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Occupation, Mental Health and Well-Being
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Occupation, Mental Health and Well-Being

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 13691

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Mark Deady

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Black Dog Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
Interests: mental health; online intervention; e-health; workplace mental health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mental health problems are common in working populations and represent an increasing concern for individual workers (e.g., discrimination, illness), organisations (e.g., absenteeism and presenteeism), compensation authorities (e.g., job stress claims), and governments (e.g., disability pension payments). In fact, in most developed countries mental ill health is the most significant contributor to sickness absence and work incapacity.

This special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) focuses on the current state of knowledge on the links between work and health (particularly where it pertains to mental health). New research papers, reviews, case reports, and conference papers are welcome to this issue. Manuscripts dealing with new approaches to intervention to prevent, treat, or improve outcomes pertaining to work and mental health are welcome. Along with manuscripts examining impact of occupational factors, including risk and protective factors of wellbeing, and those dealing with workplace health promotion and training, suicide prevention, workplace screening, implementation, and intervention development are also invited. Experimental, cross-sectional, and longitudinal explorative studies of mental health and wellbeing within occupational settings are also welcome.

Dr. Mark Deady
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

  • workplace
  • occupation
  • mental health
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • wellbeing
  • trauma
  • work stress
  • burnout

Published Papers (7 papers)

