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Comparing Psychological Wellbeing and Work-Related Quality of Life between Professional Groups within Health and Social Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK

Author

Listed:
  • Ruth D. Neill

    (School of Applied Social Policy Sciences, Magee Campus, Ulster University, Londonderry BT48 7JL, UK)

  • Patricia Gillen

    (School of Nursing, Jordanstown Campus, Ulster University, Shore Road, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK
    Southern Health and Social Care Trust, 10 Moyallen Road, Gilford BT63 5QQ, UK)

  • John Moriarty

    (School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University Belfast, 69–71 University Street, Belfast BT7 1HL, UK)

  • Jill Manthorpe

    (NIHR Health and Social Care Workforce Research Unit, King’s College London, 22 Kingsway, Holborn, London WC2B 6LE, UK)

  • John Mallett

    (School of Psychology, Coleraine Campus, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK)

  • Heike Schroder

    (Queen’s Management School, Queen’s University Belfast, Riddel Hall, 185 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5EE, UK)

  • Denise Currie

    (Queen’s Management School, Queen’s University Belfast, Riddel Hall, 185 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5EE, UK)

  • Patricia Nicholl

    (School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University Belfast, 69–71 University Street, Belfast BT7 1HL, UK)

  • Jermaine Ravalier

    (School of Science, Bath Spa University, Newton Park, Newton St Loe, Bath BA2 9BN, UK)

  • Susan McGrory

    (School of Nursing, Jordanstown Campus, Ulster University, Shore Road, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK)

  • Paula McFadden

    (School of Applied Social Policy Sciences, Magee Campus, Ulster University, Londonderry BT48 7JL, UK)

Abstract

This paper shared the compared results on the psychological wellbeing and work-related quality of life amongst health and social care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Health and social care professionals within nursing, midwifery, allied health professions, social care and social work occupations working in the United Kingdom (UK) during the pandemic were recruited. Repeated cross-sectional online surveys were conducted during two time periods of the pandemic (May–July 2020 and May−July 2021). A total of 4803 respondents completed the survey. The findings revealed that over the pandemic, psychological wellbeing (SWEWBS measure) and work-related quality of life (WRQoL scale) scores significantly decreased in all five occupations ( p < 0.001) with midwives having the lowest scores on both scales at all time points. Respondents were found to significantly ( p < 0.001) use of negative coping strategies such as behavioural disengagement and substance usage. Analysis of variance revealed a statistical difference between occupations and wellbeing across 2020 and 2021, while work-related quality of life was only statistically significantly different in 2021. The findings revealed that due to this decrease, there is a distinct need for more support services and flexible working conditions within health and social care services, to improve wellbeing and work-related quality of life.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruth D. Neill & Patricia Gillen & John Moriarty & Jill Manthorpe & John Mallett & Heike Schroder & Denise Currie & Patricia Nicholl & Jermaine Ravalier & Susan McGrory & Paula McFadden, 2022. "Comparing Psychological Wellbeing and Work-Related Quality of Life between Professional Groups within Health and Social Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK," Merits, MDPI, vol. 2(4), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jmerit:v:2:y:2022:i:4:p:26-386:d:960732
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. A. Cetrulo & D. Guarascio & M. E. Virgillito, 2022. "Working from home and the explosion of enduring divides: income, employment and safety risks," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 39(2), pages 345-402, July.
    2. Callum Jones & Thomas Philippon & Venky Venkateswaran, 2021. "Optimal Mitigation Policies in a Pandemic: Social Distancing and Working from Home [A simple planning problem for covid-19 lockdown]," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 34(11), pages 5188-5223.
    3. Paula McFadden & Jana Ross & John Moriarty & John Mallett & Heike Schroder & Jermaine Ravalier & Jill Manthorpe & Denise Currie & Jaclyn Harron & Patricia Gillen, 2021. "The Role of Coping in the Wellbeing and Work-Related Quality of Life of UK Health and Social Care Workers during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-15, January.
    4. Fiona Jenkins & Julie Smith, 2021. "Work-from-home during COVID-19: Accounting for the care economy to build back better," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 32(1), pages 22-38, March.
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