Occupational Health Challenges: Mapping Psychosocial Factors Impacting Burnout and Well-Being

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to delve into the intricate network of psychosocial factors influencing occupational burnout and overall well-being, particularly among workers in vulnerable positions. The rapidly evolving work landscape, amplified by technological advancements and shifting societal norms, has brought about unique challenges that disproportionately affect certain groups of workers. These challenges are multifaceted, involving elements such as workplace culture, social support systems, and individual psychological resilience. This Special Issue seeks to shed light on these complexities, offering insights that are vital for developing more inclusive and supportive work environments.

Themes (among others):

Psychosocial Risk Factors and Vulnerable Populations: This theme focuses on identifying and analyzing the specific psychosocial risk factors that contribute to burnout and diminished well-being in vulnerable worker groups, such as migrants, part-time workers, or those in precarious employment.

Impact of Organizational Culture and Management Practices: Articles under this theme will explore how various aspects of organizational culture and management practices, like leadership styles, work demands, and recognition, affect employee mental health and job satisfaction.

The Role of Social Support and Networking: This theme examines the influence of social support systems, both within and outside the workplace, in mitigating the effects of occupational stress and enhancing worker well-being. 

Technological Advancements and Worker Well-being: The contributions related to this topic will investigate how recent technological changes in the workplace impact psychosocial stress levels and overall worker health, especially among digitally marginalized groups. 

Intervention Strategies and Policy Recommendations: Articles under this theme will focus on evidence-based interventions and policy recommendations aimed at improving occupational health and reducing burnout, particularly for those most at risk. 

This Special Issue aims to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to address the pressing issue of occupational health in the changing world of work. We invite contributions that not only deepen our understanding of the factors impacting vulnerable workers but also propose actionable solutions to enhance their well-being and job satisfaction.

Dr. Gabriela Topa
Prof. Dr. Samuel Fernández-Salinero
Prof. Dr. Guofang Wang 
Dr. Zhiyan Chen
Guest Editors

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• occupational health
• psychosocial factors
• burnout
• well-being

Title: Mental Health and Job Satisfaction Among Independent Nurses: An Observational Study in Italy

Authors: Giovanni Cangelosi *, Stefano Mancin, Bei Diego, Samanda Pettinari, Giampietro Beltrami, Sara Morales Palomares, Cuc Thi Thu Nguyen, Marco Sguanci, Fabio Petrelli

Abstract: Introduction: The independent nurse (IN) is a healthcare professional who operates autonomously, not bound by an employment contract with a specific healthcare facility. INs provide personalized care to patients, often at home or within the community, and can work as individual freelance practitioners, as part of an associated professional practice, or in collaboration with private facilities. The primary objective of this study was to assess the job satisfaction levels of Italian nurses, comparing the results between employed nurses and INs. The secondary objective was to evaluate the changes in the perception of their working conditions among respondents who transitioned from being employed to IN and vice versa, and those who transitioned from IN to being employed. Methods: The study design was observational-descriptive. We conducted a preliminary analysis of the relevant regulations and subsequently performed a short review on the PubMed database to better understand the most significant parameters for evaluating nurse satisfaction. At the conclusion of the study, a specific multiple-choice questionnaire was proposed, yielding a sample of 200 nurses working in Italy. Results: The results show a higher level of job satisfaction among INs compared to their colleagues who are employed under contract. Respondents who transitioned from an employee to an independent practitioner reported a significant improvement in their overall work and personal quality of life. Conclusions: Independent nursing practice represents an intriguing opportunity for those residing in Italy that may have significant future professional developments.

Key Words: Independent nurse, job satisfaction, healthcare, freelance nursing, Italy, nurse employment transition, work conditions, quality of life