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What about the bright side?: A systematic review of psychosocial antecedents of well-being among forensic healthcare workers
Bergmans,Marta K. De Caluwé,Elien Bogaerts,Stefan van Woerkom,Marianne
Bergmans,Marta K.
De Caluwé,Elien
Bogaerts,Stefan
van Woerkom,Marianne
Abstract
Forensic healthcare workers (FHWs) are highly susceptible to work-related stress and declining well-being due to frequent interactions with forensic patients, who often exhibit violent behavior. While much of the existing literature has centered on the factors that predict ill-being among FHWs, such as stress and burnout levels, fewer studies have explored the elements that actively contribute to their well-being. However, focusing solely on problems and their solutions overlooks the factors that promote well-being and does not ensure employees' potential to truly flourish. Hence, this systematic review adopted a positive psychological perspective by investigating the psychosocial antecedents of positive indicators of FHWs' well-being. The review analyzed studies from Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, following PRISMA guidelines, and included 54 papers. Six primary outcome variables were identified: job satisfaction, well-being and positive mental health, life satisfaction, resilience, adaptive coping, and other variables (confidence, self-efficacy, and posttraumatic growth). Organizational and interpersonal support were the most common antecedents for job satisfaction, well-being, and positive mental health, and partially for resilience. Job characteristics, such as autonomy and work involvement, were significant for life satisfaction and well-being. Organizational justice also consistently emerged as an antecedent of both job and life satisfaction. These findings suggest key pathways for supporting FHWs' well-being.
Description
Date
2026-04
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Volume Title
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Research Projects
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Keywords
forensic healthcare workers,, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, positive psychology, well-being
Citation
Bergmans, M K, De Caluwé, E, Bogaerts, S & van Woerkom, M 2026, 'What about the bright side? A systematic review of psychosocial antecedents of well-being among forensic healthcare workers', Applied psychology. Health and well-being, vol. 18, no. 2, e70126. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.70126
License
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess