Roland Blonk - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Roland Blonk

Research paper thumbnail of Reducing long term sickness absence by an activating intervention in adjustment disorders: a cluster randomised controlled design

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2003

Aims: To compare an innovative activating intervention with “care as usual” (control group) for t... more Aims: To compare an innovative activating intervention with “care as usual” (control group) for the guidance of employees on sickness leave because of an adjustment disorder. It was hypothesised that the intervention would be more effective than care as usual in lowering the intensity of symptoms, increasing psychological resources, and decreasing sickness leave duration.Methods: A prospective, cluster randomised controlled trial

Research paper thumbnail of Tevreden cliënt, geslaagde reïntegratie?

Netherlands journal of psychology, 2004

... Een nadere beschouwing van het begrip clie¨nttevredenheid in de reı¨ntegratiedienstverlening ... more ... Een nadere beschouwing van het begrip clie¨nttevredenheid in de reı¨ntegratiedienstverlening Veerle Brenninkmeijer Roel Cremer Roland WB Blonk* ... Overigens benadruk-ken ook Vinke ea (2003) de invloed van persoonsken-merken op clie¨ntsatisfactie. ...

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of work characteristics on return to work among long-term sick-listed employees with depression

Research paper thumbnail of Coping and sickness absence

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 2008

Objectives The aim of this study is to examine the role of coping styles in sickness absence. In... more Objectives The aim of this study is to examine the role of coping styles in sickness absence. In line with findings that contrast the reactive–passive focused strategies, problem-solving strategies are generally associated with positive results in terms of well-being and overall health outcomes; our hypothesis is that such strategies are positively related to a low frequency of sickness absence and with

Research paper thumbnail of Goal attainment scaling: An idiosyncratic method to assess treatment effectiveness in agoraphobia

Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 1993

Goal attainment scaling (GAS) is an individually tailored way to measure treatment gains, using a... more Goal attainment scaling (GAS) is an individually tailored way to measure treatment gains, using a highly standardized procedure. An advantage of the method is that it takes into account individual characteristics of the patients, and at the same time the data are suitable for quantitative analysis and comparable across patients. Despite the wide acceptance and use of the method in

Research paper thumbnail of Sustaining the Work Ability and Work Motivation of Lower-educated Older Workers: Directions for Work Redesign

This study examines directions for work redesign which might lead to the creation of sustainable ... more This study examines directions for work redesign which might lead to the creation of sustainable jobs for lower-educated older workers (45 years or over, ISCED 0-2) and thus motivate and enable them to extend their working lives. We use longitudinal data on 1,264 older Dutch workers collected by the Netherlands Working Conditions Cohort Study to analyse the characteristics of the work of lower-educated older workers and how these differ from those of higher-educated older workers. The aim is to determine whether work redesign initiatives directed to these characteristics might have the desired effect of enhancing work ability and/or work motivation. This study is unique in its focus on lower-educated older workers as a target group for active ageing policies at the EU, national and company HR levels, and also in its focus on work redesign rather than the training or improvement of the health of workers. Our findings suggest that redesigning social work characteristics can be a first...

Research paper thumbnail of Return to work: A comparison of two cognitive behavioural interventions in cases of work-related psychological complaints among the self-employed

Research paper thumbnail of Return to work among employees with mental health problems: Development and validation of a self-efficacy questionnaire

Work & Stress, 2010

Because of the costs to both the organization and the individual, it is important that employees ... more Because of the costs to both the organization and the individual, it is important that employees who are sick-listed with mental health problems are facilitated in their return to work (RTW). In order to provide adequate interventions, it is necessary to obtain a better understanding of the RTW process of people with mental health problems. Work-related self-efficacy (SE) might play

Research paper thumbnail of All day and all of the night: The relative contribution of two dimensions of workaholism to well-being in self-employed workers

Work & Stress, 2008

This study examined the associations between workaholism and perceived health (exhaustion, physic... more This study examined the associations between workaholism and perceived health (exhaustion, physical complaints, and feelings of professional efficacy) in a sample of 477 Dutch self-employed workers. We defined workaholism as having two components: (1) ...

