Evaluation of the mental health status of community healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak

Recovery trajectories of mental health symptoms among Chinese adolescents following the end of COVID-19

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on global mental health, particularly among adolescents. However, little is known about how mental health symptoms recover after the pandemic subsides. This study aims to examine the recovery trajectories of ten mental health problems and suicidal ideation among Chinese adolescents post-pandemic, with a focus on identifying factors that influence different recovery patterns.

Methods

A total of 2,534 adolescents participated in a three-wave survey, conducted in June 2022, November 2022, and March 2023, using the Mental Health Scale for Chinese Middle School Students. A novel index was developed to account for both the number and severity of mental health risk factors, allowing for the classification of psychological symptoms into three subgroups: no, moderate, and severe. Polynomial regression models were applied to determine the acceleration inflection point, and multivariate logistic regressions identified predictors of trajectory membership.

Results

Significant declines in psychological symptoms were observed. Seven trajectory patterns were identified: resistance (37.85%), recovery (22.61%), chronic-dysfunction (12.08%), aftermath-deterioration (10.81%), stress-responsiveness (8.21%), vulnerability (5.76%), and remitting (2.68%). Being female, senior high school students, and the oldest child in the family hindered mental health recovery, whereas parenting styles of companionship, empathetic support, promise fulfillment, and behavior intervention served as protective factors.

Conclusion

This study is one of the first to reveal the post-pandemic mental health recovery trajectories of Chinese adolescents, highlighting the importance of considering both the number and severity of cumulative mental health problems. The findings offer valuable insights into suicide prevention and the development of targeted interventions to support youth mental health recovery.

"It Made Me Feel Like a Person Again": Benefits of Meals on Wheels-Based Social Connection Programs

Social isolation and loneliness are associated with negative health outcomes, and these outcomes are exacerbated among older adults who are homebound. To address this issue, Meals on Wheels programs increasingly provide social connection services to clients in addition to home-delivered meals. This descriptive qualitative study examines the impact of three types of social connection programs on the well-being of homebound older adult clients, as well as on the volunteers and staff members who deliver the programs. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with 117 clients, volunteers, and staff in six Meals on Wheels social connection programs across the United States indicated that program participation was associated with substantial benefits. Benefits included the development of supportive friendships, reduced feelings of loneliness, and an improved overall sense of well-being. Insights from this study may inform the development, expansion, and sustainability of social connection programs provided by community-based organizations.

The effect of incentive factors on turnover intention of PHC workforce in rural China-from the perspective of two-factor theory

OBJECTIVE

The working situation and turnover intention of rural primary healthcare(PHC) workforce have always been of concern. This study aims to explore the effect of different incentive factors on turnover intention of PHC Workforce, with the goal of optimizing health human resources in China.

METHODS

Structured questionnaires were used for data collection, including incentive factors questionnaire based on two-factor theory, turnover intention, perceived social support and job burnout. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influence of different incentive factors on turnover intention. Structural equation model was used to explore the effect of motivation factors on turnover intention through different paths of job burnout and social support.

RESULTS

The total number of participants was 1112. PHC Workforce scored higher on hygienic factors than on motivation factors, both of which showed moderate satisfaction levels and the turnover intention level was below average. In regression analysis, the factors related to turnover intention included individual status (B =-0.854), salary (B =-0.610), individual progress (B =-0.628), education level (B = 0.971), monthly income (B =-0.161) and marital status (B = 1.664). The indirect effects of different types of incentive factors through social support were 0.097 (P < 0.001), 0.045 (P < 0.001), and 0.136 (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Different incentive factors may decrease turnover intention of PHC Workforces, which is reflected in three key factors: individual status, salary, and individual progress. The mediating effect of social support is significant, suggesting that managers should prioritize staff mental health and family relationships. Also, implementing diverse incentive strategies and addressing individual needs.

Mental health of primary health care physicians and nurses following prolonged infection control rules: a national survey in China

Introduction

This study examined the prevalence and correlates of probable mental health disorders, including psychological distress, somatization, depression, anxiety, phobic anxiety (PHO), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and insomnia among Chinese primary health care (PHC) physicians and nurses amid the post-pandemic period in 2022.

