Introducing the psychological wellbeing at work framework
The key to wellbeing isn't the absence of things that we find stressful, it's about balance. In my model (shown below), this balance is represented by a hanging mobile as this shows that there are multiple factors at play, each with their own (dis)equilibrium. Rather than placing specific factors in a set position, banks of factors are given down the sides to choose from, reflecting the dynamic and personal nature of their influence on an individual's psychological wellbeing. The selected factors can be represented on the mobile by shapes of different sizes and colours and placed at different levels (framework features are explained in more detail below). The framework shows that there can be a variety of solutions for offsetting issues that may be caused by a particular situation and that these are likely to be subject to personal situation and preference.
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The framework isn't intended to be used ‘mathematically’, with meticulously balanced opposing forces. Instead, it is intended to provide a visual stimulus to encourage reflection on, and engagement with, the complex interactions affecting an individual educator's psychological wellbeing. It isn't necessarily designed to be used with individuals but having the framework in mind can help to support those who have conversations with school staff about their wellbeing. Whilst I appreciate the relevance to workplace wellbeing of personal characteristics and factors outside the workplace, they are not the focus here, as whilst they need to be considered, they are likely to be beyond an employer's control.
The framework is shown below with a brief explanation beneath it. More detail on areas of work design and psychological needs are available on the following pages.
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Framework Features
The framework has multiple features, representing aspects which need to be considered - shape, angle of tilt, colour, letter, size and level. Each is briefly explained below.
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Shapes
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The squares are used to represent areas of work-design. Employee discontent with these areas is associated with increased work-related stress and risk of burnout.
The circles are used to represent psychological needs. Satisfaction of these needs is associated with increased likelihood of psychological wellbeing. Autonomy, belongingness and competence feed into positive emotions and psychological availability and these in turn feed into self-acceptance.
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The mobile image above is not definitive but an adaptable template, as everyone's version will be different. The idea is that there can be multiple struts with any number of shapes hanging in different arrangements, with the intention that the categories and their visualisation can help to identify imbalance and how any imbalance might be adjusted to bring it within tolerance levels. The headings are intended to act as prompts to support with the identification of specific issues rooted in each individual's experience. It's important to note that we can have too much as well as too little of the factors, e.g., too much positive emotion when someone else is suffering could decrease another's sense of feeling cared for and too much individual autonomy can create role ambiguity or a lack of collective efficacy. More detail on the areas of work-design and psychological needs can be found on the following pages.
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Angle of tilt
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Although only three angles are shown here, this is a continuum. When level, psychological wellbeing is more likely. We do have tolerance levels, so we can cope with a degree of imbalance, however, if this is sustained, not compensated for in other areas, or is severe, the likelihood of unmanageable stress and a lack of wellbeing increases. The difference between thwarting and violating is explained on the psychological needs page.
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Colour
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Each shape can be visualised as having one or more colours. This is because in my research I found that psychological wellbeing was dependent on three elements. It was important, not just to experience satisfaction/contentment with each area for oneself but also to provide opportunities for others to experience these, e.g., doing things which caused others to feel stressed (usually) negatively impacted one's own equilibrium. Similarly, witnessing or knowing about the way others were feeling or being treated by others also affected one's own equilibrium, e.g., seeing a colleague being treated unfairly by another colleague, or as explained in the compassion stress section, decreased feelings of psychological wellbeing.
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Letters
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The dialectical approach to psychological wellbeing which underpins this framework suggests that the interaction between factors results in constant flux. In addition to what we are exposed to at any given moment, i.e., the present, we are also influenced by our past and what we expect or hope for in the future. An example of the past impacting on current psychological wellbeing could be the lingering impacts of a toxic culture, either in terms of on-going low mood or trauma, or how we expect to be treated by colleagues and leaders, creating feelings of fear long after the threat has gone. An example of the future impacting on psychological wellbeing could be the positive impact of being given learning opportunities now which are seen as steps towards achieving a career goal in the future. Also relevant is the cumulative impact of stressors or wellbeing enhancers over time, with negative impacts often being more durable than positives. This is akin to the well-known phrase, 'the straw that broke the camel's back' - i.e., we can manage things for so long until another thing comes along and tips us beyond our coping abilities, it may be a short-term issue that can be easily overcome by making small adjustments to what we do/how we do it, or it may be something longer term that needs more drastic measures to compensate. The focus of Reflected and Balanced is to avoid getting to this point. NB. The information here is not intended to be a substitute for seeking advice or treatment from a medical or clinical professional related to mental ill-health or illness.
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Size and level
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The size of shape and level that it's placed on can be used to reflect how important a factor is or how relevant it is at the time. The larger the shape, the more important; the higher the level, the more relevant at that particular moment. A factor can be extremely important, so represented by a large shape but if not causing a particular concern at the time, may not appear at the highest level.
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