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Engelmann P, Toussaint A, Addo MM, Brehm TT, Lohse AW, Weigel A, Thompson M, Löwe B. Predictors of somatic symptom burden in healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: an 8-week follow-up study. J Ment Health 2023; 32:1111-1121. [PMID: 35549625 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2022.2069709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Literature investigating the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare professionals barely addresses predictors of somatic symptom burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. AIMS As biopsychosocial models propose that not only the disease but also sociodemographic and psychosocial factors contribute to the development and maintenance of symptoms, this study investigates the predictive value of these factors for bothersome somatic symptoms in SARS-CoV-2 negative healthcare professionals. METHODS German healthcare professionals were assessed with self-rating questionnaires and underwent SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody tests at baseline and 8 weeks later between April and August 2020. Differences in psychosocial variables between the time points were analyzed and regression analyses were performed to predict somatic symptoms at follow-up. RESULTS 1185 seronegative healthcare professionals completed both assessments. Previous somatic symptom burden, higher levels of anxiety, being a nurse, younger age, higher psychological symptom burden, lower efficiency, and higher fatigability at baseline predicted somatic symptom burden at follow-up. Comparisons between baseline and follow-up showed a significant improvement in psychological impairment and deterioration of physical exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS Our study applies a biopsychosocial perspective to bothersome somatic symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributes to the identification of potential risk factors as a starting point for future interventions that could support the handling of symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Engelmann
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anne Toussaint
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marylyn M Addo
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
| | - Thomas Theo Brehm
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
| | - Ansgar W Lohse
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
| | - Angelika Weigel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michelle Thompson
- I. Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems
| | - Bernd Löwe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Polizzi CP, McDonald CW, Sleight FG, Lynn SJ. Resilience, Coping, and the Covid-19 Pandemic Across the Globe - an Update: What Have we Learned? CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2023; 20:316-326. [PMID: 37791081 PMCID: PMC10544248 DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20230411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic is a mass traumatic event that has universally and indiscriminately negatively affected the world. The adverse consequences of the pandemic have globally impacted psychological health and well-being via increased stressors, such as uncertainty, health anxieties, and financial instability. During the initial months of the pandemic, we (Polizzi et al., 2020) identified coping strategies that may be well-suited to address the sequelae of the pandemic. These strategies included behavioral activation, acceptance-based coping, mindfulness practice, and loving-kindness meditation. We argued that these coping skills may foster resilience and recovery during the pandemic by generating a sense of social connection, encouraging meaning-making, and enhancing feelings of control amid uncertainty. Three years later, we update our initial suggestions by providing a narrative review that considers empirical evidence collected during the pandemic to support the utility of the previously identified coping strategies as well as additional strategies. We also discuss cross-cultural similarities and differences among these strategies and how research supports their application across diverse countries and groups. Finally, we conclude by synthesizing the literature within a regulatory flexibility framework that emphasizes flexible skill implementation with respect to sensitivity to context, coping repertoires, and feedback from the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig P. Polizzi
- Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
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Iddrisu M, Poku CA, Mensah E, Attafuah PYA, Dzansi G, Adjorlolo S. Work-related psychosocial challenges and coping strategies among nursing workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review. BMC Nurs 2023; 22:210. [PMID: 37337228 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-023-01368-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nurses and midwives have been stretched by the COVID-19 pandemic amidst the heroic roles they have played during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses stood tall among their peers in the healthcare industry saving lives. The pandemic has had a toll on nurses physically, psychologically, and socio-economically. The numerous deaths have traumatized nurses coupled with the fear of possible infection. Nurses have seen their colleagues and loved ones lose their lives to the pandemic, nevertheless, they still render care to patients no matter the circumstances. Due to that, it is imperative to ascertain the extent to which nurses who are much needed in healthcare delivery have been affected by this pandemic. This scoping review used Arksey and O'Malley's review methodology to investigate the nature of work-related psychosocial