Aimée Ekman

Background: The relationship between work experiences, health, well-being, and job satisfaction is important, especially in high-stress professions like healthcare and social work. While work stress effects are well studied, less is known about how work experiences in early professional life impacts health, well-being, and intention to remain in the profession. Therefore, this study aimed to explore associations between work experiences, health, well-being, and the intention to remain in the profession among healthcare and social work professionals, three years after graduation. Methods: The study had a multicentre, cross-sectional design. As part of a larger longitudinal project on health-promoting factors during education and early careers, 165 of 1,751 invited graduates (from biomedical science, dental hygiene, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, radiology nursing, and social work) completed an online survey between December 2024 and January 2025. Instruments included the Work Experience Measurement Scale (WEMS), Sense of Coherence (SOC-13), and the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS), alongside questions on general health and well-being, physical activity, daily activity, sleep quality, and intention to remain in the profession. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, and regression analyses. Results: Higher WEMS total scores were associated with better general health, better well-being, and a higher intention to remain in the profession. Supportive work conditions and internal work experiences were most strongly associated with intention to remain in the profession. Autonomy enhanced health and well-being but did not directly affect intention to remain in the profession. Participants aged 30-36 years reported a lower intention to remain in the profession than those in the younger and older age groups. Conclusions: Positive work experiences may be important for supporting health, well-being, and intention to remain in the profession among healthcare and social work professionals three years after graduation. Lower intention to remain in the profession among those aged 30-36 years suggests a potential need for targeted support during this specific stage of working life. The findings support the integration of early-career support, sustainable leadership, and supportive work conditions into workforce strategies across healthcare professions and social work.

In Western societies, people who self-injure are often viewed as deviant. As a medicalised, pathologised, and stigmatised practice, self-injury embodies the opposite of healthy, moral and desirable behaviour. In this theoretical article, we argue that self-injury can be understood as an issue of social ordering and that self-injured bodies are constructed as disordered bodies. Two analytical concepts for understanding this construction are explored: maintaining order and putting in order . The first term refers to the separating activities that keep self-injured bodies apart from ‘normal’ bodies – people who do not engage in self-injuring practice. The second, putting in order, covers the various normative activities and efforts aimed at making self-injured bodies conform and be in order. Analysing these two processes enables an understanding of how society manages self-injured bodies to maintain and restore its sense of order, control, and stability.

This article is a grounded theorizing study exploring pluralistic views of body size based on interviews with Black, big-bodied women living in Khayelitsha, a township in Cape Town, South Africa. The aim is to articulate a system of beliefs that affirms the possibility that all body sizes can be the right size and defies the idea of intentional change in body size. Using a Constructivist Grounded Theory approach, we introduce and explore three analytical categories: bodies as given, bodies as circumstantial, and maintaining bodies as given. The first category refers to viewing body size as predetermined and, to a very limited extent, changeable through intentional action. Changes are partly explained by natural events such as growing up, giving birth, and aging. The second category refers to assumed connections between body size and living conditions or mood, such as happiness or worry. The third category, maintaining bodies as given, complements the idea of bodies as given and provides an understanding of changes in body size that are not covered by the idea of circumstantial bodies. This article shows how these ideas encourage efforts toward maintaining body size rather than changing it.

Background: Trait emotional intelligence (EI) is often assessed using the 30-item Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF). However, previous research using item response theory (IRT) modelling has identified several underperforming items. This study aimed to psychometrically evaluate, refine, and optimize the TEIQue-SF using IRT, with the goals of identifying and eliminating underperforming items, and examining whether items in the refined version function differently across sexes. Furthermore, the study sought to further validate the Swedish version of the TEIQue-SF. Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 845 first-year students aged 19–59 (87% women) from seven healthcare and social work programs across six universities in southern Sweden. Participants completed the TEIQue-SF and health-related measures for convergent validity. IRT modeling employed the Graded Response Model (GRM) using the 2-Parameter Logistic Model in IRT for Patient-Reported Outcomes (IRTPRO). Marginal reliability and differential item functioning (DIF) were assessed with IRT, internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha and mean inter-item correlations, and validity through evaluating Direct Discrepancy Dynamic fit index (DDDFI) and bivariate correlations. Results: The IRT modeling identified underperforming items, leading to a refined 12-item TEIQue-SF that effectively captures trait EI with high-quality items. The item selection process is detailed and supplemented. The shortened measure showed a strong correlation with the original (r = .94), demonstrated good reliability, and exhibited uniform DIF for only one item (Item 15). A comparison of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model fit statistics using the DDDFI indicated a fair fit for the TEIQue-SF. Consistent with previous research on the TEIQue-SF, both 30-item and 12 item versions demonstrated strong convergent validity with health-related measures within the Swedish context. Conclusions: The 12-item TEIQue-SF is a brief, precise, and valid measure for assessing trait EI while preserving its global conceptual structure. IRT modeling and validity testing against health-related measures confirm that 12-item TEIQue-SF effectively captures trait EI.

