Health and wellbeing of staff working at higher education institutions globally during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period: evidence from a cross-sectional study
Authors: Rahman Muhammad Aziz , Das Pritimoy , Lam Louisa , Alif Sheikh M. , Sultana Farhana , Salehin Masudus , Banik Biswajit , Joseph Bindu , Parul Parul , Lewis Andrew , Statham Dixie , Porter Joanne , Foster Kim , Islam Sheikh Mohammed Shariful , Cross Wendy , Jacob Alycia , Hua Susan , Wang Qun , Chair Sek Ying , Chien Wai Tong , Widati Sri , Nurmala Ira , Puspaningsih Ni Nyoman Tri , Hammoud Majeda , Omar Khatijah , Halim Muhammad Abi Sofian Abdul , Gamal-Eltrabily Mohammed , Ortiz Georgina , Al Maskari Turkiya Saleh , Al Alawi Salwa Saleh Mohammed , Al-Rahbi Badriya Saleh , Arulappan Judie , Ahmad Akhlaq , Al Laham Nahed , Mahmud Ilias , Alasqah Ibrahim , Noorbhai Habib , Chang Shao-Liang , Chen Yi-Lung , Comlekci Mehmet Fatih , Basol Oguz , Saddik Basema , Hayman Rick , Polman Remco 
Published: July 2024

Background

The ongoing global crisis of Higher Education (HE) institutions during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period has increased the likelihood of enduring psychological stressors for staff. This study aimed to identify factors associated with job insecurity, burnout, psychological distress and coping amongst staff working at HE institutions globally.

Methods

An anonymous cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 with staff at HE institutions across 16 countries. Job insecurity was measured using the Job Insecurity Scale (JIS), burnout using the Perceived Burnout measure question, psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and coping using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale. Multivariable logistic regression with a stepwise variable selection method was used to identify associations.

Results

A total of 2,353 staff participated; the mean age (± SD) was 43(± 10) years and 61% were females. Most staff (85%) did not feel job insecurity, one-third (29%) perceived burnout in their jobs, more than two-thirds (73%) experienced moderate to very high levels of psychological distress, and more than half (58%) exhibited medium to high resilient coping. Perceived job insecurity was associated with staff working part-time [Adjusted Odds Ratio 1.53 (95% Confidence Intervals 1.15–2.02)], having an academic appointment [2.45 (1.78–3.27)], having multiple co-morbidities [1.86 (1.41–2.48)], perceived burnout [1.99 (1.54–2.56)] and moderate to very high level of psychological distress [1.68 (1.18–2.39)]. Perceived burnout was associated with being female [1.35 (1.12–1.63)], having multiple co-morbidities [1.53 (1.20–1.97)], perceived job insecurity [1.99 (1.55–2.57)], and moderate to very high levels of psychological distress [3.23 (2.42–4.30)]. Staff with multiple co-morbidities [1.46 (1.11–1.92)], mental health issues [2.73 (1.79–4.15)], perceived job insecurity [1.61 (1.13–2.30)], and perceived burnout [3.22 (2.41–4.31)] were associated with moderate to very high levels of psychological distress. Staff who perceived their mental health as good to excellent [3.36 (2.69–4.19)] were more likely to have medium to high resilient coping.

Conclusions

Factors identified in this study should be considered in reviewing and updating current support strategies for staff at HE institutions across all countries to reduce stress and burnout and improve wellbeing.