Search Results (42)

Background: In light of the concerning increase in burnout among healthcare professionals, it is essential to identify the specific factors that contribute to this phenomenon and can be addressed. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the relationship between burnout and emotional intelligence (EI) among healthcare professionals, alongside additional factors that may influence both concepts. Methods: A structured search in OVID, PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science (2000–2024) was conducted. The inclusion criteria were English language and peer-reviewed studies assessing both burnout and EI in healthcare professionals. The exclusion criteria were non-English papers, studies without EI–burnout correlation, or involving non-healthcare populations. Thirty-one eligible studies were included in this analysis. Results: The findings suggest a consistent inverse correlation between EI and burnout across various healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and residents. Higher EI was associated with reduced levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and a greater sense of personal accomplishment. Burnout was found to be prevalent among younger healthcare workers, particularly residents, with contributing factors including exposure to workplace violence, high workload, and diminished psychological ownership. In contrast, associations that suggest protective influences on emotional intelligence included spiritual intelligence, self-control, income, and healthy habits, such as sufficient sleep and physical activity. Conclusions: This narrative review highlights a consistent inverse association between EI and burnout in healthcare professionals. Given that both burnout and EI are affected by adjustable individual and organizational elements, specific interventions aimed at enhancing EI and improving workplace conditions may provide effective techniques to boost clinician occupational well-being and performance. Full article

Mental illness relapse among teachers presents a growing public health concern, particularly in under-resourced settings, where social and structural factors often go unaddressed. This study aimed to explore challenges outside the workplace that contribute to mental illness relapse among public school teachers in Limpopo Province and how they cope with them. Guided by the Stress-Vulnerability Model, a qualitative explorative phenomenological design was employed. Fourteen participants with a documented history of existing mental illness and mental illness relapse were purposively selected across four different hospitals. The data were collected through in-depth, face-to-face semi-structured interviews until data saturation was reached. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using Tesch’s open coding method. The findings revealed unstable home environments, community-level stigma, inadequate institutional support, and systemic barriers to mental healthcare access. Moreover, the participants rely on family members for support and on spiritual practices to cope, highlighting gaps in formal support systems. Addressing these overlooked challenges is critical to reducing relapse resulting from social and systematic challenges, promoting mental health equity, and sustaining teacher resilience in underserved communities. This study calls for collaborative efforts from policymakers, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and community leaders, including faith-based organisations, to develop integrated mental health strategies. Such strategies can promote mental health equity, reduce stigma, and support sustainable teacher well-being in vulnerable communities. Full article

Engaged teachers demonstrate high levels of motivation and commitment to their work, increasing the likelihood of job retention and enabling them to perform at their best, ultimately benefiting both schools and students. Teacher engagement may be fostered by enhancing workplace spirituality and psychological capital. This study aimed to examine the relationships between and effects of workplace spirituality and psychological capital on work engagement, while also comparing demographic differences affecting these variables. A sample of 123 teachers was recruited from various junior high schools in Taiwan. The measured variables were workplace spirituality (including meaningful work, inner life, and sense of community), psychological capital (covering efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience), and work engagement (comprising vigor, dedication, and absorption). The results indicate that male teachers exhibited higher levels of hope and overall psychological capital, while older teachers displayed greater optimism and a stronger sense of community. Additionally, strong positive correlations were found among workplace spirituality, psychological capital, and work engagement. Particularly, workplace spirituality and psychological capital were identified as significant predictors of work engagement among junior high school teachers. The implication for school organizations is that enhancing workplace spirituality and psychological capital should be prioritized as strategies to promote work engagement among junior high school teachers. Full article

In the highly competitive environment of the high-tech industry, leadership roles are often filled with numerous challenges and stressors. Success in the workforce requires a combination of high emotional intelligence and a connection to workplace spirituality. This study aimed to compare demographic differences among high-tech leaders regarding emotional intelligence, workplace spirituality, and career success. It also sought to examine the relationships and effects of emotional intelligence and workplace spirituality on career success, as well as the moderating role of workplace spirituality in these relationships. A survey was conducted with 139 leaders from various high-tech companies in Taiwan. The results showed that male leaders demonstrated higher levels of self-awareness and self-motivation in emotional intelligence, while leaders with higher education levels exhibited greater self-awareness and empathy. Additionally, both emotional intelligence and workplace spirituality were significant predictors of career success. Notably, workplace spirituality moderated the relationship between emotional intelligence and career success. The implications of this study highlight the importance of enhancing emotional intelligence and workplace spirituality to foster leaders’ career success and gain a competitive advantage in the high-tech industry. Full article

