Groff NR, Seo S, Varma-Lenz S
… +5 more, Anderson KM, Kokubun CW, Manders OC, Sales JM, Kalokhe AS
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2026 · PMID 41768964
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Burnout among healthcare workers can have downstream effects on healthcare systems, including less productivity, increased turnover, lower patient satisfaction, and increased costs. Providers and staff of Ryan White-fund...Burnout among healthcare workers can have downstream effects on healthcare systems, including less productivity, increased turnover, lower patient satisfaction, and increased costs. Providers and staff of Ryan White-funded HIV clinics (RWCs) may be particularly prone to burnout, due to complex patient needs, sizeable reporting requirements, and limited staffing and resources. We aimed to understand characteristics which contribute to and alleviate burnout at RWCs across the southeastern United States. Through a qualitative study, we conducted 20 in-depth interviews with providers, staff, and administrators of academically affiliated RWCs in the southeastern United States to explore factors impacting burnout. Participants perceived the following factors contributing to burnout: high workload, high provider involvement in patients' lives, feelings of inadequacy in providing effective care, inequitable distribution of responsibilities and opportunities, work within ineffective bureaucratic systems, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants perceived the following factors as alleviating burnout: a sense of comradery and feeling valued, team social activities, capacity to provide effective comprehensive care, flexible work schedules and environments, flexible enforcement of performance metrics, witness of patient resiliency, and personal factors. Findings enhance understanding of drivers of burnout within academically affiliated RWCs and inform future burnout prevention interventions.
Wiegand DM, Chiu SK, Broadwater K
… +1 more, Li JF
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2025 Aug · PMID 40927385
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Firefighters often serve as emergency medical services providers and face repeated exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) while participating in opioid overdose responses (OORs), which may impact their mental he...Firefighters often serve as emergency medical services providers and face repeated exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) while participating in opioid overdose responses (OORs), which may impact their mental health. A survey of 173 firefighters who had participated in an OOR in the previous 6 months was used to assess exposure to PTEs during such events, job stress, mental health symptoms, and resources used to address mental health symptoms. Most firefighters (97%) reported experiencing one or more PTEs while responding to an opioid overdose in the past 6 months. Associations between PTEs and mental health are reported. For example, there was a higher prevalence of high job stress (22.7% vs. 5.3%, = 0.014) and meeting the screening definition of PTSD (15.4% vs. 1.9%, = 0.047), depression (33.1% vs. 6.1%, = 0.022), and anxiety (33.1% vs. 6.1%, = 0.022) among those who experienced a needlestick injury during an OOR than those who did not experience a needlestick injury during an OOR. Seeking social support is recommended following PTEs; mental health care should be sought when symptoms interfere with personal, social, or occupational functioning. This survey identified important firefighter mental health characteristics which will assist fire departments in determining the appropriate mental health training, support, and services.
Khairallah GM, Mowafi H, Ayna D
… +1 more, Sakr CJ
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2025 · PMID 40529637
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Healthcare workers are at an increased risk of occupational stress that can impact the quality of their lives and the care they provide to patients. These risks are further exacerbated in countries of turmoil. Since 2019...Healthcare workers are at an increased risk of occupational stress that can impact the quality of their lives and the care they provide to patients. These risks are further exacerbated in countries of turmoil. Since 2019, Lebanon has been going through a succession of major events, including a popular uprising (2019), a socioeconomic collapse (2019-2021), the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), and the Port of Beirut Explosion (2020). The newly launched Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) was designed to address needs of employees in distress starting 2020, through free individual counseling sessions. The active engagement strategy based on supervisor, peer and self-identification, eliminates the need of traditional referrals by a primary care physician and does not require insurance coverage. Sessions are delivered by certified psychologists and are confidential; 56 individual and 5 group sessions were held between 2020-2022. The data retrieved from the University Health Services clinics' annual report shows no significant difference between EAP use and participants' characteristics. Since organizations in Lebanon lack mental health services in general and EAPs in particular, the new EAP at AUBMC constitutes an innovative technique and a prototype that can be incorporated at other workplaces.
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2023 Feb · PMID 37608841
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COVID-19 continues to take a large toll on the mental health of the not working population, particularly of those who were unable to work. This study, using the Household Pulse Survey, estimated the association between r...COVID-19 continues to take a large toll on the mental health of the not working population, particularly of those who were unable to work. This study, using the Household Pulse Survey, estimated the association between reasons for not working and major depression and anxiety symptoms (MDAS). The lowest MDAS was reported by retirees. Individuals who were unable to work because of transportation problems, layoffs, COVID-19 concerns, and sickness or disability reported the highest MDAS. Mediation analysis showed that the direct and indirect effects of reasons for not working were much higher for those individuals who were unable to work than for individuals who were working or decided not to work.
