Search Results (2,058)

Background: Medical resident burnout is a critical threat to healthcare workforce sustainability, with physical activity (PA) posited as a protective factor. This bibliometric analysis maps the global research landscape on this topic from 2005 to 2025. Methods: Systematic search of the Web of Science Core Collection identified 110 relevant English-language articles. Performance analysis and scientific mapping were conducted using R and VOSviewer. Results: The field saw an annual growth rate of 3.35%, with a peak of 16 publications in 2019. The United States was the dominant contributor, accounting for 68% of the total output. Analysis identified several major thematic areas, including stress and behavioral factors, occupational mental health, and institutional support mechanisms. The findings reveal a rapidly growing but geographically concentrated body of research, underscoring a significant gap in globally representative evidence. Conclusions: This analysis provides a foundational map for future research, underscoring the need for institutional wellness programs incorporating PA, international collaborative studies, and policy-level interventions. We conclude that integrating physical activity is not a luxury but a critical strategy for healthcare system sustainability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Paramedics frequently encounter potentially traumatic events and workplace violence, increasing their risk of burnout. Resilience may attenuate these effects. We examined the pathways through which post-traumatic stress (PTS) and workplace violence influence burnout and clarified the role of resilience among Korean paramedics. Methods: We studied duty-related trauma and violence experienced by 208 Busan Fire Department paramedics using standardized measures of PTS, workplace violence, resilience, and burnout. Using structural equation modeling, we tested the direct and indirect effects; covariates included sex, nursing license, and intention to stay. Results: PTS was most strongly associated with burnout, whereas workplace violence was indirectly associated with burnout through PTS. Resilience reduced PTS, yielding an indirect protective effect on burnout; however, it had no direct effect on burnout. Holding a nursing license and lack of intention to stay were significantly associated with burnout, and female sex and lack of intention to stay were indirectly associated with burnout via PTS. Conclusions: Burnout is primarily driven by PTS, and workplace violence amplifies PTS and indirectly exacerbates burnout. Strengthening violence prevention/response systems, early PTS screening/treatment, and resilience-building programs is warranted, with targeted support for vulnerable subgroups. Full article

Background/Objectives: Academic burnout is an emerging problem among nursing students, characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced academic efficacy. Sports interventions have been shown to have a positive effect on nurses as a preventive strategy against burnout. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a nature sports program on the levels of academic burnout in nursing students. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was performed. The intervention was a 12-week nature exercise program with two sessions each week. The main dependent variables were burnout (measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory—Student Survey), stress (measured using the Perceived Stress Scale), and anxiety and depression (measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). The post-intervention sample size was n = 58 in the control group and n = 48 in the intervention group. Results: After the intervention, significant differences were found in respect of emotional exhaustion (p < 0.001; Cohen’s D: 0.483), stress (p < 0.05; Cohen’s D: 0.456), and mean steps per day (p < 0.001; Cohen’s D: −1.09), with the mean values being reduced in the intervention group by around three points in emotional exhaustion and stress; the intervention group also achieved a higher mean number of daily steps compared to the control group. Conclusions: A nature sports program could help to reduce emotional exhaustion and stress, and increase the number of steps per day. Full article

Online peer support platforms are vital, scalable resources for mental health, yet their effectiveness is frequently undermined by inefficient user matching, severe participation inequality, and subsequent “super-helper” burnout. This study introduces TrailMap, a novel peer-matching algorithm inspired by the decentralised foraging strategies of ant colonies. By treating user interactions as paths that gain or lose “pheromone” based on helpfulness ratings, the system enables the community to collectively and adaptively identify its most effective helpers. A two-phase validation study was conducted. First, an agent-based simulation demonstrated that TrailMap reduced the mean time to a helpful response by over 70% and improved workload equity compared to random routing. Second, a four-week randomised controlled pilot study with human participants confirmed these gains, showing a 76% reduction in median wait time and significantly higher perceived helpfulness ratings. The findings suggest that by balancing the workload, TrailMap enhances not only the efficiency but also the socio-technical sustainability of online support communities. TrailMap provides a practical, nature-inspired method for building more resilient and equitable online support communities, enhancing access to effective mental health support. Full article

