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Loneliness and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Roles of Personal, Social and Organizational Resources on Perceived Stress and Exhaustion among Finnish University Employees

Author

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  • Jaana-Piia Mäkiniemi

    (Work Research Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland)

  • Atte Oksanen

    (Work Research Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland)

  • Anne Mäkikangas

    (Work Research Centre, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014 Tampere, Finland)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate whether personal, social and organizational level resources can buffer against the negative effects of perceived loneliness on stress and exhaustion. The data was collected from Finnish university employees ( n = 1463) in autumn 2020 via an electronic survey. Of the respondents, about 78% were working remotely, and 64% were female. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the main and moderating (i.e., buffering) effects. The results indicated that perceived loneliness was directly and positively associated with stress and exhaustion. Further, as hypothesized, personal resilience moderated the relationship between loneliness and stress and exhaustion, and organizational support moderated the relationship between loneliness and stress. Unexpectedly, organizational support did not moderate the loneliness–exhaustion relationship. Moreover, a sense of social belonging was not associated with stress and exhaustion, nor did it moderate loneliness and well-being relationships. The results demonstrate the importance of personal resilience and organizational support in enhancing well-being in organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research directions and practical ways to promote resilience and to increase organizational support are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaana-Piia Mäkiniemi & Atte Oksanen & Anne Mäkikangas, 2021. "Loneliness and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Roles of Personal, Social and Organizational Resources on Perceived Stress and Exhaustion among Finnish University Employees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:7146-:d:588085
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Iina Savolainen & Reetta Oksa & Nina Savela & Magdalena Celuch & Atte Oksanen, 2021. "COVID-19 Anxiety—A Longitudinal Survey Study of Psychological and Situational Risks among Finnish Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Jay J. Van Bavel & Katherine Baicker & Paulo S. Boggio & Valerio Capraro & Aleksandra Cichocka & Mina Cikara & Molly J. Crockett & Alia J. Crum & Karen M. Douglas & James N. Druckman & John Drury & Oe, 2020. "Using social and behavioural science to support COVID-19 pandemic response," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(5), pages 460-471, May.
    3. Wilmar B. Schaufeli & Steffie Desart & Hans De Witte, 2020. "Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT)—Development, Validity, and Reliability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-21, December.
    4. GholamReza Zandi & Imran Shahzad & Muhammad Farrukh & Sebastian Kot, 2020. "Supporting Role of Society and Firms to COVID-19 Management among Medical Practitioners," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-16, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Annukka Tapani & Merja Sinkkonen & Kirsi Sjöblom & Katrien Vangrieken & Anne Mäkikangas, 2022. "Experiences of Relatedness during Enforced Remote Work among Employees in Higher Education," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Hui Deng & Wenbing Wu & Yihua Zhang & Xiaoyan Zhang & Jing Ni, 2022. "The Paradoxical Effects of COVID-19 Event Strength on Employee Turnover Intention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-17, July.
    3. da Silva, Filipa Pires & Jerónimo, Helena Mateus & Henriques, Paulo Lopes & Ribeiro, Joana, 2024. "Impact of digital burnout on the use of digital consumer platforms," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    4. Saila Kyrönlahti & Subas Neupane & Clas-Håkan Nygård & Jodi Oakman & Soile Juutinen & Anne Mäkikangas, 2022. "Perceived Work Ability during Enforced Working from Home Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic among Finnish Higher Educational Staff," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-13, May.

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