Changing Responses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison of Psychological Wellbeing and Work-Related Quality of Life of UK Health and Social Care Workers
Ruth D. Neill,
Paula McFadden,
Jill Manthorpe,
John Mallett,
Denise Currie,
Heike Schroder,
Jermaine Ravalier,
Patricia Nicholl,
John Moriarty,
Susan McGrory,
Rachel Naylor,
Hannah Davies,
Justin MacLochlainn
Affiliations
Ruth D. Neill
School of Medicine, Ulster University, Belfast Campus, York Street, Belfast BT15 1ED, UK
Paula McFadden
School of Applied Social Policy Sciences, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Londonderry BT48 7JL, UK
Jill Manthorpe
NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce, King’s College London, 22 Kingsway, Holborn, London WC2B 4LL, UK
John Mallett
School of Psychology, Ulster University, Coleraine Campus, Cromore Road, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
Denise Currie
Queen’s Management School, Queen’s University Belfast, Riddel Hall, 185 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5EE, UK
Heike Schroder
Queen’s Management School, Queen’s University Belfast, Riddel Hall, 185 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5EE, UK
Jermaine Ravalier
School of Science, Bath Spa University, Newton Park, Newton St Loe, Bath BA2 9BN, UK
Patricia Nicholl
School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University Belfast, 69-71 University Street, Belfast BT7 1HL, UK
John Moriarty
School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University Belfast, 69-71 University Street, Belfast BT7 1HL, UK
Susan McGrory
School of Nursing, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Londonderry BT 48 7JL, UK
Rachel Naylor
School of Applied Social Policy Sciences, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Londonderry BT48 7JL, UK
Hannah Davies
School of Applied Social Policy Sciences, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Londonderry BT48 7JL, UK
Justin MacLochlainn
School of Applied Social Policy Sciences, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Londonderry BT48 7JL, UK
Aim: to explore the psychological wellbeing and work-related quality of life amongst United Kingdom (UK) health and social care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subject and methods: Health and social care professionals within nursing, midwifery, allied health professions, social care and social work occupations working in the UK during the pandemic were recruited. Repeated cross-sectional online surveys were conducted during six time periods of the pandemic (May–July 2020, November–February 2021, May–July 2021, November 2021–February 2022, May–July 2022 and November 2022–February 2023). Results: Over 14,000 participants completed the surveys during the data collection periods. The findings revealed that over the pandemic, psychological wellbeing and work-related quality of life scores significantly decreased. Conclusions: The overall psychological wellbeing and work-related quality of life of health and social care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly declined. Further research is warranted on the lasting impact of the pandemic on this workforce. The health and social care workforce needs support to prevent further deterioration and to rebuild its wellbeing and resilience.
