When work heals and hurts: emotional wellbeing of extreme workers in emergency departments

This study explores how extreme work shapes emotional experiences among emergency departments’ professionals. While existing research frames extreme work outcomes as detrimental, our findings reveal a more ambivalent picture. Drawing on a sequential mixed-methods design, we integrate quantitative survey data with in-depth interviews conducted in two Italian hospitals. Results confirm that core dimensions of extreme work are consistently associated with reduced wellbeing. At the same time, some organizational features, including work autonomy and supervisor support, were found to mitigate these negative effects and sustain positive emotions at work. Notably, the study uncovers contrasting dynamics: increasing workloads, long working hours, and constant engagement in critical care are sometimes linked to positive emotions. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how extreme work might shape emotional wellbeing in healthcare and other intensifying work environments.