challenges nurses encountered during the peak of the pandemic, noting the major contributors to the challenges and the coping strategies used to address them. METHODS We performed a scoping review and searched for articles from five databases including PUBMED, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Google Scholar, and Grey literature from December 2019 to December 2021. A total of 7,334 articles were retrieved for the study but 45 met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS Work-related psychosocial challenges identified included stress, burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, sleeplessness, and anxiety. Factors that accounted for the challenges were inadequate personal protective equipment (PPEs), discomfort using the PPEs, extreme workload, and fatigue. Nurses experienced job insecurity, business closure, and separation from family and loved ones, and these contributed to their challenges. Strategies used to deal with the challenges centred on emotion-focused and problem-focused coping. CONCLUSIONS The study recommends regular counselling and support for all nurses working at the frontline to help them better cope with the devastating effects of the pandemic so that they could build resilience towards future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merri Iddrisu
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Collins Atta Poku
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
- Department of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Eva Mensah
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Gladys Dzansi
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Adjorlolo
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Sawa S, Hagihara A. Lifestyle Pathways Affecting Children's Mental Health in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:943. [PMID: 37371175 DOI: 10.3390/children10060943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The recent prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the daily lives of preschoolers and elementary school children worldwide. Although these changes may have affected their mental health, the full picture still remains unknown. Since March 2020, Japan has intermittently experienced several COVID-19 waves. This survey was conducted between February and March 2022. In this study, we investigated the pathways by which specific lifestyle factors (such as exercise, sleep, diet, and life skills) affect physical/psychosocial health (PPH) in 1183 preschoolers (3-5 years old) and 3156 elementary school children (6-11 years old) in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. These pathways were examined using a path analysis. Consequently, "life skills" was found to be the factor most strongly associated with PPH in both preschoolers and elementary school children (p < 0.001). Furthermore, it was associated with the physical activity score and with PPH via physical activity. Moreover, both boys' and girls' mental health declined with age among elementary school children (p < 0.001). The results of the current study may be helpful for early interventions (around the start of elementary school) at home and at school to improve children's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satomi Sawa
- Graduate School of Teacher Training Development, University of Toyama, 3190 Gofuku, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
| | - Akihito Hagihara
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe Shinmachi, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan
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Karram M, D’Alessandro-Lowe AM, Ritchie K, Brown A, Xue Y, Pichtikova M, Altman M, Beech I, Millman H, Hosseiny F, Rodrigues S, Heber A, O’Connor C, Schielke H, Malain A, Lanius RA, McCabe RE, McKinnon MC. A Qualitative Approach to Understanding Canadian Healthcare Workers' Use of Coping Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2551. [PMID: 36767913 PMCID: PMC9915458 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have been exposed to highly stressful situations, including increased workloads and exposure to mortality, thus posing a risk for adverse psychological outcomes, including acute stress, moral injury, and depression or anxiety symptoms. Although several reports have sought to identify the types of coping strategies used by HCWs over the course of the pandemic (e.g., physical activity, religion/spirituality, meditation, and alcohol), it remains unclear which factors may influence HCWs' choice of these coping strategies. Accordingly, using a qualitative approach, the purpose of the present study was to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing HCWs' choice of coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Fifty-one HCWs participated in virtual, semi-structured interviews between February and June 2021. Interview transcripts were analysed through an inductive thematic approach, yielding two primary themes. First, HCWs described an ongoing shift in their approach to coping depending on their mental "bandwidth", ranging from "quick fix" to more "intentional effort" strategies to engage in proactive strategies to improve mental health. Second, many HCWs identified various barriers to desired coping strategies during the pandemic, including the preponderance of pandemic- and other circumstantial-related barriers. The findings from this study offer a unique understanding of the factors influencing HCWs' choice of coping strategies under novel and increased stress. This knowledge will be central to developing appropriate forms of support and resources to equip HCWs throughout and after the pandemic period, and in mitigating the potential adverse mental health impacts of this period of prolonged stress and potential trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauda Karram
