Post-Traumatic Growth of Nurses Who Faced the COVID-19 Epidemic and Its Correlation With Professional Self-Identity and Social Support

Factors Influencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Hospital Clinical Nurses during COVID-19 in Korea: Resilience, Social Support, and Professional Pride in Nursing

During the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical nurses in hospitals in South Korea were exposed to extreme stress, and many continue to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study explores the factors influencing PTSD among hospital clinical nurses during COVID-19. In total, 121 hospital clinical nurses participated in 2022, providing demographic information and completing surveys designed to measure PTSD, resilience, social support, professional pride in nursing (PPN), and variables related to COVID-19. We observed statistically significantly higher levels of resilience (91.48 vs. 70.00), social support (47.37 vs. 35.41), and PPN (88.36 vs. 68.06) in the low-risk PTSD group compared with the high-risk PTSD group. Resilience was associated with a reduced risk of PTSD (OR, 0.91; 95% CI = 0.84-0.98). The subfactors of control (OR = 0.60; 95% CI = 0.43-0.86) and sociability (OR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.44-0.97) decreased PTSD risk. Among the social support subfactors, family support had an OR of 0.47 (95% CI = 0.26-0.86) for reducing PTSD risk. Programs involving family participation that enhance resilience and provide psychological support can help hospital nurses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic manage their PTSD. Our findings serve as foundational data to develop interventions on psychological well-being for nurses dealing with new infectious diseases.

The prevalence of post traumatic and associated factors among nurses during COVID_19 pandemics: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite the negative outcomes, exposure to a crisis may cause people to experience positive changes. This study aims to analyze the prevalence of post-traumatic growth (PTG) and its relevant factors among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD

The research protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022329671), and PRISMA steps were taken in this study. PubMed, Scopus and ProQuest were explored on 1/9/2022 to create the research database. According to the inclusion criterion, all studies analyzing the prevalence of post-traumatic growth through the PTG Inventory were considered eligible. They were all qualitatively assessed through the modified version of the Quality Assessment Checklist for prevalence studies.

RESULTS

A total of 15 papers met the inclusion criterion (n = 22756). According to the research results, the prevalence of PTG was randomly calculated ES [95% Conf. Interval = 0.15 [0.12-0.17]), and heterogeneity was reported I2 = 98.52% (P = 0.000). The results also indicated that the mean score of PTGI decreased in nurses as their work experience and mean age increased. However, the effect was not statistically significant for the mean age (P = 0.06). According to the results, the PTGI score decreased in nurses with more work experience, a finding which was statistically significant (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis determined a 15% prevalence rate of PTG in nurses. Psychological interventions should be developed and applied to older nurses with more work experience in order to mitigate the harm caused by the pandemic and its consequent crises.

The prevalence and factors of posttraumatic growth among nurses based on the PTGI: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The urgency and risk of clinical nursing may cause nurses to experience traumatic stress, but it may also lead to posttraumatic growth. However, no study has comprehensively analyzed the prevalence of posttraumatic growth among nurses using a unified outcome measure and a validated assessment tool.

AIM

This study aims to systematically assess the prevalence and factors of posttraumatic growth among nurses based on the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI).

METHODS

Ten databases, including The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, Springerlink, Embase, Chinese Biomedical (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, and VIP databases, were searched as of December 31, 2022. The prevalence of posttraumatic growth was pooled using Stata 17.0 software. The PRISMA guideline was used to report the systematic review and meta-analysis. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022365620.

RESULTS

A total of 30 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis, consisting of 14,022 nurses worldwide from four countries. In our study, the pooled mean score of posttraumatic growth among nurses was 66.34 (95% CI: 61.25-71.43). From 2015 to 2022, nurses' posttraumatic growth levels gradually increased. In addition, Turkey nurses have the lowest posttraumatic growth levelnurses who experienced workplace violence have a lower posttraumatic growth level compared with other nurses; while nurses aged over 30 and male have higher posttraumatic growth levels.