Method

Region-stratified sampling was conducted to recruit a national sample of 4,246 respondents from 31 July 2022 to 12 August 2022. A total of 692 primary healthcare institutions were identified in 30 provincial-level administrative regions of China. An online questionnaire was used for assessing probable mental health disorders using Symptoms Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and sleeping problems using Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Data on demographics and work were also collected. Bivariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were conducted to identify significant correlates of probable mental health disorders.

Results

A total of 4,246 valid questionnaires were identified. Results showed that relative to the prevalence of probable mental health disorders among health care workers at the early stage of the pandemic in China, there was an overall decreased prevalence except for somatization, PHO, and OCD among the current PHC physicians and nurses. Multiple logistic regressions showed that significant risk factors of common probable mental health disorders, namely psychological distress, SOM, DEP, ANX, PHO, OCD, PTSD, and insomnia, were female gender, multimorbidity, history of psychiatric disorders, quarantine experience, never asking anyone for help, and overtime work.

Conclusion

Attention should be given to preexisting psychiatric and multimorbid conditions, social support, and work-related stressors. Regular assessment and psychological interventions are needed to enhance the mental health of PHC professionals even after public health crisis.

Social-emotional and behavioural problems in young children of healthcare worker mothers during the COVID-19 outbreak: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the daily lives of children and their families, particularly the children of health care workers, due to changes in family routines as a result of their parents' work schedules. We aimed to explore the socioemotional and behavioural (SEB) problems of children of healthcare worker mothers (HCWM) during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare them with age-matched children and their mothers from other occupations.

METHOD

A case-control study design was applied, and a snowball approach was used to enrol volunteered participants aged between 6 and 36 months of age, through a Google survey. We used the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA) questionnaire to assess children's SEB problems and a Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) to evaluate the psychological distress of mothers. Differences in BITSEA, BSI and MSPSS scores were examined using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests, as appropriate. A logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors of children's behavioural and emotional problems.

RESULTS

In total, 600 questionnaires were analysed. It was observed that children in the HCWM group were separated from their mothers more often and for longer periods of time than their counterparts (p < 0.010, p = 0.002). Changes in the child's structured outdoor activities during the pandemic period were more likely to be observed in the HCWM group (p < 0.05). The percentage of children with the BITSEA problem subscale above the subclinical cut-off, externalizing and dysregulation scores were significantly higher in the HCWM group (p = 0.044, p = 0.031, and p = 0.016). Moreover, each point increase in BSI global index scores (p < 0.001, RR:3.34, 95%CI:1.91-5.82) was found as a risk factor for clinically significant SEB problems.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the current study suggests HCWM's have experienced occupational inequality, and young children of HCWM's were at increased risk for externalizing and dysregulation problems during the pandemic. Maternal psychological stress had a significant impact on their children's socio-emotional well-being.

Effectiveness of Internet-delivered self-help acceptance and commitment therapy (iACT) on nurses' obsessive-compulsive symptoms and sleep quality: A randomized controlled trial with 3-month follow-up

BACKGROUND

Frontline nurses suffered unprecedented mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's essential to explore new and more accessible alternatives to improve the availability of psychological treatments. This study aimed to investigate the influence of online self-help iACT linear intervention and iACT loop intervention on sleep quality (SQ), obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS), and psychological flexibility (PF) in nurses.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was conducted at a hospital in China. 602 participants were randomly assigned to the iACT linear intervention, iACT loop intervention, or wait list control group, and required to complete the questionnaires of OCS, PF and SQ. The linear mixed effects analysis (LMM) was used to analyze the impact of the intervention on outcome variables.

