Search Results (159)

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders significantly affect healthcare professionals, particularly physiotherapists, due to the physical demands of their work. The link between physical ailments and psychological distress is especially prominent in clinical settings. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of work-related low back pain (LBP), stress, anxiety, and depression among physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia, and to identify associated local risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling included 710 licensed physiotherapists across Saudi Arabia. Participants completed an online survey containing demographic data and the validated measures, including the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) for psychological distress. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, correlation, and regression analyses. Results: Of 710 responses, 697 were valid; 378 physiotherapists reported work-related LBP. The mean pain intensity was 4.6 (SD = 1.6), with 54.2% experiencing moderate to severe disability. Mental health results showed 49.7% had depressive symptoms and 33.9% experienced some level of anxiety. Significant correlations were observed between disability and psychological distress (anxiety: r = 0.382; depression: r = 0.375; stress: r = 0.406; all p < 0.001). Regression analyses indicated psychological distress significantly predicted disability, with R² values ranging from 0.125 to 0.248, being higher among inpatient physiotherapists. Conclusions: This study reveals a high prevalence of LBP and psychological distress among Saudi physiotherapists, with stress being the strongest predictor of LBP severity. Integrated ergonomic and mental health interventions, including workplace wellness programs and psychological support, are recommended to reduce risks and promote a healthier, more sustainable physiotherapy workforce. Full article

Certain industries will bear a disproportionate share of the burden of climate change. Climate change risk perceptions can impact workers’ mental health and well-being; increased climate change risk perceptions are also associated with more favourable adaptive attitudes. It is, therefore, important to understand whether climate risk perceptions differ across workers between industries. We conducted an online survey of British Columbians (16+) in 2021 using social media advertisements. Participants rated how likely they believed their industry (Natural Resources, Science, Art and Recreation, Education/Law/Government, Health, Management/Business, Manufacturing, Sales, Trades) would be affected by climate change (on a scale from “Very Unlikely” to “Very Likely”). Ordinal logistic regression examined the association between occupational category and perceived industry vulnerability, adjusting for socio-demographic factors. Among 877 participants, 66.1% of Natural Resources workers perceived it was very/somewhat likely that climate change would impact their industry; only those in Science (78.3%) and Art and Recreation (71.4%) occupations had higher percentages. In the adjusted model, compared to Natural Resources workers, respondents in other occupations, including those in Art and Recreation, Education/Law/Government, Management/Business, Manufacturing, Sales, and Trades, perceived significantly lower risk of climate change-related industry impacts. Industry-specific interventions are needed to increase awareness of and readiness for climate adaptation. Policymakers and industry leaders should prioritize sectoral differences when designing interventions to support climate resilience in the workforce. Full article

Teacher mental health is a growing concern in educational and public health systems worldwide. This meta-analysis systematically examines the relationship between teacher self-efficacy—a core construct in social cognitive theory—and job satisfaction, both considered crucial indicators of occupational well-being. A total of 39 studies involving teachers across 18 countries were analyzed, yielding a significant positive correlation between self-efficacy and job satisfaction (r = 0.41, p < 0.001), with notable heterogeneity (I² = 97%). Subgroup analyses revealed that the relationship was significantly stronger among teachers in high school and post-secondary contexts, and in studies conducted in Southern Hemisphere countries, highlighting the role of contextual and systemic moderators such as educational level and geographic inequality. The findings underscore the need for school- and policy-level interventions that bolster teachers’ self-efficacy through professional development, emotional support, and improved working conditions. Such interventions are essential not only for enhancing job satisfaction and reducing attrition but also for promoting the psychological resilience and well-being of the global teaching workforce. The study provides evidence-based insights into education and health policymakers aiming to support teacher retention and mental health through scalable, targeted initiatives. Full article

Refugee and immigrant communities face a host of dynamic health challenges. This essay discusses the importance of prioritizing the impacts of resettlement on mental health and provides examples of how creating a collective network of culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and healing-centered providers—centered on community-based best practices and knowledge—is integral to fostering community resilience. Additionally, it will examine how resettlement challenges intersect with systemic barriers to culturally responsive care and related Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), including economic stability, health care access and quality, and social and community contexts. Drawing upon experiences from a statewide network spanning southern and northern California—and based on interim mixed-methods program evaluation data and practitioner reflections highlighting one community partner’s experience—we provide key learnings that demonstrate how coalition building, cultural humility, and provider training can improve client well-being, reduce mental health disparities, and address the relevant SDOH. Key learnings illustrate the importance of the following: (1) coalition building to co-create trusted provider referral networks and support peer-to-peer learning to enhance client care; (2) provider trainings and capacity building on healing-centered and culturally responsive practices to address SDOH; (3) centering cultural humility; and (4) building a peer-based workforce who speak similar languages and share lived experiences to provide deeper cultural connections and build trust. Our experiences demonstrate that the co-creation of strong mental health provider networks is critical to strengthening the fabric of community resilience. Full article