CONCLUSIONS

While several studies on the prevalence of posttraumatic growth among nurses have been published, the reported data are quite different. Our systematic review and meta-analysis found that nurses' posttraumatic growth level was "moderate," and nurses' posttraumatic growth may vary based on publication year, country, traumatic event, age, and gender.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

Our findings may provide a theoretical basis for hospital administrators and policy makers to scientifically manage human resources, comprehensively evaluate nurses' mental health, and promote nurses' posttraumatic growth in different traumatic events, which is conducive to the formulation and implementation of relevant policy guidelines.

Nurses' perspectives on professional self-concept and its influencing factors: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Nurses with a strong professional self-concept tend to exhibit a positive mindset and strong work engagement, delivering high-quality patient care. Although numerous quantitative studies have examined the factors impacting professional self-concept, there remains a limited exploration of these factors from the perspective of nurses themselves.

METHODS

This qualitative descriptive study uses the PERMA theory and Social Cognitive Theory as the theoretical framework. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 nurses from six public hospitals in China. The data were analyzed thematically using a combination of inductive and deductive approaches.

RESULTS

Nurses' understanding of professional self-concept could be divided into four categories: professional identity, competence, care, and knowledge. Factors influencing nurses' professional self-concept were categorized into eight subthemes in three domains: (1) personal factors, including psychological qualities and attitude towards the nursing profession; (2) occupational-related behavioral factors, including role-oriented behavior and knowledge-oriented behavior; and (3) work environment and external factors, including external evaluation and perceptions of nurses, time allocation, nursing work tasks, work atmosphere, school education, and perceived supports.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that, although nurses had different personal experiences, their perceptions of professional self-concept were similar. Nurses' professional self-concept is a multidimensional concept and involves various factors, such as personality, work-related characteristics, environment, and family. To thrive in a nursing career, nurses must discern the factors that can enhance or hinder their professional self-concept. By identifying and adjusting these factors, personalized support and positive interventions can be tailored to meet nurses' specific needs, which ultimately nurtures their professional development.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered on December 14, 2022, in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200066699) as part of our ongoing study.

The levels and related factors of posttraumatic growth among nurses: A systematic review and meta-analysis

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Nurses often encounter traumatic events in their clinical practice. Trauma can have both negative effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and positive effects, such as growth and positive emotions. Posttraumatic growth is beneficial for nurses, as it contributes to positive mental health outcomes and increases life satisfaction. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Our study confirms that nurses commonly experience posttraumatic growth after being exposed to traumatic events, and the level of growth is moderate. We have identified individual, work-related, and social and organizational factors that may influence the occurrence of posttraumatic growth among nurses. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Our findings provide valuable insights for interventions aimed at promoting posttraumatic growth among nurses. It is crucial to consider individual factors, work-related factors, and social and organizational factors when designing these interventions. By addressing these factors, healthcare professionals can support nurses in coping with trauma and facilitate their posttraumatic growth.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: While the negative effects of trauma on nurses have been well-documented, it is equally important to focus on ways to promote posttraumatic growth (PTG) among nurses.

AIM

This study aims to explore the levels and related factors of PTG among nurses.

METHOD

A comprehensive search was conducted across nine databases up to 26 December 2022. The pooled mean score for PTG was calculated and presented with a 95% confidence interval. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to identify potential moderators of PTG among nurses.

RESULTS

A total of 55 studies, involving 35,621 nurses from 11 countries and regions, were included in this review. The pooled scores of the PTG indicated that nurses experienced a moderate level of PTG (55.69, 95% CI: 50.67-60.72).

DISCUSSION

Nurses commonly experience PTG following exposure to traumatic events, with a moderate level of PTG. Our systematic review highlights the potential determinants of PTG among nurses, including individual, work-related, and social and organizational factors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Targeting these factors in interventions can provide nurses with the necessary resources and support to effectively cope with stress and trauma, and potentially facilitate PTG.

Posttraumatic growth of medical staff during COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed unprecedented stress and challenges upon medical staff, potentially resulting in posttraumatic growth (PTG). This scoping review aims to synthesize the existing knowledge on PTG among medical staff during the pandemic by identifying its current status and potential influencing factors. The findings may provide a foundation for future research and interventions to enhance the medical staff's psychological resilience and well-being.

