Purpose – Employees in the private, public, and third sectors have experienced an increase in stress over the years. Amongst the sectors, people working in hospitals and other healthcare facilities were put under severe stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, the World Health Organisation has clearly stated that defending people’s mental health at this particular time of restless pandemic growth is an absolute necessity. The purpose of this article is to assess the perceived work-related stress (WRS) of healthcare workers (HCWs) as a result of the spread of COVID-19, as well as how a leadership role can help to reduce WRS. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a multiple case study approach applied to two Italian healthcare facilities, the questionnaire results were subjected to a regression analysis. Findings – The results show an association in HCWs between the perception of supportive leadership and the perception of negative psychosocial risks whose exposure can lead to manifestation of WRS during COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value – The study addresses the role that the perception of supportive leadership can play in reducing exposure to occupational psychosocial risks in a sample of healthcare professionals. Keywords Work-related stress, Leadership support, Organisational change, COVID-19, Healthcare facilities, Multiple case study Paper type Research paper
The impact of leadership on perceived work-related stress in healthcare facilities organisations
Greco E;Graziano E. A.;
2022-01-01
Abstract
Purpose – Employees in the private, public, and third sectors have experienced an increase in stress over the years. Amongst the sectors, people working in hospitals and other healthcare facilities were put under severe stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, the World Health Organisation has clearly stated that defending people’s mental health at this particular time of restless pandemic growth is an absolute necessity. The purpose of this article is to assess the perceived work-related stress (WRS) of healthcare workers (HCWs) as a result of the spread of COVID-19, as well as how a leadership role can help to reduce WRS. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a multiple case study approach applied to two Italian healthcare facilities, the questionnaire results were subjected to a regression analysis. Findings – The results show an association in HCWs between the perception of supportive leadership and the perception of negative psychosocial risks whose exposure can lead to manifestation of WRS during COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value – The study addresses the role that the perception of supportive leadership can play in reducing exposure to occupational psychosocial risks in a sample of healthcare professionals. Keywords Work-related stress, Leadership support, Organisational change, COVID-19, Healthcare facilities, Multiple case study Paper type Research paperI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
