Understanding the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on railway workers: risks and protective factors

Nicola Cogan*, Megan McGibbon, Amy Gardiner, Liza Morton

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
81 Downloads (Pure)

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 wellbeing of railway workers (n = 906) in the UK 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 wellbeing. Responses were analysed using multiple regression and content analysis.

RESULTS: COVID-19 related risk factors negatively predicted wellbeing. Higher scores on adaptive resilience, intentions to seek help and team resilience significantly predicted higher mental wellbeing scores. Mental health decline throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns for the future were reported.

CONCLUSION: Building a resilient railway workforce requires attention to staff mental wellbeing and to ensuring that support systems are robust and accessible.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)172-183
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of occupational and environmental medicine
Volume65
Issue number2
Early online date15 Sept 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023

Keywords

  • mental health
  • wellbeing
  • COVID 19
  • railway workers
  • help-seeking
  • support
  • adaptation
  • resilience
  • COVID-19
  • well-being
  • help seeking

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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