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L6, Canada
| | | | - Kimberly Ritchie
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
- Trent/Fleming School of Nursing, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Andrea Brown
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
| | - Yuanxin Xue
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Mina Pichtikova
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1V6, Canada
| | - Maxwell Altman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
| | - Isaac Beech
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
| | - Heather Millman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
| | - Fardous Hosseiny
- Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
- Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Sara Rodrigues
- Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
- Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Alexandra Heber
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Veteran’s Affairs Canada, Ottawa, ON K1H 1A1, Canada
| | | | | | - Ann Malain
- Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
| | - Ruth A. Lanius
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
| | - Randi E. McCabe
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
| | - Margaret C. McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
- Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada
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Sutherland Charvis J, Schulz CT, Drohan MM, Rafiee P, Stamates AL, Yang M. A daily examination of perceived stress and coping strategies used among college students during COVID-19. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-5. [PMID: 36701543 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2168126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study examined inter- and intra-person level associations between stress and overwhelm and adaptive coping strategies used by college students during COVID-19. Participants were 55 college students (Mage = 23.31, SD = 4.49; 87% White, 85% Female), who completed a 21-day daily diary study. The common coping strategies endorsed were media use, relaxation techniques, and exercise. Variability among feelings of stress (ICC = .520) and overwhelm (ICC = .530) were similarly explained by between and within-person differences. Daily stress and overwhelm were positively associated with relaxation techniques, media, and total coping strategies. Further, daily stress was positively associated with connection with others to cope. At the between-person level, average stress was associated with avoidance strategies such as taking a break from news to cope. These findings may prove useful in the development of interventions to increase the practice of adaptive coping strategies to reduce stress and overwhelm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christina T Schulz
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Megan M Drohan
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Parisa Rafiee
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Amy L Stamates
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Manshu Yang
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
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Song W, Huang D, Yu J. How does centralized isolation treatment strategy affect the medical staff's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic? Front Public Health 2023; 10:1055564. [PMID: 36684938 PMCID: PMC9846266 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1055564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background During the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Chinese Government adopted a centralized isolation treatment (CIT) strategy for patients, which has greatly improved the efficiency of the pandemic response. However, compared to those in local hospitals, anti-COVID-19 medical staff in mobile cabin hospitals, where the CIT strategy was adopted, suffered more mental health problems. This study aimed to explore how the CIT strategy affected the medical staff's mental health by comparing anti-COVID-19 medical staff who worked in mobile cabin hospitals to those in fever clinics of local hospitals. Methods Following the standard scale development procedure, this study first developed a scale measuring the mental health of anti-COVID-19 medical staff. Using SPSS 23.0 and Amos 23.0 software, the exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and reliability analysis method were conducted to support the scale development. In the main investigation, a survey method using the developed scale was used, and 839 anti-COVID-19 medical staff from five hospitals in northern China were recruited as participants by snowball-sampling method. The first survey was conducted in February 2020, when the first round of COVID-19 was at a serious time. In April 2020, after the first round of COVID-19 in China was initially contained, and medical staff who worked in mobile cabin hospitals returned to local hospitals, a follow-up survey was conducted on these participants. Using SPSS 23.0 software, a series of 2 × 2 mixed-design ANOVA was conducted, in which working conditions (mobile cabin hospital vs. local hospital) served as a between-subject factor, time points (during vs. after the first round of COVID-19) served as a within-subject variable, and the indicators of the medical staff's mental health served as dependent variables respectively. Results The reliability and validity of the developed scale were desirable. The mental health problems of anti-COVID-19 medical staff were mainly manifested as anxiety, powerlessness, fear of infection, and somatization. Compared to those who worked in local hospitals, anti-COVID-19 medical staff who worked in mobile cabin hospitals where the CIT strategy was adopted suffered more powerlessness, fear of infection, and somatization. After returning to local hospitals, symptoms of fear of infection and powerlessness of medical staff who used to work in mobile cabin hospitals decreased significantly. However, their anxiety symptoms were not relieved, and their somatization symptoms even increased. Conclusion This study implied that the mental health of anti-COVID-19 medical staff in mobile cabin hospitals adopting CIT was worse than in local hospitals. Moreover, with the first outbreak in remission, the mental health recovery of medical staff in CIT hospitals was slower than in local hospitals. Relevant practitioners should pay more attention to the mental health condition of anti-COVID-19 medical staff who work in CIT hospitals. The psychological assistance service for them should continue even after they return to the local hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Song