To improve school quality, it is essential for teachers to play a central role. Teacher efficacy largely depends on strong work motivation, which can be enhanced by fostering workplace spirituality and psychological capital. This study aimed to analyze the demographic differences among elementary school teachers regarding workplace spirituality, psychological capital, and teacher motivation. It also sought to examine the relationships between workplace spirituality, psychological capital, and teacher motivation. Particularly, it aimed to explore the impact of workplace spirituality and psychological capital on teacher motivation. This study included 348 teachers from various elementary schools across Taiwan. Its findings confirmed that the assessments of workplace spirituality, psychological capital, and teacher motivation were both reliable and valid. Male teachers exhibited greater efficacy and resilience in terms of psychological capital compared to their female counterparts. Teachers with more years of experience demonstrated greater efficacy, hope, and psychological capital, while those with fewer years of experience reported higher workplace spirituality. Moreover, workplace spirituality and psychological capital were significantly correlated with teacher motivation. The most influential predictors of teacher motivation were identified as workplace spirituality and psychological capital. As a result, the implication of this study is that school organizations can enhance teacher motivation by promoting workplace spirituality and psychological capital. Full article

This paper examines the role of the Medicine Buddha in the healthcare system in Bhutan, a bipartite system where allopathic and Bhutanese Traditional Medicine co-exist. Discussion is informed by a wider study that explored the use of mindfulness practices by nurses across both sectors. An emergent theme from this narrative inquiry is that health practitioners across the sectors spoke of the importance of the Medicine Buddha in their professional practice. To better understand this centrality, we provide a historical overview of the long-standing presence of the Medicine Buddha in Bhutanese society and the materiality and spirituality of Medicine Buddha practice, and review how this healing aspect of Awakened Mind (Buddha) is integrated into nurse training. We then explore how this unique holistic education is integrated into the lives and practices of nurses and their workplaces. While recognizing that empirical proofs remain elusive, this paper is also informed by our own reflective practice and individual experience with the Medicine Buddha in affirming a healing heuristic in our own lived experiences. To wit, we can see value in the pivotal role of Medicine Buddha in the Bhutanese health system, and, more broadly, the health of Bhutanese society. Full article

Purpose: This paper seeks to explore the influence of workplace spirituality on employee behavior within organizational settings. Design: Systems thinking is used to explore various interrelated concepts of workplace spirituality (WPS). This study delves into the intricate interactions between WPS and its impact on employee behavior. By highlighting the significance of WPS, the research establishes a foundation for fostering innovation and creativity, facilitating meaningful connections among employees within organizations. Additionally, WPS plays a crucial role in reducing workplace incivility. Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) as part of a systems thinking approach are utilized to visually depict the complex interplay of variables and feedback loops within organizations, offering insights into polarities and presenting a long-term perspective on how spiritual initiatives affect the workplace. Results: The findings indicate that WPS assists employees in comprehending their roles, enhancing productivity, increasing motivation, and fostering job satisfaction. Furthermore, WPS contributes to improved employee engagement, satisfaction, and decision-making. Significance: The research underscores the explicit involvement of employees in achieving favorable outcomes and enhances our understanding of the perceptions held by employers and employees regarding their roles and engagement. The study suggests that enhancing employees’ performance is achievable in workplaces where individuals comprehend their roles and align them with the job objectives. Novelty: This paper is unique in two aspects. Firstly, it strives to integrate the fragmented and diverse literature on the outcomes of WPS using a systems thinking approach. Secondly, it raises awareness, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan, regarding the importance of incorporating organizational capabilities into organizational practices. Full article