Research paper thumbnail of Job stress and psychosomatic health complaints among Dutch truck drivers: a re-evaluation of Karasek's interactive job demand-control model

Research paper thumbnail of PREDICTORS OF JOB SEARCH BEHAVIOR AMONG EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE

Personnel Psychology, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Depressed and absent from work: predicting prolonged depressive symptomatology among employees

Occupational Medicine, 2008

The World Health Organization considers depression a major health problem and a leading cause of ... more The World Health Organization considers depression a major health problem and a leading cause of disability. To identify factors which may help to reduce depressive symptoms in a sample of employees sick listed due to mental health problems. Longitudinal cohort study of employees sick listed for 12-20 weeks due to mental health problems. Individuals were followed for 1 year. After a screening questionnaire, we conducted standardized interviews by telephone, assessing individuals' mental health, work characteristics and actions by employers. A total of 555 employees commenced the study and 436 participated in the second interview. Response rates were 42% for the screening questionnaire, 93% for the first interview and 79% for the second interview. Individuals with low education and sole breadwinners showed a less favourable course of depressive symptoms. Work resumption (partial and full) and changing the employee's tasks (action by employer) promoted a more favourable course of depressive symptoms. The findings point to the importance of work resumption and a change in work tasks in order to promote recovery. Using these insights, management of employees suffering from depressive complaints may be improved.

Research paper thumbnail of Supervisory behaviour as a predictor of return to work in employees absent from work due to mental health problems

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS): detecting anxiety disorder and depression in employees absent from work because of mental health problems

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2003

Research paper thumbnail of Job stress, fatigue, and job dissatisfaction in Dutch lorry drivers: towards an occupation specific model of job demands and control

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2002

Research paper thumbnail of Validation of Performance Indicators for Rehabilitation of Workers With Mental Health Problems

Medical Care, 2005

The objective of this study was to evaluate content validity and predictive validity of 11 perfor... more The objective of this study was to evaluate content validity and predictive validity of 11 performance indicators for the rehabilitation of workers with mental health problems. Content validity was assessed by experts who evaluated the validity of the performance indicators in 2 Delphi rounds. Predictive validity was evaluated by relating the performance indicators and their sum score to the outcome of a cohort of 191 employees absent from work as a result of mental health problems. Scores for the performance indicators were obtained by processing registration forms of consultations filled out by occupational physicians. Three outcome measures were used: time to return to work, change in level of fatigue, and patient satisfaction. Ten of the 11 performance indicators showed adequate content validity according to the expert panel. The evaluation of predictive validity yielded mixed results. One performance indicator did not show sufficient variability and was excluded from further analysis. The sum score of 9 performance indicators and performance on the evaluation of work disabilities were significantly related to a shorter time to return to work (hazard ratio [HR], respectively, 0.7; confidence interval [CI], 0.7-0.9 and 0.5; CI, 0.2-0.9). Adequate care regarding interventions aimed at providers of care in the curative sector was related to a longer time to return to work (HR, 1.8; CI, 1.1-3.0). The linear regression revealed that the sum score was not significantly related to a change in level of fatigue. However, lower quality of overall care was significantly related to moderately higher patient satisfaction (beta=0.18; P<0.05). The evaluated performance indicators showed sufficient content validity and overall predictive validity, but no clear relation could be established between individual performance indicators and outcome.

Research paper thumbnail of Explaining lower educated workers' training intentions

Journal of Workplace Learning, 2011

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to contribute to the discussion on how to increase lower e... more Purpose – The purpose of this study is to contribute to the discussion on how to increase lower educated workers' participation in training programs inside and outside the workplace through stimulating intentions with respect to training. Design/methodology/approach – This article is based on data from the Study on Life Long Learning and Employment by TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific

Research paper thumbnail of Bridging the gap between intentions and behavior: Implementation intentions, action control, and procrastination

Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Irrational Beliefs in Employees with an Adjustment, a Depressive, or an Anxiety Disorder: a Prospective Cohort Study

Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Behavioral assessment of avoidance in agoraphobia

Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 1991

... 13, No. 4, 1991 Behavioral Assessment of Avoidance in Agoraphobia Edwin de Beurs, 1 Alfred La... more ... 13, No. 4, 1991 Behavioral Assessment of Avoidance in Agoraphobia Edwin de Beurs, 1 Alfred Lange, 1 Richard Van Dyck, 2 Roland Blonk, 1 and Pieter Koele 1 Accepted: September 16, 1991 ... tory (Chambless, Caputo, Jasin, Gracely, & Williams, 1985). ...

