Examining the daily life dynamics of anticipation and recovery from work-related stress in frontline medical professionals during pandemic work demands.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically increased work demands and stress for medical professionals.

AIM: To complement knowledge on detrimental long-term consequences of stress, we examine short-term dynamics of the stress processes, especially anticipation of stress and recovery.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

This diary study assessed anticipation of and recovery from work stress as well as individual differences therein related to self-efficacy, optimism, and neuroticism. Before and after up to eight work shifts in winter/spring 2021, 146 medical professionals (42.5% male, M age = 32.3 years, SD = 10.6) reported their affective well-being, anticipated stress, experienced stress, perceived exertion, perceived recovery, and non-work activities.

RESULTS

Multilevel models revealed that anticipating stress was associated with already lower affective well-being before the shift, but it did not buffer or amplify associations between experienced stress and affective well-being after work. Lower affective well-being after a shift led to less recovery, which in turn was associated with lower affective well-being following the next shift. Above-average engagement in pleasant activities, and even completing chores, as well as less rumination were associated with more pronounced recovery. Self-efficacy and neuroticism, but not optimism, were associated with affective well-being before and after work shifts.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroticism and low self-efficacy may place medical professionals especially at risk in medical crises. Promoting leisure activities to support recovery may replenish resources for handling work-related stress.