Lessons on the COVID-19 pandemic: who are the most affected

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes in work and lifestyle, impacting occupational mental health. This study examines the time and individual heterogeneity in the pandemic's effects on occupational mental health using panel data from job stress checks spanning 2018 to 2...

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Main Authors: Jun Xie, Xiangdan Piao, Shunsuke Managi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2023-06-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36493-7
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author Jun Xie
Xiangdan Piao
Shunsuke Managi
author_facet Jun Xie
Xiangdan Piao
Shunsuke Managi
author_sort Jun Xie
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes in work and lifestyle, impacting occupational mental health. This study examines the time and individual heterogeneity in the pandemic's effects on occupational mental health using panel data from job stress checks spanning 2018 to 2021. On average, there was an initial alleviation of high-stress risk in 2020, followed by a deterioration in 2021. Based on the job demand-resource theory, we identify the group of employees most affected by the pandemic. The findings highlight that employees in unfavorable workplace conditions are more likely to experience substantial adverse impacts. Adequate workplace support, including factors like interpersonal relationships, managerial support, job meaning, control, and work-life balance, is crucial for mitigating high-stress risk. Additionally, during the early phase of the pandemic, engaged employees experienced a slight decline in occupational mental health, while those lacking job resources at their worksite faced higher levels of occupational stress in the subsequent year. These findings offer practical suggestions for person-centered coping strategies to mitigate the pandemic's adverse impact.
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spelling doaj.art-cd4b7176b39e4f769e80d96d80262dc22023-06-11T11:12:19ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-06-0113111010.1038/s41598-023-36493-7Lessons on the COVID-19 pandemic: who are the most affectedJun Xie0Xiangdan Piao1Shunsuke Managi2Urban Institute & Department of Civil Engineering, Kyushu UniversityUrban Institute & Department of Civil Engineering, Kyushu UniversityUrban Institute & Department of Civil Engineering, Kyushu UniversityAbstract The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes in work and lifestyle, impacting occupational mental health. This study examines the time and individual heterogeneity in the pandemic's effects on occupational mental health using panel data from job stress checks spanning 2018 to 2021. On average, there was an initial alleviation of high-stress risk in 2020, followed by a deterioration in 2021. Based on the job demand-resource theory, we identify the group of employees most affected by the pandemic. The findings highlight that employees in unfavorable workplace conditions are more likely to experience substantial adverse impacts. Adequate workplace support, including factors like interpersonal relationships, managerial support, job meaning, control, and work-life balance, is crucial for mitigating high-stress risk. Additionally, during the early phase of the pandemic, engaged employees experienced a slight decline in occupational mental health, while those lacking job resources at their worksite faced higher levels of occupational stress in the subsequent year. These findings offer practical suggestions for person-centered coping strategies to mitigate the pandemic's adverse impact.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36493-7
spellingShingle Jun Xie
Xiangdan Piao
Shunsuke Managi
Lessons on the COVID-19 pandemic: who are the most affected
Scientific Reports
title Lessons on the COVID-19 pandemic: who are the most affected
title_full Lessons on the COVID-19 pandemic: who are the most affected
title_fullStr Lessons on the COVID-19 pandemic: who are the most affected
title_full_unstemmed Lessons on the COVID-19 pandemic: who are the most affected
title_short Lessons on the COVID-19 pandemic: who are the most affected
title_sort lessons on the covid 19 pandemic who are the most affected
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36493-7
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