Resilience in times of global pandemic: Steering recovery and thriving trajectories

How well prepared are hospitals for future crises? Board members perceive their hospitals as resilient for acute crises

Resilience is an organizational capacity in day-to-day practice and crisis situation performance. A one of a kind crisis for hospitals is the COVID-19 pandemic. The long duration and magnitude of this crisis offers the opportunity to gain insight into the complexity of crisis management and organizational resilience of hospitals. This interview study therefore explored the organizational resilience of Dutch hospitals during the first 14 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nine board members of nine Dutch hospitals were interviewed by means of a semi-structured interview that was built on thirteen indicators of organizational resilience. The results showed that board members considered their hospitals as resilient on almost all indicators. Their judgments varied about how prepared and ready for future crises they considered their hospital. According to board members, hospitals are mainly prepared for "acute" short-term crises, thanks to good crisis leadership, open communication and strong networks. A crisis as long as the COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented and therefore more difficult to deal with. In between the infection waves, work processes were reflected upon to learn, anticipate and respond more smoothly to successive waves. However, the enduring nature of the COVD-19 crisis presented complex organizational challenges. Crisis operations were eventually scaled down and hospitals had to manage the crisis and regular care as two companies side by side. Each crisis manifests differently. Fostering trust in healthcare staff and allowing them to act autonomously during crises, while diligently monitoring external influences and potential future crises, are therefore paramount in developing organizational adaptive capacities.

Two sides of the same coin: motivating and demotivating mediation paths of time pressure and their relationship with strain

BACKGROUND

Time pressure, commonly categorized a challenge stressor, consistently and positively relates to employees' experience of strain. However, regarding its relationship with motivational outcomes such as work engagement researchers have reported positive as well as negative effects.

OBJECTIVES

Drawing on the challenge-hindrance framework, we introduce two explanatory mechanisms (i.e., a loss of time control and an increase of meaning in work) which may explain both, the consistent findings related to strain (here operationalized as irritation) as well as the diverse findings related to work engagement.

METHODS

We conducted a two-wave survey with a two-week time-lag. The final sample consisted of 232 participants. To test our hypotheses, we used structural equation modeling.

RESULTS

Time pressure negatively and positively related to work engagement through loss of time control and meaning in work. Further, only loss of time control mediated the time pressure-irritation relationship.

CONCLUSION

Results demonstrate that time pressure likely acts motivating and demotivating at the same time, only through different paths. Hence, our study provides an explanation for the heterogeneous findings regarding the relationship between time pressure and work engagement.

Resilient communities? A qualitative interview study on sustaining a community project for health promotion among socially disadvantaged women during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 a global pandemic impacted on health promotion, overlapping and hindering efforts to overcome the worldwide pandemic of lacking physical activity (PA). Nationwide lockdowns, the closure of public facilities and sports venues, made it significantly more difficult to sustain community-run PA projects. In our case study, we explore (a) under which circumstances a community-basedhealth promotion project can be maintained during crisis and (b) what resilience capacities are important for community project coordinators to deal with those aggravating circumstances.

METHODS

Our case study looks at a community-based project called BIG, an exercise promotion project for women in difficult life circumstances. The case study was conducted between July 2021 and January 2022 with six municipalities implementing the project. Following a triangulation approach, we used minutes from short exchanges (n=17) with community project coordinators, information brochures about current exercise classes (n=6) and semi-structured qualitative interviews with project coordinators (n=6). All data were analyzed using the framework approach.

RESULTS

All sites showed a high level of willingness to adapt to the pandemic situation and to maintain the project as best as possible. Findings highlight that coordinators whose work routine was characterized by intense relationship management with participants and trainers demonstrated higher levels of adaptive and absorptive capacities on an individual level than coordinators of those communities with less social cohesion. At a community level, important resources for strengthening adaptive and absorptive resilience capacities were job security of the coordinators, sufficient financial resources to adapt classes to changing circumstances, and a supportive organizational climate in the coordinators' working environment to allow them to react flexibly according to current pandemic regulations.

CONCLUSION

Despite high resilience capacities especially on an individual level, the low-threshold nature of the project could not be maintained at a pre-pandemic level. For many women, participation in the project was no longer possible at times. Awareness should be raised in communities that PA promotion programs are crucial to strengthening physical and mental health, even in times of crisis. It seems necessary to find permanent funding options for such programs, to integrate them permanently into municipal structures.

