Stress and Well-Being and the Changing Nature of Work

Volume 23 of Research in Occupational Stress and Well-Being explores the intricate relationship between stress, well-being, and the evolving nature of work in the 21st century. In light of profound global disruptions—including the COVID-19 pandemic—and the rapid acceleration of technology, the workplace has undergone fundamental transformation. This volume critically examines how these shifts have reshaped the meaning, structure, and experience of work, often resulting in greater precarity, alienation, and psychological strain for workers. Through empirical studies and theoretical commentaries, contributors investigate the psychosocial impact of these changes on individuals and organisations alike.

Topics addressed in this volume span a wide range of contemporary issues, including the rise of remote work and its implications for employee identity and teamwork, the growth of precarious and gig employment, and the resurgence of labour movements and worker activism. Additional chapters examine the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics in both alleviating and exacerbating workplace stress, as well as organisational responses to crisis and the integration of immigrant and refugee populations into the workforce. Together, these contributions provide a timely and comprehensive analysis of how stress and well-being are being redefined in a world of work that is increasingly fluid, digital, and uncertain.

Peter D. Harms is the Frank Schultz Endowed Professor of Business in the Management Department at the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business. His research focuses on the assessment and development of leadership, personality, and psychological well-being.

Chu-Hsiang (Daisy) Chang is a professor at the Department of Psychology of Michigan State University. Her research interests focus on occupational health and safety, leadership, and motivation.