This study investigated the relationship between gender, management style, and decision-making regarding wellness programming by human resource managers. From a sample of 200 members of the Society for Human Resource Management from the state of Indiana, 83 individuals participated in this study. Each participant completed the 10-item Sargent and Miller Leadership Questionnaire, and ranked, in order of importance, five possible benefit offerings (of which wellness programs was one) that their organization could offer its' employees. T-test analysis revealed that gender was not an indicator of management style preference, nor was it an indicator of the perceived importance of wellness/health promotion programs. Although gender did not show any relevance to management style or the support of wellness programs, the use of correlational analysis did reveal a slight correlation between management style and the support for wellness programs. / Fisher Institute for Wellness

A major goal when conducting worksite health promotion activities is to reach a high percentage of employees. Participation rates vary, especially between blue and white-collar workers. This study investigated perceived barriers to participation in both participants and non-participants, as identified by Support, Professional and Auxiliary Service employees (which include blue and white-collar) at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie Indiana. A questionnaire was sent through interoffice mail to a random sample of employees. It included five barrier categories: perceived physical barriers, lack of perceived self-efficacy, perceived psychological barriers, convenience factors and presence of social support. The categories were subjected to an F test and results in 3 of the 5 supported the research hypothesis that there would be a significant difference in the perceived participation barrier scores. For four of the five barrier categories the mean value was highest for Professional Service employees. / Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology

This study was designed to answer the following research questions: "To what extent do undergraduate health education programs offer a worksite health promotion course?" "What are the components included in the worksite health promotion courses offered by colleges and universities?" "Does program approval or accreditation impact whether or not a program offers a worksite health promotion course?" and "Does CHES preparation of students impact whether or not a program offers a worksite health promotion course?"Data were collected from colleges/universities across the nation using a written, mailed questionnaire. From the analysis of the data it was found that 24.7% of the undergraduate health education programs surveyed offer a worksite health promotion course, none of the components on the checklist were present in all WHP course syllabi, there does not appear to be a statistically significant relationship between a program having SABPAC approval or having NCATE accreditation and the offering of the WHP course, and there does not appear to be a statistical significant relationship between a program preparing it students for the CHES examination in the offering of a WHP course. / Department of Physiology and Health Science

The purpose of this study was to identify familial, as well as organizational factors that support and inhibit the development or maintenance of healthy lifestyle behaviors of Lands' End, Inc. employees. Participation by the twelve employees and eight spouses was based on employees' Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Questionnaire scores. Participants answered questions in during a 20minute semi-standard interview. The data was analyzed and interpreted, resulting in four emergent themes. The themes included: a perception of family support, a perception of organization support, a perception of barriers to family support, and a perception of barriers to organizational support for healthy lifestyle behaviors. The results of this study support the literature on support mechanisms for healthy lifestyle behaviors and provides suggestions which may be useful for future study in this area. / Fisher Institute for Wellness

Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Workplace bullying has become the most serious contemporary issue that negatively affects organisations socially and economically. Today organisations are faced with the financial burden associated with high staff turnover, absenteeism, low morale, high medical costs and poor performance resulting from bullying in the workplace. Therefore, organisations are focusing on ways and means to address this particular problem. The aim of the study was to explore the subjective experiences of employees regarding workplace bullying and the response of the employee health and wellness section of the Limpopo provincial Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism. This research was also prompted by the challenges the researcher faced as social worker in the Employee Health and Wellness office of said department. The lack of South African research and literature studies on bullying and the response by the public sector also motivated the researcher to conduct the study. The exploratory paradigm was utilised in this study, since limited information was available on the nature and extent of bullying as well as on the response of Employee Health and Wellness office at a provincial department in the Limpopo province. The qualitative research approach was utilised in this study, and questionnaires were used to collect data needed for the project. A purposive sampling method was used to select suitable respondents for the study. Utilising questionnaires, the researcher interviewed 19 employees who had experienced bullying in the department. The research revealed that all of the respondents in the sample had experienced bullying and received support from the departmental Employee Health and Wellness section. Most respondents had a high regard for employee health and wellness services as means of support to cope during difficult times in their careers. The research findings, however, also indicated that some respondents sought help from outside. The study also revealed that more effort should be focused on implementing employee health and wellness programmes as preventative approach. It is further recommended that employee health and wellness programmes should be pro-actively applied to include educational workshops and awareness programmes on the impact of workplace bullying and its associated economical and psychological implications on both the organisation and the individual in order to prevent it. / Thesis (MSW)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Workplace bullying has become the most serious contemporary issue that negatively affects organisations socially and economically. Today organisations are faced with the financial burden associated with high staff turnover, absenteeism, low morale, high medical costs and poor performance resulting from bullying in the workplace. Therefore, organisations are focusing on ways and means to address this particular problem. The aim of the study was to explore the subjective experiences of employees regarding workplace bullying and the response of the employee health and wellness section of the Limpopo provincial Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism. This research was also prompted by the challenges the researcher faced as social worker in the Employee Health and Wellness office of said department. The lack of South African research and literature studies on bullying and the response by the public sector also motivated the researcher to conduct the study. The exploratory paradigm was utilised in this study, since limited information was available on the nature and extent of bullying as well as on the response of Employee Health and Wellness office at a provincial department in the Limpopo province. The qualitative research approach was utilised in this study, and questionnaires were used to collect data needed for the project. A purposive sampling method was used to select suitable respondents for the study. Utilising questionnaires, the researcher interviewed 19 employees who had experienced bullying in the department. The research revealed that all of the respondents in the sample had experienced bullying and received support from the departmental Employee Health and Wellness section. Most respondents had a high regard for employee health and wellness services as means of support to cope during difficult times in their careers. The research findings, however, also indicated that some respondents sought help from outside. The study also revealed that more effort should be focused on implementing employee health and wellness programmes as preventative approach. It is further recommended that employee health and wellness programmes should be pro-actively applied to include educational workshops and awareness programmes on the impact of workplace bullying and its associated economical and psychological implications on both the organisation and the individual in order to prevent it. / Thesis (MSW)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in most Westernised countries. The prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancers is rapidly increasing. Older people with elevated blood lipids, obesity and DNA damage are at high risk of developing these diseases. There is a plethora of research to support the claim that a healthy diet and increased physical activity can reduce the risk of increased body fatness, diabetes and generally improve health. However, most interventions require intensive one to one advice. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of a group approach to advising on changes in lifestyle with particular attention to foods high in fibre. The study spanned a period of 12 weeks with a follow up session at 52 weeks to ascertain sustainability. The study: This study was a 12 week longitudinal intervention study with a follow up after 52 weeks. Measurements of anthropometry (skin folds, girths, weight and height), blood pressure, body fat by bio impedance and fasting blood (lipids, glucose and insulin) were made at weeks 0, 3, 6, 9,1 2 and 52. The participants were asked to complete a food frequency questionnaire and a physical activity questionnaire at each of the 6 measuring sessions and to provide an indication of what the goals that they had set and if they had accomplished them after 9,12 and 52 weeks. Between measurements at weeks 0 and 3 the volunteers were left to follow their usual food and activity pattern. Then as a group they were given a diet and exercise talk and provided with written material and pedometers to increase motivation. After measurement at week 6 they were randomly divided into two groups. The first group (A) were prescribed and provided with kiwifruit at a dose of 100g/30 kg body weight for three weeks while the second group (B) continued with the changes in diet and physical activity. Following measurement at week 9 group A abstained from kiwifruit while Group B added the kiwifruit to their diet and the measurements repeated. After 52 weeks, with only emails as ongoing communication, they were remeasured. Results For this multicultural, relatively middle aged group of 53 staff (28 women, 25 men) of mean age 46 years, measurable and statistically significant metabolic gains were made in the lipid profile over 12 weeks. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL all decreased and HDL increased significantly. Total cholesterol decreased from 5.6(±1.1) mean (±SD) mmol/L at baseline to 5.3(±1.1) mmol/L at week 12 (p<0.001); LDL cholesterol decreased from 3.5(±0.97) mmol/L at baseline to 3.3(±0.94) mmol/L at week 12 (p<0.001); and total cholesterol to HDL ratio decreased from 4.0(±1.1) to 3.7(±0.9) (p<0.001). In the 36 who were measured at 52- week follow- up these changes persisted. With the other outcome measures glucose showed a statistically but not biologically significant decrease over the 12 week period and body composition, blood pressure and insulin showed no significant change. The kiwifruit crossover had no apparent affect on the measures of any of the measurements reported. The participants reported that they increased fruit and vegetable and oily fish consumption and increased physical activity. These increases took place over the initial 12 week period and were maintained over 52 weeks. Conclusion: This study has shown that changes in diet and physical activity can favourably influence blood biochemistry even without accompanying changes in percentage body fat and weight. Furthermore, small, manageable lifestyle changes can result in biochemical changes persisting over 52 weeks.

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.