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Shi L, Ren F, Xin S, Sun Q, Li DN, Li K, Wang Y. Prevalence of burnout among military personnel in the plateau region of China: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1897. [PMID: 39014372 PMCID: PMC11251340 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19340-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The geographical environment and military activities in the plateau area pose potential work-related stressors for military personnel, leading to burnout which is an external manifestation of internal energy exhaustion caused by stress. Without countermeasures, this can result in serious military problems. This study aims to examine the association between burnout and occupational stressors among military personnel stationed in the plateau area of China. MATERIAL AND METHODS A stratified randomized cluster sampling survey was conducted among 2026 military personnel from 6 different troops stationed in the plateau area of China. The Chinese Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey(MBI-GS in Chinese) was administered from March 2022 to December 2023, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. RESULTS A total of 2026 military personnel participated in the survey. The mean overall burnout score was 3.37 ± 0.73, with emotional exhaustion at 2.69 ± 0.89, depersonalization at 3.58 ± 0.92, and professional achievement at 3.81 ± 0.85 levels respectively reported by participants on average scale scores ranging from zero to six. Severe level of burnout was reported by 43.2% of participants while medium level of burnout was reported by 54 .3%. Age, education level, length of military service, and household income were identified as important factors influencing burnout. CONCLUSION This study highlights a relatively high prevalence of burnout among military personnel stationed in plateau areas necessitating attention towards their occupational health particularly focusing on working hours and economic aspects so as to formulate effective policies and implement intervention measures that strengthen career development for soldiers deployed in such regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Shi
- Department of Medical Research, The Ninth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Fei Ren
- Department of Medical Research, The Ninth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shen Xin
- Department of Medical Research, The Ninth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qin Sun
- Department of Medical Research, The Ninth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Dan-Ni Li
- Department of Medical Research, The Ninth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Ke Li
- Department of Medical Research, The Ninth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Medical Research, The Ninth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100101, China.
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Shelef L, Bechor U, Ohayon O, Tatsa-Laur L, Antonovsky A. The Psychological Impact of Exposure to Battle on Medics: A Cross-Sectional Study of Ex-Soldiers Who Sought Help From the IDF Combat Reaction Unit. Mil Med 2024; 189:e781-e788. [PMID: 37721515 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The present study's central aim was to examine two questions: (1) Will there be differences in mental health outcomes between medics and non-medics who sought help at the Israeli Combat Reaction Unit (CRU)? (2) Will there be differences in mental health outcomes between combatants and non-combatants? MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study included files of 1,474 Israeli Defense Forces ex-service members (89% combatants, of whom 13% were medics; 11% non-combatants, of whom 6% were medics), who filled out questionnaires on admission for evaluation at the CRU.Dependent variables were mental health measures and included two PTSD measures (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5), Beck Depression Inventory, Dissociative Experience Scale, and Brief Symptom Inventory. Military profession (medics vs. non-medics) and status (combatant vs. non-combatant) were the independent variables. Background variables were also examined. RESULTS We found no substantial differences between medics and non-medics in the mental health measures. When looking at combat and non-combat separately, the non-combat medics (CMs), in general, were in better mental health conditions than the other three groups- CMs, non-medic combatants, and non-medic non-combatants-all of whom had similar scores in the mental health measures. However, compared to the rest, non-CMs took considerably longer years before approaching the CRU. CONCLUSIONS The elapsed time to seek help for non-MCs was explained by their reluctance to seek help, not being combatants, and being medics who are portrayed as resilient. Recommendations for encouraging this subgroup to seek help were given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Shelef
- The School of Social Work, Sapir Academic College, D. N. Hof Ashkelon 79165, Israel
- Department of Military Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Uzi Bechor
- Department of Health and Well-Being, IDF Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Ramat Gan 5262000, Israel
| | - Ofir Ohayon
- Department of Health and Well-Being, IDF Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Ramat Gan 5262000, Israel
| | - Lucian Tatsa-Laur
- Department of Health and Well-Being, IDF Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Ramat Gan 5262000, Israel
| | - Avishai Antonovsky
- Department of Health and Well-Being, IDF Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Ramat Gan 5262000, Israel
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Solomou I, Nikolaou F, Michaelides MP, Constantinidou F. Long-term psychological impact of the pandemic COVID-19: Identification of high-risk groups and assessment of precautionary measures five months after the first wave of restrictions was lifted. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002847. [PMID: 38394160 PMCID: PMC10889631 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Critical facets of our lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak for almost three years. During this time, there has been a lot of clinical and research interest in issues related to mental health. However, few have examined the pandemic's long-term psychological effects. The aims of the present study were to assess the long-term psychological impact of the pandemic COVID -19, five months after the first wave restriction measures were lifted, to identify high-risk groups and to address the use of precautionary measures (PM). Information about sociodemographic characteristics, mental health, coping mechanisms, and compliance with precautionary measures (PM) were all gathered in Cyprus through an anonymous online survey. The poll was completed by 1128 people (73% of whom were female). For the purposes of the present study, descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were used. 32.3% of participants experienced moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms, where 16.4% and 23% reported moderate-to-severe depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms respectively. Lower levels of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms as well as greater compliance to PM were linked to higher levels of resilience. Additionally, subgroups of participants, at a higher risk for negative psychological effects were identified, such as women and young adults. Our findings demonstrate the long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and provide guidance on how to deal with similar situations. It also raises questions about the concurrent effects on people with the long COVID syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioulia Solomou