Research paper thumbnail of Reducing long term sickness absence by an activating intervention in adjustment disorders: a cluster randomised controlled design

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2003

Aims: To compare an innovative activating intervention with “care as usual” (control group) for t... more Aims: To compare an innovative activating intervention with “care as usual” (control group) for the guidance of employees on sickness leave because of an adjustment disorder. It was hypothesised that the intervention would be more effective than care as usual in lowering the intensity of symptoms, increasing psychological resources, and decreasing sickness leave duration.Methods: A prospective, cluster randomised controlled trial

Research paper thumbnail of Tevreden cliënt, geslaagde reïntegratie?

Netherlands journal of psychology, 2004

... Een nadere beschouwing van het begrip clie¨nttevredenheid in de reı¨ntegratiedienstverlening ... more ... Een nadere beschouwing van het begrip clie¨nttevredenheid in de reı¨ntegratiedienstverlening Veerle Brenninkmeijer Roel Cremer Roland WB Blonk* ... Overigens benadruk-ken ook Vinke ea (2003) de invloed van persoonsken-merken op clie¨ntsatisfactie. ...

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of work characteristics on return to work among long-term sick-listed employees with depression

Research paper thumbnail of Coping and sickness absence

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 2008

Objectives The aim of this study is to examine the role of coping styles in sickness absence. In... more Objectives The aim of this study is to examine the role of coping styles in sickness absence. In line with findings that contrast the reactive–passive focused strategies, problem-solving strategies are generally associated with positive results in terms of well-being and overall health outcomes; our hypothesis is that such strategies are positively related to a low frequency of sickness absence and with

Research paper thumbnail of Goal attainment scaling: An idiosyncratic method to assess treatment effectiveness in agoraphobia

Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 1993

Goal attainment scaling (GAS) is an individually tailored way to measure treatment gains, using a... more Goal attainment scaling (GAS) is an individually tailored way to measure treatment gains, using a highly standardized procedure. An advantage of the method is that it takes into account individual characteristics of the patients, and at the same time the data are suitable for quantitative analysis and comparable across patients. Despite the wide acceptance and use of the method in

Research paper thumbnail of Sustaining the Work Ability and Work Motivation of Lower-educated Older Workers: Directions for Work Redesign

This study examines directions for work redesign which might lead to the creation of sustainable ... more This study examines directions for work redesign which might lead to the creation of sustainable jobs for lower-educated older workers (45 years or over, ISCED 0-2) and thus motivate and enable them to extend their working lives. We use longitudinal data on 1,264 older Dutch workers collected by the Netherlands Working Conditions Cohort Study to analyse the characteristics of the work of lower-educated older workers and how these differ from those of higher-educated older workers. The aim is to determine whether work redesign initiatives directed to these characteristics might have the desired effect of enhancing work ability and/or work motivation. This study is unique in its focus on lower-educated older workers as a target group for active ageing policies at the EU, national and company HR levels, and also in its focus on work redesign rather than the training or improvement of the health of workers. Our findings suggest that redesigning social work characteristics can be a first...

Research paper thumbnail of Return to work: A comparison of two cognitive behavioural interventions in cases of work-related psychological complaints among the self-employed

Research paper thumbnail of Return to work among employees with mental health problems: Development and validation of a self-efficacy questionnaire

Work & Stress, 2010

Because of the costs to both the organization and the individual, it is important that employees ... more Because of the costs to both the organization and the individual, it is important that employees who are sick-listed with mental health problems are facilitated in their return to work (RTW). In order to provide adequate interventions, it is necessary to obtain a better understanding of the RTW process of people with mental health problems. Work-related self-efficacy (SE) might play

Research paper thumbnail of All day and all of the night: The relative contribution of two dimensions of workaholism to well-being in self-employed workers

Work & Stress, 2008

This study examined the associations between workaholism and perceived health (exhaustion, physic... more This study examined the associations between workaholism and perceived health (exhaustion, physical complaints, and feelings of professional efficacy) in a sample of 477 Dutch self-employed workers. We defined workaholism as having two components: (1) ...