RESULTS

LMM analyses demonstrated that both two intervention had significant improvement on OCS (t = -38.235, p < 0.001), PF (t = 28.156, p < 0.001), as well as SQ (t = -16.336, p < 0.001). There were significant differences between the linear group and loop group on the PF in T2 (t = -8.271, p < 0.001), T3 (t = -8.366, p < 0.001), T4 (t = -8.302, p < 0.001), with the iACT loop model (Cohen's d = 1.652) showing a slight advantage over the iACT linear model (Cohen's d = 1.134).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that two interventions positively impact OCS, PF, and SQ. Compared to the iACT linear psychotherapy model, the iACT loop model shows greater effectiveness in enhancing PF, making it helpful to promote significant improvements in psychotherapy planning.

Evaluation of the mental health status of community frontline medical workers after the normalized management of COVID-19 in Sichuan, China

Background

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, community medical workers, as the primary enforcers of community control measures, undertook many tasks with high exposure risk, resulting in severe psychological pressure, anxiety, depression and other psychological problems. Gender, type of workers, education, marital status, working years and other demographic factors were affect the mental state of medical workers. Community frontline medical workers gradually returned to normal work and life after the normalized management of COVID-19, but heavy work and high psychological pressure may continue to affect them. Thus, our research team used the same psychological questionnaire to investigate the psychological status of community frontline medical workers after the normalized management of COVID-19 compared with the COVID-19 period.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of community frontline medical workers in Sichuan, China, from February 6 to 17, 2023. Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and a self-designed questionnaire of demographic characteristics were provided to the participants point-to-point through a mobile network platform. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze influencing factors related to community frontline medical workers' psychology.

Results

A total of 440 valid questionnaires were statistically analyzed, including 192 (43.64%) from doctors and 248 (56.36%) from nurses. There were 222 (50.45%) participants who were SCL-90 positive. The median total SCL-90 score of medical workers was 105.0 (IQR 95.00-123.75), which was higher than that during the COVID-19 period. The doctor's median SCL-90 score was 108.5 (IQR 96.00-136.25), and the positive item score was 16.5; the nurse's median score was 104.0 (IQR 94.00-119.50), and the positive item score was 12.0. Bachelor's degree education, no fixed contract and working years (10-19 years, 20-29 years, 30-39 years) were independent influencing factors for community frontline medical workers' psychology.

Conclusion

After the normalized management of COVID-19, community frontline medical workers still suffered from psychological problems that were even more serious than those during COVID-19. Doctors were more likely to have psychological problems than nurses. In addition, the mental health status of community frontline medical workers was affected by education, type of contract and working years. Managers should pay attention to the mental health of these people.

Mediating role of psychological flexibility in the effect of obsessive-compulsive symptoms on sleep quality among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Front-line nurses suffered unprecedented mental distress and severe insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Present study aimed to explore the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and sleep quality and examine the potential mediating role of psychological flexibility between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and sleep quality. A total of 496 nurses from a Chinese large-scale Class 3 A Comprehensive Hospital were included in an online cross-sectional survey and completed the revised obsessive-compulsive inventory (OCI-R), Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). As predicted, obsessive-compulsive symptoms were negatively associated with psychological flexibility and sleep quality, and psychological flexibility was positively associated with sleep quality. In addition, the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and sleep quality was partially mediated by psychological flexibility, which can provide some reference for the treatment of the obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and insomnia, and lead to improvements in clinical and psychotherapy planning.

Primary care provider's job satisfaction and organizational commitment after COVID-19 restrictions ended: A mixed-method study using a mediation model

Objectives

More and more countries have decided to cancel most or even all COVD-19 restrictions. However, it is unclear how ending of restrictions will affect primary care providers' job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Our objectives are to explore the current status and possible change in primary care providers' job satisfaction and organizational commitment after massive restriction policies ended in China.

Methods

This was a mixed-method study that utilized structured questionnaires and semi-structured qualitative individual interviews. The 20-item Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) and 25-item organizational commitment survey were adopted to assess job satisfaction and organization commitment. Descriptive statistics and mediation models, as well as inductive thematic analysis, were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data.