Psychosocial Risks among Quebec Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Social Media Analysis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) were at high risk of exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and to work-related psychosocial risks, such as high psychological demands, low social support at work and low recognition. Because these factors are known to be detrimental to health, their detection and mitigation was essential to protect the healthcare workforce during the pandemic, when this study was initiated. Therefore, using Facebook monitoring, this study aims to identify the psychosocial risk factors to which HCWs in Quebec, Canada reported being exposed at work during the first and second pandemic waves. In this study, HCWs mainly refer to nurses, respiratory therapists, beneficiary attendants and technicians (doctors, managers and heads of healthcare establishments were deemed to be less likely to have expressed work-related concerns on the social media platforms explored). A qualitative exploratory research based on passive analysis of Facebook pages from three different unions was conducted. For each Facebook page, automatic data extraction was followed by and completed through manual extraction. Posts and comments were submitted to undergo thematic content analysis allowing main coded themes to emerge based on known theoretical frameworks of the psychosocial work environment. In total, 3796 Facebook posts and comments were analyzed. HCWs reported a variety of psychosocial work exposures, the most recurrent of which were high workload (including high emotional demands), lack of recognition and perceived injustice, followed by low workplace social support and work-life conflicts. Social media monitoring was a useful approach for documenting the psychosocial work environment during the COVID-19 crisis and could be a useful means of identifying potential targets for preventive interventions in future sanitary crises or in a context of major reforms or restructuring.

The relationship between subjective well-being and individual characteristics, personality traits, and choice of transport mode during the first lock-down in Milan, Italy

Introduction

Concerning the adverse effect of COVID-19 virus pandemic on subjective well-being and daily travel, this research sought to analyse which personal characteristics, personality traits, and transport modes are related to positive and negative affect, and satisfaction with life during the first lock-down in Milan, Italy.

Method

In the spring of 2020, an online survey was conducted in Milan, and 1025 responses were collected. Then, three Multinomial Ordinal Regression models (MNOR) are carried out to examine the relationship between the data.

Results

Results show that women were more likely to feel fewer positive emotions than men. More physical activity, and income were positively associated with the models. Significant relevance of personality traits with subjective well-being is reported Regarding daily mobility during the pandemic, transport mode after lock-down, satisfaction with public transport, and worry about using public transport were found relevant to subjective wellbeing.

Conclusions

Whereas the feeling of worry about using public transport increased the negative affect. Transport mode during lock-down was not related to subjective well-being, though the preferred mode of transport after lock-down was related to satisfaction with life. Respondents who chose to use private cars more than other modes of transport were more likely to have higher satisfaction with life. Findings are discussed to improve transport and mobility planning during pandemics.

Assessing Differences in Attitudes toward Occupational Safety and Health Measures for Infection Control between Office and Assembly Line Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Baseline Data from a Repeated Employee Survey

In our study, we investigated possible differences across occupational groups regarding employees’ perceived work-related risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2, attitudes toward technical, organisational, and personal occupational safety and health (OSH) measures for infection control, and factors associated with this attitude. We analysed baseline data (10 August to 25 October 2020) from a repeated standardised online survey distributed at a worldwide leading global supplier of technology and services in Germany. 2144 employees (32.4% women; age (mean ± SD): 44 ± 11 years) who worked predominantly remotely (n = 358), at an on-site office (n = 1451), and assembly line/manufacturing (n = 335) were included. The work-related SARS-CoV-2 risk of infection differed between office employees working remotely and on-site (mean ± SD = 2.9 ± 1.5 vs. 3.2 ± 1.5; Mann-Whitney-U-Test: W = 283,346; p < 0.002; ε2 = 0.01) and between on-site office and assembly line/manufacturing employees (3.8 ± 1.7; W = 289,174; p < 0.001; ε2 = 0.02). Attitude scores toward technical OSH-measures differed between remote and on-site office (4.3 ± 0.5 vs. 4.1 ± 0.6; W = 216,787; p < 0.001; ε2 = 0.01), and between on-site office and assembly line/manufacturing employees (3.6 ± 0.9; W = 149,881; p < 0.001; ε2 = 0.07). Findings were similar for organisational and personal measures. Affective risk perception, COVID-19-specific resilience, and information about COVID-19-related risks were associated with the employees’ attitudes. To promote positive attitudes, it seems to be important to consider occupational-group-specific context factors when implementing OSH-measures for infection control.

