A1 Journal article (refereed)
Varhaiskasvatuksen johtajien työhyvinvointia tukevat ja haastavat tekijät pandemia-aikana (2024)

Rinta-Paavola, S., Ahtiainen, R., Heikonen, L., & Fonsén, E. (2024). Varhaiskasvatuksen johtajien työhyvinvointia tukevat ja haastavat tekijät pandemia-aikana. Journal of Early Childhood Education Research, 13(2), 187-214. https://doi.org/10.58955/jecer.135907

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Rinta-Paavola, Salla; Ahtiainen, Raisa; Heikonen, Lauri; Fonsén, Elina

Journal or series: Journal of Early Childhood Education Research

eISSN: 2323-7414

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 13/04/2024

Volume: 13

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 187-214

Publisher: Suomen varhaiskasvatus ry

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58955/jecer.135907

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/94395

Publication is parallel published: http://hdl.handle.net/10138/574506

Additional information: Peer-reviewed articles

Abstract

The study mapped the work well-being of early childhood education leaders during the corona pandemic (COVID-19). The issue was addressed in the responses of the leaders (N = 476) to open-ended questions, in which they described their experiences of supportive and challenging factors in their work. The data were collected with an electronic questionnaire in February 2021 as part of a larger survey study by [name of the university] [name of the study]. The data were analysed by means of theory-based content analysis. A resource-based work well-being model was used in the classification. The results show that the increase in workload and the challenges of human resource management most often burdened leaders' well-being. Support from the work community and colleagues was most often perceived as a factor supporting work well-being. The early childhood education organiser's efforts to provide work-related resources and clear guidelines supported leaders' well-being. The uncertain conditions in the society due to the pandemic emerged as a factor challenging leaders’ experienced work well-being and was added as a new dimension to the used well-being model. Based on the results of the research, work designing should focus on job content, peer support practices and resources provided by the organization.

Keywords: pandemics; COVID-19; unusual conditions; early childhood education and care; managers and executives; well-being at work

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1