PERSPECTIVES OF PSYCHOLOGISTS TOWARDS THE FIELD OF ERGONOMICS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Yıl 2024, , 236 - 249, 15.12.2024

Merve Mamacı

https://doi.org/10.33439/ergonomi.1534603

Öz

Employees need a healthy environment and working conditions in their workplaces. This need is a legal obligation that must be met by employers. Ergonomics is concerned with improving the compatibility between humans and their environment. Considering that humans are psychosocial beings, addressing the field of ergonomics independently of psychology can be seen as a limitation. Therefore, examining the perspectives of psychologists working in workplaces regarding the field of ergonomics is valuable. This study aims to understand the perspectives on ergonomics of psychologists from different specialties and sectors in Turkey. Fifteen experts working in various cities across Turkey participated in the research. The study is qualitative, and the perspectives of the experts were explored through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was chosen as the method, and the analysis revealed three different themes regarding perspectives on the field of ergonomics: (i) psychologists' knowledge of ergonomics, (ii) psychologists' experiences with ergonomics-related work, and (iii) psychologists' perspectives on the intersection of psychology and ergonomics. The results of the study indicate that the knowledge and experiences of experts regarding ergonomics are limited. Furthermore, it was found that psychologists do not have structured written job descriptions assigned by their workplaces, leading to role conflict and role ambiguity.

Anahtar Kelimeler

ergonomics, psychology, industrial psychology, organizational psychology, work psychology

Etik Beyan

No conflict of interest has been declared by the authors.

Teşekkür

I would like to thank the psychologists who were participated and contributed fot this study.

PSİKOLOGLARIN ERGONOMİ ALANINA İLİŞKİN PERSPEKTİFLERİ: NİTEL BİR ÇALIŞMA

Öz

Çalışanlar, iş yerlerinde sağlıklı bir çevreye ve çalışma ortamına ihtiyaç duyarlar. Bu ihtiyaç, iş verenler tarafından sağlanması gereken hukuki bir zorunluluktur. Ergomomi, insanın çevreye olan uyumunu iyileştirme çabası içerisindedir. İnsanın psikososyal bir bir varlık olduğu düşünülecek olursa ergonomi alanının psikoloji alanından bağımsız ele alınması bir sınırlılık olarak değerlendirilebilir. Bu sebepten iş yerlerinde psikolog olarak görev alan psikologların ergonomi alanına ilişkin perspektiflerinin incelenmesi değerli olacaktır. Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de farklı uzmanlık dallarına mensup olan ve farklı sektörlerde görev alan psikologların ergonomi alanına yönelik perspektiflerini anlamayı amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmaya Türkiye’nin çeşitli illerinde görev alan on beş uzman katılmıştır. Araştırma nitel bir çalışmadır ve uzmanların perspektifleri yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilerek keşfedilmiştir. Yöntem olarak tematik analiz seçilmiş olup gerçekleştirilen analiz sonucunda ergonomi alanına yönelik perspektifler üzerine üç farklı temanın ortaya çıktığı görülmüştür. Bu temalar; (i) psikologların ergonomi alanına ilişkin bilgileri (ii), psikologların ergonomi alanına yönelik gerçekleştirilen çalışma deneyimleri, (iii) psikologların psikoloji ve ergonomi alanlarının kesişimine yönelik perspektifleri. Araştırma sonuçları; Türkiye’de farklı sektörlerde görev alan uzmanların ergonomi hakkındaki bilgilerinin, deneyimlerinin kısıtlı olduğunu göstermiştir. Ayrıca, psikologların iş yerleri tarafından tayin edilmiş yapılandırılmış yazılı görev tanımları olmadığını, buna bağlı olarak rol çatışması ve rol belirsizliği yaşadığını göstermiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

