Supporting students under strain: Staff resources, professional identity and wellbeing during regional conflict

Regional conflict places university staff in a dual position: managing uncertainty themselves while supporting students and maintaining educational continuity. Drawing on Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and an identity-motive perspective, this study examined how conflict affected staff resources, professional identity and capacity to support student wellbeing in UAE higher education.

Twenty-five teaching and research faculty and professional administrative staff participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, informed by COR concepts of resource loss, resource caravans and resource caravan passageways, alongside identity motives including efficacy, meaning, belonging and continuity.

Some initial themes were: First, uncertainty depleted staff members’ emotional and cognitive resources while increasing demands for reassurance, flexibility and guidance. Second, supporting students became identity-relevant: it protected professional meaning and efficacy but intensified strain when staff lacked information, authority or resources. Third, faculty and professional staff acted as resources for students by interpreting communications, adapting academic or administrative processes, providing emotional support and connecting students with assistance. Finally, institutional conditions shaped this resource transfer. Timely communication, role clarity, managerial support and flexibility created resource caravan passageways that enabled staff to assist students; ambiguity and workload pressure constrained their capacity.

The findings demonstrate that student wellbeing depends partly on the resources and wellbeing of those providing support. Universities should protect staff capacity through credible communication, manageable workloads, role clarity, managerial support and effective referral pathways. Sustaining staff resources strengthens institutional support for student mental health and wellbeing during conflict.

Pheiffer, G. (2026, September 19). Supporting students under strain: Staff resources, professional identity and wellbeing during regional conflict [Conference presentation]. UoBD Psychology Conference 2026: Redefining Student Mental Health and Wellbeing, University of Birmingham Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.