Background: Occupational therapists can address worldwide mental health (MH) needs and workforce shortages. Ways to advance occupational therapy education to build occupational therapist workforce capacity in MH require further investigation. Objective: This study aimed to identify perceived barriers to and facilitators for advancing MH occupational therapy education, as rated by occupational therapy educators from across the world, stratified into groups of high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Method: Global survey, Likert-type, created and distributed by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Data were subject to a secondary weighted and subgroup analysis. Results: A total of 155 responses were obtained from occupational therapy educators from 45 countries or territories; 69% of the respondents were from HICs. The weighted analysis showed that educational standards and student interest were large facilitators for both HICs and LMICs. Faculty expertise stood out as a facilitator and the lack thereof as a barrier, both across HICs and LMICs. For HICs, regulation issues, lack of recognition, lack of supervised/fieldwork practice, and lack of workforce demand were frequently reported barriers, whereas lack of teaching resources and practice evidence were often perceived as barriers in LMICs. Conclusions: Capacity building approaches are required to advance MH occupational therapy education, with tailored approaches for HICs and LMICs. Full article

Teachers with mental illness are vulnerable to work-related triggers that can lead to relapse, affecting their mental health and ability to recover, stay employed, and deliver quality education. This empirical study explored such triggers among public school teachers in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, a qualitative phenomenological design was adopted. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 14 participants that were purposively selected across four hospitals. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Tesch’s eight-step open-coding method. Findings revealed being gossiped about by colleagues, excessive workload, limited leadership and parental support, classroom management challenges, high performance expectations without support, and inadequate teacher mental health policies in schools. These triggers can lead to frequent absenteeism and poor teaching outcomes. They will further increase the risk of medication resistance and long-term cognitive decline due to progressive structural brain damage as a result of multiple relapses. The study highlights the urgent need for multi-stakeholder collaboration, including clinicians, academic institutions, union representatives, and the Department of Basic Education, to co-develop effective, context-sensitive strategies to mitigate work-related triggers of mental illness relapse. These strategies are not only essential for enabling long-term workforce participation but also advancing sustainable mental health and well-being. Full article

Although the technology (tech) industry has historically had a reputation for being supportive when it comes to wellbeing initiatives, research has found persistent disparities among the tech industry workforce. Therefore, using an original survey of tech workers worldwide (n = 1207), this paper explores whether gender and identification with racial “minority” status have an impact on self-reported levels of mental and physical wellbeing measures. Controlling for additional demographic variables, our regression model found that workers identifying as racial minorities at work (OR: 2.49; 95%CI 1.80–3.43) were significantly more likely to report lower mental wellbeing scores. Additional analyses found that compared to men who did not identify as a racial minority, minority-identified women (OR: 3.48; 95%CI 2.10–5.76) and men (OR: 2.10; 95% CI 1.40–3.15) were significantly more likely to report worse mental wellbeing, and minority-identified men were significantly more likely to report that work had a negative impact on their physical health as well (OR: 1.78; 95%CI 1.18–2.68). Due to the international scope of our project, our research suggests that demographic disparities in physical and mental wellbeing among tech workers is an ongoing problem on a global scale. Full article