ergonomi, psikoloji, endüstri psikolojisi, örgüt psikolojisi, iş psikolojisi

Kaynakça

• Alblihed Åberg, M., Staats, E., Robertson, J., Schiöler, L., Torén, K., LaMontagne, A. D., Söderberg, M., Waern, M., & Nyberg, J. (2022). Psychosocial Job Stressors and Risk of Suicidal Behavior: An Observational Study Among Swedish Men. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 48(6), 435–445. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.4039
• American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Industrial and organizational psychology. American Psychological Association. Retrieved 2024, November 1, from https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/industrial
• American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): An opportunity to diversify your practice. APA Services. Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://www.apaservices.org/practice/business/marketing/building/employee-assistance
• American Psychological Association. (2014). Education and training in industrial and organizational psychology. https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/subfields/organizational/education-training.pdf
• Arık, E. (2015, November 23–25). The impact of 2023 targets on psychology departments [Oral presentation]. 14th National Social Sciences Congress, Ankara, Turkey.
• Arıkan, S. (2022). The career adaptability of psychology students: The roles of demographic variables, personality, and positive psychological capital. Studies in Psychology, 42(2), 427-471. https://doi.org/10.26650/SP2022-997542
• Aycan, Z. (1998). Endüstri ve Örgüt Psikolojisi Alanında Etik Uygulamalar. Türk Psikolojisi Dergisi, 13(42), 47-50.
• Backhaus, I., Lohmann-Haislah, A., Burr, H., & et al. (2024). Organizational change: Challenges for workplace psychosocial risks and employee mental health. BMC Public Health, 24, 2477. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19815-w
• Berjot, S., Altintas, E., Grebot, E., & Lesage, F.-X. (2017). Burnout risk profiles among French psychologists. Burnout Research, 7, 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burn.2017.10.001
• Bouzikos, S., Afsharian, A., Dollard, M., & Brecht, O. (2022). Contextualizing the Effectiveness of an Employee Assistance Program Intervention on Psychological Health: The Role of Corporate Climate. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(9), 5067. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095067
• Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
• Bridger, R. S. (2017). Introduction to human factors and ergonomics. CRC Press.
• Donaldson, S.I., Lee, J.Y. & Donaldson, S. I. (2019). Evaluating Positive Psychology Interventions at Work: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 4, 113–134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-019-00021-8
• Ercan, S., & Çelik, S. (2021). İşçi Sağlığı ve İş Güvenliği Araştırmalarında Psikolojinin Yeri: Türkçe Ve İngilizce Alan Yazın Arasında Betimsel Bir Karşılaştırma. Psikoloji Çalışmaları, 41(1). https://doi.org/10.26650/SP2020-0107
• International Labour Organization [ILO] Psychosocial Factors at Work: Recognition and Control. International Labour Office; Geneva, Switzerland: 1986. (Occupational Safety and Health Series No. 56). https://webapps.ilo.org/public/libdoc/ilo/1986/86B09_301_engl.pdf
• International Labour Organization. (2022). Psychosocial risks and stress at work. https://www.ilo.org/resource/psychosocial-risks-and-stress-work
• International Labour Organization. (2023, November 26). Nearly 3 million people die from work-related accidents and diseases each year. https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/nearly-3-million-people-die-work-related-accidents-and-diseases
• ISIG. (2024a). 2023 yılı SGK iş kazaları ve meslek hastalıkları istatistikleri değerlendirmesi panel haberi. https://www.isigmeclisi.org/21109-2023-yili-sgk-is-kazalari-ve-meslek-hastaliklari-istatistikleri-degerle#:~:text=*%202023%20y%C4%B1l%C4%B1%20verilerine%20g%C3%B6re%20yakla%C5%9F%C4%B1k,4000%20civar%C4%B1nda%20oldu%C4%9Funu%20s%C3%B6ylemek%20m%C3%BCmk%C3%BCn.
• ISIG. (2024b). Yüksekten düşme, ezilme, patlama, yanma, elektrik çarpması, zehirlenme… Eylül ayında 152, yılın ilk dokuz ayında en az 1371 işçi hayatını kaybetti. https://isigmeclisi.org/21105-yuksekten-dusme-ezilme-patlama-yanma-elektrik-carpmasi-zehirlenme-e
• Kim, H., & Stoner, M. (2008). Burnout and turnover intention among social workers: Effects of role stress, job autonomy and social support. Administration in Social Work, 32(3), 5–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/03643100801922357
• Kocatepe, S., & Parlak, Z. (2022). The effects of psychosocial factors on occupational accidents: a cross-sectional study in the manufacturing industry in Turkey. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics: JOSE, 28(4), 2574–2581. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2021.2010904
