Search Results (727)

Background: Despite evidence of potential benefits, variability in exercise types, psychological outcomes, and methods hinders comprehensive cost-effectiveness evaluation, framed through Stimulus–Organism–Response (S–O–R) theory. In this context, Workplace Physical Activity-Based Programs (WPABPs) serve as environmental stimulation that influences employees’ emotional states, which in turn shape mental health outcomes and behavioral responses. Research Purpose: This systematic review examines WPABPs through the social dimension of the Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG-S) framework, with a focus on their impact on employees’ mental health. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, eligibility was assessed via the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework. The ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases were searched using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) aligned keywords and Boolean operators. Results: Of the 961 articles identified, 15 studies (2021–2025) met the inclusion criteria. WPABPs were found to improve employee mental health, reduce stress, and enhance well-being. Individualized interventions supported targeted psychological benefits, while group formats promoted social cohesion and engagement. Variations in type, duration, and delivery, as well as accessibility barriers for underrepresented employees, were noted. WPABPs enhance employee well-being and organizational outcomes, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Conclusions: Hybrid models combining individual and group approaches with managerial and digital support are recommended. Integrating WPABPs within ESG-S and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) frameworks can institutionalize sustainable workplace health promotion, while future research should focus on standardized, inclusive, and long-term evaluations. Full article

Purpose: Remote work continues to transform both organizational structures and individual work experiences, introducing new dynamics that can simultaneously enhance or undermine employees’ mental health and overall well-being. These evolving conditions influence levels of stress, resilience and burnout within increasingly digital and flexible work environments. The present study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of how remote work affects occupational stress, mental health, burnout and employee well-being through a bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed literature complemented by a narrative synthesis of emerging research themes. Methods: A total of 185 peer-reviewed documents were retrieved from the Scopus database and analyzed using the VOSviewer software, version 1.6.20 (0) (Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands). The study employed performance analysis techniques to assess annual publication trends, identify the most influential authors and sources and evaluate citation impact. Furthermore, science mapping methods, including co-authorship, bibliographic coupling, co-citation, and co-occurrence analyses, were used to visualize the intellectual structure and thematic evolution of the field. Results: The co-occurrence analysis identified three major thematic clusters. We first explored how the abrupt shift to teleworking redefined employee well-being, the second examined the psychological consequences of evolving work environments on mental health and occupational stress and the third investigated the prevalence, determinants and contextual factors of occupational burnout across professional domains. Conclusions: The findings demonstrated complex interrelations among remote work, occupational stress, mental health, and burnout, highlighting that the accelerated adoption of remote work—especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic—has substantially reshaped employees’ psychological health and work experiences. Thus, remote work emerges as a double-edged phenomenon that can either foster resilience and well-being or heighten stress and burnout, depending on the availability of supportive organizational structures, psychosocial resources, and adaptive coping mechanisms. Full article

The rising rates of immigration have resulted in challenges to both physical and mental health, primarily stemming from the circumstances of social isolation experienced by individuals compelled to leave their homes. This study aims to identify the occupational needs and experiences of refugees and applicants for international protection in different studies. The search strategy was carried out in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, LILACS, ScieLO, and Dialnet databases. The studies were selected without temporal restriction up to December 2024 and included populations aged 18 years and older. A total of 654 articles were identified, of which 26 met the inclusion criteria for analysis in this review. Of these, 18 were qualitative studies, while the remaining ones were meta-ethnography, scoping, narrative, or literature reviews, case studies, or quantitative studies. Occupational therapy adopts a holistic approach that seeks to address both occupational needs and rights. The included studies underscore the significance of occupational therapy interventions for refugee populations, highlighting and clarifying the occupational deprivations and unmet needs experienced by this group. Full article

