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Gil-Almagro F, Carmona-Monge FJ, García-Hedrera FJ, Peñacoba-Puente C. Post-Pandemic Insomnia in Healthcare Workers: A Prospective Study including Sociodemographic, Occupational and Psychosocial Variables. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3498. [PMID: 38930028 PMCID: PMC11205185 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Previous research points to the prevalence of insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers (HCWs). However, longitudinal studies on its evolution, including the post-pandemic stage, are less abundant, with a special lack of research about possible psychosocial risk factors. The aim of the current study is to analyze the evolution of insomnia in Spanish HCWs from the beginning of the pandemic until two years later, examining the influence of sociodemographic, occupational and psychosocial variables. Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal design with three data collection periods in which insomnia was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), in addition to sociodemographic, occupational and psychosocial (i.e., social support, self-efficacy, resilience and cognitive fusion) variables in HCWs (n = 216) who were in direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Results: High scores were observed for insomnia, with a clear decrease throughout the periods studied (F = 30.198, p < 0.001). An association was observed between insomnia and certain sociodemographic and occupational variables (i.e., work category, p = 0.001; availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), p < 0.001; workload, p < 0.001; worry about self or family contagion, p = 0.002, p = 0.003, respectively). Insomnia had negative relationships with social support (p = 0.014), self-efficacy (p < 0.001) and resilience (p < 0.001) and positive relationships with cognitive fusion (p < 0.001). Interaction effects between the evolution of insomnia and social support from friends (p = 0.024, ƞ2 = 0.34) and between the evolution of insomnia and cognitive fusion (p = 0.047; ƞ2 = 0.25) were found. Conclusions: Social support, self-efficacy and resilience act as buffers for insomnia. Cognitive fusion acts as a clear precipitator of insomnia as well as directly influencing its evolution. Social support from friends also affects the evolution of insomnia. Within the specific circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, a long-term effect of social support from friends and a short-term effect of cognitive fusion on the evolution of insomnia was observed. The findings emphasize the need to implement specific interventions to promote the mental well-being of HCWs, particularly in crisis contexts that involve an increase in occupational stress, emphasizing the role of certain psychosocial variables as protective factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Gil-Almagro
- Psychology Department, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Av. de Atenas, s/n, 28922 Madrid, Spain;
- Nurse Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Budapest, 1, 28922 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | | | - Cecilia Peñacoba-Puente
- Psychology Department, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Av. de Atenas, s/n, 28922 Madrid, Spain;
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Muthumuni N, Sommer JL, El-Gabalawy R, Reynolds KA, Mota NP. Evaluating the mental health status, help-seeking behaviors, and coping strategies of Canadian essential workers versus non-essential workers during COVID-19: a longitudinal study. ANXIETY, STRESS, AND COPING 2024; 37:334-347. [PMID: 37494424 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2023.2235294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined mental health symptoms, help-seeking, and coping differences between Canadian essential workers (EWs) versus non-EWs, as well as common COVID-related concerns and longitudinal predictors of mental health symptoms among EWs only. DESIGN An online, longitudinal survey (N = 1260; response rate (RR) = 78.5%) assessing mental health and psychosocial domains amongst Canadian adults was administered during the first wave of COVID-19 with a six-month follow-up (N = 821; RR = 53.7%). METHODS Cross tabulations and chi-square analyses examined sociodemographic, mental health, and coping differences between EWs and non-EWs. Frequencies evaluated common COVID-related concerns. Linear regression analyses examined associations between baseline measures with mental health symptoms six months later amongst EWs. RESULTS EWs reported fewer mental health symptoms and avoidance coping than non-EWs, and were most concerned with transmitting COVID-19. Both groups reported similar patterns of help-seeking. Longitudinal correlates of anxiety and perceived stress symptoms among EWs included age, marital status, household income, accessing a psychologist, avoidant coping, and higher COVID-19-related distress. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on the mental health of Canadian EWs. This research identifies which EWs are at greater risk of developing mental disorders, and may further guide the development of pandemic-related interventions for these workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisali Muthumuni
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jordana L Sommer
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Renée El-Gabalawy
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Clinical Health Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Kristin A Reynolds
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Natalie P Mota
- Department of Clinical Health Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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Mendola M, Masi F, Castiglione R, Soriano A, Zazou S, Tonelli F, Carrer P. Mental Disorders Among Healthcare Students Attending a Large University Hospital in Milan, Italy. LA MEDICINA DEL LAVORO 2024; 115:e2024009. [PMID: 38686578 PMCID: PMC11181219 DOI: 10.23749/mdl.v115i2.15168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high incidence rates, treatment difficulties, and tendency to become chronic, which subsequently affects personal and occupational functioning, make mental health disorders among the most important public health concerns. In this context, healthcare university students (HS) appear to be more vulnerable to psychological distress than others. OBJECTIVE Investigate the prevalence of diagnosed mental illness among different groups of HS to detect students who may be psychologically vulnerable and determine whether the implementation of support interventions is necessary. METHODS All HS who had a clinical examination performed by an occupational physician at our occupational health unit between 2021 and 2022 were included in our case series. Data were collected and analyzed as part of the occupational physicians' health surveillance program. RESULTS out of 679 HS (507 females, 172 males, aged 22.2±3.9 mean±s.d) undergone clinical examination at our Occupational Health Unit, 36 (5.3%) reported a diagnosed psychiatric illness, and 20 were receiving pharmacological therapy at the time of the visit. A higher prevalence of psychological disorders has been highlighted in females (6.1% vs 2.9% in males) and students of the mental health sector (11.1%) when compared with others. A fit-to-work judgment with prescription was necessary for 16.7% of students with mental diseases. The presence of psychiatric disorders was associated with underweight (27.8%) and higher smoking habit (44.4%). CONCLUSIONS These results underline the necessity of improving the current health surveillance protocols, which should also evaluate students' psychological fragility and implement effective intervention strategies to promote their health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Mendola
- Occupational Health Unit, Fatebenefratelli Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Masi
- School of Occupational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Soriano
- School of Occupational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Safi Zazou
- School of Occupational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Tonelli
- Occupational Health Unit, Fatebenefratelli Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Carrer
- Occupational Health Unit, Fatebenefratelli Sacco University Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Kalaitzaki A, Theodoratou M, Tsouvelas G, Tamiolaki A, Konstantakopoulos G. Coping profiles and their association with vicarious post-traumatic growth among nurses during the three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. J Clin Nurs 2024. [PMID: 38225790 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argyroula Kalaitzaki
- Department of Social Work, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Greece
- Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Approaches for the Enhancement of Quality of Life, School of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Greece
- Institute of AgriFood and Life Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Maria Theodoratou
- School of Humanistic Sciences, Hellenic Open University, Pafos, Cyprus
- School of Health Sciences, Neapolis University of Pafos, Pafos, Cyprus
| | - George Tsouvelas
- Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Approaches for the Enhancement of Quality of Life, School of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandra Tamiolaki
- Department of Social Work, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Greece
- Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Approaches for the Enhancement of Quality of Life, School of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Konstantakopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
- Department of Clinical, Education and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
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Perego G, Cugnata F, Brombin C, Milano F, Mazzetti M, Taranto P, Preti E, Di Pierro R, De Panfilis C, Madeddu F, Di Mattei VE. Analysis of healthcare workers' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from a three-wave longitudinal study. J Health Psychol 2023; 28:1279-1292. [PMID: 37078431 PMCID: PMC10119662 DOI: 10.1177/13591053231168040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The "Healthcare workers' wellbeing [Benessere Operatori]" project is an exploratory longitudinal study assessing healthcare workers' mental health at three different time points over a 14-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected socio-demographic and work-related information and assessed the perceived social support, coping strategies, and levels of depression, anxiety, insomnia, anger, burnout, and PTSD symptoms. In total, 325 Italian healthcare workers (i.e. physicians, nurses, other healthcare workers, and clerks) participated in the first initial survey and either the second or third subsequent survey. Participants reported subclinical levels of psychiatric symptoms that remained mostly unchanged across time, except for an increase in stress, depression, state anger, and emotional exhaustion symptoms. Despite subclinical levels, healthcare workers' distress can adversely affect the quality of care, patient satisfaction, and medical error rates. Therefore, implementing interventions to improve healthcare workers' wellbeing is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Perego
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University,
Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute,
Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Valentina E Di Mattei
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University,
Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute,
Italy
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Gonçalves T, Curado C. The role of ethical leadership and social networks in the promotion of workplace happiness and quality of care: A cross-sectional study. Int J Health Plann Manage 2023; 38:1330-1344. [PMID: 37208856 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examines the sequential effects of perceived ethical leaders and the strength of social networks among healthcare professionals on the perceived workplace happiness of healthcare professionals and its impacts on the quality of provided care. We conduct a partial least squares (PLS) analysis to estimate the relationship between the variables. Data comes from a survey conducted to 321 healthcare professionals with primary/direct contact with patients working at Portuguese hospitals. We use previously validated scales in the literature for measuring the variables; ethical leadership, social network in the context of the workplace; satisfaction, engagement, and commitment as proxies of workplace happiness, and, quality of care provided to patients (the outcome of the research model). Results show that ethical leadership positively influences social networks, workplace happiness, and quality of provided care. Social networks also have a positive relationship with workplace happiness and quality of provided care. Additionally, the workplace happiness of healthcare professionals positively influences the quality of provided care to patients. Our work addresses a diverse research gap regarding hospitals' ethical and social environment and hospital performance. Specifically, the empirical operationalisation of ethical leadership fights a literature gap in healthcare management. Moreover, we report evidence on the influence of antecedents, but also the performance consequences, of workplace happiness in healthcare environments. Our findings contribute to the literature while providing managerial implications for healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Gonçalves