Resilience during times of enduring challenge: Brazilian Child Protection Professionals' resilience and psychological distress one year into the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Child Protection Professionals (CPPs) was widespread. Evidence regarding how those professionals dealt with the pandemic adversities and consequences for their wellbeing are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to analyze whether predictors of resilience had changed one year into the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Specifically, we explored the resiliency of CPPs as the stress of the pandemic evolved from an acute stressor to a more chronic and persistent stressor.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

263 CPPs from the five regions of Brazil engaged in this study. Participants had a mean age of 40 years and, on average, 13 years of experience in their field.

METHODS

CPPs were recruited between March and April of 2021 via professional social media outlets to complete an online survey. CPPs answered questions regarding their perceptions of their work conditions, psychological distress, and resilience. Survey questions were adopted from a prior survey distributed in 2020.

RESULTS

We replicated findings from our earlier study in the pandemic: A model of CPPs' resilient behaviors showed good indices of fit even one year into the pandemic. Despite this, paths related to individual importance for personal resilient behavior were not significant in this model. Unmet resilient needs significantly predicted general psychological distress.

CONCLUSIONS

CPPs revealed some changing resiliency needs as the pandemic progressed. Results revealed that meeting resilience-related needs is key to decreasing the psychological distress of this population. This work adds to the literature on the understudied topic of CPPs' psychological distress and resilience during international challenges.

“In the office nine to five, five days a week… those days are gone”: qualitative exploration of diplomatic personnel’s experiences of remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

Many employees had to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Literature suggests there are both challenges and benefits to remote working and that remote working can have detrimental effects on mental health. This study aimed to explore diplomatic personnel’s perceptions and experiences of working from home during the pandemic.

Methods

Twenty-five employees of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office took part in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was carried out to extract recurring themes from the data.

Results

Seven main themes emerged from the data: impact of the pandemic on work; relationships with colleagues; benefits of working from home; challenges of working from home; family; moving posts during the pandemic; and perceptions and predictions of post-pandemic work. Participants provided mixed views on how remote working had affected productivity and relationships with colleagues. Benefits of working from home included greater freedom and flexibility; new opportunities; and inclusivity of remote meetings. Challenges included being in different time zones to the countries they were working for; unsuitable home ergonomics; technological issues; and difficulties finding appropriate work-life balance. Those with young children reported difficulties juggling work and childcare. Adjusting to new posts at a time when staff were working remotely appeared particularly challenging. However, most did not want or expect to return to entirely office-based work. They predicted a hybrid model of working in the future, involving both office work and remote work; they stressed the importance of flexibility and suggested there would not be a one-size-fits-all approach to returning to face-to-face work.

Conclusions

Remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the ways in which employees work, showing them that they do not have to be in the office to successfully achieve their work goals and leaving many wanting flexibility to make their own decisions about working from home (or not). There are both benefits and challenges to remote working; managers can take steps to reduce some of the challenges by being available to support their employees, organising regular remote meetings and allowing employees autonomy in terms of when and where they work.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-022-00970-x.

How the Shift Toward Working From Home Has Impacted People's Work and Private Life

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to describe the effect of working from home on work conditions and private life by analyzing reported changes in different work-related factors.

METHODS

We used descriptive analyses on cross-sectional data of 4985 people aged 20 to 67 years from Stockholm, Sweden collected in 2021. The prevalence of reported changes for factors related to work and private life was analyzed by degree of work from home and stratified by age, sex, and educational level.

RESULTS

Participants who worked from home reported increased opportunities to structure the workday and combine work and private life, while at the same time experiencing increased isolation from the workplace. More females reported increased workload, whereas younger adults reported more changes overall.

CONCLUSIONS

Working from home was related to experiencing both positive and negative changes in work conditions and private life.

Exploring loss and grief during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review of qualitative studies

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about multiple losses to various groups, namely patients, families and healthcare professionals. Grief, which is the reaction to these losses, could cause strain on these individuals’ physical and mental health if not identified and managed early. This scoping review analysed loss, grief and how they were managed among these groups during the pandemic. Method: This scoping review utilised the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and the Joanna Briggs Institute framework for scoping reviews. Only qualitative studies relating to loss and grief and their management were included. Of 166 studies screened, 69 were included in the study. Qualitative analysis and data coding of each record were conducted through qualitative data analysis software. Results: Losses included the death of family members, patients, colleagues and others. They also included the loss of usual routines, lifestyles and physical health. The grief experienced was multidimensional, affecting mainly the emotional, physical, social and existential realms. Anger, guilt and fear resulted from unsatisfactory farewells, issues with funerals, social isolation, financial strain and stigmatisation. Management strategies could be categorised into 5 themes: communication, finance, counselling, education and spiritual care. Conclusion: Loss and grief identification and management among patients, family members and healthcare professionals are critically important during this COVID-19 pandemic. Current operating guidelines have proven insufficient in managing loss and grief. Innovative strategies are essential to tackle the many dimensions of loss and grief. Nevertheless, further research is necessary to better understand the effectiveness of implemented policies. Keywords: Bereavement, death, mourning, outbreak, palliative care