- Yatai School of Business Management, Jilin University of Finance and Economics, Changchun, China
| | - Dongmei Huang
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy and Sociology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jiejing Yu
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy and Sociology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Jin B, Lee S, Chung US. Jeopardized mental health of children and adolescents in coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Clin Exp Pediatr 2022; 65:322-329. [PMID: 35681248 PMCID: PMC9263423 DOI: 10.3345/cep.2021.01753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak became a worldwide pandemic in 2020. Social distancing measures, such as self-quarantine, lockdowns, and school closures, which have proven efficacy in various pandemic situations, remain in use in Korea. These measures prevented viral transmission to some extent; however, adverse effects have also resulted. First, the negative effect of social isolation on mental health is evident. This influences the psychiatric milieu of parents and children directly and indirectly. The most stressful factor among Korean youth was the restriction of outdoor activities. Increasing parenting burden result in increased screen time among youth, and social isolation created depressive mood with symptoms similar to those of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety. Second, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and somatization are prevalent among children and adolescents. The sense of threatened health and life during the pandemic, one symptom of PTSD, is a strong risk factor for somatization. Finally, the increased pattern of child abuse in pandemic indicates increased levels of emotional/psychological abuse and nonmedical neglect. Social isolation makes people less aware of these events. Because pediatricians evaluate pediatric patients and their families, they should regularly assess emotional/stress factors, especially when somatization is prominent during the pandemic, and cautiously recommend that families seek advice from mental health professionals when warranted. Primary physicians must understand the characteristics and aspects of child abuse in the COVID-19 pandemic, make efforts to identify signs of child abuse, and deliver accurate information and preventive strategies for child abuse to caregivers, thereby functioning as a professional guardian. To promote the mental health of parents and children during the COVID-19 pandemic, more research and cooperation among health professionals, families, governments, and schools are needed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohyun Jin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyungpook National University Children's Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| | - Sohee Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyungpook National University Children's Hospital, Daegu, Korea
| | - Un Sun Chung
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyungpook National University Children's Hospital, Daegu, Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
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Carvalho-Alves MO, Petrilli-Mazon VA, Brunoni AR, Malbergier A, Fukuti P, Polanczyk GV, Miguel EC, Corchs F, Wang YP. Dimensions of emotional distress among Brazilian workers in a COVID-19 reference hospital: A factor analytical study. World J Psychiatry 2022; 12:843-859. [PMID: 35978972 PMCID: PMC9258270 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v12.i6.843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for public health and has caused the loss of millions of lives worldwide. Hospital workers play a key role in averting the collapse of the health system, but the mental health of many has deteriorated during the pandemic. Few studies have been devoted to identifying the needs of workers on frontline duty.
AIM To investigate dimensions of common emotional symptoms and associated predictors among Brazilian workers in a COVID-19 reference hospital.
METHODS This is an observational study of the mental health of professionals in a COVID-19 hospital in the city of São Paulo. We invited all hospital employees to respond to an online survey between July and August 2020, during the first peak of the pandemic. Data of 1000 participants who completed the survey were analyzed (83.9% were women and 34.3% were aged 30 to 40). Hospital workers self-reported the presence of symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma-related stress, and burnout through the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised and the Mini-Z Burnout Assessment respectively. Responses were assembled and subjected to exploratory factor analysis to reveal workers’ core emotional distress. Multiple linear regression models were subsequently carried out to estimate the likelihood of dimensions of distress using questions on personal motivation, threatening events, and institutional support.
