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Mental Health and Quality of Life among Healthcare Professionals

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 17267

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Juan Diego Ramos-Pichardo

E-Mail Website1 Website2 Website3
Guest Editor

Department of Nursing, University of Huelva, 21004 Huelva, Spain
Interests: mental health; professional quality of life; health-related quality of life

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The World Health Organization defines Quality of Life as an individual's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns. More specifically, Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has been defined as an individual's or a group's perceived physical and mental health over time.

Thus, at the individual level, HRQOL refers to physical and mental health perceptions (e.g., pain, mobility, mood) and their correlates, including health risks and conditions, functional status, social support, and socioeconomic status.

Healthcare professionals usually work in stressful contexts, in which they often undergo continuous contact with human suffering, difficult working conditions (shifts, working hours, time and material available, etc.) and inadequate social recognition or visibility, which sometimes translates into little opportunity for career development or advancement.

These circumstances, together with individual characteristics, can affect healthcare workers’ quality of life, resulting in a population vulnerable to certain physical and/or mental health issues. Furthermore, in the other direction, one wonders how a diminished quality of life might affect the quality of professional care provided by those workers.

From this perspective, it is of interest that health organizations implement practices and interventions (which range from aspects related to the organization of work to more individual aspects, such as the personal impact of each nurse when being in contact with people who suffer), as well as the study of the effectiveness of these interventions.

Improving the quality of life of healthcare professionals would have a double potential benefit: preventing health problems in a very large population group (healthcare workers) as well as preventing the possible effects that these problems could have on their professional work.

Articles describing the occupational and individual determinants of the quality of life of healthcare professionals, as well as those that can respond to the relationship between quality of life and quality of nursing care, are welcome. Works that evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve quality of life (global or some of its dimensions) of healthcare professionals will also be considered.

Dr. Juan Diego Ramos-Pichardo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

healthcare professionals
nursing staff
health-related quality of life
professional quality of life
quality of care
work conditions
burnout
compassion fatigue
compassion satisfaction

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 701 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Collapsing into Darkness”: An Exploratory Qualitative Thematic Analysis of the Experience of Workplace Reintegration among Nurses with Operational Stress Injuries

by Chelsea Jones, Brenda Juby, Shaylee Spencer, Lorraine Smith-MacDonald, Elly O’Greysik, Michelle Vincent, Colleen Mooney, Katherine S. Bright, Phillip R. Sevigny, Lisa Burback, Andrew Greenshaw, R. Nicholas Carleton, Raymond Savage, Jake Hayward, Yanbo Zhang, Bo Cao and Suzette Brémault-Phillips

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(17), 6664; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20176664 - 28 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1569

Abstract

Background: Nurses are engaged in an unpredictable and dynamic work environment where they are exposed to events that may cause or contribute to physical and/or psychological injuries. Operational stress injury (OSI) may lead to an extended time away from work or nurses leaving the profession altogether. A deliberate focus on the workplace reintegration phase of the mental health recovery process may lead to the increased retention of nurses in their profession. Prior to the creation and implementation of potential solutions to address workplace reintegration, it is imperative to explore the experiences and perceptions of nurses affected by OSI. This qualitative study aims to investigate the experiences and perceptions of nurses (N = 7) employed within a Canadian provincial healthcare system who have attempted workplace reintegration after being off of work with an OSI. Methods: Nurses were recruited via social media, unit emails, and word of mouth. Data were collected through recorded semi-structured interviews conducted over videoconferencing. Once transcribed, the data were thematically analyzed using an inductive approach. Results: The resulting themes included (1) heroes to zeros, (2) changing the status quo, (3) connection is key, and (4) post-traumatic growth: advocacy and altruism. Study participants indicated both that nursing culture and a cumulation of events contributed to a need for a leave of absence from work and that a formalized process was desired by nurses to assist in returning to work. Conclusions: The development, implementation, and exploration of innovative policies, procedures, and initiatives to bridge the gap from clinical interventions to workplace reintegration are needed for nurses experiencing OSI. Further research is also needed regarding mental health impacts and appropriate resources to support nurses in their workplace reintegration process after experiencing psychological and/or physical injury. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Quality of Life among Healthcare Professionals)

