Emotional Dissonance, Mental Health Complaints, and Sickness Absence Among Health- and Social Workers. The Moderating Role of Self-Efficacy

Abstract

Health- and social workers are frequently exposed to emotionally demanding work situations that require emotion regulation. Studies have demonstrated a direct relationship between emotion regulation and health complaints and sickness absence. In order to prevent health complaints and to reduce sickness absence among health- and social workers, there is need for greater attention to mechanisms explaining when and how emotionally demanding work situations are related to employee health and sickness absence. The overarching aim of this study was therefore to examine the moderating role of generalized self-efficacy on the association between emotional dissonance, employee health (mental distress and exhaustion), and registry based sickness absence. The sample consisted of 937 health- and social workers. Data on emotional dissonance, generalized self-efficacy, exhaustion, and mental distress was collected through questionnaires, whereas official registry data were used to assess sickness absence. A two-step hierarchical regression analysis showed that emotional dissonance was significantly associated with exhaustion, mental distress, and sickness absence, after adjusting for sex, age, and occupation. Interaction analyses with simple slope tests found that self-efficacy moderated the association between emotional dissonance and both exhaustion and mental distress, but not the association with sickness absence. This study shows that health- and social workers who frequently experience emotional dissonance report higher levels of exhaustion and mental distress, and have a higher risk of medically certified sickness absence. Further, health- and social workers with lower self-efficacy beliefs are apparently more sensitive to the degree of emotional dissonance and experienced higher levels of exhaustion and mental distress.

Eudaimonic Well-Being and Coping with Stress in University Students: The Mediating/Moderating Role of Self-Efficacy

“…The second objective of this study sought to determine whether SE, in addition to this mediating role, also moderates the relationship between EWB and the use of ACS. Although diverse studies carried out in work settings highlight the important moderating role played by SE in preventing stress in conditions of low personal psychological adjustment [45,46]; our data does not confirm this assumption. Thus, contrary to what was hypothesized, we did not find a significant interaction between EWB and SE with regard to its effect on ACS.…”

“…Previous research offers only indirect evidence regarding this issue. It has been observed in work environments that individuals who experience symptoms of poor psychological adjustment (in the form of role overload and conflict, emotional dissonance, low perceived autonomy, or low satisfaction) with high levels of self-efficacy tend to evaluate demands as challenges [28] and engage in functional coping strategies [45], which leads them to experience low levels of stress [46].…”

Emotional Labor Is Associated With the Mental Health of Respiratory Therapists in Hospitals

“…Indregard et al 39 reported that health care providers and social workers who frequently experience emotional dissonance had higher levels of exhaustion and mental distress, indicating that health care workers are at high risk of mental health disorders or illness. Furthermore, some effects on emotional health were reported, such as superficial emotional control, emotional expression, emotional expressionincited emotion disorder, and interaction extent.…”

“…Furthermore, some effects on emotional health were reported, such as superficial emotional control, emotional expression, emotional expressionincited emotion disorder, and interaction extent. 39 These should be addressed within the workplace to prevent the development of issues related to mental health issues. 8,40 Delgado et al 41 stressed that the ability to deal with the conflict of work rights and duty is required for workers who interact with patients and their family members in hospitals.…”

“…Some effects that correlate with poor mental health need to be avoided or eliminated from workplaces immediately. 39,40 Both RT hierarchy and tiered hospitals are significantly related to mental health (see the supplementary materials at http://www.rcjournal.com). These have rarely been reported in the literature.…”