Research paper thumbnail of Job stress and psychosomatic health complaints among Dutch truck drivers: a re-evaluation of Karasek's interactive job demand-control model

Research paper thumbnail of PREDICTORS OF JOB SEARCH BEHAVIOR AMONG EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE

Personnel Psychology, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Depressed and absent from work: predicting prolonged depressive symptomatology among employees

Occupational Medicine, 2008

The World Health Organization considers depression a major health problem and a leading cause of ... more The World Health Organization considers depression a major health problem and a leading cause of disability. To identify factors which may help to reduce depressive symptoms in a sample of employees sick listed due to mental health problems. Longitudinal cohort study of employees sick listed for 12-20 weeks due to mental health problems. Individuals were followed for 1 year. After a screening questionnaire, we conducted standardized interviews by telephone, assessing individuals' mental health, work characteristics and actions by employers. A total of 555 employees commenced the study and 436 participated in the second interview. Response rates were 42% for the screening questionnaire, 93% for the first interview and 79% for the second interview. Individuals with low education and sole breadwinners showed a less favourable course of depressive symptoms. Work resumption (partial and full) and changing the employee's tasks (action by employer) promoted a more favourable course of depressive symptoms. The findings point to the importance of work resumption and a change in work tasks in order to promote recovery. Using these insights, management of employees suffering from depressive complaints may be improved.

Research paper thumbnail of Supervisory behaviour as a predictor of return to work in employees absent from work due to mental health problems

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS): detecting anxiety disorder and depression in employees absent from work because of mental health problems

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2003

Research paper thumbnail of Job stress, fatigue, and job dissatisfaction in Dutch lorry drivers: towards an occupation specific model of job demands and control

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2002

Research paper thumbnail of Validation of Performance Indicators for Rehabilitation of Workers With Mental Health Problems

Medical Care, 2005

The objective of this study was to evaluate content validity and predictive validity of 11 perfor... more The objective of this study was to evaluate content validity and predictive validity of 11 performance indicators for the rehabilitation of workers with mental health problems. Content validity was assessed by experts who evaluated the validity of the performance indicators in 2 Delphi rounds. Predictive validity was evaluated by relating the performance indicators and their sum score to the outcome of a cohort of 191 employees absent from work as a result of mental health problems. Scores for the performance indicators were obtained by processing registration forms of consultations filled out by occupational physicians. Three outcome measures were used: time to return to work, change in level of fatigue, and patient satisfaction. Ten of the 11 performance indicators showed adequate content validity according to the expert panel. The evaluation of predictive validity yielded mixed results. One performance indicator did not show sufficient variability and was excluded from further analysis. The sum score of 9 performance indicators and performance on the evaluation of work disabilities were significantly related to a shorter time to return to work (hazard ratio [HR], respectively, 0.7; confidence interval [CI], 0.7-0.9 and 0.5; CI, 0.2-0.9). Adequate care regarding interventions aimed at providers of care in the curative sector was related to a longer time to return to work (HR, 1.8; CI, 1.1-3.0). The linear regression revealed that the sum score was not significantly related to a change in level of fatigue. However, lower quality of overall care was significantly related to moderately higher patient satisfaction (beta=0.18; P<0.05). The evaluated performance indicators showed sufficient content validity and overall predictive validity, but no clear relation could be established between individual performance indicators and outcome.

Research paper thumbnail of Explaining lower educated workers' training intentions

Journal of Workplace Learning, 2011

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to contribute to the discussion on how to increase lower e... more Purpose – The purpose of this study is to contribute to the discussion on how to increase lower educated workers' participation in training programs inside and outside the workplace through stimulating intentions with respect to training. Design/methodology/approach – This article is based on data from the Study on Life Long Learning and Employment by TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific

Research paper thumbnail of Bridging the gap between intentions and behavior: Implementation intentions, action control, and procrastination

Journal of Vocational Behavior, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Irrational Beliefs in Employees with an Adjustment, a Depressive, or an Anxiety Disorder: a Prospective Cohort Study

Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Behavioral assessment of avoidance in agoraphobia

Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 1991

... 13, No. 4, 1991 Behavioral Assessment of Avoidance in Agoraphobia Edwin de Beurs, 1 Alfred La... more ... 13, No. 4, 1991 Behavioral Assessment of Avoidance in Agoraphobia Edwin de Beurs, 1 Alfred Lange, 1 Richard Van Dyck, 2 Roland Blonk, 1 and Pieter Koele 1 Accepted: September 16, 1991 ... tory (Chambless, Caputo, Jasin, Gracely, & Williams, 1985). ...