Björn Karlson

Stress, and health
and well-being

My main interests are in work stress, and health and well-being problems associated with that. This interest involves various forms of exposure, such as psychosocial stressors, working hours, physical stressors or causal attributions to these, the links between stressors, perceived stress and adverse health effects, and how to prevent such effects. A natural part of these interests lie in the measurement of stress and stressors.

Projects

• Centre for Medicine and Technology for Work Life and Society at Lund University, METALUND
  A collaboration between Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM), Faculty of Medicine, the Department for Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology (EAT), Faculty of Engineering and now also the Department of Psychology. The “Stress Research Group” of the centre aims to contribute, in novel ways, to a closer understanding of the links between work, stress and adverse health effects, for the goal of establishing a scientific base for a healthy work from a stress perspective.
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• Inadequate stress response as a possible vulnerability factor in exhaustion disorder
  The Trier Social Stress Test has been adapted to a virtual reality setting in which stress regulation is studied in persons with varying degrees, and stages of burnout. In co-operation with Kai Österberg, Peter Jönsson, Gerd Johansson, Mattias Wallergård, and Åse Marie Hansen.
• Recovery from stress in a virtual nature environment
  A pilot study using the same virtual stress provocation as above combined with a virtual nature environment with and without relevant sound exposure. The speed of recovery in various stress systems is studied. In co-operation with Peter Jönsson, Mattias Wallergård, Mathilda Annerstedt.
• Cognitive functioning after clinical burnout, exhaustion disorder.
  A longitudinal study of cognitive functioning associated with burnout by assessment in early phases of sick-leave for burnout, with follow-up after recovery 3-5 years later. In co-operation with PI Kai Österberg
• Fhvmetodik.se
  Two programs in co-operation with the Departments of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in Lund and Gothenburg. The programs aim for development, adaptation and implementation of methods into user-friendly instruments or methodologies for Occupational Health Services. From Lund the “Stress” work package presently involves two methods developed by the research group: a work site oriented intervention methodology for facilitation of return-to-work after sick-leave for burnout (ADA), and a questionnaire package for detection of early signs of burnout and the working conditions associated with that (LUQSUS). In Lund in co-operation mainly with Kai Österberg. 
• Work stress and attitudes in police officers in external service – are tutorial groups a tool usable to reduce burnout and increase work engagement?
  The project aims to examine the relationships between working conditions, assessed by self-report and crime statistics, burnout and attitudes. All police officers in external service in Scania were invited to participate in the study of which a baseline assessment has been carried out. In co-operation with Kai Österberg and Sofia Skogsliden.
• ScanCort – Scandinavian network of cortisol studies
  A network of cortisol researchers from nine universities in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, making critical reviews of studies on salivary cortisol in relation to a number of topics, e.g. psychosocial work stressors. 
• Lean Health Care – effects on working conditions and well-being
  A pilot study involving a couple of units within a University Hospital which have started Lean Health Care projects aiming to make the patient flow more effective. A brief questionnaire has been designed to assess some aspects of working conditions and well-being, assumed to be affected by the interventions. Assessments are carried out at baseline and two yearly follow-ups.
• ReFlex – reactions on flexible office environment
  A questionnaire has been designed to assess effects on psychosocial work environment, satisfaction with that, co-operation, well-being and vitality, in a large company, when moving from traditional cell offices to a “flexible office environment". In co-operation with Kai Österberg and Sofia Skogsliden.
• Pressure Pain Sensitivity as a mean of assessing stress activation
  Methodological development, in co-operation with UllCare A/S, Denmark, on an instrument for assessment of stress activation based on Pressure Pain Sensitivity.
• Long-term development of stress reactions —a prospective study of self-reported and physiological effects
  A three-wave study which is formally completed but with continuing publication. In co-operation with Kai Österberg, Roger Persson, Åse Marie Hansen.

Publications

• Publications

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