Quality of life (QOL) is based on one’s perception of one’s position in life with respect to one’s goals, expectations, standards, and concerns. It is also influenced by one’s culture and value system, workflow, and workplace situation; in turn, QOL influences the quality of service one is able to provide. In this study, we aim to report on dental and nursing academics’ QOL and wellbeing at the end of the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are several studies on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health professionals (nurses and dentists), but it is important to investigate their quality of life three years later; furthermore, knowledge about academic staff is very limited. The World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) tool, recording the physical, psychological, social, and environmental dimensions of QOL, was used. The WHOQOL-BREF was modified using a spiritual coaching/mentoring approach in a two-step design and validation procedure. The modified SHQOL-BREF (Spiritual Healthcare version) designed for this study was uploaded and filled in online during April–June 2023. The staff (N = 120, 75% female) of the Departments of Dentistry (44.2%) and Nursing (55.8%) of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens participated anonymously. QOL in terms of physical health was reported at a higher level (M = 72.2 points) compared to social relationships (M = 69 points), psychological health (M = 65 points), and environment (M = 59 points) (scores reported on a 0–100 scale). Overall, QOL was rated at 66 points, while satisfaction with one’s health was at 72 points. Job satisfaction (M₁ = 3.2) and spirituality (M₂ = 3.0) were reported at a medium level on a five-point scale, while personal beliefs and values were reported at a high level (M₃ = 4.0). The four areas of QOL are associated with job satisfaction, personal beliefs, and spirituality. Participant age presented a significant moderate–strong effect on physical health (F (3.97) = 2.89, p < 0.05, η²_p = 0.08) and on the environment (F (3.97) = 2.80, p < 0.05, η²_p = 0.08), and marital status had a significant effect on social relationships (F (1.97) = 9.66, p < 0.05, η²_p = 0.09). Married participants reported consistently higher levels of QOL compared to single participants, for all age groups. The department had a significant moderate effect on social relationships (F (1.97) = 5.10, p < 0.05, η²_p = 0.05), and education had a significant moderate–strong effect on psychological health (F (2.97) = 3.74, p < 0.05, η²_p = 0.07). PhD-level participants in both departments presented higher levels of psychological health compared to those with lower educational levels. Also, participants from the Department of Dentistry reported higher levels of social relationship QOL in all educational groups compared to the Department of Nursing. Overall, according to our findings, PhD participants generally had better psychological health. Those under 40 years of age had higher levels of physical health and environmental quality of life, while married participants and those from the Department of Dentistry had higher levels of social interactions than those from the Department of Nursing. Strategic planning on sustainability and QOL initiatives should be introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic for dental and nursing academic personnel to promote resilience and QOL scores. Enhancing the QOL of academic staff is essential for developing health promotion activities at universities and can help boost performance among staff and students. Full article

Healthcare providers (HCPs) have described the onset of shame- and trust-violation-related moral injuries (MI) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous research suggests that HCPs may turn to various coping methods and supports, such as spirituality/religiosity, substance use, friends/family or organizational support, to manage workplace stress. It remains unknown, however, if similar coping methods and supports are associated with MI among this population. We explored associations between MI (including the shame and trust-violation presentations individually) and coping methods and supports. Canadian HCPs completed an online survey about their mental health and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, including demographic indices (e.g., sex, age, mental health history) and measures of MI, organizational support, social support, spiritual well-being, self-compassion, alcohol use, cannabis use and childhood adversity. Three hierarchical multiple linear regressions were conducted to assess the associations between coping methods/supports and (i) MI, (ii) shame-related MI and (iii) trust-violation-related MI, when controlling for age, mental health history and childhood adversity. One hundred and seventy-six (N = 176) HCPs were included in the data analysis. Spiritual well-being and organizational support were each significantly associated with reduced total MI (p’s < 0.001), shame-related MI (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02, respectively) and trust-violation-related MI (p’s < 0.001). Notably, comparison of the standardized beta coefficients suggests that the association between trust-violation-related MI and both spiritual well-being and organizational support was more than twice as great as the associations between these variables and shame-related MI, emphasizing the importance of these supports and the trust-violation outcomes particularly. Mental health history (p = 0.02) and self-compassion (p = 0.01) were additionally related to shame-related MI only. Our findings indicate that heightened levels of spiritual well-being and organizational support were associated with reduced MI among HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than placing sole responsibility for mental health outcomes on HCPs individually, organizations can instead play a significant role in mitigating MI among staff by implementing evidence-informed organizational policies and interventions and by considering how supports for spiritual well-being may be implemented into existing models of care where relevant for employees. Full article

Spiritual care in a religiously plural society necessarily includes care for the nonreligious. However, little is known about the nonreligious people who themselves work to provide spiritual care. Today, spiritual care providers, better known in the United States context as chaplains, come from a wide variety of religious backgrounds, including nonreligious or unaffiliated with religious tradition. While nonreligious chaplains have robust pluralistic skillsets—a professional strength and a benefit to spiritual care work—they nonetheless encounter training and workplace challenges specific to their religious identities. The theoretical framework of Christian normativity could account for these challenges. Full article