METHODS

Literature was systematically searched on PTG among medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic from 01 January 2020 to 31 December 2022. The following databases were searched: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), and Wanfang Data. Eligibility criteria included: (1) medical staff as research subjects; (2) a focus on "posttraumatic growth" or "alternative posttraumatic growth" related to the COVID-19 outbreak and pandemic; (3) discussion of the situation and influencing factors of PTG; and (4) study types, such as qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. Two researchers independently selected and extracted study characteristics (study design, study population, region, measurement instruments, and primary outcomes) from the included literature. The data were synthesized qualitatively and descriptively.

RESULTS

Thirty-six papers from 12 countries met the inclusion criteria. Moderate PTG levels were observed among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, with emphasis on "interpersonal relationships," "changes in life philosophy," and "growth in personal competence." Influencing factors included trauma exposure, sociodemographics, psychological characteristics (resilience and positive qualities), coping, and social support.

CONCLUSIONS

This review discovered moderate PTG levels among medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, with critical areas in interpersonal relationships, life philosophy, and personal competence. The identified influencing factors can inform future research and interventions to enhance healthcare workers' psychological resilience and well-being.

A theoretical framework for Acute Care Nurse Stress Appraisal: Application of the transactional model of stress and coping

AIM

To develop a framework for understanding the stress appraisal process among acute care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

A secondary analysis of open-ended responses from a cross-sectional survey of 3030 frontline, acute care nurses in New Jersey and the effect of burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Lazarus and Folkman's transactional model of stress and coping guided the study. Thematic analysis was used to analyse 1607 open-ended responses.

RESULTS

Nine themes emerged during the secondary appraisal of stress. Five themes contributed to distress and burnout including (1) high patient acuity with scarce resources, (2) constantly changing policies with inconsistent messaging, (3) insufficient PPE, (4) unprepared pandemic planning and (5) feeling undervalued. Four themes led to eustress and contributed to post-traumatic growth including (1) team nursing to ensure sufficient resource allocation, (2) open channels of communication, (3) sense- of-duty and (4) personal strength from new possibilities.

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic was a traumatic event for patients and the nursing workforce. Internal and external demands placed on acute care nurses increased burnout, however, a subset of nurses with adequate support experienced personal growth.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE

Beyond mental health interventions for acute care nurses, organizational interventions such as reevaluation of emergency action plans to optimize resource allocation, and work environment strategies such as improved communication and decision-making transparency are necessary.

IMPACT

To better understand how frontline acute care nurses experienced stress during COVID-19, a data-informed framework was developed that included a primary and secondary appraisal of stress. Themes contributing to distress and burnout were identified, and themes leading to eustress and post-traumatic growth were also identified. These findings can assist nurse leaders in optimizing strategies to reduce burnout and promote post-traumatic growth in the post-COVID years.

REPORTING METHOD

No patient or public contribution.

The relationship of social support to posttraumatic growth in COVID-19 among college students after experiencing campus lockdown: the effects of belief in a just world and meaning in life

Background

Campus lockdown orders were issued for the purpose of preventing and controlling COVID-19, which resulted in psychological problems among college students. However, the experiences they have during the pandemic may also lead to positive personal changes, including posttraumatic growth (PTG). The current study examined the mediating role of belief in a just world and meaning in life in social support and PTG during the COVID-19 campus lockdown.

Method

An online survey was conducted on 1711 college students in Hebei Province, China. Based on the survey results, a structural equation model was established.

Results

Social support positively predicted PTG. Furthermore, belief in a just world and meaning in life played a mediating role between social support and PTG respectively. Besides, social support could also predict PTG through the multiple serial mediating effect of belief in a just world and meaning in life.

Conclusion

These results indicated mechanisms by which social support influenced PTG, and this provided insights into how to promote post-traumatic growth among university students in the post-pandemic period.

Coping profiles and their association with vicarious post-traumatic growth among nurses during the three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic

AIMS

This study aimed to examine (a) changes in coping strategies and vicarious post-traumatic growth (VPTG) across three timepoints of the COVID-19 pandemic among nurses; (b) discrete groups of nurses with unique coping profiles and (c) the association of these coping profiles with VPTG across the timepoints.

