Identification and Ranking of Factors Related to Mental Health Problems in Healthcare Workers From the Perspective of Stakeholders and Experts; [شناسایی و رتبه بندی عوامل مرتبط با مشکلات سلامت روان در کارکنان مراقبت های بهداشتی درمانی از دیدگاه ذی النفعان و متخصصان] Publisher



Khanlari P ; Noorbalatafti A ; Ghasemi F ; Ghiyasvandian S ; Azam K ; Zakerian S A
Source: Journal of Health and Safety at Work Published:2026

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare workers face high rates of depression and anxiety due to job-related stressors, which harm their well-being and compromise care quality and patient safety. This study aims to integrate evidence and expert/stakeholder insights to identify and prioritize factors affecting healthcare workers’ mental health, enabling more targeted interventions and efficient resource allocation. Material and Methods: This qualitative-ranking study used semi-structured interviews with purposively sampled hospital occupational health managers to identify factors affecting healthcare workers’ mental health, with interviews recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis in MAXQDA until saturation. The identified factors were then rated by industrial psychology experts and psychiatrists using a five-point Likert survey. Results: 12 occupational health managers were interviewed, and 18 experts completed the ranking. 51 factors across 19 subcategories were identified in four main work-system levels: Individual (14 factors), Work/Task (16), Organizational (12), and External (9). In ranking, a history of mental illness was rated as the most important factor (mean 4.36), while working with automation was rated as the least important (mean 2.84); 11 factors scored >4, and many factors scored 3.5-4. Conclusion: Using a systemic approach and stakeholder input, this study identified and prioritized factors affecting healthcare workers’ mental health across four levels-individual, work/task, organizational, and external-enabling more targeted, evidence-based interventions. Copyright © 2026 The Authors. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.