COVID-19-Related Self-Stigma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Insomnia, and Smartphone Addiction Among Frontline Government Workers with COVID-19 Pandemic Control Duties

Purpose

The duties related to COVID-19 control and prevention may have caused psychological stress for the individuals in charge (eg, frontline government workers) and have reportedly led to mental health issues, such as insomnia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the prevalence of these COVID-19-related disorders and their associated factors remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence rates of insomnia, PTSD, COVID-19-related self-stigma, and smartphone addiction, along with the identification of risk factors and protective factors for Taiwan frontline government workers with COVID-19 pandemic control duties.

Methods

The survey was carried out with 151 participants between September and October 2021. All participants completed the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (assessing fear of COVID-19), Self-Stigma Scale (assessing self-stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic), Smartphone Application-Based Addiction Scale (assessing the risk of smartphone addiction), Insomnia Severity Index (assessing insomnia), Impacts of Event Scale-6 (assessing PTSD), and a self-designed set of questions assessing trait resilience.

Results

The results showed that the prevalence rate was 31.1% for insomnia and 33.8% for PTSD. Furthermore, service duration (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.86, 0.999) and trait resilience (AOR = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.08, 0.46) were protective factors and fear of COVID-19 (AOR = 1.91; 95% CI = 1.02, 3.57) was a risk factor for insomnia. Fear of COVID-19 (AOR = 2.63; 95% CI = 1.35, 5.14), self-stigma (AOR = 3.62; 95% CI = 1.19, 11.02), and smartphone addiction (AOR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.001, 1.19) were risk factors, and trait resilience was a protective factor (AOR = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.29, 1.17) for PTSD.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrated a high prevalence of insomnia and PTSD. Risk-reducing strategies and protective factor promotion strategies are recommended to help reduce the symptoms of insomnia and PTSD among Taiwan frontline government workers.

Interoceptive anxiety-related processes: Importance for understanding COVID-19 and future pandemic mental health and addictive behaviors and their comorbidity

The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with an increased prevalence of mental health problems and addictive behaviors. There is a growing theoretical and empirical evidence that individual differences in interoceptive anxiety-related processes are a one set of vulnerability factors that are important in understanding the impact of pandemic-related mental health problems and addictive behavior. However, there has not been a comprehensive effort to explore this rapidly growing body of research and its implications for public health. In this paper, we discuss why interoceptive anxiety-related processes are relevant to understanding mental health and addictive behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. We then provide a narrative review of the available COVID-19 literature linking interoceptive fear and anxiety-related processes (e.g., anxiety sensitivity, health anxiety, and COVID-19 anxiety, fear, and worry) to mental health and addictive behaviors. We then propose a novel transdiagnostic theoretical model that highlights the role of interoceptive anxiety-related processes in mental health and addictive behavior in the context of the present and future pandemics. In the final section, we utilize this conceptualization to underscore clinical implications and provide guidance for future research initiatives in the management of COVID-19 mental health and addictive behaviors and inform the public health field for future pandemics.

Establishing a Guide for Developing Organizational Support in Healthcare Following a Critical or Sentinel Event

Health professionals require support and recognition to help manage the well-known impact of critical or sentinel events relating to patient care. The potential distress can be magnified or mitigated by the response of the organization and colleagues. However, strategies that are accessible, relevant, and effective in the aftermath of a poor outcome are not well established. Using an action research methodology, a support tool was collaboratively designed, developed, and evaluated in a maternity service of one organization and adapted to the mental health and addiction service in another. Four principles that are intrinsic to the establishment of support tools became apparent across the two settings. Through applying these criteria to the customization of the support tool, it became relevant within the new service setting, and an implementation guide for other organizations was created. Although undertaken pre-pandemic, insights derived from this study may benefit post-pandemic situations where the need for health professional support is even greater.

