Factors that contribute to work satisfaction of master students and graduates

in Pracana, Clara; Wang, Michael (Eds.) International psychological Applications Conference and Trends (2016)

From employers to university managers, they all want their employees or students to be the most satisfied in their work or studies respectively. Our study aim was to analyze the associations between work ... [more ▼]

From employers to university managers, they all want their employees or students to be the most satisfied in their work or studies respectively. Our study aim was to analyze the associations between work satisfaction (WS) with psychosocial job-related factors, general and psychological quality of life, and socioeconomic characteristics. An online questionnaire was completed by Master students (N=66) and graduates (N=71). WS was assessed with a single item (1 to 10=very satisfied). Determinants of Postgraduates’ WS were: physical working conditions, recognition you get for good work, opportunity to use ones abilities as well as general and psychological quality of life. These results show that their entrance into the job market is recent and hasn’t yet allowed them to feel the reinforcement they are entitled to expect. Indeed, for Masters Students, the higher their WS was, the better the financial situation they declared was, and the higher the freedom to choose their own work methods and relationships with colleagues and fellow workers were. Whereas for graduates, it is the amount of responsibility they are given, which was higher. The perceptions of graduates’ WS in relation to their career attitudes and at different stages of their careers must be further explored with a longitudinal study. [less ▲]

Le statut matrimonial et la qualité des liens sociaux des personnes souffrant de maladies cardiovasculaires influent-ils sur les inégalités liées aux changements des comportements à risque?

in Sociétés en mouvement - Sociologie en changement (2016)

Les maladies cardiovasculaires constituent l’une des principales causes de morbidité et de mortalité dans les pays développés. Liées aux modes de vie et aux choix alimentaires, elles représentent un ... [more ▼]

Les maladies cardiovasculaires constituent l’une des principales causes de morbidité et de mortalité dans les pays développés. Liées aux modes de vie et aux choix alimentaires, elles représentent un problème sociétal et de santé publique majeur. Dans une étude de suivi des patients ayant passé un examen des coronaires 5 ans plus tôt au Luxembourg (n=1289), notre communication tentera de mettre en évidence l’impact du statut matrimonial et des liens sociaux sur la prise de conscience des facteurs de risque de maladies cardiovasculaires dans un monde globalisé dans lequel des mutations sociales inéluctables sont à l’œuvre (famille recomposée, individualisme, identification à de nouvelles communautés à travers les réseaux sociaux, internet, etc.). La cellule familiale actuelle peut-elle rester une ressource centrale dans l’adoption de comportements sains ? Quelle est la place de la qualité des liens sociaux dans le processus de la réflexivité individuelle face à cette prévention secondaire ? Dans ce processus, les savoirs des patients s’enrichissent continuellement en mobilisant plusieurs ressources, à savoir les professionnels de santé, les médias, les réseaux sociaux, la famille et les amis. Ainsi, la modification du comportement (ou son absence) serait-elle la résultante d’un choix délibéré des patients au regard des représentations et des croyances que ceux-ci se feraient des risques qu’entraîneraient leur maladie à la fois pour eux-mêmes et pour leur entourage proche. [less ▲]

Disparities in Career Attitudes among Postgraduate Students

in Pascana, Clara (Ed.) Psychology Applications & Developments II (2016)

The preparation of students’ future career trajectories is a dynamic process in relation with social and educational determinants. Our objective is to analyse the associations between generic employment ... [more ▼]

The preparation of students’ future career trajectories is a dynamic process in relation with social and educational determinants. Our objective is to analyse the associations between generic employment capabilities, career attitudes and related factors among postgraduate students. All masters’ students registered at the Centre for Documentation and Information on Higher Education (CEDIES) database in Luxembourg were contacted by post to participate in an online questionnaire. The five point scale questionnaire was scored as follows: 1) Dynamic Career Attitudes (DCA); 2) Employability Soft-Skills (ESS); 3) Search for Work Self-Efficacy (SWSES); 4) Quality of Life domain Autonomy (QLA); and 5) Socio-demographic characteristics. The data were analysed using bivariate tests, correlations and multiple linear regression models. 481 of the volunteers (26.4 years; SD=5.5) were predominantly women, Luxembourgish, unemployed and had less than or equal to six months of job experience. The higher the ESS, SWSES and QLA scores, the higher the DCA score was. Nationality, being unemployed, having less than six months job experience and being in the first year of a Master’s degree programme were associated with a lower dynamic career attitude score. The Dynamic Career Attitudes scale seems to be an appropriate instrument to evaluate the efficacy of the university career services programme. [less ▲]

