Information posted on this site is maintained by Dr. Alyssa 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 all 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 for supporting workers.
Dr. McGonagle has a forthcoming book: Chronic health conditions and work: Proactive strategies for supporting employees and doing well by doing good. Oxford University Press.
People
Alyssa K. McGonagle, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Psychology and Organizational Science Program Director, Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master's Program University of North Carolina Charlotte Co-Chair, Healthy Work Design & Well-Being Council, NIOSH 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. Nikita Williams, M.A. Loralee Hoffer, B.A.
Previously Affiliated Students Faris Khan, B.A., UNC Charlotte Lena Etzel, Ph.D., UNC Charlotte Lydia Roos, Ph.D. UNC Charlotte Jonathan Flinchum, Ph.D., UNC Charlotte Katie Kavanaugh, Ph.D., UNC Charlotte Tarya Bardwell, Ph.D., 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 (*current or former student)
*Reed, B. N., & McGonagle, A. K. (2024). Working with chronic Health conditions: A case for more proactive support. Accepted for publication at Workplace Health & Safety. https://doi.org/10.1177/21650799241267835
*Reed, B. N., & McGonagle, A. K. (2024). Ups and downs: Workers with fluctuations in chronic pain and work–health management interference. International Journal of Stress Management. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/str0000332
McGonagle, A. K., Chosewood, C., Hartley, T., Newman, L., Ray, T., & Rosemberg, M. (2024). Chronic health conditions in the workplace: Work stressors and supportive supervision, work design, and programs. Occupational Health Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41542-024-00192-0
*Reed, B. N., & McGonagle, A. K. (2023). Research and scholarly methods: Studies of workplace well-being and other organizational phenomena. Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. https://doi.org/10.1002/jac5.1848
*Etzel, L., McGonagle, A. K., *Roos, L., & *Mooney, J. (2023). All for one, one for all: Compassionate goal orientation, social support, and work engagement. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00115-4
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)
*Roos., L., McGonagle, A. K., & *Etzel., L. (2022). Are your goals working for you or against you? Implications of interpersonal goals at work on surface acting and burnout. International Journal of Stress Management, 29, 193-204. https://doi.org/10.1037/str0000249