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Psychological detachment from work predicts mental wellbeing of working-age adults: Findings from the ‘Wellbeing of the Workforce’ (WoW) prospective longitudinal cohort study

Author

Listed:
  • Holly Blake
  • Juliet Hassard
  • Louise Thomson
  • Wei Hoong Choo
  • Teixiera Dulal-Arthur
  • Maria Karanika-Murray
  • Lana Delic
  • Richard Pickford
  • Lou Rudkin

Abstract

Background: There is an urgent need to better understand the factors that predict mental wellbeing in vocationally active adults during globally turbulent times. Aim: To explore the relationship between psychological detachment from work (postulated as a key recovery activity from work) in the first national COVID-19 lockdown with health, wellbeing, and life satisfaction of working age-adults one year later, within the context of a global pandemic. Methods: Wellbeing of the Workforce (WoW) was a prospective longitudinal cohort study, with two waves of data collection (Time 1, April-June 2020: T1 n = 337; Time 2, March-April 2021: T2 = 169) corresponding with the first and third national COVID-19 lockdowns in the UK. Participants were >18 years, who were employed or self-employed and working in the UK. Descriptive and parametric (t-tests and linear regression) and nonparametric (chi square tests) inferential statistics were employed. Results: Risk for major depression (T1: 20.0% to T2: 29.0%, p = .002), poor general health (T1: 4.7% to T2: 0%, p = .002) and poor life satisfaction (T1: 15.4% to T2: 25.4%, p = .002) worsened over time, moderate-to-severe anxiety remained stable (T1: 26.1% to T2: 30.2%, p = .15). Low psychological detachment from work was more prevalent in the first wave (T1: 21.4% and T2: 16.0%), with a moderate improvement observed from T1 to T2 (t (129) = -7.09, p

Suggested Citation

  • Holly Blake & Juliet Hassard & Louise Thomson & Wei Hoong Choo & Teixiera Dulal-Arthur & Maria Karanika-Murray & Lana Delic & Richard Pickford & Lou Rudkin, 2025. "Psychological detachment from work predicts mental wellbeing of working-age adults: Findings from the ‘Wellbeing of the Workforce’ (WoW) prospective longitudinal cohort study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 20(1), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0312673
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312673
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    References listed on IDEAS

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