Factors Influencing the Work Behavior of Village Health Volunteers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop an influential model of work behavior encompassing the emotional intelligence, personality, and work environment of village health volunteers working under outbreak circumstances, with psychological capital as a mediator, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. A cohort of 425 village health volunteers (VHVs) was included in the research conducted in lower northern central Thailand. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, namely confirmatory factor analysis, correlation coefficients, and structural equation modeling. The results reveal that the measurement model fitted with the empirical data of χ2 = 119.78, df = 106, p = .17, CFI = 1.00, NNFI = 1.00, GFI = .98, AGFI = .93, RMSEA = .01, and χ2/df = 1.13. These findings indicate that psychological capital influenced the personality of VHVs. Furthermore, the work behavior of VHVs was also significantly influenced by EQ and the working environment (p = .01). Local administration and healthcare agencies should promote a conducive work environment and EQ to enhance VHVs’ psychological capital and work behavior for unanticipated crises in the future.