Background/Objectives: Occupational stress among police officers has been widely studied internationally, yet little is known about how stressors manifest in smaller, post-transition European contexts such as Lithuania. The study aimed to identify key occupational stressors among Lithuanian police officers and to examine how stress patterns differ by gender, job position, and years of service, using a multidimensional framework of organizational and interpersonal factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2024–2025 among 381 police officers from five randomly selected Lithuanian police stations. Participants completed the validated Lithuanian version of the Health and Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool (HSE-MSIT). Seven domains of occupational stress were analyzed: job demands, managerial and peer support, relationships, organizational change, work control, and role clarity. Statistical analyses included Mann–Whitney U test, univariate ANOVA, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with multi-group invariance testing. Results: The CFA supported a second-order structure of job stress, although model fit indices showed moderate adequacy (CFI = 0.768, TLI = 0.751). Managerial support, change at work, and peer support were the strongest contributors to the overall stress construct. While gender-related differences were minimal, officers with longer tenure reported lower job demands and greater role clarity. Junior officers expressed a more positive perception of feedback from managers and organizational changes. Measurement invariance tests revealed some item-level non-invariance, suggesting that group comparisons should be interpreted with caution. Conclusions: Occupational stress among Lithuanian police officers is primarily shaped by organizational rather than individual factors. Enhancing managerial competence, communication transparency, and peer-support mechanisms could substantially improve officers’ psychological well-being and resilience within law enforcement institutions. Full article

Academic staff face workplace stressors such as high workloads, job insecurity, and limited institutional support, which contribute to psychological distress and burnout. While workplace-based interventions are important for maintaining well-being, their effectiveness in academic settings remains underexplored. This systematic review including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies synthesized evidence on individual-level mental health interventions for university academic staff. Five databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, ERIC) were searched for peer-reviewed studies published between 2003 and 2023. From 1058 records, seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and the GUIDance for the rEporting of intervention Development (GUIDED) framework. Interventions included lifestyle regimens, mindfulness, yoga, community therapy, and institutionally embedded wellness programs. The findings suggest that brief, structured, and theoretically grounded interventions can improve psychological well-being, reduce burnout, and enhance coping. Facilitators included leadership support, institutional integration, peer networks, and flexible delivery; barriers included stigma, workload pressures, attrition, and digital challenges. Most studies were conducted in the Global North, limiting transferability to resource-constrained contexts. Overall, individual-level interventions show promise, but sustainable, culturally adapted, and multilevel strategies are needed to strengthen mental health support in higher education. These insights also contribute to broader efforts to promote health and safety in the workplace by identifying practical strategies to enhance well-being across diverse occupational settings. Full article

This study examines how Israel’s legal and institutional arrangements, including migration policies, health-insurance eligibility rules, and safety enforcement mechanisms, shape health risks for Thai migrant agricultural workers, and identifies policy levers to mitigate preventable harm. Using a legal policy analysis informed by syndemics and labor frameworks, we mapped laws, regulatory oversight, and enforcement chains, and synthesized evidence from worker surveys, affidavits, and civil society reports to link institutional structures with barriers experienced in workplaces and healthcare settings. The findings reveal that health inequalities stem from structural design rather than isolated failures, including exclusion from public insurance, dependence on employer-based plans, employer-tied visas, opaque injury-claim procedures, fragmented oversight, absence of occupational-health surveillance, limited language access, poor housing conditions, and weak inspections. These interlocking features reinforce one another, resulting in under-reporting, delayed medical attention, and cumulative physical and psychological harm. The study concludes that structural legal and administrative reforms—rather than individual adaptation—are required to address these inequities. Policy priorities include integrating migrant workers into public insurance or ensuring equivalent coverage, decoupling residency from single employers, guaranteeing multilingual access, establishing independent health monitoring, and enforcing safety, housing standards and other social determinants of health through transparent inspections, positive incentives and meaningful sanctions. Full article

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults has become an increasingly recognized clinical entity, with growing attention in research and healthcare settings. ADHD can significantly affect multiple domains of adult functioning, including education, employment, interpersonal relationships, and both mental and physical health. However, despite the expanding body of literature, gaps in understanding persist. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on adult ADHD. The literature was systematically searched in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO using predefined keywords related to ADHD in adults. Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2025, addressing epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and functioning. Exclusion criteria included studies with pediatric populations only or lacking methodological rigor. ADHD in adults is prevalent worldwide, with considerable heterogeneity across studies. Its etiology involves complex interactions between genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors. Clinical presentation in adulthood differs from childhood, with symptoms such as inattention, emotional dysregulation, and executive dysfunction predominating. Diagnostic challenges include retrospective assessment of childhood symptoms and comorbidity with mood and anxiety disorders. Pharmacotherapy and cognitive–behavioral interventions show efficacy, particularly when combined in integrated care models. ADHD negatively affects quality of life and occupational and social functioning and increases the risk of comorbid disorders, including psychoactive substance use. Adult ADHD is a multifaceted condition requiring a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and management. Future research should aim to refine diagnostic tools, explore neurobiological markers, and tailor interventions to individual profiles. Expanding knowledge on adult ADHD will improve identification, treatment outcomes, and overall quality of life for affected individuals. Full article

