The Role of Perceived Organizational Support in Mental Health of Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Data support the link between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and mental distress in healthcare workers (HCWs). Although previous studies have documented the association between organizational policies and employees' psychological and mental status, there is still scant evidence regarding the effect of perceived organizational support (POS) on mental distress in HCWs during the pandemic.Aims: The present study aimed to assess the association between POS and mental distress in HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of POS in stress, depressive and trauma symptoms in HCWs was investigated.Methods: This was an online cross-sectional study in 424 HCWs. Data were collected during the first wave of the pandemic, and included demographics, a 7-item questionnaire assessing POS, the “Patient Health Questionnaire” assessing depressive symptoms, the “Impact of Events Scale Revised,” measuring post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and the “Perceived Stress Scale” assessing perceived stress.Results: The mean POS score was 3.33 [standard deviation:1.85; range 0–7]. Younger (p < 0.001), less experienced (p < 0.001), female (p = 0.002), and non-physician HCWs (p = 0.031) were more likely to report lower self-perceived organizational support than older, male, more experienced physicians. Self-perceived organizational support was significantly and negatively associated with and self-assessed intensity of stress, depressive and traumatic symptoms, after adjusting for putative confounders (p < 0.001).Discussion: Self-perceived organizational support was significantly associated with HCWs' self-assessed mental status during the pandemic. Organizational support and mental distress should be addressed simultaneously in HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic to increase resilience among them.

Perceived Stress and Psychological Impact Among Healthcare Workers at a Tertiaty Hospital in China During the COVID-19 Outbreak: The Moderating Role of Resilience and Social Support

“…Peer support appears to be necessary at this particular period, including support from colleagues and the hospital. A study in the Republic of Cyprus reported that organizational support was associated with HCWs' mental distress ( 28 ). In addition, another study in New York found that higher leadership support was linked to the lowest risk of depression, anxiety, and COVID-19-related post-traumatic symptoms ( 29 ).…”

Comparative Study on Nutrition and Lifestyle of Information Technology Workers from Romania before and during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Loneliness can be seen as an interpersonal stressor that gives rise, for instance, to negative emotions and physiological reactivity, which is conducive to the nervous system’s unhealthy activity. In line with this, adults experiencing loneliness are also characterized by higher levels of anxiety, negative mood, and stress [ 9 , 10 ].…”

How Do Happiness at Work and Perceived Organizational Support Affect Teachers’ Mental Health Through Job Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

“…Chatzittofis et al found low POS to be associated with higher rates of depression, stress, and traumatic symptoms, indicating that the greater the POS, the better the employee MH. 27 This seems to have been particularly true during COVID-19. 27 Jin and Tang found higher POS experienced by employees at work to lower stress levels, further implying the correlation of POS to MH (POS→MH).…”

“… 18 Another definition was proposed by Chatzittofis et al, as it pertains to employees’ perceptions of the extent to which an organization expresses concern with maintaining employees’ physical, psychological, and mental wellbeing. 27 According to Malik and Neem, employees’ POS is a vital aspect of work culture for organizational environments that require employees to perform more than their job descriptions. 46…”

“… 16 , 19 , 21 , 23–25 Several studies have also sought to determine the role of POS on MH. 10 , 26 , 27 However, only a few have explored the effect of HW on MH in the education sector, particularly in Indonesia. Therefore, this research aims to fill the research gap by assessing the effects of HW on MH in the context of Indonesian teachers.…”