BACKGROUND

Although literature abounds with the negative mental health consequences of the pandemic among healthcare professionals, much less is known about the positive consequences on nurses, the coping strategies that they use, and how these change over time.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional web-based survey at three timepoints during the pandemic.

METHODS

A sample of 429 nurses completed online the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE) to measure vicarious post-traumatic growth (VPTG) and coping strategies, respectively. The STROBE checklist was used to report the present study.

RESULTS

Significantly higher VPTG scores were observed during the third timepoint. Different coping strategies were employed across the three timepoints. Nurses responded to the pandemic either with an active, an avoidant or a passive coping profile. Significantly higher VPTG levels were reported by the nurses of the active profile compared to those of the passive profile, whereas the difference between active and avoidant profiles was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Notwithstanding the preponderance of the nurses with the active coping profile in achieving high VPTG, the avoidant copers had more gains (VPTG) than the passive copers, suggesting that doing something to cope with the stressor-let it be trying to avoid it-was better than doing nothing.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The identification of distinct coping profiles among nurses and their association with VPTG is of particular use to policymakers and practitioners in developing tailored prevention and intervention efforts to help the nurses effectively manage the demands of the pandemic.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution since the study was exclusively conducted by the authors.

Distinct pre-COVID brain structural signatures in COVID-19-related post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth

Post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth are common co-occurring psychological responses following exposure to traumatic events (such as COVID-19 pandemic), their mutual relationship remains unclear. To explore this relationship, structural magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from 115 general college students before the COVID-19 pandemic, and follow-up post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth measurements were collected during the pandemic. Voxel-based morphometry was conducted and individual structural covariance networks based on gray matter volume were further analyzed using graph theory and partial least squares correlation. Behavioral correlation found no significant relationship between post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth. Voxel-based morphometry analyses showed that post-traumatic stress symptoms were positively correlated with gray matter volume in medial prefrontal cortex/dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, and post-traumatic growth was negatively correlated with gray matter volume in left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Structural covariance network analyses found that post-traumatic stress symptoms were negatively correlated with the local efficiency and clustering coefficient of the network. Moreover, partial least squares correlation showed that post-traumatic stress symptoms were correlated with pronounced nodal properties patterns in default mode, sensory and motor regions, and a marginal correlation of post-traumatic growth with a nodal property pattern in emotion regulation-related regions. This study advances our understanding of the neurobiological substrates of post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth, and suggests that they may have different neuroanatomical features.

Factors influencing nurses' post-traumatic growth during the COVID-19 pandemic: Bayesian network analysis

Objective

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses, especially if females and working in intensive care units or emergencies unit, were much more at risk than other health-workers categories to develop malaise and acute stress symptoms. This study aimed to examine the nurses' post-traumatic growth and associated influencing factors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted at Henan Provincial People's Hospital to gather data from nurses. A set of questionnaires was used to measure the participants' professional identity, organizational support, psychological resilience and post-traumatic growth. Univariate, correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine significant factors influencing post-traumatic growth. A theoretical framework based on the Bayesian network was constructed to understand post-traumatic growth and its associated factors comprehensively.

Results

In total, 1,512 nurses participated in the study, and a moderate-to-high level of post-traumatic growth was reported. After screening, the identified variables, including psychological counseling, average daily working hours, average daily sleep duration, professional identity, organizational support, and psychological resilience, were selected to build a Bayesian network model. The results of Bayesian network showed that professional identity and psychological resilience positively affected post-traumatic growth directly, which was particularly pronounced in low- and high-scoring groups. While organizational support positively affected post-traumatic growth indirectly.

Conclusion

Although this study identified a moderate-to-high level of nurses' post-traumatic growth, proactive measures to improve psychological resilience fostered by professional identity and organizational support should be prioritized by hospitals and nursing managers.