Occupational therapy (OT) advocates for rehabilitation and social reintegration within prison systems, yet its integration must consider the ethical and institutional constraints of incarceration. This paper critically examines the Spanish penitentiary system to explore the tensions between the punitive logic of imprisonment and the rehabilitative values of OT. The aim is to assess whether the current institutional structure enables socio-health professionals—particularly occupational therapists—to act coherently with their humanistic and ethical principles. A detailed documentary review was conducted using the Triangular Method of Ontologically Grounded Personalism (Sgreccia), which integrates biological/situational, anthropological, and ethical dimensions. Legislative documents, institutional reports, and academic literature were systematically analyzed to identify ethical challenges affecting professional practice within Spanish prisons. Findings reveal a paradoxical reality: Spain maintains one of the lowest crime rates in the EU yet exhibits a high incarceration rate, reflecting a punitive penal culture. The prison population, mostly adult males convicted of property and public health offenses, experiences significant occupational deprivation, mental illness, and social vulnerability. Ethical dilemmas include dual loyalty, loss of autonomy, and institutional priorities that undermine person-centered rehabilitation. The study underscores profound ethical tensions limiting OT practice in prisons. Addressing these challenges requires institutional and professional transformation toward more participatory and dignity-centered correctional models. Future research should incorporate empirical and qualitative approaches to design ethical frameworks that promote occupational justice and sustainable reintegration. Full article

Alternative learning environments (ALEs) support students with complex behavioral, emotional, and social needs, yet only a small amount of research has examined their occupational and mental health needs using a socioecological approach. This study aimed to demonstrate the process of conducting a socioecological needs assessment in an ALE and identify needs from multiple stakeholder perspectives. A qualitative descriptive design was employed. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 24 stakeholders, including students, educators, counselors, administrators, and a dietitian. Data were analyzed thematically by stakeholder group. Four overarching themes emerged: This School is a Shelter, We Believe in Resilience, We Work Well Together, and Every Student, Every Day, with two additional subthemes. The findings revealed that ALEs are viewed as protective spaces that promote belonging and resilience, but they are also shaped by stigma, limited resources, and systemic barriers to participation. Students’ perspectives emphasized both vulnerability and a strong desire for solidarity and belonging. The socioecological needs assessment process proved valuable for engaging diverse stakeholders and mapping barriers and facilitators across levels of the ecosystem. These findings highlight actionable directions for trauma-informed, interprofessional strategies that can strengthen occupational participation and mental health supports in ALEs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthcare and social workers were at increased risk of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic, and were therefore also at increased risk of long-term physical and mental health consequences due to infection. This study aimed to investigate the course of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mental health, in terms of depression and anxiety. Methods: A longitudinal study surveyed employees in health and social services diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 over a period of three years. Results: A total of 834 individuals participated in all four surveys. The mean age was 50.2 years (SD 5.8), with 82.3% of the participants being female. Mixed-model analyses were performed to examine the development over time. The results showed significant impairments in physical and mental HRQoL, as well as in mental health. Factors influencing physical HRQoL were gender, age, and pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing mental health conditions and self-reported health prior to infection were found to be predictors of mental HRQoL and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Those with persistent symptoms reported a significantly lower quality of life than those who had recovered. The mean physical HRQoL among participants with ongoing symptoms was 38.6, compared with 50.0 for those without symptoms, and the mean mental HRQoL was 40.4 versus 50.1 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings suggest that health-related quality of life and mental health should continue to be monitored to prevent long-term psychological distress. Full article

Workplace bullying is a critical concern in high-risk sectors such as construction and manufacturing, where high-pressure environments, strict deadlines, and hierarchical structures may intensify the problem. Despite its serious impact on workers’ well-being and productivity, research in these sectors, particularly in Indonesia, is limited. This study examined the prevalence of workplace bullying, contributing factors, and its effects on mental health among construction and manufacturing workers. It also explored barriers to prevention and potential strategies for mitigation. A mixed-methods design was applied, involving 1029 workers (620 manufacturing, 409 construction). Quantitative data were collected using the Negative Acts Questionnaire—Revised (NAQ-R), while qualitative insights were obtained through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Analyses included chi-square tests, logistic regression, and thematic analysis. Bullying was more prevalent in construction, especially among younger and less experienced workers. Risk factors included work-related stress, role ambiguity, and gender dynamics. FGDs revealed underreporting due to absent policies, weak leadership, and workplace cultures that normalized aggression. Workplace bullying remains a significant issue in both sectors in Indonesia. Strong anti-bullying policies, effective leadership, and comprehensive training are essential. Transforming organizational culture toward inclusivity and support is critical to addressing this challenge. Full article

