Trauma blocking or resource buffering? Occupational stress, burnout, and existential anxiety in teachers bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic: the domain-specific effect of work-family boundary flexi

In modern occupational environments, psychological stress is increasingly prevalent, underscoring the demand for accessible and non-invasive interventions that address both mental and physical health (, ). Psychosocial stress, including job-related stress, contributes substantially to the onset and poor management of hypertension (, , ), and may also impede BP control (, ). Psychological stress not only elevates the risk of hypertension but also impairs treatment efficacy () and reduces workplace productivity (). As hypertension is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular mortality (), addressing psychosocial contributors is critical for effective prevention and management (, ). This has led to growing demand for scalable, low-cost management solutions within digital health (, ). Beyond average BP, short-term fluctuations known as BP variability (BPV) are predictive of cardiovascular risk () and closely linked to psychological stress and autonomic nervous system instability (, ). Human-animal interaction interventions, particularly animal-assisted therapy (AAT) have attracted attention for their ability to promote positive emotional responses and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression () and have also demonstrated potential to stabilize physiological parameters, including BP and pulse rate (). However, the implementation of AAT presents practical limitations, as it depends on the use of live animals. Some individuals may harbor animal-related fears () or suffer from allergic reactions to pet dander (). AAT also requires trained animals, strict adherence to hygiene and safety protocols, and careful ethical consideration of animal welfare (, ). These logistical and ethical challenges have led to growing interest in digital alternatives (, ). In line with this trend, Kogan et al. demonstrated that short animal-themed videos could enhance mood and attention in educational settings (), suggesting broader applicability of animal video interventions beyond therapeutic contexts. Moreover, other experimental studies have shown that even brief exposure to animal video, such as puppy videos, can significantly reduce stress levels (, ). In addition, some studies suggest that puppy videos may be more effective than nature videos in reducing anxiety and enhancing positive emotions (). Earlier studies, however, primarily relied on self-report measures rather than validated psychometric instruments, and their short-term laboratory-based designs limited ecological validity (, ). Puppies’ faces often display baby-schema characteristics –such as a round face, large eyes, and a small nose and mouth – which can elicit emotional and physiological responses. The concept of baby schema was first introduced by Lorenz, who proposed that specific facial features promote caregiving behaviors (). Borgi and Cirulli experimentally demonstrated that these features not only enhance perceptions of cuteness but also strengthen emotional bonding, with puppy faces eliciting the strongest response compared with dogs, cats, kittens, and even human infants (). Building on this evidence, the present study employed puppy videos as structured emotional stimuli. In addition, Nittono et al. showed that viewing cute images promotes attentional focus and more careful behavior (), findings consistent with earlier work by Sherman et al., who also demonstrated that exposure to cute images increases behavioral carefulness (). Digital emotional interventions that utilize emotionally engaging content have garnered increasing interest, yet clinical evidence remains limited (). This study evaluated the effects of scientifically structured puppy videos on physiological and psychological stress responses among Korean office workers. Accordingly, the study presents (1) whether scientifically structured puppy video viewing mitigates physiological and psychological stress indicators, and (2) whether such effects differ between the normal and elevated BP individuals. A total of 66 Korean office workers participated in this study (37 males, 29 females). Participants were recruited through a structured convenience sampling approach from financial and construction companies. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to the study (JBNU IRB 2024–09–014-001).