Experiences of nurses in charge of COVID-19 critical care patients during the initial stages of the pandemic in Japan

The fatality rate of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the beginning of the pandemic was as high as 8.5%, and it was considered to be an intractable infectious disease. Reports regarding early experiences are essential for improving nurses' quality of care, patient safety, and working conditions during future pandemics. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the experiences of nurses who were in charge of critically ill COVID-19 patients during the early stages of the pandemic in Japan. This was a qualitative study. Participants were nurses who were in charge of critically ill COVID-19 patients in an emerging contagious disease ward between February and April 2020. Interviews were conducted in groups of 2-3 persons based on an interview guide using an online conferencing application to prevent infection. Consent to participation was obtained from 19 nurses. Five categories of experiences were generated from the analysis: "Fear of risk to my own life and to those of others around me", "The shock of finding myself amid an infectious disease pandemic", "Anxiety about unknown challenges", "Driven by a sense of purpose", and "Growth as nurses". Working under harsh conditions where nurses' safety is threatened may affect the quality of care and nurses' mental health. Therefore, nurses should receive both short-term and long-term support.

The relationship between the sources of confidence in overcoming COVID-19 and the improvement of medical students' professional identity: mediation by medical students' attention to COVID-19

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of COVID-19 highlights the shortage of human medical resources, and improving medical students' professional identity is crucial to improving this situation. The sources of confidence in overcoming COVID-19 and medical students' attention to COVID-19 were significant factors affecting their professional identity. However, no study has investigated the mediating role of medical students' attention to COVID-19 in their relationship. This study investigates the relationship between these three factors in three medical university students in Hunan Province.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey study that used convenience sampling method was conducted on 2775 medical students from three universities in the Hunan Province of China from March 15 to April 19, 2020. An intermediary model was established to evaluate the role of medical students' attention to COVID-19 in the sources of confidence in overcoming COVID-19 and the improvement of medical students' professional identity.

RESULTS

The sources of confidence in overcoming COVID-19, medical students' attention to national crisis events, and the improvement of medical students' professional identity was positively associated with each other (β = 0.328 ~ 0.464, P < 0.001). The mediating effect accounted for 23.3% of the total effect and 30.4% of the direct effect. Medical students' attention to COVID-19 partially mediates the relationship between the sources of confidence to overcome COVID-19 and the improvement of medical students' professional identity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that the sources of confidence in overcoming COVID-19 and medical students' attention to national crisis events have a significant predictive effect on the improvement of medical students' professional identity. Medical students' attention to COVID-19 mediated the relationship between the sources of confidence to overcome COVID-19 and the improvement of medical students' professional identity. The findings have emphasized the theoretical and practical significance of professional identity education for medical students.

Resilient Nurses in the COVID-19 Compared With Non-COVID-19 Wards

INTRODUCTION

Owing to daily exposure to high job stress, nurses need to use coping techniques. One of the coping strategies helping a person to cope with stressful situations effectively is resiliency skills. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the factors related to nurses' resiliency during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic.

METHODS

The resiliency of 288 nurses, 145 nurses from the COVID-19 wards , and 143 nurses from other wards were compared using 25-item Connor & Davidson Resilience Questionnaire. This study was conducted in 2021 in four referral hospitals at Shiraz.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 32 y. The average resilience score in the in the participants worked in COVID-19 wards was 95.30 for men and 87.72 for women, and in the non-COVID-19 wards was 85.82 for men and 88.48 for women. The mean resiliency scores of nurses working in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 wards did not show a statistically significant difference. Factors affecting resilience included age, employment status, gender, and job expectancy.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the resiliency of nurses working in COVID-19 wards did not differed from that of working in non-COVID-19 ones. This result should be further investigated and elaborated. Health policymakers should consider job expectation, gender, age, and employment status of nurses when making plans for future pandemics.

The influence of college students' academic stressors on mental health during COVID-19: The mediating effect of social support, social well-being, and self-identity

COVID-19 caused harmful mental consequences to the public, and mental health problems were very common among college students during the outbreak of COVID-19. Academic stressors were the main stress for college students, and social support, social well-being, and self-identity were widely known as protective factors for mental health. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the influence of academic stressors on mental health and the mediating effect of social support, social well-being, and self-identity among college students during the outbreak of COVID-19. With 900 college students as subjects, using the college students' academic stressors questionnaire, social support questionnaire, social well-being scale, self-identity scale, and depression anxiety stress scales (DASS-21), the results showed that: (1) academic stressors had a significantly negative correlation with social support, social well-being, and self-identity while having a significantly positive correlation with mental health; (2) academic stressors could positively predict mental health; (3) this effect was mediated by social support, social well-being, and self-identity; (4) work stressor was an important stressor during COVID-19, and had the same role as academic stressors in the structural equation model. The results of this study suggested that adjusting the academic stressors or work stressors of college students and enhancing social support could improve social well-being and self-identity, and might effectively protect their mental health under the COVID-19 pandemic environment.