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2023 · PMID 37425094
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Using an online survey, we explored workplace determinants of perceived stress during COVID-19 in n=2910 county government workers, and differences in perceived stress by gender and work arrangement (work from home v. do...Using an online survey, we explored workplace determinants of perceived stress during COVID-19 in n=2910 county government workers, and differences in perceived stress by gender and work arrangement (work from home v. do not work from home). We explored relationships with descriptive statistics and linear regression. Access to health and safety resources, increased workplace safety climate, support for work-life balance, and increased access to sick leave were related to lower stress; dependent care stress and female gender were related to higher stress. Among those working from home, higher stress related to an increase in workload and erosion of work/life boundaries. Findings show how the workplace impacts stress, differential determinants by gender/work arrangement, and areas to intervene to improve employee health and well-being.
Innstrand ST, Banks C, Maslach C
… +1 more, Lowenstein C
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2023 Mar · PMID 39011545
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The present study explores psychosocial needs among university employees and the extent to which these needs influence employee perceptions of how work positively or negatively affects their health. Structural equation m...The present study explores psychosocial needs among university employees and the extent to which these needs influence employee perceptions of how work positively or negatively affects their health. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses among Norwegian faculty members ( = 11,533) suggest that needs differ in importance to the two work-related health outcomes. Multi-group analyses suggest gender differences in the level of these needs and in their degree of relationship with positive/negative work-related health. Among women, the strongest predictors of positive and negative work-related health are work engagement and autonomy, respectively. Among men, the strongest predictors of positive and negative work-related health are meaning and social community, respectively. Although significant differences were found in the level of the psychosocial needs across different university groups (faculty, PhD students, administrative/technical staff), their predictive value for how work affects their health positively or negatively is basically equivalent across groups. Study findings raise two implications: (1) the mechanisms and characteristics of the work environment that promote detract from health in the university setting do not appear to be two sides of the same coin and suggest different sets of interventions for improving employee health, and (2) gender differences should be taken into account in designing interventions to improve health and well-being in universities.
Adhia A, Gelaye B, Friedman LE
… +3 more, Marlow LY, Mercy JA, Williams MA
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2019 May · PMID 32322182
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Workplace interventions represent important opportunities to increase awareness of and adherence to disease prevention and health promotion initiatives. However, research on workplace interventions for intimate partner v...Workplace interventions represent important opportunities to increase awareness of and adherence to disease prevention and health promotion initiatives. However, research on workplace interventions for intimate partner violence (IPV) has not been systematically evaluated. This systematic review summarizes existing studies evaluating workplace interventions for IPV. PubMed, PsycINFO, Business Source Complete, Web of Science, and Social Services Abstracts were systematically searched for English-language studies published before November 2017. Six studies evaluating five interventions were included. Only one study used a randomized design, and only two studies measured whether outcomes were sustained over time. None of the interventions addressed perpetrators of IPV. Interventions focused on recognizing signs of abuse, responding to victims, and providing referrals to community-based resources. Methodological rigor of included studies varied, but all reported at least one intervention-related benefit. Findings included improved awareness of IPV, increased provision of information to victims, and greater willingness to intervene if an employee may be experiencing IPV. Although sparse, available evidence suggests there are potential benefits of workplace interventions for IPV. It is important for future interventions to focus on primary and secondary prevention of IPV and address perpetration, and for investigators to use rigorous study designs and measure whether effects are sustained.
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2019 · PMID 32874154
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This study examined the association between employees' perceived job insecurity and employee engagement. Using Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index (2008-2014) data, we applied logistic regressions to examine the associatio...This study examined the association between employees' perceived job insecurity and employee engagement. Using Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index (2008-2014) data, we applied logistic regressions to examine the association between job insecurity and engagement, controlling for covariates. The job insecurity variable was also interacted with the supervisor support variable. We found that perceived job insecurity was associated with reduced engagement and that this may be moderated by supervisor support. This is the first study using nationally representative data to examine the role of supervisor support in mitigating the negative impact of job insecurity on engagement.
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2018 · PMID 29599663
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This study explored concurrent effects of six work psychosocial factors on current participation and the self-reported likelihood of future participation in workplace wellness programs using a cross-sectional survey, an...This study explored concurrent effects of six work psychosocial factors on current participation and the self-reported likelihood of future participation in workplace wellness programs using a cross-sectional survey, an ad hoc focus group, and structured interviews. Classification and regression tree analysis was used to analyze survey responses from 343 employees (194 nonparticipants, 95 participants, and 54 engaged participants). A thematic analysis of focus group ( = 7) and interview ( = 5) narratives was also undertaken. In combination with high work control, high superior support was associated with an engaged participant profile. Job demand was the third important variable with low and very high levels associated with participation. With regard to high likelihood of future participation, among respondents with age older than 50, high predictability of occupational activities and control were identified as a significant factor, and among others, high superior support and control. The analysis of narratives revealed peer relations and flexible working hours to be positively linked to participation and general job stress was identified as having a bidirectional relationship. Employees stated that stress led them to take advantage of these programs as a source of relief and that their availability/participation has contributed to lowering their stress. These findings inform practitioners about the importance of addressing poor psychosocial factors as a participation barrier and having a holistic approach to employee well-being.