Background/Objectives: Home healthcare assistants (HHCAs) play a vital role in supporting older adults to remain in their homes. Yet, this work is often performed under conditions of emotional strain, limited resources, and systemic undervaluation. This study answers the question, how do HHCAs cope with work-related stress? Methods: Undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of heightened stress and mandated social distancing, online interviews were conducted with HHCAs (n = 10). Data were inductively analyzed and themes were identified. Results: It was found that amid experiences of fear, caregiver stress, grief, and exhaustion, HHCAs coped with resource, communication, and care challenges by relying on informal peer-managed communication systems with colleagues. Leveraging existing peer-support coping strategies, HHCAs negotiated caring for others while taking care of themselves alongside a care ecosystem under unprecedented strain. Conclusions: HHCAs are increasingly vital to front-line home health care amid global aging and a shift toward community-based services. Urgent organizational reform is needed to support their well-being, prevent stress, and avoid burnout. Research-informed sector-wide planning must ensure adequate resources to maintain high-quality home care in the face of rising demand and anticipated future health crises. Full article

Medical doctors are at risk of poor mental health, linked to their working conditions. However, little distinction is made between private and public practice where working conditions differ. This review examines the relationship between perceived working conditions, psychological health, and patient care among doctors in private practice, considering how differences between private and public practice impact these outcomes and the implications of working across sectors. We conducted a systematic literature review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The search encompassed Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, and Medline. Included studies were coded in line with the Job Demands–Resources model. The initial search identified 309 papers, with 14 being selected for final full-text review. Higher job demands were associated with higher levels of burnout, while social resources, job crafting, and healthy coping mechanisms were linked with lower levels of burnout. Working in private practice was associated with higher demands. Doctors in private practice had more negative perceptions of performance, less satisfactory leadership, and a lack of feedback. However, private practice also offered better work–life balance, more control, and greater reward. Notably, no study was found that examined the implications of dual roles where doctors worked across both sectors, which is common. A clear definition of private practice as well as a more granular understanding of work-related risks posed to private practice and dual roles should be the focus of future research. Full article

This study carried out a detailed investigation into the potential application of hydrothermally treated bituminous coal (hydrochar) as an injectant in blast furnace (BF) ironmaking. A tuyere model was constructed through simulation methods, and the influence of hydrochar injection on the thermal conditions within the BF hearth was also thoroughly analyzed. The results show that the gas flow velocity at the lower part of the tuyere of hydrochar injection increases, and the residual carbon mass fraction of the tuyere decreases. As the oxygen-enriched concentration increases, the CO concentration decreases. The CO concentration in the swirl zone after hydrochar injection is the highest, reaching 43.93%. The distributions of CO and CO₂ exhibit opposite tendencies. Following hydrochar injection, a marked rise in temperature is observed. At an oxygen enrichment level of 30%, the tuyere zone temperature associated with hydrochar injection peaks, surpassing 2700 K. The corresponding pulverized coal burnout rate is also the highest. Thus, the injection of hydrochar has a positive impact on the air flow and temperature field, which can effectively maintain the heat balance and is conducive to strengthening BF smelting. Full article

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and mobile phone addiction (MPA) in college students. Five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) were searched up to 20 January 2025. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to calculate combined Pearson correlation coefficients (r) with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 29 studies were included in the analysis. A significant negative correlation was found between PA and MPA (r = −0.349; p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed a larger effect size in alleviating MPA after the COVID-19 pandemic (r = −0.340; p = 0.008). Additionally, PA demonstrated a large effect size in improving sleep quality (r = −0.365; p < 0.001) and reducing depression and anxiety (r = −0.356; p = 0.024). The effect of PA on self-control was moderate (r = −0.267; p < 0.001), as was its effect on procrastination (r = −0.330; p = 0.016). In contrast, the effect of PA on academic burnout was small (r = −0.141; p < 0.001). In conclusion, increasing PA may reduce MPA by alleviating depression and anxiety and enhancing self-control. PA’s benefits for MPA extend to improving sleep quality and reducing academic burnout and procrastination. Full article