Self-reported participation in outdoor and nature-based recreation before and during the COVID-19 pandemic supports psychological health and well-being

Restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered daily lives and affected human health and well-being. Outdoor and nature-based activities could potentially mitigate some of these negative impacts. To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on outdoor recreation and subjective well-being, we combined two samples of U.S. adults collected from April 30^th - June 15^th, 2020 and from August 7^th - August 26^th, 2020 (total n = 2178) using Qualtrics XM. During the pandemic, participation in outdoor activities declined by 35%, participation in nature-based activities declined by 33%, and subjective well-being declined by 24%. Participation in outdoor activities and nature activities prior to the pandemic and during the pandemic predicted smaller declines in subjective well-being. Results highlight the importance of outdoor recreation for building resilience to changes in subjective well-being before and during global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Predictors and Consequences of Work Alienation in Times of Crisis: Evidence from Two Longitudinal Studies During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The present research investigates whether employees felt more alienated from their work during the COVID-19 pandemic than before it, and examines the causes and consequences of this increase in work alienation. To do so, two longitudinal studies using data collected before (T1; October 2019 [Study 1] and November 2019 [Study 2]) and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (T2; May 2020 [Studies 1 and 2]) were conducted (i.e., repeated measures). Data of both studies were analyzed using unobserved effects panel data models. Results of Study 1 (N = 197) indicated that employees reported higher levels of work alienation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Going one step further, results of Study 2 (N = 295) showed that this higher feeling of work alienation may be explained by an increase in professional isolation and a decrease in meaningfulness of work induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Results also demonstrated that this increase in work alienation negatively affected employees' job satisfaction, affective commitment, and turnover intentions. Findings are discussed and practical implications for managers are identified.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-03372-9.

The disaster resilience trajectory of the first batch front-line nurses at fighting the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Wuhan: A qualitative study

AIM

It is widely accepted that resilience is an essential solution to the challenges caused by disasters or crisis. The resilient individual can actively cope with challenges and maintain a good performance in facing of disastrous events. After the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, numerous researchers have engaged in studying the experiences of front-line nurses in Wuhan from different perspectives. However, little is known on how the first batch front-line nurses developed their resilience trajectories during the disastrous events. The purpose of the present study is to explore the disaster resilience trajectory of the first batch front-line nurses at the early-stage of COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei province.

METHOD

Qualitative research method was employed using purposive sampling. Nurses from Sichuan who had anti-epidemic experiences in Wuhan were selected to be conducted in-depth phone interviews. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and data was analysed by adopting Colaizzi phenomenological approach.

RESULTS

Three theme categories emerged through the data analysis: (1) Challenges and difficulties; (2) Overcoming difficulties; (3) and Personal growth.

CONCLUSION

Nurses have accumulated relevant experiences in dealing with sudden public health events after the rescue task, which can provide psychological and material supports for coping with similar situation in the future. Additionally, multiple support systems were critical elements for front-line nurses to recover from the disaster. Through uncovering front-line nurses' disaster resilience trajectories, it is significant for health care organizations and managers to establish more comprehensive system in handling with public health emergency events.

Overcoming the "Dark Side" of Technology-A Scoping Review on Preventing and Coping with Work-Related Technostress

In the course of the digitalisation of work, the phenomenon of technostress is increasingly being examined. While there is a plethora of research on its causes and consequences, a growing body of research on mitigating work-related technostress is emerging. In order to identify opportunities to overcome this "dark side" of technology, this scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on how to prevent and cope with work-related technostress. The databases PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, PSYNDEX, and Web of Science were searched in the time period between 2008 and 2021. The studies were screened independently by two authors and selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sixty-two studies were included and their methodological quality was assessed using standardised checklists. Resources were identified at the technical, organisational, social and personal level, including, e.g., leadership, organisational and technical support as well as self-efficacy and IT mindfulness. Problem- and emotion-focused coping strategies were, e.g., seeking support or distancing from IT. None of the included studies investigated prevention measures, emphasising a dearth of research that needs to be addressed in the future. Nevertheless, the identified resources and coping strategies provide starting points to address adverse work- and health-related consequences and reduce work-related technostress.