Background/Objectives: Seafarers are a particularly isolated workforce, as they are on-site only with their colleagues, both on and off duty. Long-term duties in the sea environment, irregular working hours, changing time zones, and lack of sleep are some of the many factors that negatively affect the physical and mental health of seafarers. This study aimed to explore the occupational stressors faced by seafarers in Lithuania using the HSE Management Standards Indicator Tool (HSE-MSIT). Methods: In 2023, a quantitative study, using a paper survey, of seafarers’ occupational stressors was conducted in Klaipeda city, Lithuania. A total of 385 Lithuanian seafarers participated in the study. Results: The greatest sources of stress at work were identified as changes at work, relationships, peer support, and management support. Role clarity, demands, and work control were not strong stressors for the seafarers. Analysis of perceived stress levels revealed notable differences between groups with different work experience and job positions. Analysis of years of service (0–11 years vs. 12+ years) found that seafarers with shorter service experienced more stress in terms of demands (p = 0.005), role clarity (p = 0.004), work control (p = 0.035), and relationships (p = 0.02). Based on job position (senior vs. junior), junior seafarers experienced significantly higher stress in the demands (p = 0.001) and role clarity (p = 0.009) subscales. The study revealed that job position and years of work had weak negative correlations with stress indicators at work. The Demands subscale was moderately positively correlated with relationships and change at work. The Relationships subscale was moderately positively correlated with peer support and change at work. Role clarity was moderately negatively correlated with change at work and relationships. Conclusions: Overall, changes at work, relationships, peer support, and management support in the working environment emerged as key factors of perceived stress among seafarers. Junior seafarers and seafarers with shorter years of service experienced higher stress at work. These findings may help in the development of targeted stress management and training strategies tailored to different profiles of seafarers. Full article

Work-related stress is a major contributing factor to the relatively high number of deaths from suicide and other mental disorders among those who work in the construction industry. Despite the knowledge that unmanaged stress can manifest as depression and ultimately trigger thoughts of suicide or even the act itself, workers’ mental health is often neglected. This study aims to identify the risk factors that are at the root of the workers’ mental health challenges, as well as the strategies that can be initiated to overcome or at least mitigate them. To accomplish this, a systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA method, and 132 relevant publications that met the pre-defined inclusion criteria were selected for further analysis. From the data analysis, 45 risk factors were identified and classified into five categories based on the literature and the definition of stressors. The most frequently cited mental health risk factors were revealed to be gender inequality (diversity and equity category), poor working conditions (health-related category), work overload (job demand category), poor work–life balance (organizational category), and lack of social support (personal category). Thirty-two (32) intervention strategies were identified and divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary types. It was evident from the findings that combining all three types of interventions is the most effective way to improve the mental health of the construction workforce. The findings from this study provide valuable insights for policymakers and regulatory agencies who develop and implement policies aimed at improving mental health and occupational safety in the construction industry. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mental health literacy (MHL) plays a crucial role in transitional processes, influencing, for example, students’ adaptation to higher education and, later, their transition into the workforce. This study assesses MHL about depression among first- and fourth-year nursing students and identifies which MHL components and related variables are associated with a higher likelihood of being in either academic year. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational study was conducted with 478 nursing students (59.4% first-year students; 40.6% fourth-year students), predominantly female (82.2%), with a mean age of 20.41 years (SD = 4.71) and a median age of 19.0 years. Results: The results revealed a low level of recognition of depression and knowledge of mental health first aid (MHFA) strategies, including health literacy. Students tended not to hold beliefs based on myths and stereotypes about mental illness and individuals with mental illness and did not have highly stigmatizing views. MHL varied by year of study, with fourth-year students having more adequate MHL levels. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to integrate MHL as a key element of academic success. Health education initiatives that promote mental health, prevention, and MHFA training may serve as effective strategies to enhance MHL among nursing students. Full article

In addressing the increasing challenges associated with automation, alternative fuels, and regulatory compliance within the maritime industry, the well-being of seafarers has become a critical determinant of workforce stability and career sustainability. This study investigates the impact of shore leave policies on seafarers’ well-being and turnover intention by applying the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The study delineates four principal criteria—mental well-being, physical health, work–life balance, and organizational support—and evaluates their sub-criteria via expert assessments from two distinct cohorts, each comprising 30 participants: maritime human resource professionals and seafarers working alongside related stakeholders. The outcome designates organizational support as the most influential criterion, with shore leave flexibility and financial incentives identified as the top-ranked sub-criteria. In contrast, mental well-being has the lowest overall weight, indicating that while its significance is acknowledged, it is frequently overshadowed by structural and financial factors. The findings underscore the need for shipping companies and policymakers to formulate flexible and financially supported shore leave policies to bolster seafarer retention and overall job satisfaction. This study enhances literature concerning sustainable seafaring careers and provides strategic recommendations for optimizing the management of shore leave policies within the maritime industry. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted care aides in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), exacerbating existing challenges and introducing new stressors that profoundly affected their job satisfaction, mental health, and overall well-being. This study investigates these multifaceted effects by conducting a comprehensive literature review of 18 studies from 2020 to 2023 across multiple countries. The findings reveal that care aides, mostly older and female and often immigrants with limited formal education, faced increased workloads, emotional exhaustion, physical fatigue, anxiety, and heightened stress levels during the pandemic. These factors led to decreased job satisfaction, higher burnout rates, and further pressure on LTCFs. The review emphasizes the need for strong support systems and targeted interventions, including mental health resources, counseling, adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), effective workload management, professional development opportunities, fair compensation, and supportive work environments. Addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining a stable and effective LTC workforce, improving care outcomes for residents, and enhancing the healthcare system’s resilience against future challenges. Full article

