an office. The population selected included the entire membership of the P. S. I. chapter that were currently employed as office workers as well as their employers. The sample size was thirty office workers and twenty-nine employers. Data were gathered through a literature review and a survey instrument. The interviews were carried out in-person with a 100% response rate. The main conclusions of this study were: (1) Medicine Hat employers are generally communicating very well with their office workers; (2) employers are making office workers a part of the decision-making process; (3) office workers are provided with paid training when it is needed; (4) employers will help their employees deal with work-related stress, but are not as willing to deal with stress caused by personal problems; (5) employers think their office workers complete challenging tasks and respect them for it. To community colleges the recommendations were to: (1) provide students with problem-solving skills; (2) emphasize the ever changing role of the secretary and the need for continual upgrading; (3) encourage students to join P. S. I. and to write the certified Professional Secretary exams. To Medicine Hat businesses, recommendations were to: (1) review their pay schedules for office workers; (2) provide office workers with more frequent performance appraisals; (3) provide financial support for the membership dues of Professional Secretaries International. To the Medicine Hat Chapter of P. S. I. the recommendation was to become more visible in both the community and the local college so as to attract more members. For further research, the recommendation was for a further study to be done using a population of office workers who are not members of P. S. I. and their employers.Item The effects of state-level anti-discrimination laws on sex segregation in the workforce(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2015) Haines, Jacqueline Elizabeth; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Wendy A. StockWomen's equal pay and sex segregation in the workforce has been a national discussion since the 1900s and is still relevant today. In 1963, the Federal Equal Pay Act was passed addressing this issue. This research examines state-level equal pay legislation that was passed prior to the federal law and how these laws affect sex segregation in the workforce. Using U.S. Census data from 1910 to 1960, sex segregation is analyzed using difference-in-difference regression analysis to determine the effects of state-level legislation on the D-index, concentration ratios, and the probability of being employed in a female-dominated or male-dominated job. Results from state-level analysis do not illustrate these laws having any effect on the D-index or concentration ratios, suggesting there are multiple counteracting effects. On an individual-level, state-level equal pay legislation reduces the likelihood of women being employed in female-dominated jobs. However, this legislation seems to have no effect on the likelihood of males being in a female-dominated job, or a male-dominated job.Item Horizontal violence in nursing : policy implications(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2015) Price, Brandom Jones; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Sandra KuntzThe problem of horizontal violence (HV) in nursing remains a prevalent problem despite recommendations of zero tolerance from national organizations such as the American Nursing Association and the Joint Commission. Horizontal violence is defined as "hostile, aggressive, and harmful behavior by a nurse or group of nurses toward a coworker or group of nurses via attitudes, actions, words and/or behaviors" (Thobaben, 2007, p. 82). A study conducted in 2003 and repeated in 2013 by the Institute of Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) found a persistent culture of HV tolerance and indifference in healthcare settings. Horizontal violence is closely related to retention of both seasoned and new graduate nurses, a serious concern in the current and looming nursing shortage. This project investigated possible policy implications related to horizontal violence in nursing by increasing an understanding of the supportive role of hospital policies. Procedures for this project included (a) a review of current HV literature, (b) a request for policies on HV, workplace violence, harassment, bullying and/or codes of conduct/ethics from 10 hospitals (both critical access and non-critical access) in Montana, and (c) analysis of the policies using an evidence-based grid. Out of the ten hospitals of various sizes contacted, there was a 50% response/participation rate. Of the five hospitals that responded, none had policies specific to horizontal violence. Three hospitals had workplace violence policies and two hospitals had no policies on HV or any related key words. Findings indicate a clear need for further study with a larger hospital sample and an improved policy retrieval process to better understand the presence or absence HV healthcare policies. Use of the evidence-based grid developed for this project could serve as a useful tool for hospitals interested in creating a policy directly related to HV in nursing and a mechanism for consciously developing and enforcing cultures of respect in the workplace.Item Relationship between gender, gender-related characteristics, and perceived job stress among university employees(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2002) Boyle, Joshua ThomasItem The effects of sound on reading comprehension in an office work environment(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Business, 1996) Romagosa-Thomsen, Lone J. M.Item Dissolved hierarchial workplace romances : effects of illicitness of the romance, existence of a workplace romance policy, and type of harassing behavior on responses to a sexual harassment complaint(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2002) McClure, Jamie Renae