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Identifying Psychosocial Risks and Protective Measures for Workers’ Mental Wellbeing at the Time of COVID-19: A Narrative Review

Author

Listed:
  • Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli

    (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
    Occupational Medicine School, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Gabriele Giorgi

    (Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy)

  • Caterina Pandolfi

    (Business @ Health Laboratory, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy)

  • Giulia Foti

    (Business @ Health Laboratory, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy)

  • Georgia Libera Finstad

    (Department of Human Sciences, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy
    Business @ Health Laboratory, European University of Rome, 00163 Rome, Italy)

  • Giulio Arcangeli

    (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Nicola Mucci

    (Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy)

Abstract

The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused crucial changes in the workplace. Almost two years after the start of the COVID-19 era, new and old psychosocial risks in the workplace threaten workers’ mental wellbeing and represent an occupational health challenge. The aim of this review is to identify the most relevant psychosocial factors, negative or protective, contributing to occupational stress during the current pandemic. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar and PsycINFO and a total of 51 articles were deemed suitable for inclusion in the review. Analysis of the retrieved articles revealed five main topics related to psychosocial wellbeing in the workplace: 1. Support from colleagues and organizations; 2. Home–work interface and balance; 3. Changes in workload and work demand; 4. Job competence and appropriate training; 5. Job insecurity and financial stress. All five themes were associated with occupational stress and poor mental outcomes, like anxiety, depression, and burnout symptoms. Peer and organizational support seem to have a major impact on workers’ mental wellbeing. Recognizing these factors and projecting interventions that mitigate their effects or boost their efficacy is a fundamental step towards dealing with COVID-19 in the workplace, or any such future emergencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Gabriele Giorgi & Caterina Pandolfi & Giulia Foti & Georgia Libera Finstad & Giulio Arcangeli & Nicola Mucci, 2021. "Identifying Psychosocial Risks and Protective Measures for Workers’ Mental Wellbeing at the Time of COVID-19: A Narrative Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-26, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13869-:d:703155
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dorrit Posel & Adeola Oyenubi & Umakrishnan Kollamparambil, 2021. "Job loss and mental health during the COVID-19 lockdown: Evidence from South Africa," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Israel Escudero-Castillo & Fco. Javier Mato-Díaz & Ana Rodriguez-Alvarez, 2021. "Furloughs, Teleworking and Other Work Situations during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Impact on Mental Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-16, March.
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    4. Matthew J Page & Joanne E McKenzie & Patrick M Bossuyt & Isabelle Boutron & Tammy C Hoffmann & Cynthia D Mulrow & Larissa Shamseer & Jennifer M Tetzlaff & Elie A Akl & Sue E Brennan & Roger Chou & Jul, 2021. "The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Antonio Baldassarre & Annarita Chiarelli & Antonella Mariniello & Diana Paolini & Maddalena Grazzini & Nicola Mucci & Giulio Arcangeli, 2023. "Physical Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Population of Italian Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-14, March.
    2. Li, Xue & Seah, Rachel & Wang, Xueqin & Yuen, Kum Fai, 2022. "Investigating the role of sociotechnical factors on seafarers’ psychological capital and mental well-being," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    3. Nataliya Nerobkova & Soo Young Kim & Eun-Cheol Park & Jaeyong Shin, 2022. "Workplace Mistreatment and Health Conditions Prior and during the COVID-19 in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-11, October.
    4. Michael K. Lemke & Adam Hege & Alexander M. Crizzle, 2023. "An Agenda for Advancing Research and Prevention at the Nexus of Work Organization, Occupational Stress, and Mental Health and Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-12, May.
    5. Horacio Molina-Sánchez & Gabriele Giorgi & Dante Castillo Guajardo & Antonio Ariza-Montes, 2022. "Special Issue “Rethinking the Subjective Wellbeing for a New Workplace Scenario”," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-6, April.
    6. Maddalena Grazzini & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Nicola Mucci & Diana Paolini & Antonio Baldassarre & Veronica Gallinoro & Annarita Chiarelli & Fabrizio Niccolini & Giulio Arcangeli, 2022. "Return to Work of Healthcare Workers after SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Determinants of Physical and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-13, June.

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