Prediction of post-traumatic growth in the face of the COVID-19 crisis based on resilience, post-traumatic stress and social participation: A longitudinal study

The COVID-19 crisis has generated a severe and negative psychological impact worldwide. Despite this, it is also possible to experience post-traumatic growth (PTG). This study aimed to longitudinally explore the prevalence of PTG in the Spanish population and test a predictive model for PTG from resilience, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and participation in social activities. Data were collected longitudinally in March, July, and November 2020 via an online survey. About 20% of the sample showed moderate-high levels of PTG, with no significant differences over time. The predictive model explained 19% of the variance in PTG, showing that the inverse relation between resilience and PTG was mediated by PTSS. Additionally, participation in social activities acted as a predictor of PTG. Women, young people, those who had lost their job and people who had experienced COVID-19 symptoms or the loss of a loved one presented higher PTG. Thus, people have experienced positive changes (PTG), but these did not protect them from adverse symptomatology (PTSS).

Factors Predicting Post-Traumatic Positive and Negative Psychological Changes Experienced by Nurses during a Pandemic COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

It is common knowledge that COVID-19 affects physiopathological changes in all systems of the human body. On the other hand, events related to the COVID-19 pandemic also have a significant impact on the social and mental sphere of human functioning. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between selected sociodemographic variables and selected subjective cognitive resources, and the positive and negative perception of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in a group of nurses working in Poland. The computer-assisted web interviewing method was conducted between 1 and 15 May 2020. Participants were requested to complete the following questionnaires: The Changes in Outlook Questionnaire (CIOQ), The Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), The Safety Experience Questionnaire (SEQ), and The Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). Three-hundred and twenty fivenurses working all over Poland participated in the study. Their mean age was 39.18 ± 11.16 years. A higher average level was noted among the surveyed nurses in the Positive Change subscale (18.56 ± 4.04). In a multivariate model, taking into account both sociodemographic and cognitive variables, the level of perceived traumatic stress, the level of social support, a sense of security, reflection on safety and a sense of meaning and meaning in life were independent predictors of a positive perception of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those variables explained as much as 37% of the dependent variable, and the nature of the relationship was positive. While we are still a long way from understanding the full range of the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and psychosocial well-being, it is possible that in this challenging context there are many individual resources available to perceive the effects of the current pandemic positively. Therefore, they should be strengthened through the development and implementation of intervention programs to improve the mental state of nurses.

Post-traumatic growth trajectories among frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A three-wave follow-up study in mainland China

OBJECTIVES

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant toll on people worldwide for more than 2 years. Previous studies have highlighted the negative effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) more than the positive changes, such as post-traumatic growth (PTG). Furthermore, most previous studies were cross-sectional surveys without follow-ups. This study draws on PTG follow-up during the COVID-19 outbreak at 12-month intervals for 2 years since 2020. The trajectories and baseline predictors were described.

METHODS

A convenience sampling method was used to recruit frontline nurses or doctors at the COVID-19-designated hospital who were eligible for this study. A total of 565 HCWs completed the 2 years follow-up and were used for final data analysis. The latent growth mixture models (GMM) was used to identify subgroups of participants with different PTG trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression model was used to find predictors among sociodemographic characteristics and resilience at baseline.

RESULTS

Four trajectory PTG types among HCWs were identified: 'Persistent, "Steady increase", "High with drop", and "Fluctuated rise." Comparing the "Persistent low" type, the other three categories were all associated with older age, higher education. Furthermore, "Persistent low" was also negatively associated with resilience at baseline.

CONCLUSION

The PTG of HCWs with different characteristics showed different trends over time. It is necessary to increase the measure frequency to understand the PTG status in different times. Improving HCW's resilience could help improve staff PTG.