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Rahman MA, Das P, Lam L, Alif SM, Sultana F, Salehin M, Banik B, Joseph B, Parul P, Lewis A, Statham D, Porter J, Foster K, Islam SMS, Cross W, Jacob A, Hua S, Wang Q, Chair SY, Chien WT, Widati S, Nurmala I, Puspaningsih NNT, Hammoud M, Omar K, Halim MASA, Gamal-Eltrabily M, Ortiz G, Al Maskari TS, Al Alawi SSM, Al-Rahbi BS, Arulappan J, Ahmad A, Al Laham N, Mahmud I, Alasqah I, Noorbhai H, Chang SL, Chen YL, Comlekci MF, Basol O, Saddik B, Hayman R, Polman R. Health and wellbeing of staff working at higher education institutions globally during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period: evidence from a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1848. [PMID: 38992680 PMCID: PMC11238394 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19365-1] [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: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ongoing global crisis of Higher Education (HE) institutions during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period has increased the likelihood of enduring psychological stressors for staff. This study aimed to identify factors associated with job insecurity, burnout, psychological distress and coping amongst staff working at HE institutions globally. METHODS An anonymous cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 with staff at HE institutions across 16 countries. Job insecurity was measured using the Job Insecurity Scale (JIS), burnout using the Perceived Burnout measure question, psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and coping using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Multivariable logistic regression with a stepwise variable selection method was used to identify associations. RESULTS A total of 2,353 staff participated; the mean age (± SD) was 43(± 10) years and 61% were females. Most staff (85%) did not feel job insecurity, one-third (29%) perceived burnout in their jobs, more than two-thirds (73%) experienced moderate to very high levels of psychological distress, and more than half (58%) exhibited medium to high resilient coping. Perceived job insecurity was associated with staff working part-time [Adjusted Odds Ratio 1.53 (95% Confidence Intervals 1.15-2.02)], having an academic appointment [2.45 (1.78-3.27)], having multiple co-morbidities [1.86 (1.41-2.48)], perceived burnout [1.99 (1.54-2.56)] and moderate to very high level of psychological distress [1.68 (1.18-2.39)]. Perceived burnout was associated with being female [1.35 (1.12-1.63)], having multiple co-morbidities [1.53 (1.20-1.97)], perceived job insecurity [1.99 (1.55-2.57)], and moderate to very high levels of psychological distress [3.23 (2.42-4.30)]. Staff with multiple co-morbidities [1.46 (1.11-1.92)], mental health issues [2.73 (1.79-4.15)], perceived job insecurity [1.61 (1.13-2.30)], and perceived burnout [3.22 (2.41-4.31)] were associated with moderate to very high levels of psychological distress. Staff who perceived their mental health as good to excellent [3.36 (2.69-4.19)] were more likely to have medium to high resilient coping. CONCLUSIONS Factors identified in this study should be considered in reviewing and updating current support strategies for staff at HE institutions across all countries to reduce stress and burnout and improve wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Aziz Rahman
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, 3806, Australia.
- Collaborative Evaluation and Research Centre (CERC), Federation University Australia, Churchill, Australia.
| | - Pritimoy Das
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, 3806, Australia
- Collaborative Evaluation and Research Centre (CERC), Federation University Australia, Churchill, Australia
| | - Louisa Lam
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sheikh M Alif
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, 3806, Australia
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Masudus Salehin
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, 3806, Australia
- Collaborative Evaluation and Research Centre (CERC), Federation University Australia, Churchill, Australia
| | - Biswajit Banik
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, 3806, Australia
| | - Bindu Joseph
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, 3806, Australia
- Collaborative Evaluation and Research Centre (CERC), Federation University Australia, Churchill, Australia
| | - Parul Parul
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, 3806, Australia
- Collaborative Evaluation and Research Centre (CERC), Federation University Australia, Churchill, Australia
- School of Nursing, Institute of Health & Management, North Melbourne, VIC, 3051, Australia
| | - Andrew Lewis
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, 3806, Australia
| | - Dixie Statham
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, 3806, Australia
| | - Joanne Porter
- Collaborative Evaluation and Research Centre (CERC), Federation University Australia, Churchill, Australia
| | - Kim Foster
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Wendy Cross
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, 3806, Australia
| | - Alycia Jacob
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Susan Hua
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Qun Wang
- School of Nursing, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sek Ying Chair
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai Tong Chien
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sri Widati
- Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | | | | | - Majeda Hammoud
- Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Khatijah Omar
- Institute of Tropical Biodiversity & Sustainable Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Georgina Ortiz
- División de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Anáhuac Querétaro, Querétaro, México
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nahed Al Laham
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Al Azhar University-Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine
| | - Ilias Mahmud
- School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
- BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Ibrahim Alasqah
- School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
- Department of Community, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, College of Nursing, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Habib Noorbhai
- BEAHT Research Centre, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | | | - Oguz Basol
- Kirklareli University, Kirklareli, Turkey
| | - Basema Saddik
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Kennington, Australia
| | - Rick Hayman
- Northumbria University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Remco Polman
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC, 3806, Australia
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Wang ML, Narcisse MR, Togher K, McElfish PA. Job Flexibility, Job Security, and Mental Health Among US Working Adults. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e243439. [PMID: 38526492 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.3439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Understanding the association between job characteristics and mental health can inform policies and practices to promote employee well-being. Objective To investigate associations between job characteristics and mental health, work absenteeism, and mental health care use among US adults. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey and included adults aged 18 years or older who reported employment during the past 12 months. Data were analyzed from May 2023 to January 2024. Exposures Job flexibility was assessed as a summative variable to 3 questions: perceived ease of changing one's work schedule to do things important to oneself or their family, regularity of work schedule changes, and advance notice of work hours. Job security was measured as perceived likelihood of losing one's job. Main Outcomes and Measures Mental health outcomes included self-reported serious psychological distress and frequency of anxiety. Work absenteeism was assessed using the number of missed workdays due to illness. Mental health care use was examined for both current and past year use. Multivariable logistic and binomial regression analyses were used to examine associations of interest. Results The analytic sample consisted of 18 144 adults (52.3% [95% CI, 51.5%-53.2%] male; mean age, 42.2 [95% CI, 41.9-42.6] years). Greater job flexibility was associated with decreased odds of serious psychological distress (odds ratio [OR], 0.74 [95% CI, 0.63-0.86]; P < .001) and lower odds of weekly anxiety (OR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.81-0.97]; P = .008) or daily anxiety (OR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.79-0.96]; P = .005). Greater job security was associated with decreased odds of serious psychological distress (OR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.65-0.87]; P < .001) and lower odds of anxiety weekly (OR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.71-0.88]; P < .001) or daily (OR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.66-0.81]; P < .001). Greater job flexibility (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.84 [95% CI, 0.74-0.96]; P = .008) and job security (IRR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.65-0.87]; P < .001) were each associated with decreased number of days worked despite feeling ill over the past 3 months. Greater job security was associated with decreased absenteeism in the past year (IRR, 0.89 [95% CI, 0.82-0.98]; P < .014). Conclusions and Relevance Organizational policies that enhance job flexibility and security may facilitate a healthier work environment, mitigate work-related stress, and ultimately promote better mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica L Wang
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Katherine Togher
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Pearl A McElfish
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, Springdale
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