Navigating crisis: exploring the links between threat perceptions, well-being, individual and workplace resilience among general hospital staff

Abstract Background Hospital staff frequently encounter high-stress situations, emergencies, and disasters, which profoundly impact their well-being and resilience. The aim of the study was to examine associations between perceived threats, well-being, individual resilience, and resilience at work a...

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Main Authors: Chen Sharon Shmul, Baruch Berzon, Bruria Adini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:Israel Journal of Health Policy Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-024-00656-2
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author Chen Sharon Shmul
Baruch Berzon
Bruria Adini
author_facet Chen Sharon Shmul
Baruch Berzon
Bruria Adini
author_sort Chen Sharon Shmul
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Hospital staff frequently encounter high-stress situations, emergencies, and disasters, which profoundly impact their well-being and resilience. The aim of the study was to examine associations between perceived threats, well-being, individual resilience, and resilience at work among staff of a general hospital, following the unexpected Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, and during the Israel-Gaza conflict. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at a central Israeli public hospital, a level-two trauma center, surveying 434 staff members. Validated questionnaires were used to assess perceived threats, well-being, individual and work resilience, alongside demographic and professional characteristics. Data was collected via Qualtrics and paper questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, T-tests, ANOVA, Chi-square, and linear regression models were used to analyze relationships, differences, and key factors associated with well-being, personal resilience, and work resilience. Results Key findings revealed that higher resilience at work and well-being are linked to greater individual resilience, while higher threat perception negatively affected well-being. Israeli-born individuals and those identifying as Jewish showed higher resilience. Men reported higher well-being than women, and physicians demonstrated higher well-being compared to nurses. Resilience at work was higher among administrative staff compared to nurses, with employment in the emergency department showing a significant negative relationship with resilience at work. Conclusions The study revealed significant predictors of well-being, individual resilience, and workplace resilience among hospital staff in conflict situations. The immediate threat of war was perceived as most significant, highlighting the dynamic nature of threat perceptions. Prolonged emergencies can severely impact well-being, necessitating timely support. The findings emphasize the importance of integrated programs that enhance individual well-being and foster resilience in both personal and professional domains. Significant gender differences and the positive role of religiosity in resilience underscore the need for targeted interventions and systemic organizational changes to better support healthcare workers during crises. These insights highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach for cultivating a robust and resilient medical staff capable of effectively managing future crises.
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spelling doaj-art-0177a4ee1bda48fe99ebb18673071f402024-11-24T12:29:43ZengBMCIsrael Journal of Health Policy Research2045-40152024-11-0113111410.1186/s13584-024-00656-2Navigating crisis: exploring the links between threat perceptions, well-being, individual and workplace resilience among general hospital staffChen Sharon Shmul0Baruch Berzon1Bruria Adini2Emergency and Disaster Management Department, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv UniversityEmergency Department and Emergency Preparedness, Assaf Harofeh Shamir Medical CenterEmergency and Disaster Management Department, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv UniversityAbstract Background Hospital staff frequently encounter high-stress situations, emergencies, and disasters, which profoundly impact their well-being and resilience. The aim of the study was to examine associations between perceived threats, well-being, individual resilience, and resilience at work among staff of a general hospital, following the unexpected Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, and during the Israel-Gaza conflict. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at a central Israeli public hospital, a level-two trauma center, surveying 434 staff members. Validated questionnaires were used to assess perceived threats, well-being, individual and work resilience, alongside demographic and professional characteristics. Data was collected via Qualtrics and paper questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, T-tests, ANOVA, Chi-square, and linear regression models were used to analyze relationships, differences, and key factors associated with well-being, personal resilience, and work resilience. Results Key findings revealed that higher resilience at work and well-being are linked to greater individual resilience, while higher threat perception negatively affected well-being. Israeli-born individuals and those identifying as Jewish showed higher resilience. Men reported higher well-being than women, and physicians demonstrated higher well-being compared to nurses. Resilience at work was higher among administrative staff compared to nurses, with employment in the emergency department showing a significant negative relationship with resilience at work. Conclusions The study revealed significant predictors of well-being, individual resilience, and workplace resilience among hospital staff in conflict situations. The immediate threat of war was perceived as most significant, highlighting the dynamic nature of threat perceptions. Prolonged emergencies can severely impact well-being, necessitating timely support. The findings emphasize the importance of integrated programs that enhance individual well-being and foster resilience in both personal and professional domains. Significant gender differences and the positive role of religiosity in resilience underscore the need for targeted interventions and systemic organizational changes to better support healthcare workers during crises. These insights highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach for cultivating a robust and resilient medical staff capable of effectively managing future crises.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-024-00656-2Psychological distressWell-beingIndividual resilienceResilience at workPerceived threatsHospital
spellingShingle Chen Sharon Shmul
Baruch Berzon
Bruria Adini
Navigating crisis: exploring the links between threat perceptions, well-being, individual and workplace resilience among general hospital staff
Israel Journal of Health Policy Research
Psychological distress
Well-being
Individual resilience
Resilience at work
Perceived threats
Hospital
title Navigating crisis: exploring the links between threat perceptions, well-being, individual and workplace resilience among general hospital staff
title_full Navigating crisis: exploring the links between threat perceptions, well-being, individual and workplace resilience among general hospital staff
title_fullStr Navigating crisis: exploring the links between threat perceptions, well-being, individual and workplace resilience among general hospital staff
title_full_unstemmed Navigating crisis: exploring the links between threat perceptions, well-being, individual and workplace resilience among general hospital staff
title_short Navigating crisis: exploring the links between threat perceptions, well-being, individual and workplace resilience among general hospital staff
title_sort navigating crisis exploring the links between threat perceptions well being individual and workplace resilience among general hospital staff
topic Psychological distress
Well-being
Individual resilience
Resilience at work
Perceived threats
Hospital
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-024-00656-2
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