The Perceived Risk of Being Infected with COVID-19 at Work, Communication, and Employee Health: A Longitudinal Application of the Job Demands–Resources Model

Alessandra Falco, Damiano Girardi, Alessandro De Carlo, Elvira Arcucci and Laura Dal Corso
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Alessandra Falco: FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
Damiano Girardi: FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
Alessandro De Carlo: Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
Elvira Arcucci: FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
Laura Dal Corso: FISPPA Section of Applied Psychology, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: The perceived risk of being infected at work (PRIW) with COVID-19 represents a potential risk factor for workers during the current COVID-19 pandemic. In line with the job demands–resources (JD-R) model in the context of safety at work, in this longitudinal study we propose that PRIW can be conceptualized as a job demand (JD), whereas communication (i.e., the exchange of good-quality information across team members) can be conceived of as a job resource (JR). Accordingly, we hypothesize that PRIW at Time 1 (T1) would positively predict psychophysical strain at Time 2 (i.e., four months later), and that communication at T1 would negatively predict psychophysical strain at T2. Overall, 297 workers participated in the study. The hypothesized relationships were tested using multiple regression analysis. The results support our predictions: PRIW positively predicted psychophysical strain over time, whereas communication negatively predicted psychophysical strain over time. The results did not change after controlling for age, gender, and type of contract. Overall, this study suggests that PRIW and communication might be conceived of as a risk and a protective factor for work-related stress, respectively. Hence, to promote more sustainable working conditions, interventions should help organizations to promote an adequate balance between JDs and JRs related to COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; perceived risk; communication; psychophysical strain; longitudinal study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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