Diagnostic des Besoins et des Demandes Spécifiques des Bénéficiaires de Pays Tiers du Contrat d’Accueil et d’Intégration

Report (2015)

Les buts du projet ont été : • Elaborer une photographie des profils sociodémographiques et économiques des 2547 signataires du CAI dont 1130 sont issus de pays tiers • Etablir un diagnostic quantitatif ... [more ▼]

Les buts du projet ont été : • Elaborer une photographie des profils sociodémographiques et économiques des 2547 signataires du CAI dont 1130 sont issus de pays tiers • Etablir un diagnostic quantitatif et qualitatif de leurs besoins spécifiques concernant le dispositif du CAI et ses prestations, de ses retombées sur l’intégration et la qualité de vie. Les objectifs du projet • Décrire le profil socioéconomique des signataires de PT au regard de celui des signataires issus de l’UE et des données sur les étrangers du recensement 2011 ainsi que leur participation aux prestations du dispositif du CAI ; • Analyser le profil socioéconomique des bénéficiaires ayant répondu au questionnaire de PT vs. EU ainsi que celui des volontaires de PT ayant participé aux consultations collectives ; • Examiner les difficultés rencontrées par les bénéficiaires PT dans leur intégration ainsi que leurs besoins et leurs demandes par rapport aux prestations existantes ; • Identifier les retombées du dispositif du CAI sur leur participation à la vie sociale, leur qualité de vie (emploi, formation, santé…) et leur utilisation des services ; • Déterminer les améliorations possibles qui pourraient renforcer le processus du dispositif du CAI afin de soutenir leur intégration. Méthode. Parmi les 452 bénéficiaires du Contrat d'Accueil et d'Intégartion, 233 personnes sont issues de Pays Tiers et ont répondu à un questionnaire. Parmi eux, 50 personnes ont été volontaires pour participer à l’une des 11 consultations collectives animées en français, anglais, espagnol, serbo-croate et chinois. [less ▲]

Poor information increases depression risk after stroke.

Article for general public (2015)

Worries and career employment attitudes: the role of social inequalities of master’s degree students.

in Promotion of Mental Health (2015)

University students' mental health is affected by worries about the employment of their future. Our purpose is to analyze the relationships between traits of worry and career attitudes, happiness and ... [more ▼]

University students' mental health is affected by worries about the employment of their future. Our purpose is to analyze the relationships between traits of worry and career attitudes, happiness and autonomy in their quality of life among postgraduates. Method: Independent of their socioeconomic status, all students obtained financial aid from the government of Luxembourg. A link to an online questionnaire was sent to their home address. The instrument assessed: Penn-State-Worry scale, Career dimensions (adaptability, optimism, knowledge and planning), Happiness and Quality of Life Autonomy scores, and sociodemographic characteristics. Bivariate-tests, correlations and multiple linear regression models were used for analysis. Results: A majority of the 481 volunteers (26.4 years; SD=5.5) were women and unemployed. Sociodemographical factors such as European or non-EU nationality (vs. Luxembourgish), possession of an internship employment contract (vs. fixed-term and permanent contract) and being a part of social and humanity sciences domain were related with high worries. Lower adaptability (β= -2.271; p< 0.001) and optimism career attitudes (β= -2.162; p= 0.002), low happiness (β= -1.518; p= 0.039) and autonomy in their quality of life (β= -0.669; p= 0.004), respectively, were affected by higher worry score. Conclusion: Worry indicator could be observed routinely to monitor students’ career adaptability and optimism. University career employment workshops may help to increase the individual capabilities to improve and/or to maintain their well-being. Nationality, employment contract status and chosen academic field had generated mental health inequalities that must be considered in consultations, counseling and implementation of prevention and promotion programs. [less ▲]

