Staff's psychological health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: a review of foreign studies

Abstract

Introduction. The COVID-19-pandemic social tensions have caused a number of problems in staffʼs psychological health. The study of foreign experience and analysis of relevant foreign publications will allow generalizing diagnostic and developmental approaches to the study of organization staff's psychological health and its promotion. Aim. On the basis of the analysis of foreign sources, to define the basic directions of research into staff's psychological health in the conditions of social tension caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Results. As a result of the analysis of works of foreign authors, the author has determined the following main directions of research on staff's psychological health in the conditions of social tension caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: 1) managers' use of innovative management styles and their role in reducing social tension in organizations; 2) activities of remote teams during the COVID-19 pandemic and their role in maintaining staff's psychological health; 3) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the level of stress among staff and the development of staff resilience; 4) the development of social resilience thinking in times of crisis as a prerequisite of organizations' resilience; 5) ensuring staff's well-being and satisfaction with work and family life during the COVID-19 pandemic; 6) the impact of work tensions caused by the pandemic COVID-19 on staff's conflict-coping creative efforts. Conclusions. Based on the analysis of foreign studies, the author has found a certain negative impact of social tensions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on staff's psychological health in organizations. This problem can be solved using new approaches in the activities of organizations (use of innovative management styles; organization of effective work of remote teams using digital technologies; development of staff and organization's resilience; remote-work-and-family-life balance; intensification of creative efforts to overcome tension in work and reduce conflict interaction, etc.).