Reduction in COVID-19 related resource loss and decline in prevalence of probable depression in Chinese adults:an application of the Conservation of Resource Theory

Background The levels of resource losses due to coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)and mental distress may change during the pandemic period.Based on the Conservation of Resource(COR)Theory,this study investigated such changes and the mediation between survey time(Round 2 versus Round 1)and depression via resource losses.Methods Two serial random population-based telephone surveys interviewed 209 and 458 Hong Kong Chinese adults in April 2020 and May 2021,respectively.Probable depression was defined as 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9)score≥10.The validated Conservation of Resources Scale for COVID-19(CORS-COVID-19)scale was used to assess resource losses due to COVID-19.Multivariable logistic regression analysis,hierarchical logistic regression analysis,and structural equation modeling(SEM)was conducted to test the association,interaction,and mediation hypotheses,respectively.Results The prevalence of probable depression declined from 8.6%to 1.0%over time,together with reductions in losses of financial resource(Cohen’s d=0.88),future control(Cohen’s d=0.39),social resource(Cohen’s d=0.60),and family resource(Cohen’s d=0.36)due to COVID-19.All the overall scale/subscales of the CORS-COVID-19 were positively and associated with probable depression[adjusted odds ratio(aOR)ranged from 2.72 to 42.30].In SEM,the survey time was negatively associated with the latent variable of resource loss(β=−0.46),which in turn was positively associated with probable depression(β=0.73).In addition,the direct effect of survey time on probable depression was statistically non-significant(β=−0.08),indicating a full mediation effect of resource losses.Conclusions The lessening of the resource losses might have fully accounted for the significant decline in probable depression from Month 3 to 15 since the first COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong,China.The level of depression might have increased during the first phase of the pandemic,but might decline in the later phases if resources losses could be lessened.All stakeholders should hence work together to minimize individuals’COVID-19-related resource losses to prevent depression in the general population,as COVID-19 might be lasting.

The Role of Sports Diplomacy in Advancing Environmental Security in Africa: Case of Forest Conservation in Kenya

Environmental security remains a key challenge in the late 19th through to the 21st century,whose solution has attracted a number of initiatives.Sports diplomacy has achieved great strides in achieving international,regional,and local unity.However,the use of sports diplomacy in achieving environmental security has received much less research attention.This research examines the role of sports in diplomacy in achieving environmental security in Kenya.This study was anchored on the soft power theory and Conservation of Resources(COR)theory which offer frameworks for explaining the role of sports diplomacy in advancing environmental security.The study adopted exploratory research design.The target population was diplomats,marathoners,coaches,environmentalists,conservationists and government officials,academia as well as Water Resources Authority(WRA).The primary data were obtained through open and closed structured questionnaire.The collected data were analyzed through the use of frequency distribution,and thematic analysis.The study established that sports diplomacy advanced environmental security in Kenya,which was better for athletics and volleyball.Environmental security was also enhanced through training,sensitization,conservation efforts,and environmental education.Sport events also allowed a contact-platform for interaction between various groups involved in environment and forest conservation.This study recommends that sports diplomacy should be used in most of the regions in Kenya experiencing environmental perturbations and the current strategies should be applied in the sports diplomacy and environmental conservation as well as security.Further,the government is also encouraged to appoint more sports ambassadors with proper environmental knowledge to help in environmental management.The role of academicians in sports diplomacy and environmental security was found to be minimal where academicians should be at the forefront as the 21st century diplomats are incorporated into sports to be local ambassadors.Perceiving the significance of sports diplomacy and environmental security,there is need for coordination between various county governments to coordinate their efforts and in the process they should bring on board even the non sports actors to boost the role of sports in diplomacy and environment.

Be Called and Be Healthier:How Does Calling Influence Employees’Anxiety and Depression in the Workplace?

Despite limited studies have found the negative relationships between calling and mental health symptoms,its underlying mechanism is still unknown.Drawing on the conservation of resources theory(COR),this study developed the resources model that explains the relationships between career calling,anxiety and depression,and the underlying mechanism.With a sample of 628 employees from the two-wave survey,the theorized model was tested.The results showed that career calling was able to decrease the levels of employees’anxiety and depression,and two important resources(i.e.,personal growth,and meaningful work)provided explanatory mechanisms for the relationships.The findings highlight the importance of spirituality in the workplace.Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Work-family conflict and organizational citizenship behavior： the role of job satisfaction and decision authority

Drawing upon the conservation of resources theory （Hobfoll, Am Psychol 44：513- 524, 1989）, social exchange theory （Blau, Exchange and power in social life, 1964） and the job demand-control model （Karasek, Adm Sci Q 24：285-308, 1979）, this study uncovers the theoretical mechanism that explains the relationship between work- family conflict and organizational citizenship behavior （OCB）. First, this study focuses on how employee job satisfaction mediates the relationship. Then, we investigate the moderating role of decision authority in, the mediated relationsip. We employ three-wave data collected from 324 employees in 102 teams to test our hypotheses. Aesults of hierarchical linear modeling （HLM） first shows that job satisfaction mediates the relationship between work interference with family （WIF） and OCB. In addition, employees＇ decision authority moderates the direct effect of WlF on OCB. Specifically, the negative relationship between WlF and OCB is stronger when employees＇ decision authority is high. Moreover, decision authority moderates the indirect effect of WIF on OCB via job satisfaction. Specifically, the negative relationship between WlE and job satisfaction is weaker when employees＇ decision authority is high. The results suggest that organizations should give employees enough decision authority over their work, as a high level of decision authority may act as a double-edged sword regarding critical organizational outcomes.

How does the servant supervisor influence the employability of postgraduates?Exploring the mechanisms of self-efficacy and academic engagement

Drawing on the conservation of resource theory,this study investigates the mediating effects of self-efficacy and academic engagement in the relationship between servant supervision and postgraduates'employability.We conducted a field study with 598 postgraduates(students for the research-based master's degree and PhD candidates)enrolled in universities in China to test our hypotheses.We developed and tested a model contending that servant supervisors propagate servant supervision among postgraduates through postgraduates'slfefficacy and academic engagement,which indirectly influences postgraduates'employability.The results support the mediating effects of both slfefficacy and academic engagement on the relationship between servant supervision and postgraduates'employability.Finally,the theoretical and prac tical implications are discussed.