Les aidants familiaux : Investir dans des programmes de promotion de leur« capabilité de santé »

Book published by L'Harmattan - Academia (2015)

Face aux changements démographiques (allongement de l’espérance de vie) et à la baisse de la croissance économique (augmentation des inégalités sociales), les répercussions du prendre soin à domicile sont ... [more ▼]

Face aux changements démographiques (allongement de l’espérance de vie) et à la baisse de la croissance économique (augmentation des inégalités sociales), les répercussions du prendre soin à domicile sont lourdes de conséquences sur la qualité de vie. Les aidants familiaux de personnes atteintes de maladie chronique présentent des risques pour leur santé physique et psychologique. Avec le temps, quelles sont les connaissances et les aptitudes requises pour être en mesure d’accompagner un proche tout en maintenant sa « capabilité de santé », c’est-à-dire en se préservant ou en adoptant un style de vie sain ? À partir de recherches menées au Luxembourg auprès d’aidants de victimes d’un accident vasculaire cérébral, huit domaines ont été identifi és: santé physique, santé psychologique, valeur accordée au mode de vie, sentiment d’auto-efficacité, soutien familial, capital social, conditions matérielles/sentiment de sécurité, satisfaction à l’égard des informations et des services de soins. Des entretiens menés en Lorraine (France) ont permis d’approfondir le contenu de ces domaines. Cet ouvrage fournit un guide utile à l’élaboration de supports innovants ainsi qu’un instrument pertinent pour l’évaluation d’actions de promotion de la capabilité de santé des aidants familiaux. [less ▲]

Life Satisfaction between Non-Luxembourgish and Native Luxembourgish Postgraduate Students

in Sociology Migration and Integration (2015)

Life satisfaction (LS) is a potential key to social progress and contributes to the functioning of individuals. In Luxembourg, the postgraduates who receive financial aid from the government are ... [more ▼]

Life satisfaction (LS) is a potential key to social progress and contributes to the functioning of individuals. In Luxembourg, the postgraduates who receive financial aid from the government are registered at the Centre for Documentation and Information on Higher Education. In order to obtain the financial aid, one of the criteria dictates that one of the parents of foreign students should have been working in Luxembourg for at least 5 years. In this country, which is built on migration (46% of the resident population consists of foreigners), is the basis on which our scientific questions are raised: (1) between non-Luxembourgish and native Luxembourgish students is the LS different? (2) What respective relationships exist with mental health-related factors, career attributes, socio-economic characteristics, and LS? (3) What are their associations of mental health (health satisfaction, psychological quality of life, worry), perception of financial situation and career attributes (adaptability, optimism, knowledge, planning) on LS? Between 2012 and 2013, 644 postgraduates were contacted by post to complete an online questionnaire in English or French. Foreign postgraduates who are settled in Luxembourg (born in Luxembourg and did not have the Luxembourgish citizenship, N=147) and native students (born in Luxembourg and had the nationality, N=284), were compared. Postgraduates who were born in Luxembourg but did not have the citizenship or were not born in Luxembourg and had the Luxembourgish citizenship were excluded. A single item measured LS (1 = not at all satisfied to 10 = very satisfied) same as in the European quality of life survey. Bivariate tests, correlations and multiple linear models were used, in which only significant relationships (p< 0.05) were integrated. Between the two groups, no differences exist between LS’ indicators (7.8/10 non-Luxembourgish; 8.0/10 natives), both of which is higher than the European indicator 7.2/10 (for 25-34 years). However, non-Luxembourgish students are older than natives are (29.3 years vs. 26.3 years), perceive their financial situation as more difficult, and a higher percentage of their parents have an education level higher than a Bachelor's degree (father 59.2% vs 44.6% for natives; mother 51.4% vs 33.7% for natives). In addition, father’s education is related to postgraduates’ LS and the higher is their level, the greater is their contribution to LS. Whereas for the native students, the better their health satisfaction, and career optimism is, the higher their LS are. For the both group, mental health-related factors, perception of their financial situation, career optimism, adaptability, and planning are linked to LS. The higher their psychological quality of life is, the better is their LS. Good health and favourable attitudes related to the job market enhance their LS. [less ▲]

