International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Research

22 pages, 578 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Pandemic Resilience Competence Model for Healthcare Professionals—Individual and Organisational Aspects

by Nina Lorenzoni, Raquel Simões de Almeida, Daniela Wimmer, Ines Simbrig, Veronica Moscon, Fabio Carnelli, Nadine Sulkowski, Elohor Pamela Malaka, Paul Schober, Katharina Michel, Vítor J. Sá and Margit Raich

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(5), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050712 (registering DOI) - 1 May 2025

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of resilience and adaptability at both individual and organisational levels in navigating unprecedented challenges. This study introduces a novel Pandemic Resilience Competence Model, a framework that articulates eight key competences each for individuals and organisations to [...] Read more.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of resilience and adaptability at both individual and organisational levels in navigating unprecedented challenges. This study introduces a novel Pandemic Resilience Competence Model, a framework that articulates eight key competences each for individuals and organisations to enhance preparedness and response in pandemic scenarios. Employing a qualitative approach, the research identifies the essential skills and organisational capacities required to mitigate the impacts of pandemics. Using 50 semi-structured interviews with professionals and managers working in healthcare services in Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom, the model provides actionable insights for implementing processes to improve preparedness and response in pandemic scenarios for stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, and organisational leaders. Findings highlight the interdependence of individual and organisational competences, reinforcing the need for integrated strategies to build pandemic resilience. The conclusions advocate for embedding the competences within training and development initiatives, aiming to enhance collective readiness for future global health crises. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mental Health and Well-Being at the Workplace)

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13 pages, 862 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Differentiated Roles of Resilient Behavior and Job Crafting in Interaction with Work Intensity and Their Impact on Employee Health and Performance

by Amanda S. Voss, Roman Soucek, Klaus Moser and Hans Drexler

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(3), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030429 - 14 Mar 2025

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Abstract

In recent years, changing working conditions have placed high demands on employees, resulting in increased work intensity, which may affect employees’ health and performance. Based on job and personal resources, individual behaviors help to cope with increased work intensity. We investigated two individual [...] Read more.

In recent years, changing working conditions have placed high demands on employees, resulting in increased work intensity, which may affect employees’ health and performance. Based on job and personal resources, individual behaviors help to cope with increased work intensity. We investigated two individual behaviors, namely resilient behavior, which is a reactive approach that helps to cope with adverse situations at work, and job crafting, which is a proactive approach to managing the constellation of job demands and job resources. In a study of 1108 employees, we used regression analyses to examine the interplay between work intensity and individual behaviors and their impact on various outcomes. Our results showed that resilient behavior moderated the relationship between work intensity and psychosomatic complaints. In addition, work intensity moderated the relationship between job crafting and task performance. In summary, individual behaviors can have different effects on the constellation of work intensity and specific outcomes. Our findings on the specific effects of resilient behavior and job crafting allow for a more targeted application. Since the above behaviors can be enhanced through training, organizations can embrace this idea to maintain employees’ health and performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mental Health and Well-Being at the Workplace)

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26 pages, 2226 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Digital Stress-Preventive Management Competencies: Definition, Identification and Tool Development for Research and Practice

by Glauco Cioffi, Cristian Balducci and Stefano Toderi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(2), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22020267 - 12 Feb 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 740

Abstract

The digital transformation of work and the rise of remote workers (RWs) are gaining growing interest in occupational health science. However, research on managers’ role in well-being can be developed more. Aiming to bridge this gap, this study first defines and explores the [...] Read more.