Background: Newly graduated healthcare and social work professionals can experience stress and a perceived lack of competence when transitioning from academia to clinical practice, which can lead to health problems or leaving the profession. Globally, creating healthy workplaces remains a challenge. The aim of this study, which had a salutogenic approach, was to explore health-promoting resources and workplace experiences among newly graduated healthcare and social work professionals. Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study included Swedish healthcare and social work professionals in their second year after graduation, recruited from six universities. Data were collected in March 2023 via a self-reported, web-based survey using validated instruments: the salutogenically oriented 13-item Sense of Coherence (SOC) Scale, the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS), and the 32-item Work Experience Measurement Scale (WEMS), along with questions on health, well-being, lifestyle and social factors at work, including three from the General Nordic Questionnaire (QPSNordic). Data were analyzed in SPSS 28 with nonparametric tests and Spearman correlations. Results: A total of 115 newly graduated healthcare and social work professionals completed the questionnaire. The results indicated that those who expressed they were sure to stay in the profession reported a higher total WEMS score (p < 0.001), as well as higher scores in five out of six dimensions: supportive working conditions (p < 0.001), internal work experience (p < 0.001), autonomy (p < 0.001), time experience (p = 0.006), and management (p = 0.029). Participants who rated their well-being as good scored higher in supportive working conditions (p = 0.025) and the change process (p = 0.008). Those living with children reported higher internal work experience scores (p = 0.019). The results revealed positive and medium-strong to strong correlations between WEMS, SHIS, and SOC total scores. Specifically, there were medium-strong correlations between SHIS and SOC and two dimensions of WEMS: supportive working conditions and time experience, and between SHIS and the change process dimension. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of salutogenic resources in supporting newly graduated professionals. Factors such as supportive working conditions, autonomy, and internal work experience were linked to well-being and intention to stay in the profession. Understanding these factors can inform workplace interventions to promote retention and health in early career stages.

Background: It has been suggested that the university environment, to improve students’ health status and educational outcomes, should be based on a health promoting approach. More knowledge is needed about health promoting resources and lifestyle factors that may be of value for students in higher education and their future work-life balance. The aim of this study was to explore health-promoting resources, general health and wellbeing, and health promoting lifestyle factors among fourth and final semester students in higher education in healthcare and social work. Methods: This longitudinal study is based on self-reported data collected through a web-based questionnaire that included questions about general health, wellbeing, and healthy lifestyle factors and made use of instruments: the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale, the Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS), and five questions from the General Nordic Questionnaire (QPS Nordic). The questionnaire was distributed among students enrolled in seven different healthcare and social work programmes at six universities in Sweden. Data was collected when students were in their fourth (2019/2020) and final (2020/2021) semesters analysed with multiple linear and logistic regressions. Results: The survey included responses from students during the fourth (n = 498) and the final (n = 343) semester of higher education programmes in health and social work. Total SOC scores decreased between the fourth semester and the final semester. The prevalence of the health promoting lifestyle factor of physical exercise decreased between the fourth and final semesters. Students in their final semester reported valuing group work more highly than did students in their fourth semester. Despite this, students in both the fourth and the final semester reported high SOC, low levels of good general health and perceived wellbeing, and sleeping problems. Conclusions: Students’ report of good general health were associated with wellbeing, high-intensity physical training, and no sleeping problems A high SOC level was associated with good general health, perceived wellbeing, and no sleeping problems. A higher SHIS level was also associated with wellbeing and no sleeping problems. Therefore, we suggest further research focusing on how to prepare students in healthcare and social work during higher education for a future work-life in balance targeting effects on sleep quality.