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20 pages, 424 KiB

Open AccessArticle

COVID-19 and Psychosocial Well-Being: Did COVID-19 Worsen U.S. Frontline Healthcare Workers’ Burnout, Anxiety, and Depression?

by M. Lelinneth B. Novilla, Victor B. A. Moxley, Carl L. Hanson, Alisha H. Redelfs, Jeffrey Glenn, Paola G. Donoso Naranjo, Jenna M. S. Smith, Lynneth Kirsten B. Novilla, Sarah Stone and Rachel Lafitaga

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4414; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054414 - 1 Mar 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3175

Abstract

Healthcare workers are highly regarded for their compassion, dedication, and composure. However, COVID-19 created unprecedented demands that rendered healthcare workers vulnerable to increased burnout, anxiety, and depression. This cross-sectional study assessed the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on U.S. healthcare frontliners using a 38-item online survey administered by Reaction Data between September and December 2020. The survey included five validated scales to assess self-reported burnout (Maslach Summative Burnout Scale), anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-2), resilience (Brief Resilience Coping Scale), and self-efficacy (New Self-Efficacy Scale-8). We used regression to assess the relationships between demographic variables and the psychosocial scales index scores and found that COVID-19 amplified preexisting burnout (54.8%), anxiety (138.5%), and depression (166.7%), and reduced resilience (5.70%) and self-efficacy (6.5%) among 557 respondents (52.6% male, 47.5% female). High patient volume, extended work hours, staff shortages, and lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and resources fueled burnout, anxiety, and depression. Respondents were anxious about the indefinite duration of the pandemic/uncertain return to normal (54.8%), were anxious of infecting family (48.3%), and felt conflicted about protecting themselves versus fulfilling their duty to patients (44.3%). Respondents derived strength from their capacity to perform well in tough times (74.15%), emotional support from family/friends (67.2%), and time off work (62.8%). Strategies to promote emotional well-being and job satisfaction can focus on multilevel resilience, safety, and social connectedness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Quality of Life among Healthcare Professionals)

9 pages, 729 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validation of the Recovery Experience Questionnaire in a Lithuanian Healthcare Personnel

by Evaldas Kazlauskas, Austeja Dumarkaite, Odeta Gelezelyte, Auguste Nomeikaite and Paulina Zelviene

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2734; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032734 - 3 Feb 2023

Viewed by 2245

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) often experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression due to high workloads and responsibilities in their professional activities. Therefore, recovery from work-related stress is highly important in HCWs. The Recovery Experience Questionnaire (REQ) is a 16-item self-reported measure covering four stress recovery domains: psychological detachment from work, relaxation, mastery, and control. The current study aimed to test the REQ’s psychometric properties in a sample of Lithuanian HCWs. In total, 471 HCWs from various healthcare institutions participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the structure of the REQ. We also used the Brief Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) and the World Health Organization Psychological Well-Being Index (WHO-5) to assess the mental health of the study participants. The CFA analysis supported the correlated four-factor structure of the REQ. Furthermore, we found significant correlations between the levels of REQ and anxiety, depression, and well-being. We conclude that the REQ is a valid measure that could be a useful tool in research on HCWs’ mental health. It could also be used in healthcare settings for the evaluation of well-being among healthcare staff. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Quality of Life among Healthcare Professionals)

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15 pages, 583 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Perceived Social Support and Life Satisfaction: The Chain Mediating Effect of Resilience and Depression among Chinese Medical Staff

by Nannan Wu, Fan Ding, Ronghua Zhang, Yaoyao Cai and Hongfei Zhang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16646; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416646 - 11 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2541