The digital transformation of work and the rise of remote workers (RWs) are gaining growing interest in occupational health science. However, research on managers’ role in well-being can be developed more. Aiming to bridge this gap, this study first defines and explores the Digital Stress-Preventive Management Competencies (DMCs) and then develops and validates an indicator tool with a three-phase procedure. Phase 1 consisted of a literature review and interviews with experts to identify DMCs, followed by item generation, content analysis and competencies conceptualization. Phase 2 was devoted to tool validation, comprising exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis with 247 RWs. Phase 3 explored the concurrent validity by investigating the relationship between DMCs and psychosocial factors via structural equation modeling (sample Phase 2) and polynomial regression with response surface analysis on 50 manager–team dyads (RWs 218). Two key competencies were identified: supportive ICT-mediated interaction (SIMI) and avoidance of abusive ICT adoption (AAIA). The final nine-item tool revealed a two-factor structure and good psychometric properties. SIMI was associated with superior support and role, while AAIA was linked to demands and control reported by RWs. These findings suggest that the DMCs identified and the related tool have potential applications in future organizational intervention content and for research purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mental Health and Well-Being at the Workplace)

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23 pages, 2419 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Potentials of Digital Workplace Health Promotion

by Elisabeth Nöhammer and Michaela Drexel

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(7), 902; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070902 - 10 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) can sustainably impact organizations by improving employee health and strengthening legitimization. Digital Workplace Health Promotion (DWHP) may have even more impact thanks to its scope. This study reports on a hospital in Austria wherein DWPH was introduced into the [...] Read more.

Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) can sustainably impact organizations by improving employee health and strengthening legitimization. Digital Workplace Health Promotion (DWHP) may have even more impact thanks to its scope. This study reports on a hospital in Austria wherein DWPH was introduced into the existing WHP structure in combination with a digitalization effort for the entire organization. The approach was mainly quantitative with a few open questions and included a survey before and an evaluation after the project with about 240 respondents each. The use, intentions, barriers and benefits of DWHP from the employees’ perspectives were reported on to evaluate the potentials of DWHP for furthering sustainable developments within organizations. While DHWP is perceived as positive, current use is low. Nevertheless, intended future use is promising and perceived benefits are higher after implementation. However, perceived barriers are still high, requiring organizational efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mental Health and Well-Being at the Workplace)

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13 pages, 1252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Housewives to Employees, the Mental Benefits of Employment across Women with Different Gender Role Attitudes and Parenthood Status

by Zhuofei Lu, Shuo Yan, Jeff Jones, Yucheng He and Qigen She

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4364; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054364 - 28 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3130

Abstract

Previous studies suggest that paid employment can improve workers’ mental health status by offering a series of manifest and latent benefits (i.e., income, self-achievement and social engagement), which motivates policymakers’ ongoing promotion of labour force participation as an approach to protect women’s mental [...] Read more.

Previous studies suggest that paid employment can improve workers’ mental health status by offering a series of manifest and latent benefits (i.e., income, self-achievement and social engagement), which motivates policymakers’ ongoing promotion of labour force participation as an approach to protect women’s mental health status. This study extends the literature by investigating the mental health consequences of housewives’ transition into paid employment across different gender role attitude groups. In addition, the study also tests the potential moderating role of the presence of children in relationships. This study yields two major findings by using nationally representative data (N = 1222) from the United Kingdom Longitudinal Household Study (2010–2014) and OLS regressions. First, from the first wave to the next, housewives who transitioned into paid employment reported better mental health status than those who remained housewives. Second, the presence of children can moderate such associations, but only among housewives with more traditional gender role attitudes. Specifically, among the traditional group, the mental benefits of transition into paid employment are more pronounced among those without children. Therefore, policymakers should develop more innovative approaches to promote housewives’ mental health by considering a more gender-role-attitudes-sensitive design of future labour market policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mental Health and Well-Being at the Workplace)

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13 pages, 1403 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Work Stress on the Well-Being of Primary and Secondary School Teachers in China

by Jingyi Liao, Xin-Qiang Wang and Xiang Wang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021154 - 9 Jan 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4082

Abstract

Primary and secondary school teachers face increasing work stress, and more attention needs to be paid to their well-being. The present study was conducted to analyze the influence of work stress on the well-being of such teachers in China, and to explore the [...] Read more.

