Mental Health in Healthcare Workers

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 6557

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Centre for Positive Psychology and Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland
Interests: wellbeing; psychological safety

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To create and maintain effective, efficient and compassionate healthcare services, it is vital that we protect the well-being of Healthcare Workers (HCWs). HCWs are exposed to multiple stressors in their work, including heavy workloads, lack of psychological safety, and workplace bullying. As a result, they often experience poor well-being, high levels of work-related stress and burnout. However, there remains a lack of direction and limited evidence on potential solutions and approaches to improving HCW well-being. There is a need to identify, understand and implement approaches to improving and maintaining HCWs’ well-being.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue on Mental Health and Well-Being in HCWs. This Special Issue aims to publish original studies and reviews that examine the well-being or mental health of HCWs. We will consider narrative, systematic, and meta-analysis reviews that examine specific review questions related to improving HCWs’ mental health and well-being. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: examining the effectiveness and feasibility of well-being interventions; implementation of interventions to cultivate well-being; cultivating resilience in Healthcare teams and organizations.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Róisín O'Donovan
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. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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 workers
  • mental health
  • wellbeing
  • interventions

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 369 KiB  
Article
Positive Mental Health Questionnaire (PMHQ) for Healthcare Workers: A Psychometric Evaluation
by Juan José Luis Sienra-Monge, David Luna, Rosa Paola Figuerola-Escoto, Itzihuari Iratzi Montufar-Burgos, Alejandra Hernández-Roque, Arturo Soria-Magaña and Filiberto Toledano-Toledano
Healthcare 2023, 11(23), 3041; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11233041 - 26 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1410
Abstract
The Positive Mental Health Questionnaire (PMHQ) has been validated across various populations but has displayed diverse psychometric structures depending on the procedures used. The original version of the PMHQ includes 39 items organized into 6 factors, although there are reports that indicate a [...] Read more.
The Positive Mental Health Questionnaire (PMHQ) has been validated across various populations but has displayed diverse psychometric structures depending on the procedures used. The original version of the PMHQ includes 39 items organized into 6 factors, although there are reports that indicate a reduced structure of between 1 and 4 factors. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the PMHQ with 1, 4 and 6 factors. A total of 360 healthcare workers aged 23 to 77 (M = 37.06; SD = 10.79) participated. Construct validity was assessed through confirmatory factor analysis using weighted root mean square residual. The original 6-factor (χ2/df: 3.40; RMSEA: 0.085; CFI: 0.913; TLI: 0.906) and a reduced 4-factor (χ2/df: 2.90; RMSEA: 0.072; CFI: 0.931; TLI: 0.926) structure showed acceptable fit. The fit of the 1-factor model was unacceptable. The internal consistency was evaluated through McDonald’s ω, and it was acceptable for 4 of 6 factors of the original structure and for 3 of 4 factors of the reduced structure. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the 6-factor and 4-factor models are valid for measuring positive mental health. However, issues with internal consistency must be investigated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Healthcare Workers)
22 pages, 677 KiB  
Article
Digitalization in Urology—A Multimethod Study of the Relationships between Physicians’ Technostress, Burnout, Work Engagement and Job Satisfaction
by Clara Bail, Volker Harth and Stefanie Mache
Healthcare 2023, 11(16), 2255; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11162255 - 10 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1746
Abstract
The potential influences of digitization on the mental health of personnel in the healthcare sector are increasingly coming into the scientific focus in the healthcare sector, especially in terms of the use of information and communication technologies. To date, there have been no [...] Read more.
The potential influences of digitization on the mental health of personnel in the healthcare sector are increasingly coming into the scientific focus in the healthcare sector, especially in terms of the use of information and communication technologies. To date, there have been no German studies of the effects of technostress in healthcare. This cross-sectional study examined the relationships between technostress, burnout, work engagement, and job satisfaction among physicians in the field of urology. Data were collected via an online survey based on the job demands–resources model and the concept of technostress. The survey was sent to German urologists working in inpatient clinics. The participating physicians experienced moderate levels of technostress (M = 2.67, SD = 0.69). The results, based on a general linear model analysis, showed that technostress is significantly positively associated with burnout (β = 0.293; p < 0.001) and negatively associated with work engagement (β = −0.175; p < 0.001) and job satisfaction (β = −0.206; p < 0.001). This study also identified stress and strain factors associated with the use of ICT and assessed institutional support offers as coping mechanisms. The results of this study and its formulated practical implications can serve as a basis for discussing sustainable digitalization strategies in hospitals, taking into consideration technostress and its impact on physicians’ burnout, work engagement and job satisfaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Healthcare Workers)
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14 pages, 952 KiB  
Article
The Role of Subjective Wellbeing in Mediating Social Trust to the Mental Health of Health Workers
by Change Xiong, Yanqiu Yao, Tong Hu, Jing Cheng, Shandan Xu and Chaojie Liu
Healthcare 2023, 11(9), 1327; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091327 - 05 May 2023
Viewed by 1548
Abstract
Mental health problems of health workers are attracting increasing concerns in China and the world. A trustful relationship between health workers and patients is the foundation of quality patient care, which is currently under serious threat. This study aimed to determine the associations [...] Read more.
Mental health problems of health workers are attracting increasing concerns in China and the world. A trustful relationship between health workers and patients is the foundation of quality patient care, which is currently under serious threat. This study aimed to determine the associations of social trust on subjective wellbeing and mental health of health workers. Using the survey data of 262 health workers extracted from the 2018 Chinese Family Panel Studies, a structural equation model with partial least square approach was established. The results showed that social trust was linked to both subjective wellbeing (β = 0.251, p < 0.01) and mental health (β = −0.210, p < 0.01). The effect of social trust on mental health was partially mediated by subjective wellbeing (51.87%). The association between social trust and subjective wellbeing was moderated by socioeconomic status: social trust has a stronger effect on subjective wellbeing in those with higher socioeconomic status. Erosion of social trust may present a serious risk to mental health and subjective wellbeing of health workers. High socioeconomic status can amplify the effect of social trust. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Healthcare Workers)
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8 pages, 231 KiB  
Opinion
Research Directions for Leveraging and Supporting the Lived Experience of Mental Illness within Psychology
by Darren Haywood, Frank D. Baughman, Peter Bosanac, Kim Johnston, Inge Gnatt, Jennifer Haywood, Judith Gullifer and Susan Rossell
Healthcare 2023, 11(16), 2318; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11162318 - 17 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1464
Abstract
This paper explores the lived experience of mental illness within the field of psychology across higher education and the mental health workforce. There is a high prevalence of mental health issues among psychology students and practitioners, and it is critical not only to [...] Read more.
This paper explores the lived experience of mental illness within the field of psychology across higher education and the mental health workforce. There is a high prevalence of mental health issues among psychology students and practitioners, and it is critical not only to provide support for these populations, but also to acknowledge the value of leveraging their lived experience within their education and practice. There has been increased interest in and advocacy for the involvement of those with lived experience of mental illness within mental healthcare service provision to improve patient experiences and outcomes. However, there have been limited acknowledgement and research regarding the role of psychologists with personal lived experiences of mental illness, and how to leverage this experience. Further, there are challenges faced by both psychology students and practising psychologists with lived experience that act as barriers to leveraging their unique skills and experiences. Psychology students with lived experience face stigma, inadequate support, and incongruence between the course material and their personal experiences. Similarly, practising psychologists with lived experience encounter stigma and isolation, indicating the need for a culture change that promotes transparency and understanding. The paper calls for research in five key directions to provide evidence that can be used to support and leverage lived experience in psychology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Healthcare Workers)
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