This novel study from Finland sought to understand whether people who feel good about their situation have better health and reduced absenteeism.

The researchers designed their questionnaire to measure individual employees' virtues within a pulp and paper manufacturing workplace.

After completing the surveys and analysing the information, the researchers found that:

• Pride was considered to be the most important virtue by employees.
• Love and generosity were considered the next most important virtues.

The researchers examined the data in more detail, looking at whether people with high levels of virtues had more or less sick days. They found that high levels of virtue (pride, love, and generosity) were associated with reduced sick days.

The researchers also found that people with virtuous behaviour had lower levels or fatigue and less depression. Higher levels of virtuous behaviour were associated with increased happiness and an increased sense of general health. 

The researchers conclude that health and wellbeing and sickness absence can be improved by:

• Treating practitioners focusing on a holistic view of the person’s wellbeing.
• Organisations improving the level of virtuous behaviour, within the organisation and by employees contributing externally to other organisations.

"By addressing a person's physical, mental and virtual well-being, health care practitioners can take care of employees on a broader level than before," noted the researchers.

Authors

Warna-Furu C. Saaksjarvi M. Santavirta N. .

Institution

Department of Social and Health Care, Arcada Polytechnics, Jan-Magnus Janssons plats, Helsinki, Finland. carola.warna@arcada.fi

Title

Measuring virtues--development of a scale to measure employee virtues and their influence on health.

Source

Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. 24 Suppl 1:38-45, 2010 Dec.

Abstract

AIM AND METHOD: The objectives of this article are to present a measurement instrument for virtues, and to examine the link between virtues and health. The instrument was tested by the occupational health care at a large Finnish pulp and paper manufacturer and was shown to be consistent, valid and reliable. In developing the scale, we had two samples of employees and used factor analysis and partial least squares modelling (PLS) on both samples.

FINDINGS: Factor analysis showed that pride is the most important virtue, followed by love and generosity. In the PLS analysis, we found virtues to significantly reduce the number of sick days. In addition, we found significant relationships between virtues and fatigue, depression and happiness. Virtuous behaviour decreased sick leave and depression. The virtues had a positive influence on happiness and on improvement in one's health.

CONCLUSION: The results show that by taking into account virtues in working life, companies can significantly improve their employees' well-being. The measurement instrument helps broaden the traditional view on health and is meant to be used by health care professionals in their daily practice. By addressing a person's physical, mental and virtual well-being, health care practitioners can take care of employees on a broader level than before. Copyright 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation Copyright 2010 Nordic College of Caring Science.

Publication Type

Journal Article.

PubMed Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20553422