Background: Resilience plays a fundamental role in the professional functioning of psychiatric nurses, supporting coping with stress, adaptation to demanding work environments, and job satisfaction. Regular assessment of resilience and perceived stress is important for timely psychological and organizational support. This study aimed to examine the relationship between resilience and perceived occupational stress among psychiatric nursing staff. Methods: The present study employed a cross-sectional research design. Standardized psychometric instruments were used, including the Resilience Assessment Scale (SPP-25) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Additionally, a self-developed questionnaire was administered to gather sociodemographic data. The study was conducted in five psychiatric hospitals located in the southern region of Poland. Data collection took place between January and June 2023 and involved a total of 555 nurses (449 women and 106 men) employed in inpatient psychiatric wards. A statistical significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25. Results: The overall resilience level in the study group was 57.83 points (SD = 24.33). The mean level of perceived stress among psychiatric nurses was 18.43 points (SD = 10.91). Both resilience and perceived stress levels varied significantly depending on selected sociodemographic and occupational characteristics. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between perceived stress and both the overall level of resilience and each of its individual components (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Regular assessment of psychological resilience and stress levels among psychiatric nurses is an essential component of monitoring their well-being. Such evaluations provide insights into the role of individual resources in coping with occupational demands and serve as a foundation for developing targeted support programs. Strengthening resilience not only promotes the mental health of nursing staff but also contributes to higher quality of patient care and greater effectiveness in fulfilling professional responsibilities. Full article

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed a severe psychological burden on healthcare professionals worldwide, yet little evidence exists from North African low- and middle-income countries. Objective: This study assessed levels of perceived stress and burnout among Moroccan healthcare workers and explored associated occupational risk factors, based on retrospective data collected in 2022. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 physicians and nurses (n = 200) from five public hospitals in Meknes. Validated instruments, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS), were used. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests with Cramér’s V, and ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26. Results: High proportions of healthcare professionals reported elevated stress and clinical burnout. Occupational risk factors such as working in intensive care or COVID-19 units, on-call shift schedules, and sleep disturbances were strongly associated with adverse outcomes. Conclusions: Moroccan healthcare professionals experienced persistent psychological strain during and after the pandemic. The novelty of this study lies in documenting post-pandemic data from 2022 in a North African setting, providing timely evidence of long-term impacts. These findings underscore the urgent need for organizational reforms and targeted psychological support programs to protect the mental health of healthcare workers in future health crises. Full article

Background/Objectives: The benefits of nature-based interventions to support well-being and mental health are increasingly well-documented in the literature; however, study of an occupational therapy gardening program for adolescents with exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is limited. Methods: This study evaluates the feasibility of a novel school gardening program for youth with a history of ACEs including the following: (1) recruitment; (2) data collection procedures and outcome measures; (3) acceptability and suitability of the intervention; and (4) evaluation of the response to a gardening intervention as measured by a visual analog scale of emotional state, a heartbeat counting task designed to capture changes in interoceptive awareness, and qualitative data from the teacher and researchers. This feasibility study was designed as an 8- to 10-week program (10 sessions minimum) to accommodate the school’s academic curriculum and support the participants’ academic progression. Three adolescents were recruited, ages 12–17, two of whom completed a shorter version of the program and one who dropped out. Results: Results indicated the gardening intervention recruitment and data collection procedures were feasible. Intervention was acceptable to participants. Outcome measures that produce both quantitative and qualitative changes are needed. Interoceptive measures show promise but require further refinement. Response to intervention seemed to be influenced by the participant’s psychosocial history but suggests possible changes in prosocial behavior. External factors such as absenteeism influenced aspects of participation, including frequency and duration of intervention. Conclusions: These findings suggest gardening interventions in occupational therapy are feasible and suitable for adolescents with a history of adversity. Potential exists for enhanced social connectedness, which supports mental health and well-being. Suggestions are offered for implementation and outcome measurements appropriate for this population. Full article