Emotional dissonance and mental health among home-care workers: A nationwide prospective study of the moderating role of leadership behaviors
2025

Emotional Dissonance and Mental Health in Home-Care Workers

Sample size: 1426 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Johannessen Håkon A, Nielsen Morten Birkeland, Knutsen Rigmor Harang, Skare Øivind, Christensen Jan Olav

Primary Institution: National Institute of Occupational Health in Norway

Hypothesis

Does high-quality leadership mitigate the adverse impact of emotional dissonance on mental health?

Conclusion

Supportive, empowering, and fair leadership buffers the association of emotional dissonance on mental distress.

Supporting Evidence

  • Emotional dissonance was positively associated with mental distress.
  • Supportive leadership was negatively associated with mental distress.
  • Leadership behaviors moderated the association between emotional dissonance and mental distress.

Takeaway

When home-care workers feel one way but have to act another, it can make them feel bad. Good leaders can help them feel better.

Methodology

Survey of home-care workers with follow-ups after 8 and 14 months, using validated scales to measure emotional dissonance and mental distress.

Potential Biases

Self-reporting may introduce subjective bias.

Limitations

Low response rate and potential self-selection bias may affect generalizability.

Participant Demographics

95% female, mean age 45 years, majority with upper secondary or university education.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.5271/sjweh.4197

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