Results

A total of 18 interviews and 435 valid survey responses were included in our analysis. The average scores for job satisfaction and organizational commitment were 80.6 and 90.8. The thematic analysis revealed one major theme: ethical and moral responsibility to provide care as primary care providers, on which we established a mediation model. The mediation analysis revealed that normative commitment could positively affect the other four dimensions of organizational commitment and job satisfaction. The direct effect of affective commitment on job satisfaction was significant (LLCI = 0.11, ULCI = 0.31), and the mediators were identified to have a partial mediating effect instead of a total mediating effect.

Conclusion

After COVID-19 restrictions end, the job satisfaction and organizational commitment of primary care providers will return to levels before the pandemic and during this estimated process, a brief rise in resignation is predictable. The normative commitment positively affects the other four dimensions of organizational commitment and job satisfaction for primary care providers, which suggests a possible way to motivate primary care providers when restrictions end.

Impact of the coronavirus pandemic on mental prosperity of medical care laborers in tertiary consideration hospital: A case report

Since the outbreak of the Corona pandemic in December 2019, many people affected, especially medical care laborers, who deal with the treated cases. Coronavirus disease 2019 not only affects the body parts, but also extends to the psychological symptoms. The purpose of this research is to explore the impact of the pandemic on the mental prosperity of the laborers. Clinical staff members from the administration emergency clinic, Lahore, were enlisted. A poll was used to collect data on the segment information, a sleeping disorder, despondency and stress manifestations. Correlation of the segment information and the mental factors were done among the sleeping and non-sleeping disorder samples. All 356 medical service laborers were selected for this investigation. There were manifestations of misery in 222 (62.35%), nervousness in 227 (64.76%), stress in 197 (55.33%) and sleep deprivation in 190 (53.37%) of members. Gentle to extreme side effects of melancholy (91.65% vs 28.9%), nervousness (83.1% vs 41.6%) and stress (84.26% vs 22.22%) were seen predominately in the sleep deprivation gathering (P < .001). Insomnia was more pronounced in the members with low training levels (78.08%) versus post-advanced education (30.9%). Paramedics, attendants, and medical service laborers in confinement/serious consideration units were more inclined to the sleep deprivation (P < .001). Mental prosperity of medical care laborers was influenced because of Coronavirus pandemic. Attendants, paramedics, and those working in the detachment unit showed a critical sleeping disorder. The results and indicators have proven that there is a relationship between the infection with the Corona pandemic and occurrence of disorders in psychological behavior. Therefore, the psychological rehabilitation sessions must be conducted for those infected and those in contact with the Corona cases to relieve the burden of that patients to raise their psychological conditions and support the immune system such that resist against the infection.

Effect of a group-based acceptance and commitment therapy program on the mental health of clinical nurses during the COVID-19 sporadic outbreak period

Aim

To develop and implement of a group‐based acceptance and commitment therapy programme in helping clinical nurses with mental health problems during the sporadic COVID‐19 outbreak period.

Background

In the face of the continuing COVID‐19 pandemic, clinical nurses have a high risk of mental health issues.

Methods

A quasi‐experimental design was used. Two hundred twenty‐six nurses were recruited from four general hospitals to receive 10 sessions of acceptance and commitment therapy programme. The Symptom Checklist‐90, Perceived Stress Scale and Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale were used to assess nurses' mental health symptom, perceived stress and psychological resilience at pre‐intervention and 4‐week post‐intervention.

Results

The mean attendance sessions was 5.78. The Symptom Checklist‐90 score was significantly lower at post‐intervention than pre‐intervention (P < 0.01), and there were no significant changes of perceived stress and psychological resilience. There were significant correlations among the changed rates of mental health, perceived stress and psychological resilience (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The acceptance and commitment therapy programme was effective in relieving mental health symptoms for clinical nurses and could protect clinical nurses' perceived stress and psychological resilience. However, a randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm the findings.

Implication for Nursing Management

To facilitate clinical nurses' psychological health in crisis situation, nursing management team should provide and allocated appropriate resources to support the healthcare providers.