Riley KE, Park CL, Wilson A
… +8 more, Sabo A, Antoni MH, Braun TD, Harrington J, Reiss J, Pasalis E, Harris A, Cope S
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2017 · PMID 33354168
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The need for brief, low-cost, easily disseminable and effective interventions to promote healthy lifestyles is high. This is especially true for mental health providers. We developed two studies to compare the impacts of...The need for brief, low-cost, easily disseminable and effective interventions to promote healthy lifestyles is high. This is especially true for mental health providers. We developed two studies to compare the impacts of Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) and Yoga Based Stress Management (YBSM) interventions for healthcare professionals. Study 1 offered an 8-week YBSM intervention to 37 mental healthcare participants and collected health data pre and post. Study 2 offered YBSM and CBSM classes to 40 randomly assigned mental healthcare providers and collected mental and physical health data at four time points. In Study 1, using t-tests, the YBSM intervention affected a number of mental and physical wellbeing indices pre to post. In Study 2, using linear mixed modeling, both YBSM and CBSM groups improved significantly (p <.05) in fruit and vegetable intake, heart rate, alcohol consumption, relaxation and awareness, professional quality of life, compassion satisfaction, burnout, depression, and stress levels. There was a group by time effect for coping confidence (CBSM increased more, p<.05, F = 4.34), physical activity (YBSM increased more, p<.05, F = 3.47), overall mental health (YBSM increased more, p<.10, F =5.32), and secondary traumatic stress (YBSM decreased more, p<.10, F = 4.89). YBSM and CBSM appear to be useful for healthcare professionals' mental and physical health. YBSM demonstrates some benefit above and beyond the extremely well-studied and empirically supported CBSM, including increased physical activity, overall mental health, and decreased secondary traumatic stress benefits.
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2014 · PMID 25379032
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This study analyzed the role of women's labor force participation in relation to binge drinking, smoking and marijuana use among employment age married/cohabiting women. The sample consisted of 956 women who were employe...This study analyzed the role of women's labor force participation in relation to binge drinking, smoking and marijuana use among employment age married/cohabiting women. The sample consisted of 956 women who were employed as construction workers (n=104), or were unemployed (n=101), homemakers (n=227) or employed in non-physically demanding occupations (n=524). Results of multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that women construction workers were at elevated risk for smoking and monthly binge drinking; unemployed women were more likely to use marijuana. Women in both categories were at risk for polysubstance use. Additional research is needed to explicate how labor force participation influences women's substance use.
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2013 Jan · PMID 23687470
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Restaurant workers have higher rates of problem drinking than most occupational groups. However, little is known about the environmental risks and work characteristics that may lead to these behaviors. An exploration of...Restaurant workers have higher rates of problem drinking than most occupational groups. However, little is known about the environmental risks and work characteristics that may lead to these behaviors. An exploration of restaurant workers' drinking networks may provide important insights into their alcohol consumption patterns, thus guiding workplace prevention efforts. Drawing from social capital theory, this paper examines the unique characteristics of drinking networks within and between various job categories. Our research suggests that these multiple, complex networks have unique risk characteristics, and that self-selection is based on factors such as job position and college attendance, among other factors.
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2013 Apr · PMID 23667348
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This study implemented an innovative new model of delivering a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program that replaces six of the eight traditional in-person sessions with group telephonic sessions (tMBSR) and me...This study implemented an innovative new model of delivering a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program that replaces six of the eight traditional in-person sessions with group telephonic sessions (tMBSR) and measured the program's impact on the health and well-being of nurses employed within a large health care organization. As part of a nonrandomized pre-post intervention study, 36 nurses completed measures of health, stress, burnout, self-compassion, serenity, and empathy at three points in time. Between baseline (Time 1) and the end of the 8-week tMBSR intervention (Time 2), participants showed improvement in general health, t(37) = 2.8, p < .01, decreased stress, t(37) = 6.8, p < .001, decreased work burnout, t(37) = 4.0, p < .001, and improvement in several other areas. Improvements were sustained 4 months later (Time 3), and individuals who continued their MBSR practice after the program demonstrated better outcomes than those that did not. Findings suggest that the tMBSR program can be a low cost, feasible, and scalable intervention that shows positive impact on health and well-being, and could allow MBSR to be delivered to employees who are otherwise unable to access traditional, on-site programs.
