What about the bright side? A systematic review of psychosocial antecedents of well-being among forensic healthcare workers

Forensic healthcare workers (FHWs) are highly susceptible to work-related stress and declining well-being due to frequent interactions with forensic patients, who often exhibit violent behavior. While much of the existing literature has centered on the factors that predict ill-being among FHWs, such as stress and burnout levels, fewer studies have explored the elements that actively contribute to their well-being. However, focusing solely on problems and their solutions overlooks the factors that promote well-being and does not ensure employees' potential to truly flourish. Hence, this systematic review adopted a positive psychological perspective by investigating the psychosocial antecedents of positive indicators of FHWs' well-being. The review analyzed studies from Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, following PRISMA guidelines, and included 54 papers. Six primary outcome variables were identified: job satisfaction, well-being and positive mental health, life satisfaction, resilience, adaptive coping, and other variables (confidence, self-efficacy, and posttraumatic growth). Organizational and interpersonal support were the most common antecedents for job satisfaction, well-being, and positive mental health, and partially for resilience. Job characteristics, such as autonomy and work involvement, were significant for life satisfaction and well-being. Organizational justice also consistently emerged as an antecedent of both job and life satisfaction. These findings suggest key pathways for supporting FHWs' well-being.