• Li, H., Shi, W., Qian, Y., & Mo, J. (2023). Role conflict and turnover intention among Chinese social workers: The roles of emotional exhaustion and job autonomy. Journal of Social Service Research, 49(5), 607–617. https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2023.2254805
• Lowman, R. L. (1982). Clinical psychology at work. The Clinical Psychologist, 35(3), 19-20.
• Moralo, T. S., & Graupner, L. I. (2022). The role of the industrial psychologist in managing the psychological impact of COVID-19 in the workplace. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 920894. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.920894
• Morse, G., Salyers, M. P., Rollins, A. L., Monroe-DeVita, M., & Pfahler, C. (2012). Burnout in mental health services: A review of the problem and its remediation. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 39, 341–352. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-011-0352-1
• Mwakyusa, J. R. P., & Mcharo, E. W. (2024). Role ambiguity and role conflict effects on employees’ emotional exhaustion in healthcare services in Tanzania. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2326237
• Niedhammer, I., Pineau, E., & Rosankis, E. (2024). The associations of psychosocial work exposures with suicidal ideation in the national French SUMER study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 356, 699-706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.04.042
• O*NET Online. (n.d.). Summary report for: 19-3032.00 - Industrial-organizational psychologists. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-3032.00
• O*NET Online. (n.d.). Summary report for: 19-3033.00 – Clinical and counseling psychologists. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-3033.00
• Petery, G. A., Parker, S. K., & Zoszak, L. (2021). The importance of psychological contracts for safe work during pandemics. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 14(1–2), 290–295. doi:10.1017/iop.2021.52
• Rizzo, J. R., House, R. J., & Lirtzman, S. I. (1970). Role conflict and ambiguity in complex organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 15(2), 150–163. https://doi.org/10.2307/2391486
• Rupert, P. A., Miller, A. O., & Dorociak, K. E. (2015). Preventing burnout: What does the research tell us? Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 46(3), 168–174. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039297
• Rutledge, P. B., & Hogg, J. L. (2020). In-depth interviews. In the International Encyclopedia of Media Psychology (pp. 1-7). Wiley-Blackwell.
• Saunders, B., Sim, J., Kingstone, T., Baker, S., Waterfield, J., Bartlam, B., & Jinks, C. (2018). Saturation in qualitative research: Exploring its conceptualization and operationalization. Quality & Quantity, 52(4), 1893–1907
• Schmidt, S., Roesler, U., Kusserow, T., & Rau, R. (2012). Uncertainty in the workplace: Examining role ambiguity and role conflict, and their link to depression—a meta-analysis. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 23(1), 91–106. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2012.711523
• Sohrabi, M. S. (2021). Ergonomics Role in Sustainable Development: A Review Article for Updates the Recent Knowledge. In: Black, N.L., Neumann, W.P., Noy, I. (eds) Proceedings of the 21st Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2021).
• The Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law. (2022). Law No. 5510. Retrieved from https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.5510.pdf
• Turkish Occupational Health and Safety Law (2012). The Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331. https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/MevzuatMetin/1.5.6331.pdf
• Ulfert, A. S., Le Blanc, P., González-Romá, V., Grote, G., & Langer, M. (2024). Are we ahead of the trend or just following? The role of work and organizational psychology in shaping emerging technologies at work. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 33(2), 120–129. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2024.2324934
• Wu, G., Hu, Z., & Zheng, J. (2019). Role stress, job burnout, and job performance in construction project managers: The moderating role of career calling. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(13), 2394. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16132394
• Xu, J., Liu, X., Xiao, Y., Fang, X., Cheng, Y., & Zhang, J. (2021). Effect of EAP psychological intervention on improving the mental health of medical workers under the novel coronavirus epidemic in China. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 649157. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.649157
• Yeo, A., Legard, R., Keegan, J., Ward, K., Nicholls McNaughton, C., & Lewis, J. (2013). In-depth interviews. In J. Ritchie, J. Lewis, C. M. Nicholls, & R. Ormston (Eds.), Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. Sage.
• Yökatlas. (2024). All universities with psychology programs. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://yokatlas.yok.gov.tr/lisans-bolum.php?b=10169