RESULTS Around one in three participants in our sample scored above the threshold of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and burnout. The factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure that explained 58% of the total data variance. Core distressing emotional domains were avoidance and re-experience, depression-anxiety, and sleep changes. Regression analysis revealed that institutional support was a significant protective factor for each of these dimensions (β range = -0.41 to -0.20, P < 0.001). However, participants’ personal motivation to work in healthcare service was not associated with these emotional domains. Moreover, the likelihood of presenting the avoidance and re-experience dimension was associated with having a family member or close friend be hospitalized or die due to COVID-19 and having faced an ethical conflict.
CONCLUSION Distressing emotional domains among hospital workers were avoidance and re-experience, depression and anxiety, and sleep changes. Improving working conditions through institutional support could protect hospital workers' mental health during devastating public health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos O Carvalho-Alves
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01060-970, Brazil
| | - Vitor A Petrilli-Mazon
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Andre R Brunoni
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Andre Malbergier
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Pedro Fukuti
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Guilherme V Polanczyk
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Euripedes C Miguel
- Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Felipe Corchs
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01060-970, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
| | - Yuan-Pang Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-010, Brazil
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Khan Y, Bruyneel A, Smith P. “Determinants of the risk of burnout among nurses during the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Belgium: A cross‐sectional study”. J Nurs Manag 2022; 30:1125-1135. [PMID: 35403282 PMCID: PMC9115243 DOI: 10.1111/jonm.13624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Aims To estimate the prevalence of burnout risk among nurses during the peak of the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Belgium and to identify risk groups and protective and risk factors. Background Nurses are at high risk of burnout, and this can have negative consequences for them, patients and health care systems. The pandemic may have changed their working conditions and increased their risk of burnout. Methods The risk of burnout was assessed through the Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale. Information on socio‐demographic and working conditions during the pandemic was also collected. We obtained 4552 respondents through convenience sampling. Results A high risk of burnout was found in 70% of respondents. The main risk factors of burnout were the lack of personal protective equipment, changes in perceived workload and working with COVID‐19 patients. Conclusions An uneven workload for nurses is an underlying problem during the COVID‐19 pandemic and a significant risk factor for their burnout. The decreased workload is a risk factor for burnout as important as increased workload and repeated exposure to COVID‐19. Implications for Nursing Management Burnout prevention and treatment interventions must target the correct risk factors and identify nurses at risk to be cost‐effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmine Khan
- Ghent University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Campus UZ‐Ghent, Entrance 42, 6 Floor, Corneel Heymanslaan Gent Belgium
| | - Arnaud Bruyneel
- École de Santé Publique, Campus Erasme ‐ Bâtiment A Bruxelles Belgium
| | - Pierre Smith
- Department Epidemiology and public health, Sciensano Brussels Belgium
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium Brussels Belgium
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What Is the Role of Resilience and Coping Strategies on the Mental Health of the General Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic? Results from the Italian Multicentric COMET Study. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11091231. [PMID: 34573251 PMCID: PMC8466446 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11091231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health are now well documented, however, few studies have been focused on the role of coping strategies and resilience in counterbalancing these detrimental effects. Data are derived from the COvid Mental hEalth Trial (COMET), a national multicentric trial carried out in the Italian general population. The final sample consisted of 20,720 participants, 53.1% (n = 11,000) of the sample reported low levels of resilience. Adaptive coping strategies and resilience levels did not have any significant protective impact on the levels of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Only self-distraction was a risk factor for poor mental health (Beta Coefficient, B = 0.1, 95% Confidence Interval, CI: 0.003 to 0.267 for stress symptoms; B = 0.2; 95% CI: 0.077 to 0.324 for anxiety symptoms and B = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.105 to 0.382 for depressive symptoms). High levels of resilience were predicted by adaptive coping strategies, such as acceptance (B = 1.8, CI 95% = 1.4–2.7). Exposure to the different weeks of lockdown, being infected by COVID-19, and being a healthcare professional did not influence the levels of resilience. Our findings should be carefully considered, since the low levels of resilience may represent the missing link between the pandemic and the current increase in mental health problems.
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