The Second Side of the Coin—Resilience, Meaningfulness and Joyful Moments in Home Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Nursing literature predominantly focuses on job demands but is scarce for resources related to nurses’ work. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, resources that can buffer the health-impairing effects of increased demands gain importance. The aim of this study is to explore resilience, meaning of work and joyful moments in home health care workers in South Germany during the pandemic. Resilience and meaning of work were measured quantitatively; moments of joy were investigated qualitatively by audio diaries and analyzed with qualitative content analysis. In all, 115 home health care workers (mean age = 47.83 ± 11.72; 81.75% female) filled in the questionnaires and 237 diary entries were made by 23 persons (mean age = 46.70 ± 10.40; 91.30% female). The mean scores of resilience (5.52 ± 1.04; 1–7) and meaning of work (4.10 ± 0.92; 1–5) showed high levels, with significantly higher values in females. Home care workers experienced joyful moments 334 times in 60 different types in the categories of social relationships, work content, work organization, work environment and self-care. A deeper understanding of resilience, meaning of work and joyful moments provides a basis for the development of worksite health promotion programs that address both demands and resources in home health care workers.

The Hidden Script of Work-Related Burdens in Home Care – A Cross Over Mixed Analysis of Audio Diaries

“…Which moments were particularly burdening?” Beside the question about particularly burdening moments, participants should also report about their joyful moments. These results are presented elsewhere (Gebhard et al, 2022).…”

“…Complementary to the picture of work-related resources of home care workers, where social relationships were found to be the most important source for joyful moments (Gebhard et al, 2022), they have a subordinate role in the experience of burdens (6.4%). The most notable result in this category is the role of relatives, as burdens related to them were comparatively frequently reported to cause emotional strain.…”

Exploring a career pathway for home support workers in Ireland: a systematic scoping review of the international evidence

“…Job satisfaction and retention: Factors underpinning staff motivation and retention include having clear employment terms and conditions ( 196 , 219 ), as well as enhanced control and support in the role ( 220 , 221 ), and a positive work culture and modelling successful careers ( 222 – 225 ). The meaning of the work, and recognising the joyful moments of the work, supported HSW's resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 226 ). Other research from Germany, UK, Finland and Taiwan, underscores the significance of understanding the factors involved in job satisfaction for retaining employees by developing more tailored and effective job satisfaction strategies ( 227 – 230 ), particularly fair workload and intensity ( 231 ).…”

How to Address the Health of Home Care Workers: A Systematic Review of the Last Two Decades

“…Nevertheless, working autonomously, having varied tasks, and being able to positively impact clients' lives have already been identified as health resources in home care (de Groot et al, 2018; Kusmaul et al, 2020). Additionally, home care workers have a high level of resilience, a strong feeling of work-related meaningfulness, and experience a variety of joyful moments in their daily work live (Gebhard et al, 2022).…”