This site is for Dr. Alyssa McGonagle and the Work-Health Project at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Information posted on this site is maintained by Dr. McGonagle, who takes sole responsibility for its content.
We study factors that affect workers' health, safety, and well-being. We also study special populations of workers, including health care workers and workers who are aging and have disabilities, chronic health issues and/or chronic pain. We illuminate challenges that workers face and design and implement solutions.
What is Occupational Health Psychology (OHP)?
Occupational Health Psychology (OHP) is an inter-disciplinary field that focuses on psychological, social, and organizational factors at work that affect worker health, safety, and well-being. OHP includes research and industry professionals in the fields of Psychology, Public Health, Medicine, Organizational Science, and more. We have a common goal of creating healthier and safer working environments and promoting worker safety, health, and well-being.
Videos from APA about careers in Applied Psychology, including OHP and IO Psychology found here.
What is the Work-Health Project?
The Work-Health Project is a series of research studies and research translations about the intersection of work and health for people living and working with chronic health conditions. Examples of research studies and research translation articles in this area can be found below. Topics include work-health management interference, stigma and discrimination, interventions, and more!
For example, we are currently working on a NIOSH-funded study of work design and self-management of type 2 diabetes. We are also working on a study of managers and supervisors of workers with chronic health conditions to identify challenges and opportunities.
Dr. McGonagle has a forthcoming book (Nov. 2024): Chronic health conditions and work: Proactive strategies for supporting employees and doing well by doing good. Oxford University Press.
People
Principal Investigator Alyssa McGonagle, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Psychology and Organizational Science University of North Carolina Charlotte cv (pdf) Google Scholar Profile ORCID Profile (ORCID 0000-0003-2063-162X) MyBibliography
Currently Affiliated Students Brent Reed, PharmD, M.S. Kailey Meyer, M.A. Leah Bourque, M.A. Faris Khan
Previously Affiliated Students Lena Etzel, M.A. Lydia Roos, Ph.D. UNC Charlotte Jonathan Flinchum, M.A., UNC Charlotte Katie Kavanaugh, M.A, UNC Charlotte Tarya Bardwell, M. A., UNC Charlotte Jordan Parody, B.A. UNC Charlotte T'onna Kizzie, B.A. UNC Charlotte Niambi Childress-Powell, Ph.D., Wayne State University Lydia Hamblin, Ph.D., Wayne State University Mengqiao Liu, Ph.D., Wayne State University Sarah Schmidt, Ph.D., Wayne State University
Selected Recent Publications
Ruggs, E. N., & McGonagle, A. K. (2023). Can brief video trainings reduce bias and improve knowledge and attitudes toward applicants with disabilities? Journal of Business and Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-022-09857-5 Link to full text: https://rdcu.be/cZv5F
McGonagle, A. K., Bardwell, T., Flinchum, J., & Kavanaugh, K. (2022). Perceived work ability: A constant comparative analysis of workers’ perspectives. Occupational Health Science, 6, 207-246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41542-022-00116-w. (pre-print pdf)
McGonagle, A. K. (2021, Jan. 19). How organizations can support employees with chronic health conditions. Harvard Business Review.https://hbr.org/2021/01/how-organizations-can-support-employees-with-chronic-health-conditions McGonagle, A. K., Schmidt, S. R., & Speights, S. (2020). Work-health interference for workers with chronic health conditions: Construct and scale development. Occupational Health Science, 4, 445-470. (preprint pdf)