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Health Occupation and Job Satisfaction: The Impact of Psychological Capital in the Management of Clinical Psychological Stressors of Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Era

Author

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  • Pasquale Caponnetto

    (Section Psychology, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
    Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (COEHAR), University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy)

  • Silvia Platania

    (Section Psychology, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy)

  • Marilena Maglia

    (Section Psychology, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
    Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (COEHAR), University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy)

  • Martina Morando

    (Section Psychology, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy)

  • Stefania Valeria Gruttadauria

    (Section Psychology, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy)

  • Roberta Auditore

    (CTA Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Research, 95030 Mascalucia, Italy)

  • Caterina Ledda

    (Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Occupational Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Venerando Rapisarda

    (Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Occupational Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Santisi

    (Section Psychology, Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted global health. Frontline healthcare workers involved in the response to COVID-19 faced physical and psychological challenges that threatened their wellbeing and job satisfaction. The pandemic crisis, alongside pre-existing critical issues, exposed healthcare workers to constant emotional fatigue, creating an increased workload and vulnerability to stress. Maintaining such stress levels increased their levels of anxiety, irritability and loneliness. Evidence shows that the Psychological Capital (PsyCap) was a strong protective factor against these stressors. The aim of this study was to analyze the level of job satisfaction among health workers facing the COVID-19 pandemic. The possible antecedent factors to satisfaction and the role that PsyCap plays in preserving and fostering higher levels of job satisfaction were investigated. A total of 527 healthcare workers from different areas of Italy were recruited for the study. The results revealed that psychological stress factors have a considerable impact on job satisfaction. All four predictors (Stress Vulnerability, Anxiety Symptoms, Loneliness and Irritability) had the potential to decrease job satisfaction. Loneliness had a more significant effect than other factors assessed in this study. Moreover, the results showed how PsyCap could decrease the effects of psychological stressors on job satisfaction. Consistent with previous studies, our findings show that PsyCap could alleviate negative impacts in work-related circumstances.

Suggested Citation

  • Pasquale Caponnetto & Silvia Platania & Marilena Maglia & Martina Morando & Stefania Valeria Gruttadauria & Roberta Auditore & Caterina Ledda & Venerando Rapisarda & Giuseppe Santisi, 2022. "Health Occupation and Job Satisfaction: The Impact of Psychological Capital in the Management of Clinical Psychological Stressors of Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Era," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6134-:d:818231
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    References listed on IDEAS

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