The European long-term care (LTC) sector faces significant challenges,
including staff shortages, precarious working conditions, and low
professional recognition. Many LTC workers belong to vulnerable groups,
such as women, migrant workers, or individuals lacking legal protection.
These factors negatively impact their mental health, leading to stress,
burnout, and reduced job satisfaction. This study explores psychosocial and
organizational determinants of well-being in LTC workers, aiming to inform
policies that foster inclusion and improve working conditions.
A four-week longitudinal study was conducted in six EU Member States:
Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Germany, and Sweden. Participants from the LTC
sector provided data on working conditions, job demands, available
resources, and well-being indicators. The study examined how these factors
evolved over time and influenced each other.
Findings reveal critical job demands that heighten stress and protective
resources that enhance well-being. Vulnerable workers, particularly migrants
and women, experience heightened risks due to job instability and limited
support. Identified key resources—such as social support, fair wages, and job
security—mitigate stress and foster resilience.These insights provide an
empirical foundation for targeted interventions.
Organizational psychologists can design workplace support systems to
enhance well-being and retention, while policymakers can implement
strategies to improve job security, fair labor conditions, and legal protections
for LTC workers. Strengthening these measures is crucial to fostering an
inclusive and sustainable workforce in LTC.