Stress, PTSD, and COVID-19: the Utility of Disaster Mental Health Interventions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose of review

In the context of an ongoing, highly uncertain pandemic, disaster mental health measures can increase community capacity for resilience and well-being, support formal mental health treatment, and help address the risk for mental health reactions in high-stress occupations. The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature on disaster mental health interventions that have been helpful both prior to and during the pandemic in a broad range of applications, including for use with high-stress occupations in an effort to mitigate risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health sequelae.

Recent findings

Evidence-based and evidence-informed disaster mental health interventions, frameworks, and treatments have been studied in pilot studies, non-randomized trials, and randomized clinical trials prior to and in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The studies have demonstrated feasibility and acceptability of these modalities and improved perceived support, as well as significant reductions in distress, and mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Summary

A disaster mental health approach to the COVID-19 pandemic can generate opportunities for prevention and support at multiple levels with timely interventions tailored for different concerns, cultures, and available resources.

Researching employee experiences and behavior in times of crisis: Theoretical and methodological considerations and implications for human resource management

Over the past 2 years, numerous empirical studies in the fields of human resource management, organizational behavior, and industrial, work, and organizational psychology have investigated employee experiences and behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this paper is to take a step back and to outline several theoretical and methodological considerations when researching employee experiences and behavior in times of crisis more generally. These insights may be useful when developing conceptual models, designing empirical studies, and managing people in the context of future crises. We first review theoretical approaches that could be applied to explain changes in employee experiences and behavior in times of crisis, including stress theories, theories of adjustment to work-related changes, career construction theory, event system theory, transition-adaptation theories, the crisis management and resilience framework, and the social identity model of identity change. Second, we outline methodological considerations and best practices regarding the research design of quantitative empirical studies, sampling, measurement, and analytic strategies. Throughout, we highlight empirical studies on employee experiences and behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic that have adopted these theoretical approaches and methodological best practices. We conclude with several suggestions for future theory development and empirical studies on employee experiences and behavior as well as human resource management in times of crisis.

Occupational Commitment of Chinese Kindergarten Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Predictions of Anti-Epidemic Action, Income Reduction, and Career Confidence

This study highlights a survey on 5783 kindergarten teachers' occupational commitment and its influencing factors in the socioeconomic context of China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected through the WenJuanXing public online platform. Quantitative analysis results showed that kindergarten teachers' occupational commitment was optimistic on the whole during this period, among which the affective commitment and the normative commitment were satisfactory, but the continuing commitment needed to be strengthened. The type of kindergartens, the personnel affiliation, the educational background, and the professional post of kindergarten teachers had significant impacts on their occupational commitment. The income reduction was negatively correlated with and predictive of kindergarten teachers' occupational commitment. Anti-epidemic action and career confidence were positively correlated with and predictive of kindergarten teachers' occupational commitment. Furthermore, anti-epidemic action, income reduction, and career confidence had joint predictive effects on kindergarten teachers' occupational commitment. More related backgrounds and suggestions have been discussed.

Burnout Toll on Empathy Would Mediate the Missing Professional Support in the COVID-19 Outbreak

Purpose

The year 2020 was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, massively disruptive at the general population level and for healthcare systems. We aimed to evaluate the psychological distress associated with work-related experiences among medical professionals and supporting staff during the pandemic outbreak.

Patients and Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and May 2020, employing a self-administered on-line questionnaire that included the collection of socio-demographic and professional status information, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and a subscale of the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) for empathy. A total of 364 professionals of the county-coordinated area responded. Descriptive statistics summarized the findings and a mediation model was analyzed, applying the causal step strategy. The specific direct and causal mediation effects were estimated with the bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrap sampling method.

Results

Anxiety, burnout, stress, resilience, and empathy proved to be significantly associated with both the professional category (ie, consultant, specialty doctor, trainee doctor, senior nurse, trainee nurse or other) and the perceived professional support (the nonparametric multivariate permutation test resulted in p=0.048 and p<0.001, respectively). When controlling for the marital and professional status, the female gender had an OR=2.26, 95% CI (1.21; 4.22) toward a high level of empathy compared to males. The causal mediation effect of the perceived lack of professional support on empathy through burnout-depersonalization was highly significant (p<0.001) with an average of 0.0599, 95% CI (0.0238; 0.10), while the direct effect was non-significant (p=0.536) with an average of 0.0295, 95% CI (-0.0774; 0.15).

Conclusion

We highlighted the impact of the lack of professional support on healthcare workers' empathy through burnout-depersonalization in a context of a high workload, time pressure, job stress beyond previous training, and inherently limited organizational support, which are potentially modifiable factors in the mid-term.