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Center for Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Flora Nikolaou
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Center for Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Fofi Constantinidou
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Center for Applied Neuroscience, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Kukulskienė M, Argustaitė-Zailskienė G, Griciūtė A, Miglinė V, Kubilienė L, Žemaitienė N. Significance of organizational health features during the COVID-19 pandemic for the well-being of Lithuanian healthcare workers. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1136762. [PMID: 37008877 PMCID: PMC10061304 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1136762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
SummaryDuring various emergencies, especially pandemics, there is a heavy burden on healthcare workers and pharmacists. Organizational support plays a significant role in protecting their mental health. Though the study aimed analyze the subjectively perceived difficulties and challenges of healthcare workers related to organizing work in the context of a pandemic.MethodsTwenty seven subjects (20 women, 7 men) participated in the qualitative research 30–45 min. Duration semi-structured interviews were performed, and thematic data analysis was applied.ResultsDuring the first wave of the COVD-19 pandemic, research participants experienced an avalanche of change in all significant areas of life: experienced general overall uncertainty, confusion in working order, and intense changes in work functions, responsibilities, and workload. These changes reduced the scope for control and predictability, there was a lack of structure and clarity. The avalanche of change caused by the COVID-19 pandemic provoked a strong and controversial emotional response. The contradiction was revealed between helplessness, disruption, loss of control experienced by staff and the internal and external pressure to adapt as quickly as possible to the functions of caregivers. The threats posed by the pandemic reinforced the need for active and engaged leadership and highlighted the key features of an employee supporting organization.ConclusionSurviving the avalanche of change caused by the pandemic, healthcare workers and pharmacists emphasized the importance of management decisions about managing patient and employee health threats, clear work organization, active and inclusive leadership, change planning, and organizational concern for employee sustainability and emotional well-being. Regular, systematic, clear and understandable, timely, open and sincere, uncontroversial, and consistent communication of administration provides security for employees and can contribute to better physical and psychological well-being of employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milda Kukulskienė
- Department of Health Psychology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
- *Correspondence: Milda Kukulskienė,
| | | | - Aušra Griciūtė
- Department of Health Psychology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Vilma Miglinė
- Department of Health Psychology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Loreta Kubilienė
- Department of Drug Technology and Social Pharmacy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Nida Žemaitienė
- Department of Health Psychology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
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Padmanabhanunni A, Pretorius TB, Kagee A. The Health-Sustaining, Moderating, and Mediating Roles of Sense of Coherence in the Relationship between Fear of COVID-19 and Burnout among South African Teachers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095160. [PMID: 35564555 PMCID: PMC9100965 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The current study focuses on the interrelationship between fear of COVID-19, sense of coherence, and burnout. Participants (n = 355) were school teachers from across all provinces in South Africa who completed the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Sense of Coherence Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. It was hypothesized that the dimensions of sense of coherence would be directly associated with burnout and would also mediate or moderate the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and burnout. The results of the path and moderation analyses conducted confirmed this hypothesis. In particular, the health-sustaining role of sense of coherence was demonstrated through the significant direct associations between comprehensibility and manageability on one hand and emotional exhaustion, as well as depersonalization, on the other hand. In addition, meaningfulness had significant direct associations with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Meaningfulness mediated the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and all burnout subscales, while comprehensibility and manageability only mediated the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and both emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. However, comprehensibility and manageability played a moderating role in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and personal accomplishment. These findings confirm the crucial role of protective factors, such as sense of coherence, and highlights the need for interventions that could strengthen these resources within teachers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Padmanabhanunni
- Department of Psychology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7530, South Africa;
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Ashraf Kagee
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa;
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