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15 pages, 447 KiB  
Article
Pilot Trial of Workable: A Therapist-Supported Digital Program for Injured Workers
by Joanna Crawford, Jay Spence, Tali Lovegrove, Edman Tam, Daniel Collins, Samuel B. Harvey and Mark Deady
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2460; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032460 - 30 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1351
Abstract
Workplace sickness absence is a major public health and economic problem, and common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression are associated with particularly high rates of long-term sickness absence. Effective return-to-work (RTW) interventions are required. This pilot study investigates the feasibility, [...] Read more.
Workplace sickness absence is a major public health and economic problem, and common mental disorders (CMDs) such as anxiety and depression are associated with particularly high rates of long-term sickness absence. Effective return-to-work (RTW) interventions are required. This pilot study investigates the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of a new therapist-assisted Web-based RTW intervention (Workable) for injured workers on sick leave for a psychological or physical injury. A single-group open pilot trial design was used, with assessments at pre-treatment and post-treatment. The intervention consisted of 6 weeks of online modules and 6 coaching calls from a psychologist. A total of 13 participants were recruited and 9 completed all questionnaires. Program adherence was high, with 92% of participants completing the 6-week intervention. Participants reported high levels of intervention satisfaction and ease of use. There were large and significant reductions between pre- and post-treatment on measures of depression, anxiety, stress, and workdays missed over the past four weeks, along with a significant increase in self-reported work ability. These results suggest that Workable is a feasible and acceptable intervention for injured workers, with the potential to improve mental health and RTW outcomes. A randomized controlled trial is required to determine the efficacy of the intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupation, Mental Health and Well-Being)
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20 pages, 1597 KiB  
Article
Key Factors Affecting Mathematics Teachers’ Well-Being and Stress Levels: An Extended Engagement Theory
by Xin Jian, Tommy Tanu Wijaya and Qingchun Yu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010548 - 29 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1959
Abstract
The mathematics teachers’ profession often has many challenges. It also occupies important positions at the K-12 education level, in which mathematics knowledge is the basis of all scientific fields. This tends to cause high-stress levels and a negative effect on well-being. Mathematics teachers’ [...] Read more.
The mathematics teachers’ profession often has many challenges. It also occupies important positions at the K-12 education level, in which mathematics knowledge is the basis of all scientific fields. This tends to cause high-stress levels and a negative effect on well-being. Mathematics teachers’ well-being has been less examined, and therefore this study aims to determine the factors affecting mathematics teachers’ well-being and stress levels. The 210 data points collected from Chinese mathematics teachers using a web-based questionnaire were analyzed for reliability and validity, then model fit and SEM were applied for model validation after removing 3 invalid data points and incomplete responses. The results showed that behavioral and cognitive engagements significantly affect teachers’ well-being, while the affective engagement was insignificant. The TPMK was the strongest significant predictor that had a positive impact on improving well-being and reducing stress levels. In addition, the stress level of mathematics teachers was influenced by gender and age. Finally, it was proven that teachers’ well-being significantly reduced stress levels. This study’s implication was to provide information on how to reduce stress levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupation, Mental Health and Well-Being)
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10 pages, 468 KiB  
Article
Teachers’ Professional Identity and Burnout among Chinese Female School Teachers: Mediating Roles of Work Engagement and Psychological Capital
by Changkang Sun, Xuechao Feng, Binghai Sun, Weijian Li and Chenyin Zhong
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13477; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013477 - 18 Oct 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1923
Abstract
Burnout is a serious phenomenon among female kindergarten, primary, and secondary school teachers in China. Previous research has shown that professional identity negatively predicts burnout. However, little is known about the mediating mechanisms underlying this relationship. This study examined the relationship between professional [...] Read more.
Burnout is a serious phenomenon among female kindergarten, primary, and secondary school teachers in China. Previous research has shown that professional identity negatively predicts burnout. However, little is known about the mediating mechanisms underlying this relationship. This study examined the relationship between professional identity and burnout and the mediating roles of work engagement and psychology using a sample of Chinese teachers. A total of 2220 female teachers participated (kindergarten: 16.9%; primary school: 56.7%; secondary school: 26.4%). They answered four questionnaires measuring their professional identity, work engagement, psychological capital, and burnout. PROCESS macro (SPSS 21.0) was used to conduct mediation analyses of work engagement and psychological capital in the relationship between professional identity and burnout. Working simultaneously, work engagement, and psychological capital partially mediated the aforementioned relationship, which could reduce burnout. Working sequentially completely mediated the relationship between professional identity and burnout, and hence, the latter was the lowest. Specific implications are discussed, such as the improvement of professional identity and psychological capital. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupation, Mental Health and Well-Being)
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11 pages, 633 KiB  
Article
The Mediating Role of Work Engagement in the Relationship between Executive Functioning Deficits and Employee Well-Being
by Chee-Seng Tan, Hira Nasir, Kai-Shuen Pheh, Chin Wen Cong, Kok-Wai Tay and Jia-Qi Cheong
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13386; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013386 - 17 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2363
Abstract
Executive functioning and its related components have been found to promote well-being. However, there is a limited understanding of the underlying mechanism. Drawing from the job demands–resources and PERMA models, the present study examined the hypothetical mediating role of work engagement in the [...] Read more.
Executive functioning and its related components have been found to promote well-being. However, there is a limited understanding of the underlying mechanism. Drawing from the job demands–resources and PERMA models, the present study examined the hypothetical mediating role of work engagement in the relationship between executive functioning deficit and well-being among 314 working adults in Malaysia. Participants answered a survey consisting of the Executive Skills Questionnaire-Revised (ESQ-R; a new measure of executive functioning deficits for working adults), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Employee Well-Being Scale, and Self-Rated Creativity Scale. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the ESQ-R score was negatively associated with all other target variables, while the latter was positively related to each other. Moreover, supporting the hypotheses, the results of mediation analysis using PROCESS macro found that work engagement mediated the negative relationship between executive functioning deficits and well-being after statistically controlling for the creativity score. The findings not only replicate the beneficial role of executive functioning in employees’ well-being but also shed light on the underlying process of the relationship. Implications and directions for future studies are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupation, Mental Health and Well-Being)