Mental health challenges are increasingly prevalent among young individuals, particularly within high-stress academic environments such as nursing education. Resilience is critical for maintaining well-being and adapting to university demands. Objective: To assess resilience levels in first-year nursing students at FAMERP (Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto) upon entry in 2021 and their longitudinal evolution in 2022 and 2023, using the Wagnild and Young Resilience Scale. The study also aims to explore the implications for mental health promotion in young healthcare professionals. Methods: A descriptive, longitudinal, prospective, and quantitative study was conducted with 40 students. Data collection was performed via electronic forms and analyzed using descriptive statistics and specific tests within the R programming language. Results: The predominantly female sample, with a mean age of 19.5 years, exhibited moderate to high resilience levels: mean scores of 132.5 (2021), 135.8 (2022), and 139.2 (2023). A significant reduction in the Perseverance factor (p = 0.0131) was noted. There was a positive correlation between age and resilience scores (r = 0.42; p < 0.01). Discussion: Despite a slight overall increase in resilience, the decline in Perseverance is concerning, indicating potential growing mental health challenges as students progress. Small age differences significantly influence mental health outcomes. This decline may be related to increased academic stress, exposure to emotionally challenging clinical situations, and the cumulative effects of the “costs of caring”. Conclusions: Nursing students exhibit promising resilience levels, yet there is a critical need for interventions targeting Perseverance to enhance academic performance and patient care quality. Social Impact: This study contributes to the development of educational strategies designed to promote resilience, thereby potentially improving the mental health and academic performance of nursing students. By focusing on mental well-being, a more resilient healthcare workforce can be cultivated and better prepared to meet systemic challenges. Full article

The construction industry exhibits higher rates of depression in its workforce compared to other industries. This study investigates the association between the prevalence of depressive symptoms and various demographic (e.g., age, ethnicity, education), social, and work-related factors (e.g., relationship status, living environment, work situation) and behavioural factors (e.g., alcohol and drug use). Survey data collected from 496 male construction workers working in the Western Cape were analysed using binomial logistic regression to determine the associations. The results showed that ‘Black African’ construction workers exhibited lower levels of depressive symptoms than ‘Other’ ethnic groups, and workers with at least secondary education had the highest levels of depressive symptoms compared to workers with other levels of education. Workers who were single or living with other adults without children had a significantly higher risk of depression compared to those in other forms of family relationships. Substance use was found to be associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms, suggesting that construction workers use alcohol and drugs as a coping strategy for short-term depressive symptom reduction. Construction organisations should develop strategies to protect the mental health of construction workers, particularly those who are prone to depression. Full article

The global mental health workforce is facing a severe crisis marked by burnout, secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and workforce shortages, with disproportionate effects on marginalized communities. This paper introduces the Integrated Workforce Trauma and Resilience (IWTR) Model, a comprehensive framework to understand and address these interconnected challenges. This study employs a conceptual, documentary analysis approach to examine the challenges faced by mental health workers, particularly trauma, burnout, and workforce shortages. By synthesizing existing qualitative and quantitative studies, the research identifies recurring themes and provides recommendations for policy reform to improve workforce sustainability and equity. Using a thematic synthesis of 75 peer-reviewed articles, conceptual papers, and policy reports published between 2020 and 2025, alongside foundational theoretical works, the IWTR Model integrates five theoretical perspectives: trauma-informed care, Conservation of Resources Theory, Intersectionality Theory, the Job Demands–Resources Model, and Organizational Justice Theory. The analysis identifies three dimensions: the impact of trauma on mental health professionals, organizational and systemic factors influencing workforce retention, and strategies to build resilience through policy and education. The findings reveal how secondary trauma, burnout, and systemic inequities interact to undermine workforce stability and access to care. The IWTR Model emphasizes that individual-level interventions will be insufficient without addressing structural issues, such as workload inequities, lack of leadership diversity, and underfunding. This model offers a roadmap for systemic reforms to strengthen workforce resilience, improve retention, and advance global equity in mental health care systems. Full article