Primary and secondary school teachers face increasing work stress, and more attention needs to be paid to their well-being. The present study was conducted to analyze the influence of work stress on the well-being of such teachers in China, and to explore the effects of family–work conflict and a self-transcendent meaning of life. A total of 562 primary and secondary school teachers completed questionnaires assessing work stress, family–work conflict, and a self-transcendent meaning of life (including grasping the meaning of failure and detachment from success or failure) as potential predictors of well-being. Work stress negatively predicted teachers’ well-being; family–work conflict mediated this relationship and a self-transcendent meaning of life moderated it. The results of this study can be used as a reference for education departments seeking to intervene to prevent teachers from developing well-being problems from the perspective of a self-transcendent meaning of life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mental Health and Well-Being at the Workplace)

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Review

Jump to: Research, Other

15 pages, 721 KiB

Open AccessReview

Anxiety and Depression Disorders in Undergraduate Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Literature Review

by Ana Luisa Varrone Sartorao and Carlos Izaias Sartorao-Filho

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(12), 1620; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121620 - 3 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2177

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered several challenges on the front of mental health. Undergraduate medical students face considerable stress in their academic routines. Thus, there is a need to explore the implications for the mental health of undergraduate medical students during the [...] Read more.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered several challenges on the front of mental health. Undergraduate medical students face considerable stress in their academic routines. Thus, there is a need to explore the implications for the mental health of undergraduate medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To review the global literature about anxiety and depressive disorders in undergraduate medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: We developed an integrative literature review on the occurrence of anxiety and depressive symptoms in undergraduate medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. We included the manuscripts that used the PHQ-9 and/or GAD-7 questionnaires. We excluded systematic reviews, narrative reviews, integrative reviews, meta-analyses, and qualitative analytical studies. We assessed the results on the occurrence of anxiety and depression and the severity of symptoms in medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic using quantitative studies applying the GAD-7 questionnaire for anxiety or the PHQ-9 for depression. Results: We reviewed 85 selected studies, and the results showed a significant prevalence of moderate and severe symptoms of anxiety and depression, with 28.2% of participants presenting scores of ≥10 on the GAD-7 and 38.9% on the PHQ-9. Statistical analyses using simple and multiple regression tests revealed associations between higher rates of anxiety symptoms among students from developing countries and data collected after the lockdown period in 2020 during the pandemic lockdown. In addition, female students were at risk of depressive disorders. We emphasize as a limitation that the diagnosis of depression and anxiety requires a detailed clinical evaluation, which is not focused on in this actual study. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need for specific interventions to support the mental health of undergraduate medical students, especially female students from developing countries, during a pandemic crisis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mental Health and Well-Being at the Workplace)

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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

20 pages, 2245 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Teleworking Effects on Mental Health—A Systematic Review and a Research Agenda

by Elisabeth Figueiredo, Clara Margaça, Brizeida Hernández-Sánchez and José Carlos Sánchez-García

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(3), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030243 - 20 Feb 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6660

Abstract

Teleworking has become an increasingly adopted modality in organizations. However, changes in working conditions have led to several challenges regarding its impacts on professionals’ health. The aim of this study is to provide a systematic review of the literature about the impact of [...] Read more.

Teleworking has become an increasingly adopted modality in organizations. However, changes in working conditions have led to several challenges regarding its impacts on professionals’ health. The aim of this study is to provide a systematic review of the literature about the impact of teleworking on workers’ mental health. The PRISMA protocol and VOSviewer were used to identify the main trends from the set of 64 articles. The co-occurrence analyzes showed combined relationships between this new type of work and its effects on workers’ health, which resulted in four different clusters and a robust knowledge structure. Furthermore, the findings indicate that working from home has a dualistic nature. This study offers a prominent and promising framework regarding the teleworking impact on workers’ health research agenda. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mental Health and Well-Being at the Workplace)

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