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16 pages, 1023 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Stigma Perceptions on Employees’ Claims Experiences for Psychological Injuries: Re-Examination of a Cross-Sectional Survey among Australian Police and Emergency Service Personnel
by Samineh Sanatkar, Jenn Bartlett, Samuel Harvey, Isabelle Counson and David Lawrence
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12438; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912438 - 29 Sep 2022
Viewed by 1462
Abstract
While a large body of research assessed the contribution of mental health stigma on disclosure, treatment seeking, and recovery, limited research exists seeking to identify the relative contribution of stigma beliefs on workers’ compensation claims for psychological injury. Survey data of ambulance, fire [...] Read more.
While a large body of research assessed the contribution of mental health stigma on disclosure, treatment seeking, and recovery, limited research exists seeking to identify the relative contribution of stigma beliefs on workers’ compensation claims for psychological injury. Survey data of ambulance, fire and rescue, police, and state emergency service personnel (N = 1855, aged 45–54 years, 66.4% male) was re-examined to assesses the unique and combined associations of self-, personal, and workplace stigma with workers’ compensation claims experiences and recovery. Participants responded to self-report stigma items (predictor variables), perceived stress, fairness, and support perceptions of going through the claims process and its impact on recovery (outcome variables). Multiple regression analyses revealed that the combined stigma dimensions predicted about one fifth of the variance of claims and recovery perceptions. Organisational commitment beliefs and the self-stigma dimension of experiences with others were the two most important, albeit weak, unique predictors across outcomes. Given the small but consistent influences of organisational commitment beliefs and the self-stigma dimension of experiences with others, it seems warranted to apply workplace interventions that are looking to establish positive workplace contact and a supportive organisational culture to alleviate negative effects attributable to mental health stigma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupation, Mental Health and Well-Being)
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15 pages, 636 KiB  
Article
A Grounded Theory Study on the Intention to Work While Ill among Workers with Musculoskeletal Disorders: An In-Depth Understanding of Workers’ Experiences
by Hanizah Mohd Yusoff, Vevya Sundaram, Hanani Nabilah Mohd Sobri and Nor Ba’yah Abdul Kadir
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8700; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148700 - 17 Jul 2022
Viewed by 2019
Abstract
Background: Frequent short-term sickness absence is prevalent among workers with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This in return leads to poor productivity in organizations and decreased ability to work among workers. Nevertheless, some workers with MSDs still continue to work despite pain and are able [...] Read more.
Background: Frequent short-term sickness absence is prevalent among workers with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This in return leads to poor productivity in organizations and decreased ability to work among workers. Nevertheless, some workers with MSDs still continue to work despite pain and are able to maintain their productivity. Existing literature on attending work while ill is very limited. Understanding the factors influencing workers’ attendance to work while having symptoms is crucial to help workers live with their MSD productively and healthily. According to literature on behavior theories, the proximal determinant of behavior is one’s intention to engage in that behavior. Thus, this study was conducted to explore the factors that influence the intention to work while ill among workers with MSD. Methods: Twenty-one in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured guide according to a grounded theory approach. Workers with MSD were recruited via a purposive and snowballing sampling until data saturation was attained. Data were analyzed by means of thematic analysis using computer software, ATLAS.ti. Results: Nine major significant themes of factors influencing the intention to work while ill were identified after transcription. From these, a total of six themes were associated with attendance incentives driving workers to attend work while ill (work commitment, work satisfaction, support from colleagues, workplace arrangements, ability to recover at home and ability to manage pain at work) and three themes were linked to attendance requirements (consequences to self, consequences to others and poor acceptance of one’s illness for sickness absence by supervisor and colleagues) faced by workers to attend work while ill. Conclusions: This study underlines the importance of both positive and negative motivators in influencing the intention to work while ill among workers with MSD. Future research suggests comparing both motivators in terms of work performance to aid more workers to work while ill. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupation, Mental Health and Well-Being)
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8 pages, 311 KiB  
Brief Report
Mental Health Treatment Reported by US Workers before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: United States (2019–2020)
by Ja K. Gu, Luenda E. Charles, Penelope Allison, John M. Violanti and Michael E. Andrew
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010651 - 30 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1414
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a significant and unprecedented exacerbation of community mental health challenges. We compared the prevalence of mental health treatment (MHT) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among US workers. Self-reported MHT data (N = 30,680) were obtained from the Sample [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a significant and unprecedented exacerbation of community mental health challenges. We compared the prevalence of mental health treatment (MHT) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among US workers. Self-reported MHT data (N = 30,680) were obtained from the Sample Adult data of the National Health Interview Survey (2019 and 2020). MHT was defined as having taken prescription medications for mental health issues or receiving counseling from a mental health professional in the past 12 months. We calculated age-adjusted prevalence estimates and employed t-tests to compare MHT in 2019 and 2020 using SAS-callable SUDAAN 11.0. The prevalence of MHT significantly increased from 16.3% in 2019 to 17.6% in 2020 (difference = 1.3, p = 0.030). The prevalence of taking prescription medications for mental health issues significantly increased in 2020 compared to 2019 (12.5% to 13.6%, difference = 1.1, p = 0.037). The prevalence of receiving counseling significantly increased but only among those who worked 30–49 h/week, difference = 1.2, p = 0.022. US workers, especially those with typical work hours, appeared to experience higher mental distress during the first year of the pandemic compared to the year prior to the pandemic period. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address mental health issues in these workers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Occupation, Mental Health and Well-Being)
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