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2012 · PMID 22984360
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This study explores relationships between young adult restaurant employees' understanding and compliance with workplace alcohol control policies and consequences of alcohol policy violation. A mixed method analysis of 67...This study explores relationships between young adult restaurant employees' understanding and compliance with workplace alcohol control policies and consequences of alcohol policy violation. A mixed method analysis of 67 semi-structured interviews and 1,294 telephone surveys from restaurant chain employees found that alcohol policy details confused roughly a third of employees. Among current drinkers (n=1,093), multivariable linear regression analysis found that frequency of alcohol policy violation was positively associated with frequency of experiencing problems at work; perceived supervisor enforcement of alcohol policy was negatively associated with this outcome. Implications for preventing workplace alcohol-related problems include streamlining confusing alcohol policy guidelines.
Merrick EL, Hodgkin D, Hiatt D
… +2 more, Horgan CM, McCann B
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2011 · PMID 21966281
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Contemporary employee assistance program (EAP) services are typically provided in broad-brush programs delivered by large external vendors in a network model. Yet research has not kept pace with EAP evolution, including...Contemporary employee assistance program (EAP) services are typically provided in broad-brush programs delivered by large external vendors in a network model. Yet research has not kept pace with EAP evolution, including in terms of how EAP clients themselves view services. We surveyed a random sample of EAP service users from a national provider (361 respondents). About one-third of respondents reported getting help for workplace issues. Most learned about the EAP through employer communications such as the company website. The large majority reported that the EAP helped them "a lot" or "some," suggesting they valued this benefit.
Azaroff LS, Champagne NJ, Nobrega S
… +2 more, Shetty K, Punnett L
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2010 Nov · PMID 33897311
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Workplace stress is strongly associated with health problems, including cardiovascular disease. The occupational health field is developing partnerships with a variety of health professions to prevent and address job str...Workplace stress is strongly associated with health problems, including cardiovascular disease. The occupational health field is developing partnerships with a variety of health professions to prevent and address job stress at the organizational level. A review of literature for and about employee assistance professionals was conducted to explore their perspectives on these issues. Results show high awareness regarding the health effects of job stress and a wide range of approaches to address this problem. EAPs appear to be a potential strong partner in efforts to prevent workplace stress, but face obstacles to intervening at the level of the work environment.
Nobrega S, Champagne NJ, Azaroff LS
… +2 more, Shetty K, Punnett L
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2010 · PMID 33897310
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Occupational health literature links stressful working conditions with cardiovascular and other chronic diseases, injuries, and psychological distress. We conducted individual interviews with employee assistance professi...Occupational health literature links stressful working conditions with cardiovascular and other chronic diseases, injuries, and psychological distress. We conducted individual interviews with employee assistance professionals (EAPs) to understand opportunities and barriers for EAPs to address job stress through organization level interventions. EAPs described their primary role as assisting individual employees versus designing company wide interventions. The most salient barriers to organization level interventions cited were lack of access to company management and (for contracted EAPs) perceptions of contract vulnerability. Education about workplace stress interventions may be most effectively directed at EAPs who are already integrated with company level work groups.
McCann B, Azzone V, Merrick EL
… +3 more, Hiatt D, Hodgkin D, Horgan CM
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2010 · PMID 22768017
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In today's complex private healthcare market, employers have varied preferences for particular features of behavioral health products such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Factors which may influence these prefere...In today's complex private healthcare market, employers have varied preferences for particular features of behavioral health products such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Factors which may influence these preferences include: establishment size, type of organization, industry, workplace substance abuse regulations, and structure of health insurance benefits. This study of 103 large employer purchasers from a single managed behavioral healthcare organization investigated the impact of such variables on the EAP features that employers select to provide to workers and their families. Our findings indicate that for this group of employers, preferences for the type and delivery mode of EAP counseling services are fairly universal, while number of sessions provided and choices for EAP-provided worksite activities are much more varied, and may be more reflective of the diverse characteristics, organizational missions and workplace culture found among larger employers in the US.
Azzone V, McCann B, Merrick EL
… +3 more, Hiatt D, Hodgkin D, Horgan C
J Workplace Behav Health
· 2009 · PMID 24058322
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This study examined relationships between workplace stress, organizational factors and use of EAP counseling services delivered by network providers in a large, privately-insured population. Claims data were linked to me...This study examined relationships between workplace stress, organizational factors and use of EAP counseling services delivered by network providers in a large, privately-insured population. Claims data were linked to measures of workplace stress, focus on wellness/prevention, EAP promotion, and EAP activities for health care plan enrollees from 26 employers. The association of external environment and work organization variables with use of EAP counseling services was examined. Higher levels of EAP promotion and worksite activities were associated with greater likelihood of service use. Greater focus on wellness/prevention and unusual and significant stress were associated with lower likelihood of service use. Results provide stakeholders with insights on approaches to increasing utilization of EAP services.