Full Title: Influence of Psychological Resilience and Emotional Labor on Employee Well-Being Among Dental Hygienists

Authors: Amanda Walbrecher, RDH, MS, Linda D. Boyd, RDH, RD, EdD, Jared Vineyard, PhD, Denice McClure, RDH, MS

JDH Issue: April 2026

Program Track: Research

Abstract: Purpose: Health care workers have been shown to experience a decline in mental health and psychological well-being due to work-related factors. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between demographic and work variables, psychological resilience, emotional labor, and employee well-being among clinical dental hygienists. Methods: A cross-sectional survey research design was used with a non-probability sample of clinical dental hygienists (n=411) using validated instruments including: the Emotional Labour Scale, Resilience Evaluation Scale and Employee Well-Being Scale. Participants were recruited on dental hygiene social media sites. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the results. Results: The completion rate was 78% (n=322). The regression model for life well-being (LWB) was statistically significant (adjusted R2=.287, p<.001). The predictor that increased LWB was self-confidence (ß=.403) while predictors of decreased LWB included surface acting (ß=-.246), and hours worked (ß=-.179, p<.001). The regression model for workplace well-being (WWB) was statistically significant (adjusted R2=.262, p<.001). Positive predictors of increased WWB included self-confidence (ß=.353, p<.001), deep acting (ß=.130, p=.007), age (ß=.105, p<.034) while surface acting (ß=-.252, p<.001) predicted lower WWB. The regression model for psychological well-being (PWB) was statistically significant (adjusted R2=.398, p<.001). Predictors that increased PWB included self-confidence (ß=.352, p<.001), self-efficacy (ß=.217, p< .001), deep acting (ß=.162, p<.001), and frequency (ß=.098, p<.035), while surface acting (ß=-.193, p<.001) predicted lower PWB. Conclusion: Dental hygienists displayed high levels of psychological resilience. However, hours worked and the factors impacting emotional labor, such as deep acting and surface acting, negatively impacted employee well-being. More research is needed to investigate strategies for managing emotional labor among dental hygienists.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the relationships among psychological resilience, emotional labor, and employee well-being in clinical dental hygienists.
• Differentiate between surface acting and deep acting and their respective impacts on life, workplace, and psychological well-being.
• Analyze the key predictors of employee well-being identified through regression analysis in the study.

CE Credit Hours: 2.0

The American Dental Hygienists' Association is designated as an approved provider by the American Academy of Dental Hygiene, Inc. #AADHADH (Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2026). Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial Board of Dentistry. Licensee should maintain this document in the event of an audit.

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association is an approved provider of dental continuing education as recognized by the Dental Board of California, Provider #5238.