A1 Journal article (refereed)
Mental Health Status of Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Outbreak : An International Study (2021)

Nicolaou, C., Menikou, J., Lamnisos, D., Lubenko, J., Presti, G., Squatrito, V., Constantinou, M., Papacostas, S., Aydın, G., Chong, Y. Y., Chien, W. T., Cheng, H. Y., Ruiz, F. J., Segura-Vargas, M. A., Garcia-Martin, M. B., Obando-Posada, D. P., Vasiliou, V. S., McHugh, L., Höfer, S., . . . Gloster, A. T. (2021). Mental Health Status of Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Outbreak : An International Study. European Journal of Psychology Open, 80(1-2), 62-76. https://doi.org/10.1024/2673-8627/a000010

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Nicolaou, Christiana; Menikou, Joanna; Lamnisos, Demetris; Lubenko, Jelena; Presti, Giovambattista; Squatrito, Valeria; Constantinou, Marios; Papacostas, Savvas; Aydın, Gokcen; Chong, Yuen Yu; et al.

Journal or series: European Journal of Psychology Open

eISSN: 2673-8627

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 80

Issue number: 1-2

Pages range: 62-76

Publisher: Hogrefe Publishing Group

Publication country: Germany

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1024/2673-8627/a000010

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78056

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a massive health crisis that has exerted enormous physical and psychological pressure. Mental healthcare for healthcare workers (HCWs) should receive serious consideration. This study served to determine the mental-health outcomes of 1,556 HCWs from 45 countries who participated in the COVID-19 IMPACT project, and to examine the predictors of the outcomes during the first pandemic wave. Methods: Outcomes assessed were self-reported perceived stress, depression symptom, and sleep changes. The predictors examined included sociodemographic factors and perceived social support. Results: The results demonstrated that half of the HCWs had moderate levels of perceived stress and symptoms of depression. Half of the HCWs (n = 800, 51.4%) had similar sleeping patterns since the pandemic started, and one in four slept more or slept less. HCWs reported less perceived stress and depression symptoms and higher levels of perceived social support than the general population who participated in the same project. Predictors associated with higher perceived stress and symptoms of depression among HCWs included female sex, not having children, living with parents, lower educational level, and lower social support. Discussion: The need for establishing ways to mitigate mental-health risks and adjusting psychological interventions and support for HCWs seems to be significant as the pandemic continues.

Keywords: health care personnel; work burden; psychological strain; stress (biological phenomena); mental health; mental health problems; pandemics; COVID-19; international comparison

Free keywords: healthcare workers; COVID-19; pandemic; mental health; psychological problems

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1