COVID-19 pandemic impact on funeral service workers’ work-related mental health

Abstract

COVID-19 may pose a mental health risk to funeral service workers (FSWs). In this cross-sectional survey, 278 Dutch FSWs were assessed three months after the acute phase of the pandemic ended. The FSWs reported on burnout symptoms (BAT-12), work engagement (UWES-9), wellbeing (MHC-SF) mental health indicators, and retrospectively on work stress and perceived support during the acute phase of the pandemic. Data-analyses included descriptive statistics and linear regression. Mental health scores were compared with norm scores. Almost all FSWs reported “average-to-high” levels of wellbeing (93%, n = 223) and work engagement (99%, n = 275), and rarely (3%, n = 7) “high” levels of burnout symptoms. However, a third (33%, n = 81) expressed a need for support. Higher levels of work stress and lower levels of perceived support were significantly associated with poorer current mental health. FSWs appear mentally healthy and may provide worthwhile insights into pandemic resilience.