About this Research Topic
This Research Topic focuses on Occupational Health Psychology (OHP) – the branch of psychology that emerged out of two applied disciplines within psychology: health psychology and industrial/organizational psychology. It involves the application of psychological principles and practices in promoting quality of life at work, protecting and promoting the health and well-being of workers through the study of psychological, social and organizational dynamics inherent in the relationship between work and workers’ health. This is an emerging discipline resulting from the changing trends of work in post-industrial society in response to the emergence of new risks and the growing awareness of the importance of psychosocial risks, as well as the recognition of the need for their prevention by relevant international organizations.
Following the evolution of the literature in psychology, until recently research in OHP had exclusively focused on illness and distress instead of health and well-being. However, during the last decades a new trend towards a positive psychology has emerged focusing on human strengths and optimal functioning. This path translates to a shift from a disease-centered model towards a positive health model. The challenge of OHP in the future is to account for these positive mechanisms and simultaneously continue the study of illness and distress. Both approaches are complementary and only together can allow a more integrative and complete understanding of the relationships between work, organization and workers. This is the theoretical and empirical rationale for the present Research Topic.
We are interested in studies with innovative methodological approaches, longitudinal studies, as well as diary studies which are welcome. Furthermore, results of intervention studies and studies highlighting context and organizational variables are welcome. Also, studies related to COVID-19 and its effect in occupational settings including working from home, use of technology, and family dynamics.
Following the evolution of the literature in psychology, until recently research in OHP had exclusively focused on illness and distress instead of health and well-being. However, during the last decades a new trend towards a positive psychology has emerged focusing on human strengths and optimal functioning. This path translates to a shift from a disease-centered model towards a positive health model. The challenge of OHP in the future is to account for these positive mechanisms and simultaneously continue the study of illness and distress. Both approaches are complementary and only together can allow a more integrative and complete understanding of the relationships between work, organization and workers. This is the theoretical and empirical rationale for the present Research Topic.
We are interested in studies with innovative methodological approaches, longitudinal studies, as well as diary studies which are welcome. Furthermore, results of intervention studies and studies highlighting context and organizational variables are welcome. Also, studies related to COVID-19 and its effect in occupational settings including working from home, use of technology, and family dynamics.
Keywords: Occupational health psychology, burnout, engagement, stress, well-being, work, working conditions, changes, COVID-19, working-from-home
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
