Age differences in trajectories of depressive, anxiety, and burnout symptoms in a population with a high likelihood of persistent occupational distress

Examination of Stress Among Recruit and Incumbent Women Firefighters

Background

Firefighting is risky and impacts the mental and physical health of personnel. While most research focuses on men firefighters, recent work has highlighted mental health concerns among women including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Social support is a known protective factor for mental health; however, women may be excluded from the supportive peer network of the firehouse.

Methods

This cross-sectional study compared the prevalence of perceived stress, peer (functional) support, anxiety, depression, PTSD, chronic work discrimination and harassment, resilience, and job satisfaction in recruit (n=184) and incumbent (n=200) career women firefighters.

Results

While depression and perceived stress did not differ between recruits and incumbents, recruits were more likely to score in the range of concern for anxiety (26.1% and 15.5%, respectively). Incumbents were more likely to score at risk for PTSD (16.5% and 10.3%, respectively) and more likely to report sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexist behaviors in the workplace. Compared to the low stress group, those who reported moderate or high stress were more likely to score in the range of concern for anxiety (OR=3.86, CI=1.76-8.89) and PTSD (OR=1.30, CI=1.15-1.47), and report poor organizational cohesion (OR=1.13, CI=1.02-1.25).

Conclusion

Addressing mental health in the context of women firefighters requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach including collaboration between fire departments, mental health professionals, advocacy groups, and the broader community.

Neural underpinnings of fine motor skills under stress and anxiety: A review

This review offers a comprehensive examination of how stress and anxiety affect motor behavior, particularly focusing on fine motor skills and gait adaptability. We explore the role of several neurochemicals, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and dopamine, in modulating neural plasticity and motor control under these affective states. The review highlights the importance of developing therapeutic strategies that enhance motor performance by leveraging the interactions between key neurochemicals. Additionally, we investigate the complex interplay between emotional-cognitive states and sensorimotor behaviors, showing how stress and anxiety disrupt neural integration, leading to impairments in skilled movements and negatively impacting quality of life. Synthesizing evidence from human and rodent studies, we provide a detailed understanding of the relationships among stress, anxiety, and motor behavior. Our findings reveal neurophysiological pathways, behavioral outcomes, and potential therapeutic targets, emphasizing the intricate connections between neurobiological mechanisms, environmental factors, and motor performance.

Prevalence of Burnout Among Public Health Professionals: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Since the initial outbreak of COVID-19, health professionals-both clinical health care, as well as public health concentrations-have faced tremendous pressures. A growing body of literature indicates the pandemic has magnified already prevalent burnout rates among clinical health professionals and to what extent for public health professionals remains to be determined.

OBJECTIVE

This study purpose is to conduct a systematic review of literature examining burnout prevalence among public health professionals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic-nationally and internationally-with identification of potential risk factors.

DESIGN

We conducted a literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, and ClinicalKey since inception through April 4, 2023. Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed, original research studies (qualitative or quantitative), in English, assessing prevalence of, or risk factors for, burnout in public health professionals. Two authors independently screened abstracts, titles, full report of studies and abstracted data related to burnout. This review was conducted using Joanna Briggs Institute Systematic Reviews guidelines and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines with narrative synthesis. Protocol for this review registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023424468).

RESULTS

Of 3327 health-related articles mentioning burnout, 15 met inclusion criteria (11 quantitative and 4 qualitative) with 10 in international settings and 5 in US majority of quantitative studies were from international settings and only 1 in United States. Seventy-eight percent of studies that included prevalence data, exhibited a burnout prevalence greater than 50% (with a range of 19%-81%). The pandemic likely heightened (13% increase) already elevated burnout prevalence. Major risk factors identified included overwork, lack of support, changing roles, and full-time employment status, though many risk factors had not been studied in the United States.

CONCLUSIONS

Burnout is prevalent among public health professionals, nationally and internationally, and likely heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. More research is warranted assessing burnout among differing public health concentrations and interventions developed. Public health is an essential framework for protecting and promoting health nationally and internationally, and we need to ensure and support solidity of that framework.

On the Influence of the University Tenure on the Digital Pandemic Stress in Higher Education Faculty

This paper conducts quantitative research on the levels of stress generated in Latin American professors due to the abrupt digitalization of higher education resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the differences in this digital stress between professors from private and public universities are analyzed. For this purpose, a validated questionnaire has been used and passed to a sample of 750 professors from 20 different Latin American countries, whose responses have been statistically analyzed. As results, it has been obtained that there are no significant differences between the average levels of digital stress of professors of private and public universities due to the pandemic. However, the way in which this digital stress has affected Latin American professors according to gender and age is different depending on the university tenure. As a consequence, some implications and recommendations derived from the results are presented.

Job Demands and Resources, Mindfulness, and Burnout Among Delivery Drivers in China

The food and package delivery workforce in China has grown substantially in the past decade. However, delivery drivers face volatile and stressful work conditions, which can give rise to high turnover and burnout. Past research has indicated that job demands and resources (JD-R) significantly predict burnout. Scholars have also found evidence that mindfulness may be a protective factor against negative outcomes like burnout. Using data collected from 240 food and package delivery drivers in Beijing, China, we examined the effects of JD-R on burnout and whether these relations were moderated by mindfulness. Estimates produced by regression analyses indicated that job demands (JD) have significantly positive effects on burnout (β = 0.33), while job resources (JR) have a significant negative effect on burnout (β = −0.32). Mindfulness significantly moderated the effects of JD and JR on burnout (β = −1.64 and − 1.30, respectively). Results suggest that mindfulness is a protective factor for delivery drivers. Practice and policy implications are discussed.

The Perceived Risk of Being Infected with COVID-19 at Work, Communication, and Employee Health: A Longitudinal Application of the Job Demands–Resources Model

The perceived risk of being infected at work (PRIW) with COVID-19 represents a potential risk factor for workers during the current COVID-19 pandemic. In line with the job demands–resources (JD-R) model in the context of safety at work, in this longitudinal study we propose that PRIW can be conceptualized as a job demand (JD), whereas communication (i.e., the exchange of good-quality information across team members) can be conceived of as a job resource (JR). Accordingly, we hypothesize that PRIW at Time 1 (T1) would positively predict psychophysical strain at Time 2 (i.e., four months later), and that communication at T1 would negatively predict psychophysical strain at T2. Overall, 297 workers participated in the study. The hypothesized relationships were tested using multiple regression analysis. The results support our predictions: PRIW positively predicted psychophysical strain over time, whereas communication negatively predicted psychophysical strain over time. The results did not change after controlling for age, gender, and type of contract. Overall, this study suggests that PRIW and communication might be conceived of as a risk and a protective factor for work-related stress, respectively. Hence, to promote more sustainable working conditions, interventions should help organizations to promote an adequate balance between JDs and JRs related to COVID-19.