Weight loss associated with socioeconomic status in patients with angina pectoris, 5 years after an angiography

in Cardiology (2015), (132 (suppl 1)), 60

The aim of the study is to assess the association between weight loss and socioeconomic status (SES) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as angina pectoris. Method:In 2013-2014, 1,873 ... [more ▼]

The aim of the study is to assess the association between weight loss and socioeconomic status (SES) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as angina pectoris. Method:In 2013-2014, 1,873 patients out of 4,391 that had undergone an angiography in 2008 -2009 participated in a follow-up study. Among these patients, 457 suffered from angina pectoris and were obese or overweight at baseline. A self-administered questionnaire was completed. Moderate weight loss was defined as the loss of 5%-10%, severe weigh loss as more than 10 % of baseline weight. Household-income was used as proxy for SES. Logistic regression was applied to assess the association between weight loss and SES. Results:During the reference period, 28% of the participants lost weight. A moderate weight loss was higher in patients with a household income between 3000€ and 4500€ per month (OR: 2.3; CI 95%: 1.0-5.2) and higher than 4500€ per month (OR: 3.0; CI 95%: 1.3-7.2) compared to the lowest income group (less than 3000€ per month). A severe weight loss was not associated with income. However, a severe weight loss was higher for retired patients (OR: 4.3; CI 95%: 1.1-17.0) compared to non-retired.Conclusion: The potential reduction of health inequality by an elimination of social inequalities in weight loss among patients with angina pectoris might be substantial. Moderate weight loss in overweight patients with angina pectoris at baseline could be associated with household income. Intervention strategies in secondary prevention should address these social inequalities in order to support equity in health. [less ▲]

Students’ Well-being: Impacts of studying out-EU and perceived autonomy on the Psychological Quality of Life

in European Health Psychologist (2015), special

Introduction: With an increasing number of university students in preparation of their entrance in the labor market, the wellbeing of the postgraduates became a priority for many universities. Despite ... [more ▼]

Introduction: With an increasing number of university students in preparation of their entrance in the labor market, the wellbeing of the postgraduates became a priority for many universities. Despite numerous studies on this topic, respective relationships of wellbeing and other psychosocial factors still remain unclear. Aims: (1) to assess Psychological Quality of Life of postgraduates who study in Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (GDL), EU and non – EU countries; (2) to analyze its associations with their socio-economic,health and employability related cofactors. Method: All masters’ students registered at the Centre for Documentation and Information on Higher Education (CEDIES) database in GDL were contacted by mail to participate at an online questionnaire (in English or French) measuring: 1. Psychological Whoqol-bref (6 items) (dependent variable) 2. Wellbeing attributes: Quality of Life Autonomy, Health Satisfaction, and Penn state worry questionnaire (Worries). 3. Employability attributes: Search for Work Self Efficacy scale (SWSES), Career Goals setting. 4. Perceived financial situation and socio-demographic characteristics. Respondents who did not mention the country of their studies were excluded from the analysis. Bivariate tests and correlations were performed for association analyses between the variables. Only significant relationships (p<0.05) were used in the multiple linear model. Results: 490 participants were volunteers from which 13.5% study in Luxembourg, 77.8% in an EU country and 8.7% in a non EU country. Majority were women, with exception for those studying in non-EU countries who were mainly men. Participants studying in GDL were older than those studying abroad. Natives of Luxembourg were prevalent with higher percentages among those who study in a non EU-country. Those studying in non-EU showed significantly (p<0.05) higher Psychological Quality of Life (M=76.8; SD=12.8) than those in GDL (M=74.5;SD=12.6) respectively in EU (M=71.4; SD=15.3). While participants differ in their QoL-Autonomy score there isn’t any significant difference in their career goals setting, Search for work self efficacy, Health satisfaction, Worries and Perceived financial situation across the country of study.Conclusion: Better psychological quality of life mobilized the capability of students to study abroad, which is related to better wellbeing attributes. However this relationship remains true only for students studying in Non-EU countries. Implementing workshops to increase individual self-efficacy towards a future employment may improve and/or maintain wellbeing of academics and limit so, respective social inequalities. [less ▲]