Understanding the Mental Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Railway Workers: Risks and Protective Factors. Issue 2 (15th February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cogan, Nicola; McGibbon, Megan; Gardiner, Amy; Morton, Liza
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 65:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 172
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2023-02-15
• Subjects: adaptation -- COVID-19 -- help seeking -- mental health -- railway workers -- resilience -- support -- well-being; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002711
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Our findings provide evidence that railway workers showed low levels of mental wellbeing during the third period of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom (December 2020–March 2021). The benefits of fostering both individual and team resilience as well as encouraging mental health help-seeking is emphasised. Abstract : Objective: Railway workers have provided an essential service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored the effects of COVID-19 on the mental well-being of railway workers (N = 906) in the United Kingdom during the third lockdown period. Method: The online survey included measures of COVID-19–related risk factors (perceived risk, stress, burnout, trauma) and protective factors (resilience coping, team resilience, general help seeking) associated with mental well-being. Responses were analyzed using multiple regression and content analysis. Results: COVID-19–related risk factors negatively predicted well-being. Higher scores on adaptive resilience, intentions to seek help, and team resilience significantly predicted higher mental well-being scores. Mental health decline throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns for the future were reported. Conclusions: Building a resilient railway workforce requires attention to staff mental well-being and to ensuring that support systems are robust and accessible.