The role of mindfulness and self-compassion to ameliorate COVID-19 phobia in frontline employees associated with the Indian services sectors: an empirical analysis

Sachin Kumar, Ridhi Arora and Tapan Kumar Panda

Evidence-based HRM, 2024, vol. 12, issue 4, 850-868

Abstract: Purpose - This research aims to study the effects of mindfulness and self-compassion in addressing COVID-19 phobia issues. To date, not a single study has examined the influence of these constructs on COVID-19 phobia amongst frontline employees (FLEs) in the services sector. In this context, the present study examined the association between FLE’s trait mindfulness and COVID-19 phobia and the mediating effect of self-compassion on this relationship. Design/methodology/approach - Data were collected using 335 FLEs working in the Indian services sector, and the analysis was undertaken using the PROCESS macro of Hayes (2018). Findings - FLE's trait mindfulness was found to influence COVID-19 phobia negatively, and the mediation role of self-compassion was also noted. Findings for the COVID-19 phobia composite and its four facets are discussed. Practical implications - Corporate leaders could encourage mindfulness and self-compassion training helping in buffering the negative issues associated with COVID-19 phobia among FLEs. Originality/value - It is one of the few studies conducted in the South-Asian context that highlights how mindfulness can help enhance self-compassion among frontline service sector employees while guiding them to overcome COVID-19 phobia. This could be the first study to examine the mediating effects of self-compassion in the relationships between mindfulness and COVID-19 phobia.

Keywords: Frontline employees; COVID-19 phobia; Mindfulness; Self-compassion; Services sector; Retail; Mental health; Pandemic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ebhrmp:ebhrm-03-2023-0065

DOI: 10.1108/EBHRM-03-2023-0065

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