Incorporating spirituality into the workplace positively affects employees’ physical, psychological, mental, and spiritual well-being, hence contributing to sustainability. With this background, the objective of this study is to broaden our understanding of workplace spirituality and its association with employee ambidexterity through the theoretical lens of social exchange theory. It also examines the underlying mediational mechanism of employee perception of managerial trustworthiness and the moderating role of psychological distance A total of 384 Information Technology (IT) professionals participated in the study. Data were analyzed using Smart-PLS. It was found that workplace spirituality has a positive association with employee ambidexterity. Further, employee perception of managerial trustworthiness partially mediated the relationship between workplace spirituality and employee ambidexterity. Surprisingly, psychological distance did not moderate the relationship between workplace spirituality and employee perception of managerial trustworthiness. However, psychological distance moderated the relationship between workplace spirituality and employee ambidexterity. This study is an attempt to broaden the frontiers of workplace spirituality research, and it provides critical insights into how workplace spirituality fosters employee ambidexterity via employee perception of managerial trustworthiness. The findings also contribute to the scant research on the moderating role of psychological distance. Although studies have emphasized the need to explore the positive consequences of workplace spirituality, scant attention has been paid to its association with employee ambidexterity. To the best of our knowledge, no prior examination has been done on such a model, making our study unique and novel. Full article

Based on the self-transcendence theory and immaturity-maturity theory, this study empirically tested the influence of female professional dancers’ workplace spirituality on positive psychological capital, team trust, and self-esteem. The subjects of this study were female professional dancers. We conducted the surveys in two countries—the United States and the United Kingdom—and ultimately obtained 441 samples. To test the hypotheses, we performed a structural equation model analysis using three statistical programs: SmartPLS, GSCA Pro, and jamovi. (1) The workplace spirituality of female professional dancers showed a statistically significant positive influence on positive psychological capital, team trust, and self-esteem. (2) The positive psychological capital of female professional dancers showed a statistically significant positive influence on team trust and self-esteem. (3) The team trust of female professional dancers showed a statistically significant positive influence on self-esteem (except when using jamovi). This study found that fostering workplace spirituality was paramount for female professional dancers in an organization. Accordingly, we outlined four recommendations for the organizations: (1) convey the importance of the organization’s mission and values to organizational members; (2) increase each organizational member’s decision-making and autonomy; (3) encourage members to cooperate while working in the domains of their specific positions; and (4) discourage members from neglecting their organizational responsibilities and resorting to egoism. Full article

Considering that the relationship between workplace spirituality and organisational change has only recently sparked scholarly interest, the connection could be more evident, as research has only recently begun. Furthermore, there is a growing tendency to add spirituality as the fourth dimension to sustainability in addition to the environment, social responsibility, and the economy. This study contributes to the academic literature by examining the influence of workplace spirituality on lecturers’ responses to change in their commitment to change and change-oriented organizational citizenship behaviour (C-OCB). Private universities in Banjarmasin, Indonesia, were selected to research these links. To collect data from 1050 instructors, self-administered questionnaires were used, and structural equation modelling (SEM) was performed. The findings demonstrated that the workplace spirituality level, exemplified by a solid connection to a higher power, humanity, and nature, affects the lecturers’ commitment to change leading to change-oriented organizational citizenship behaviour (C-OCB), a dimension of OCB less researched. The findings offer a novel perspective on the relationship between workplace spirituality, lecturers’ attitudes towards change, and change-oriented organizational citizenship behaviour (C-OCB) in higher education. Since this result has not been examined in the context of change in higher education, several consequences and suggestions for future research emerge. More studies could be used in future research, given that the literature in this area is still in its early stages. The current work is expected to spark future research on this intriguing and fertile issue. Full article

Human resource management and leadership are often required to create, sustain, and manage meaning in the workplace. Spirituality in the workplace is a focal idea in this context but lacks conceptual clarity. This article examines the general logic of the concept by analyzing its prevalent definitions and their implications, investigating its legitimization, examining links to the psychological contract and examining potential outcomes. Inherent paradoxes and ethical and practical issues are shown that call for a re-evaluation of the concept, for which alternative routes are outlined. Practical and philosophical questions requiring further investigation are highlighted to structure future research. Full article

Both practitioners and researchers confirm the utility of spiritual assistance for victims of violence, but the opportunities for religious spiritual assistance for persons who have experienced workplace mobbing have remained little explored in recent years. Although it is acknowledged that biblical narratives can help to structure personal experiences in coping with the traumatic consequences of violence, the main problem is the indefiniteness of the systematic application of specific texts in the process of assisting victims of workplace mobbing. In order to fill this gap, the analysis of the literature on workplace mobbing was performed and based on the identified essential features of the phenomenon, the types of response to violent behaviour in the Gospel of Luke were distinguished. Links between workplace mobbing and the gospel as well as guidelines for their practical application are discussed. Full article