Previous research has both implicitly and explicitly discussed, and partly shown, that fatness can be viewed as an ordering issue. In Western countries, fat bodies are constructed as deviant and as disorder, while thin bodies are constructed as normal and in order. In line with Mary Douglas’s and Judith Butler’s theorisation around separating and purifying/subsuming processes, this article develops previous theorisations around fatness and social order. Two analytical concepts for understanding processes for ordering people based on body size are suggested. Both processes aim at preserving the social order but differ in how this is achieved. The first, maintaining order, refers to the processes that maintain separation between thinness and fatness and preserve social order. The second, putting in order, refers to the processes aiming to subsume fat bodies into social order and covers various activities for weight loss. Together, these concepts allow analysis of fatness as an ordering issue.

Background: Educational environments are considered important in strengthening students’ health status and knowledge, which are associated with good educational outcomes. It has been suggested to establish healthy universities based on a salutogenic approach – namely, health promotion. The aim of this study was to describe health-promoting resources and factors among first-semester students in higher education in healthcare and social work. Methods: This cross-sectional study is based on a survey distributed among all students in seven healthcare and social work programmes at six universities in southern Sweden. The survey was carried out in 2018 using a self-reported, web-based questionnaire focussing on general health and well-being, lifestyle factors together with three validated instruments measuring health-promoting factors and processes: the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale, Salutogenic Health Indicator Scale (SHIS) and Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ). Results: Of 2283 students, 851 (37.3%) completed the survey, of whom 742 (87.1%) were women; 722 (84.8%) were enrolled on healthcare programmes, and 129 (15.2%) were enrolled on social work programmes. Most reported good general health and well-being (88.1% and 83.7%, respectively). The total mean scores for the SOC scale, SHIS and OBQ were, respectively, 59.09 (SD = 11.78), 44.04 (SD = 9.38) and 26.40 (SD = 7.07). Well-being and several healthy lifestyles were related to better general health and higher SOC, SHIS and OBQ scores. Multiple linear and logistic regressions showed that perceived well-being and no sleeping problems significantly predicted higher general health and higher SOC, SHIS and OBQ scores. Being less sedentary and non-smoking habits were significant predictors of higher SOC. Conclusions: Swedish students in higher education within the healthcare and social work sector report good general health and well-being in the first semester, as well as health-promoting resources (i.e. SOC, SHIS and OBQ), and in some aspects, a healthy lifestyle. High-intensity exercise, no sleeping problems and non-smoking seem to be of importance to both general health and health-promotive resources. This study contributes to knowledge about the health promotive characteristics of students in the healthcare and social work fields, which is of importance for planning universities with a salutogenic approach.

Background: The World Health Organization has highlighted the importance of health promotion for health service providers in order to ensure sustainable working life for individuals involved in providing health services. Such sustainability begins when students are preparing to manage their own future health and welfare in working life. It has been suggested that universities, employees and trainee health professionals should adopt or follow a salutogenic approach that not only complements the providing of information on known health risks but also favors health promotion strategies. This paper describes the study design and data collection methods in a planned study aiming to explore health-promoting factors for a sustainable working life among students in higher education within healthcare and social work. Methods: This protocol describes a multicenter longitudinal study involving Swedish students on higher education programs in the healthcare and social work sectors. In 2018, the study invited students on seven education programs at six universities to participate. These programs were for qualification as: biomedical laboratory scientists (n = 121); dental hygienists (n = 87); nurses (n = 1411); occupational therapists (n = 111); physiotherapists (n = 48); radiographers (n = 60); and, social workers (n = 443). In total, 2283 students were invited to participate. Participants completed a baseline, a self-reported questionnaire including six validated instruments measuring health-promoting factors and processes. There are to be five follow-up questionnaires. Three while the students are studying, one a year after graduating, and one three years after graduating. Each questionnaire captures different health-promoting dimensions, namely: health-promoting resources (i.e. sense of coherence); occupational balance; emotional intelligence; health and welfare; social interaction; and work and workplace experiences/perceptions. Discussion: This study focuses on the vastly important aspect of promoting a sustainable working life for healthcare and social work employees. In contrast to previous studies in this area, the present study uses different, validated instruments in health promotion, taking a salutogenic approach. It is hoped that, by stimulating the implementation of new strategies, the study’s findings will lead to education programs that prepare students better for a sustainable working life in healthcare and social work.