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Coping Methods and Satisfaction with Working from Home in Academic Settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Jimmy Stephen Munobwa

    (Department of Social Work and Criminology, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, 80176 Gävle, Sweden)

  • Fereshteh Ahmadi

    (Department of Social Work and Criminology, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, 80176 Gävle, Sweden)

  • Saeid Zandi

    (Department of Social Work and Criminology, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, 80176 Gävle, Sweden)

  • Natalie Davidsson

    (Faculty of Literacy, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Salisbury, NC 28146, USA)

  • Sharareh Akhavan

    (Department of Social Work and Criminology, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, 80176 Gävle, Sweden)

Abstract

In this paper, we examined how university staff and students coped with challenges related to working or studying from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the level of satisfaction with working from home. An online survey was conducted among faculty, staff, and students at universities in 24 countries ( n = 674). The results show that over 80% of the respondents used multiple coping methods. Three clusters of coping methods were generated through factor analysis: (1) social and health factor, with focus on personal health and the social surrounding, (2) activity factor, i.e., being busy with work or studies, finding up-to-date information about COVID-19, while thinking about what one could do rather than what one could not do, and (3) public health factor, which meant trusting health authorities while avoiding misinformation from sources such as social media. Furthermore, 56% of the respondents were very or somewhat satisfied with working from home. Differences in the methods of coping and satisfaction with working from home highlight the need for employers to prepare for working from home beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Jimmy Stephen Munobwa & Fereshteh Ahmadi & Saeid Zandi & Natalie Davidsson & Sharareh Akhavan, 2022. "Coping Methods and Satisfaction with Working from Home in Academic Settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12669-:d:932924
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    References listed on IDEAS

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