Abstract

Medical staff are direct providers of medical services and a key element in the development of health services, and their life satisfaction is important to both their work satisfaction and their patients’ satisfaction, subsequently influencing the quality of medical care in general. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the influence of perceived social support on medical staff’s life satisfaction. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from two non-tertiary hospitals in Shaoguan City, Guandong Province, China. A total of 533 medical staff completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Connor and Davidson Resilience Scale, and the depression subscale of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). The results showed that perceived social support could influence medical staff’s life satisfaction not only through the separate effects of resilience and depression, but also through the chain mediation effect of resilience and depression. This study suggests that reducing the depressive symptoms of medical staff and improving their perceived social support as well as resilience could help to enhance their life satisfaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Quality of Life among Healthcare Professionals)

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13 pages, 2548 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Associated with Burnout in Healthcare Professionals

by Sabinne Marie Taranu, Adina Carmen Ilie, Ana-Maria Turcu, Ramona Stefaniu, Ioana Alexandra Sandu, Anca Iuliana Pislaru, Ioana Dana Alexa, Calina Anda Sandu, Tudor-Stefan Rotaru and Teodora Alexa-Stratulat

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 14701; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214701 - 9 Nov 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5252

Abstract

Burnout in healthcare professionals remains an ongoing concern. There are a number of variables associated with reactivity to stress in healthcare staff. This study wants to identify risk factors which predispose healthcare professionals to burnout. Material and Methods: The cross-sectional study included a group of 200 subjects, medical staff and auxiliary staff from the national health units, who gave their free consent to answer the questions regarding the level of perceived stress at work. The screening tool used was disseminated through the Google Forms platform, maintaining the anonymity of the participants. Results: Resident doctors (42%) responded predominantly, reporting the highest level of burnout, with nurses (26.5%) being the least affected (χ² = 36.73, p < 0.01). Less work experience is correlated with increased burnout (rho = 0.29, p < 0.01). Reactivity to stress was highly associated with workplace, with ambulance staff being the most vulnerable (χ² = 6.58, p < 0.05). Participants’ relationship status significantly influenced the burnout rate, the unmarried, with or without a partner, being more affected (χ² = 16.14, p < 0.01). There are no significant differences between male and female gender, regarding the average level of burnout (U = 1.47; p > 0.05), nor between living in a house or apartment (U = 4.66; p > 0.05). Positive associations were identified between the level of burnout and variables such as: management pressure, administrative work, routine, regretting decisions regarding patients, harassment at work and sacrifice of personal time. Conclusions: The results of this study identify age, profession, workplace seniority and relationship status as factors associated with burnout in medical personnel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Quality of Life among Healthcare Professionals)

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15 pages, 591 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Personality Traits, Personal Values, and Life Satisfaction among Polish Nurses

by Anna M. Zalewska and Marta Zwierzchowska

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13493; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013493 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1827

Abstract

Nurses’ life satisfaction (LS) predicts their health and the level of care they provide to patients, thus policies for promoting quality of nurses’ work require actions to increase their LS. The aim of this study was to examine relations between LS and two levels of personality (traits and values) among Polish nurses, including joint effects of traits and values in a model integrating all variables to check whether meta-values can mediate trait–LS relationships. Nurses (N = 155) aged 23–64 completed the NEO-FFI, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and PVQ40. LS correlated with all traits, with openness higher than usual (0.34), and positively associated with meta-values: openness to change (0.23), self-transcendence (0.30), and (‘unhealthy’) conservation (0.19). Trait–value consistency was insufficient to explain some trait–value associations. In the SEM analysis, 23.3% of LS variance was explained. LS was related directly to neuroticism negatively and positively not only to extraversion, but also to openness, and self-transcendence meta-value (that increased value-environment congruence), and indirectly positively (through self-transcendence) to openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and even neuroticism. These results indicate that promoting nurses’ health and quality of work by enhancing their LS requires supporting and increasing their identification with self-transcendence values and encourage research on factors that can increase it. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health and Quality of Life among Healthcare Professionals)

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