Aims: To analyze the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing students who had just completed their first period of clinical placement and compare these results with a study previously conducted on the same students during their university education. Design: A pre–post design was used. Methods: Students who had already participated in a previous (February 2021) related study were sent a follow-up questionnaire (response rate = 52.8%) at the end of their clinical placement training period (June 2021). Descriptive analyses of the study variables were conducted, and burnout levels were estimated after the students had completed their clinical placement. Predictive models for the three dimensions of burnout were then obtained using multiple linear regression. Results: The study results suggest that a high proportion (47.2%) of nursing students who performed their first clinical placements during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced high levels of burnout. However, engagement was a protective factor against fear of COVID-19, anxiety, neuroticism, emotional exhaustion and reduced personal accomplishment. Conclusions: Nursing students who completed their first clinical placements during the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to exhibit high levels of burnout and showed significant changes in their psychological dimensions. A risk profile should be established to identify the nursing students most vulnerable to developing high levels of burnout. Full article

Background: Family caregivers of patients with chronic diseases face high levels of burden, anxiety, and burnout, which may negatively affect both their well-being and patient outcomes. Low-cost, accessible telemedicine approaches may provide practical support in resource-limited settings. Methods: We conducted a prospective, parallel-group controlled study in Timisoara, Romania, between April 2024 and March 2025 and included 161 caregivers of older adults with chronic diseases, allocated 1:1 to receive either structured low-cost telemedicine support (weekly phone calls and SMS reminders; n = 82) or usual care (n = 79). Data were collected at baseline, three months, and six months through structured interviews. The primary outcome was caregiver burden measured by the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Secondary outcomes included caregiver anxiety, burnout, satisfaction, and patient-related outcomes such as emergency room (ER) visits, hospital readmissions, and medication adherence. Analyses were performed using ANCOVA and logistic regression, adjusting for baseline values and relevant covariates. Results: At three months, caregivers in the intervention group had significantly lower burden scores compared to controls (adjusted mean difference −2.9; 95% CI −4.7 to −1.1; p = 0.002). Reductions in anxiety (−1.4; p = 0.02) and burnout (−1.6; p = 0.01) were also observed. These effects persisted at six months, though slightly attenuated. Patient outcomes favored the intervention: ER visits were lower at six months (27.50% vs. 41.02%; aOR 0.55, 95% CI 0.30–0.99; p = 0.047), while medication adherence and readmissions showed consistent but non-significant improvements. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: A simple, low-tech telemedicine program reduced caregiver burden, anxiety, and burnout and decreased ER visits. Improvements in medication adherence and readmissions were observed, but did not reach statistical significance. This pragmatic intervention can easily be integrated into primary care follow-up or community-based caregiver support programs, providing an affordable and low-cost technique to promote chronic disease management and caregiver well-being, especially in resource-limited health systems. Full article

Globalization, digital transformation, and organizational changes have led to significant transformations in the world of work, substantially increasing workloads, which can result in high levels of stress and burnout among employees. The main objective of this study was to investigate the association between occupational stress and perceived performance and whether this relationship was mediated by burnout. In addition, we sought to understand whether the work regime (in-person, hybrid, and remote) moderates the relationship between occupational stress and burnout. The sample for this study consisted of 325 participants working in organizations based in Portugal. The data collection procedure was non-probabilistic, intentional, and snowball-type. This is an exploratory, correlational, and cross-sectional study. The results indicate that only the dimension ‘stress with users’ has a negative and significant association with performance. On the other hand, the dimension ‘stress with career and remuneration’ has a positive and significant association with performance. The dimensions ‘stress with users’ and ‘stress with workload’ have a positive and significant association with performance. Only ‘stress with workload’ has a positive and significant association with exhaustion. Distancing has a total mediating effect on the relationship between stress with users and perceived performance. The work regime has a significant effect on distancing. The work regime moderates the relationship between ‘stress with working’ conditions and exhaustion. Given the current work regimes, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be concluded that, among the dimensions of occupational stress, the most critical is stress with working conditions. Full article

