ijerph-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Work Psychology and Occupational Health: 2nd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 471

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Akita University Health Center, Akita University, 1-1 Tegatagakuen-machi, Akita 010-8502, Japan
Interests: psychiatry; work psychology; occupational health; mental health; stress
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

COVID-19 has had a negative impact on the health of workers, and especially on their mental health. Despite the end of the pandemic, many studies have highlighted that the serious impact it has had on workers’ health has been long-lasting and will continue to affect them in the future, as is captured by the term “Long COVID.” Thus, further research on the impact of COVID-19 on workers and companies, especially regarding its psychological impact and the coping strategies used in response, is essential. In this Special Issue, we aim to discuss (1) the importance of the measures taken to protect workers’ health (especially mental health) during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) the areas in which working environments have returned to their pre-COVID states as a result of the pandemic being largely over, and (3) new changes that have been brought about in the working environment as a result of the pandemic, i.e., areas that will never return to their pre-COVID states in the future. The main items we are interested in exploring in relation to the above are as follows: insights into workers’ increased stress and coping strategies; changes in psychological impacts, such as increased loneliness and isolation; changes in communication opportunities, including opportunities for employees to socialize as a mental health resource; and practical experiences in addressing serious stress and increased loneliness through evidenced support at the organizational and individual levels. These include changes in the working environment, such as the impact of reduced working hours, layoffs, and unemployment; changes related to the implementation of teleworking and online working; and changes such as the increased need for self-care as a way to cope with stress. Furthermore, studies on these topics are welcome for submission to this Special Issue of IJERPH.

Prof. Dr. Masahito Fushimi
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

  • work psychology
  • occupational health
  • mental health
  • COVID-19 pandemic
  • self-care
  • coping strategy
  • stress
  • worker

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

13 pages, 240 KiB  
Article
Burnout Persists in Teachers in Ireland Post-COVID-19: A Qualitative Follow Up Comparative Study
by Ellen Ní Chinseallaigh, Matthew Shipsey, Elisha Minihan, Blanaid Gavin and Fiona McNicholas
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 641; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040641 - 18 Apr 2025
Viewed by 230
Abstract
Teacher burnout, a combination of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment has been increasing, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our 2022 study revealed significant burnout levels, identifying that teachers’ pandemic experiences had adverse “Consequences” that left them feeling “Overburdened”, and “Abandoned”. Although [...] Read more.
Teacher burnout, a combination of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment has been increasing, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our 2022 study revealed significant burnout levels, identifying that teachers’ pandemic experiences had adverse “Consequences” that left them feeling “Overburdened”, and “Abandoned”. Although COVID-19 has receded, recent findings indicate that Irish teachers continue to face heightened demands without adequate support. This follow-up comparative study aims to deepen understanding of post-pandemic teacher burnout by using the same questions from the 2022 study to understand and analyse these evolving stressors. A qualitative, comparative approach was employed. Participants (n = 337) were recruited from various school types across Ireland. A Study Specific Questionnaire (SSQ) with open-ended questions allowed for thematic analysis, comparing responses with 2022 themes to explore continuity and changes in burnout experiences. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: (1) Administrative Overload—increasing paperwork and curriculum changes; (2) Unrealistic Expectations—pressures from parents, society, and authorities; (3) Lack of Community Support and Empathy—teachers reported a sense of isolation and a need for mutual support; and (4) Inadequate Mental Health and Professional Support—insufficient mental health resources for both educators and students. The study underscores the urgent need for systemic changes to address teacher burnout in Ireland. Recommendations include reducing administrative load, clarifying professional boundaries, fostering empathy within the school community, and expanding mental health services. Addressing these factors is essential for sustaining a resilient educational system in the post-pandemic context. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Work Psychology and Occupational Health: 2nd Edition)
Back to TopTop