Frontline workers' motivations to work, impacts and stress management amidst COVID-19: Perspectives from Fiji

Frontline workers have been integral in balancing the needs to keeping host countries safe and protected from COVID-19 as well as enabling residents to repatriate. In fulfilling these roles, they place themselves at great risk of contracting the virus and possibility passing it to family and friends. This research seeks to examine the motivations for continuing their work and impacts of COVID-19 on their physical, mental and social well-being. This research utilizes a quantitative survey among frontline workers, both cabin crew and medical personnel. We find that frotline workers continue their duties as they feel it is part of their calling but also acknowledge they need the income to support themselves and their families. COVID-19 has had a deleterious effect on frontline workers leading to a lack of sleep, tiredness, and anxiety and stress about contracting the virus themselves or being shunned by family and friends by being possible spreaders.