Burnout and Psychological Vulnerability in First Responders: Monitoring Depersonalization and Phobic Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: It is common knowledge that first responders are among the helping professionals most at risk of burnout and psychological vulnerability. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their mental health has been subjected to various risk factors. Methods: Data on socio-demographic characteristics, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and psychological vulnerability (SCL-90-R) were obtained from 228 subjects (55.3% female; M age = 45.23, SD = 13.14) grouped on the basis of their actual involvement during the emergency phases (82% First Responders and 18% Second Responders). Results: First responders exceeded the MBI clinical cut-off, while SRs did not (χ² ≥ 0.5); specifically, EE = 89.8%, DP = 85.8%, and PA = 82.1%. The FR group showed a higher mean in the global severity index (GSI = 49.37) than did the SRs (=43.95), and the FR group exceeded the clinical cut-off in the SCL-90-R scales of SOM (51.06), ANX (52.40), and PHOB (53.60), while the SF group did so only for the PHOB scale (50.41). The MBI dimensions correlated significantly (p = 0.05) with all investigated clinical scales of the SCL-90-R. Conclusions: Emergency situations expose first responders to specific risk factors related to work performance and relational aspects, which contribute to increased psychological vulnerability and burnout.

Critical Issues of Working during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Italian Healthcare Workers' Experience

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has strongly impacted on healthcare services’ organization and healthcare workers’ mental health, increasing the risk of psychological symptoms and burnout. Italy has been one of the most affected countries, especially the northern regions, even with exceptions in some rural provinces. Aim: We chose to investigate the mental health conditions of healthcare workers operating in the rural province of Rovigo (a small town in Veneto, northern Italy), where relatively few deaths and contagions were reported during the pandemic, even if Veneto—globally—was one of the most affected regions of Italy. We wanted to verify the psychological outcomes of health workers operating in a context where the impact of the pandemic appeared to be relatively mild. Methods: Through an online survey, we investigated perceived difficulties at work and in daily life, perceived loneliness and social support, coping strategies, and level of psychological distress (sample size: 749; mean age = 48.04 years, SD = 10.66). The questionnaire had both open- (2) and close-ended questions (5 single-choice and 13 multiple-choice). We verified possible associations between sex, age group, work department and percentage of responses with chi-square tests of independence on each question. Data cleaning excluded all contradictory answers from the multiple-choice questions from the analyses (final sample size: 640). Results: Frontliners and non-frontliners reported a similar experience of the COVID-19 pandemic (without significant differences in perceived difficulties, coping strategies and sources of support). Nevertheless, they still reported various forms of negative emotions (e.g., helplessness—40.94%; sadness—36.56%; frustration—32.66%) and lack of support from the health organization (especially frontliners—28.72%). However, psychological help was scarcely requested. Conclusions: Despite the province not being massively affected by the pandemic, healthcare workers felt the need for clearer and more supportive guidance. They seem to perceive collective opportunities to share needs and difficulties as more useful than individual interventions (as those provided by the ad hoc created listening service).

A Situation Assessment of Community Health Workers' Preparedness in Supporting Health System Response to COVID-19 in Kenya, Senegal, and Uganda

Background:

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused socio-economic disruptions across the globe. The pandemic disrupted the health system (HS) calling for reengineering in response to high infection rates, deaths, and resultant containment measures. To deal with COVID-19 and promote resilience, community health workers (CHWs) were engaged across countries.

Objective:

Assess the preparedness of CHWs in supporting health system response in prevention and management of COVID-19 in Kenya, Senegal, and Uganda.

Methods:

A mixed methods design study involving national and subnational jurisdictions in the 3 countries. Key informant interviews were conducted with policy actors (16) and health care workers (24) while in-depth interviews involved CHWs (14) and community members (312) subjected to survey interviews.