This narrative literature review aims to explore the risk and protective factors influencing the mental well-being of white-collar workers in the post-pandemic era. It investigates how factors vary across different phases, including pre-pandemic traditional work models, work-from-home or hybrid models during the pandemic, and the recovery phase of returning to the office in the post-pandemic era. This review highlights the diverse nature of related factors, examining constructs including stress, depression, burnout, thriving, work engagement, workaholism, motivation, workplace civility, and resilience. The Job Demands-Resources model, a recognized theoretical tool for analyzing and understanding the interactions between psychological constructs and their effects on employee well-being and turnover intention, is proposed as a useful framework to consider the relationships between the factors. By synthesizing existing research findings, this review contributes to our understanding of the complex interplay between work-related factors and employee well-being in the evolving landscape of the post-pandemic world. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective strategies to support white-collar workers’ mental well-being and productivity in the post-pandemic era. Full article

This study evaluates the validity and factorial structure of the affective job satisfaction scale (BIASJ) among 234 workers from private institutions of social solidarity (IPSS) in Portugal. Emotional job satisfaction, a key marker of psychological well-being, is associated with positive outcomes for employees and organizations. The sample was mainly female, with an average age of 39.15 years (SD = 8.22). The BIASJ and Maslach burnout inventory (MBI) measured job satisfaction and burnout. The BIASJ demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.87, McDonald’s omega = 0.88) and a unidimensional structure. Significant negative correlations with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization supported its criterion validity. The results confirm the BIASJ as a reliable instrument for assessing job satisfaction in IPSS settings in Portugal. Future research should incorporate more diverse, gender-balanced samples and utilize probability sampling to improve generalizability. Full article

English learning buoyancy is a proactive and adaptable capacity that allows academic growth. However, the relationship between buoyancy, burnout, engagement, and achievement in English learning remains complex and underexplored. Grounded in the control–value theory of achievement emotions and the situated expectancy–value theory, this study investigated the impact of buoyancy and academic achievement in language learning, especially the multiple mediating roles of burnout and engagement in between. The study involved 522 senior high school students in China, who learn English as a second language. Questionnaires were employed to assess their English learning buoyancy, burnout (i.e., demotivation and exhaustion), and engagement (i.e., behavioral and agentic engagement). Academic achievement was represented by their most recent English scores. The results demonstrate that English learning buoyancy predicts academic achievement through multiple indirect paths. Specifically, exhaustion and behavioral engagement each independently mediate this relationship, and a sequential mediating pathway was identified from burnout components to behavioral engagement. The study provides pedagogical implications for English teaching. Full article

Objective: This longitudinal study examined how preceptors’ perceived difficulty and role performance in instructing newly graduated nurses impacted by restricted clinical practicum opportunities because of COVID-19 impact their mental health outcomes, including stressors, burnout, and turnover intention. Methods: The study surveyed 426 preceptors responsible for newly graduated nurses across 39 hospitals during fiscal year 2022. Data were collected at three time points: June, September, and December 2022. The questionnaire assessed personal attributes, perceived instructional difficulty (PID) due to limited clinical practice, self-rated preceptor role performance, nursing job stressors, burnout, and intention to resign. Two-way ANOVA was conducted to analyze the effects of perceived difficulty (high/low) and role performance (high/low) on mental health indicators. Results: Seventy-six preceptors (6 males, 70 females) completed all three surveys. In June 2022, preceptors reporting high perceived difficulty demonstrated significantly higher scores in role performance subscales, including “goal achievement and accident prevention” and “continuation of instruction with cooperation.” Significant main effects of perceived difficulty and role performance were observed on stressors such as role conflict, physician conflict, and death-related stress, as well as on burnout dimensions such as emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment. By December, significant interaction effects emerged for outcomes related to “intention to quit nursing” and “desire to change departments.” Conclusions: Preceptors’ PID and role performance significantly influence their stress, burnout, and turnover intentions. Those experiencing both high difficulty and high role performance experience increased psychological burdens. This underscores the importance of targeted mental health support for preceptors. Full article