- ADVANCE/CSG, ISEG - Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carla Curado
- ADVANCE/CSG, ISEG - Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Sikaras C, Tsironi M, Zyga S, Panagiotou A. Anxiety, insomnia and family support in nurses, two years after the onset of the pandemic crisis. AIMS Public Health 2023; 10:252-267. [PMID: 37304592 PMCID: PMC10251058 DOI: 10.3934/publichealth.2023019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Covid-19 pandemic continues to cause serious physical and mental problems for health professionals, particularly nurses. Aim To estimate the prevalence of anxiety and insomnia and to evaluate their possible association with family support received by nurses two years after the onset of the pandemic. Materials and methods In total, the study participants were 404 nurses (335 females and 69 males) with a mean age of 42.88 (SD = 10.9) years and a mean of 17.96 (SD = 12) years working as nurses. Nurses from five tertiary hospitals in Athens constituted the study population who completed the questionnaires State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and Family Support Scale (FSS), in the months of November and December 2021. Regarding demographic and occupational characteristics, gender, age and years of experience as nurses were recorded. Results 60.1% of the nurses showed abnormal scores in state anxiety, with 46.8% in trait anxiety, and 61.4% showed insomnia. Women showed higher scores on the two subscales of anxiety and the insomnia scale compared to men (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 respectively), while they showed a lower score on the FSS without statistical significance (p > 0.05). Positive correlations (p < 0.01) were found between the State Anxiety Inventory, Trait Anxiety Inventory and AIS, while all of them showed a high negative correlation with FSS (p < 0.01). Age showed a negative correlation with Trait Anxiety Inventory (p < 0.05). As shown by the mediation analysis, the relationship between state anxiety and insomnia was mediated by trait anxiety, whereas state anxiety appeared to be dependent on family support. Conclusions Nurses continue to experience high levels of anxiety and insomnia and feel less supported by their families than in the first year of the pandemic. Insomnia appears to be dependent on state anxiety, with a significant indirect effect of trait anxiety, while family support seems to affect state anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Sikaras
- University of the Peloponnese, Department of Nursing, 22100, Tripoli, Greece
- Sotiria Thoracic Diseases Hospital of Athens, Nursing Department, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Tsironi
- University of the Peloponnese, Department of Nursing, 22100, Tripoli, Greece
| | - Sofia Zyga
- University of the Peloponnese, Department of Nursing, 22100, Tripoli, Greece
| | - Aspasia Panagiotou
- University of the Peloponnese, Department of Nursing, 22100, Tripoli, Greece
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Troisi A. Mental Health Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12031213. [PMID: 36769860 PMCID: PMC9917975 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12031213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health has unveiled the complexity of the relationship between psychiatry and the rest of medicine, as clearly shown by the collection of studies published in this Special Issue entitled "Mental Health Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic" [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Troisi
- International Medical School, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Bongelli R, Fermani A, Canestrari C, Riccioni I, Muzi M, Bertolazzi A, Burro R. Italian validation of the situational Brief Cope Scale (I-Brief Cope). PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278486. [PMID: 36454789 PMCID: PMC9714734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The Brief COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) inventory is 14 faced scales used to assess coping strategies. It has been administered on different population samples and translated into several languages. Nonetheless, the Italian validation of its situational format is missing, and the present study aimed to fill this gap. To this end, the original English version of the scale was translated into Italian and administered to a sample of 682 Italian healthcare workers (HCWs), during the first wave of COVID-19. The Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (EFA and CFA) were performed and led to the validation of the Italian Brief COPE (I-Brief COPE) scale, consisting of 21 items, loading properly on 6 factors, which range from activation (F1) to deactivation (F2), via social support (F3), humorous reframing (F4), religious/spiritual reliance (F5), substances use (F6). The six factors identified represent, according to our analyses, the relevant dimensions of coping in a stressful situation such as COVID-19. The results of this study reveal that the I-Brief Cope can be considered as a valid tool for measuring coping strategies in facing stressful, unpredictable, and damaging events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramona Bongelli
- Department of Political Science, Communication and International Relations, University of Macerata, Macerata, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Alessandra Fermani
- Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, University of Macerata, Macerata, Italy
| | - Carla Canestrari
- Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, University of Macerata, Macerata, Italy
| | - Ilaria Riccioni
- Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, University of Macerata, Macerata, Italy
| | - Morena Muzi
- Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, University of Macerata, Macerata, Italy
| | - Alessia Bertolazzi
- Department of Political Science, Communication and International Relations, University of Macerata, Macerata, Italy
| | - Roberto Burro
- Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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