Results:

Most (>50%) households survived on <USD 100/month during COVID-19 announced in March 2020 through national TV (57%), FM (42%), and radio station (27%). Community members interactions with CHWs increased during the pandemic through home visits as health educators, basic counseling providers and distributors of pandemic information tools, personal protective equipments, and social support commodities. The CHWs faced challenges during pandemic prevention and management including lack of: protective gear, salary, refresher courses, and identification tools; limited supervision and training; hostile reception during home visits; misconception and politicking about the pandemic. To effectively support prevention and manage of COVID-19, priority needs for CHWs were identified namely: provision of resources, protective gear, transport reimbursement, stipends, identification cards, and tools for recording and reporting; empowerment with adequate skills, trainings on provision of psychosocial support, first aid, and sensitization on policies.

Conclusion:

COVID-19 linked disruptions to optimal functioning of HS necessitated engagement of CHWs in the pandemic prevention and management. Findings underscore the important role CHWs play in supporting HS during crisis like COVID-19 to mitigate disruptions and stabilize the system for effective response. The CHWs can improve resilience of social and HS during unplanned disruptions for optimal functioning and attainment of universal health care. Policy makers should develop structured mechanisms for engaging CHWs while committing resources to address challenges that affect seamless synergy between health and CHWs Systems.

Caring for Caregivers: Italian Health Care Workers' Needs during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Aim: An online survey was proposed to the health workers of a public hospital of an Italian northern city. This was done with the aim of assessing the unmet needs of a special population under strain (the health carers) due to the fight against the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Results: By answering the survey, five hundred and nine people provided their observations, complaints and suggestions. This qualitative material was organised into three main areas: (1) relationship with the health organization management; (2) needs of the health workers; and (3) perceived consequences of the pandemic. Discussion: Overall, respondents expressed dissatisfaction for the unpreparedness of their health units and the confusion created by frequent changes in operational guidelines. Many participants felt abandoned, unheard and unprotected by the health organization, whilst the psychological support service formally set up by the hospital for its health workers was grossly under-utilised. Instead, support from colleagues and family constituted the main protective factor to counteract negative emotions. Restrictions in social contacts and recreational opportunities were frequently mentioned. Several respondents reported a sense of pride for their work and commitment; many others saw in the pandemic an opportunity for personal growth and better focus on important life values, like family and solidarity.

Psychological distress among healthcare providers during COVID-19 in Asia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating effect on the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare providers (HCPs) globally. This review is aimed at determining the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, fear, burnout and resilience and its associated factors among HCPs in Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed literature search using 4 databases from Medline, Cinahl, PubMed and Scopus from inception up to March 15, 2021 and selected relevant cross-sectional studies. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plot. Random effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence while risk factors were reported in odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI.

RESULTS

We included 148 studies with 159,194 HCPs and the pooled prevalence for depression was 37.5% (95%CI: 33.8-41.3), anxiety 39.7(95%CI: 34.3-45.1), stress 36.4% (95%CI: 23.2-49.7), fear 71.3% (95%CI: 54.6-88.0), burnout 68.3% (95%CI: 54.0-82.5), and low resilience was 16.1% (95%CI: 12.8-19.4), respectively. The heterogeneity was high (I2>99.4%). Meta-analysis reported that both females (OR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.30-1.68) and nurses (OR = 1.21; 95%CI = 1.02-1.45) were at increased risk of having depression and anxiety [(Female: OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.49-1.85), (Nurse: OR = 1.36; 95%CI = 1.16-1.58)]. Females were at increased risk of getting stress (OR = 1.59; 95%CI = 1.28-1.97).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, one third of HCPs suffered from depression, anxiety and stress and more than two third of HCPs suffered from fear and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic in Asia.

Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Mental Health in Nurses from Huelva: A Cross-Cutting Study during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Currently, healthcare professionals are particularly vulnerable to the impact of the SARS-CoV-2pandemic since they directly deal with patients suffering from this disease and are in the first line of fire, which increases their risk of contagion. This research examines the prevalence of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and possible non-psychotic psychiatric disorders in 48 male and 270 female nursing professionals of Huelva during the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, we analyzed the relationship between these dependent variables and considered various sociodemographic variables. The nursing staff of public hospitals in Huelva who have had contact with cases of SARS-CoV-2 in their work environment showed a poorer state of mental health than that of others of this same professional category who have not had contact with this type of situation.