scholarly journals Occupational Stress and Mental Health among Anesthetists during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author(s):  
Nicola Magnavita ◽  
Paolo Maurizio Soave ◽  
Walter Ricciardi ◽  
Massimo Antonelli

Anesthetist-intensivists who treat patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) are exposed to significant biological and psychosocial risks. Our study investigated the occupational and health conditions of anesthesiologists in a COVID-19 hub hospital in Latium, Italy. Ninety out of a total of 155 eligible workers (59%; male 48%) participated in the cross-sectional survey. Occupational stress was assessed with the Effort Reward Imbalance (ERI) questionnaire, organizational justice with the Colquitt Scale, insomnia with the Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI), and mental health with the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS). A considerable percentage of workers (71.1%) reported high work-related stress, with an imbalance between high effort and low rewards. The level of perceived organizational justice was modest. Physical activity and meditation—the behaviors most commonly adopted to increase resilience—decreased. Workers also reported insomnia (36.7%), anxiety (27.8%), and depression (51.1%). The effort made for work was significantly correlated with the presence of depressive symptoms (r = 0.396). Anesthetists need to be in good health in order to ensure optimal care for COVID-19 patients. Their state of health can be improved by providing an increase in individual resources with interventions for better work organization.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taha Husain ◽  
Mohammad Main Uddin ◽  
Saber Ahmed Chowdhury ◽  
Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah

AbstractObjectivesTo identify the level of Mental Health Status of Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic among the Bangladeshi Graduate Student at DhakaMethodA cross-sectional survey was conducted with 330 students from different public and Private Universities in Dhaka, Bangladesh between April 01, 2020 and July 31, 2020 amid the COVID-19 lockdown period in Bangladesh. A standard, self-administered online questionnaire consisting of questions on socio-demographic variables, mental health status, as well as stress management sent to the respondents through social networking platforms. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA and correlation tests.ResultsThe mean score of mental health status was 2.08 based on four points scale. They felt problem in decision making (3.04), in doing the things well (2.92), in enjoying normal day to day life (2.88), in playing a useful part in life (2.85), in doing their task (2.75), living in perfectly well and in good health (2.70). The respondents also developed a suicidal tendency (2.55), felt nervous in strung-up (2.24), took longer time to do things (2.14), felt tightness and pressure in head (2.12), and found themselves pressurized by various stuff (2.05). This study also found a significant positive relationship between mental health status and age, living with parents, and parents’ attitude. Finally, this study revealed that the respondents managed their stress by chatting with their friends, parents and siblings, and by sleeping.ConclusionMental health status of adolescents was found moderate in this study. This study suggests further large-scale study including different socio-economic settings in order to figure out the real scenario of adolescents’ mental health status of the country during the pandemic.


2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402097213
Author(s):  
Yaoyao Sun ◽  
Haidong Song ◽  
Hong Liu ◽  
Fangxiang Mao ◽  
Xiaohua Sun ◽  
...  

Background: During the COVID-19, community mental health care workers (CMHWs) faced much heavier workloads, which make them vulnerable to mental problems. Aim: This study aims to investigate coronavirus disease-related occupational stress and its single and cumulative effect on mental health and self-efficacy among CMHWs. Methods: A quick-response online cross-sectional survey WA conducted during the coronavirus disease outbreak. A total of 536 CMHWs were recruited in March 2020, in China. Demographics, occupational stress, depression, anxiety, positive and negative emotions, and self-efficacy were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to test the single and cumulative effect of occupational stress on mental health and self-efficacy. Results: CMHWs did not show high level of depression or anxiety in this study. Those who provided service for suspected people who were quarantined reported higher risk of depression and anxiety. Staying out for more than 3 days was a risk factor of depression while cleaning/sterilising streets or communities was a protective factor of depression. Those who received psychiatric training showed higher positive emotion and self-efficacy, and providing psychological assistance online increased the self-efficacy. CMHWs with two different types of work had 0.996 times more risk of depression than those with only one type of work. Conclusion: The potential cumulative effect of occupation stress suggested that reasonable job assignment and organisational support are necessary safeguards for CMHWs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafia Tasnim ◽  
Md. Safaet Hossain Sujan ◽  
Md. Saiful Islam ◽  
Asmaul Husna Ritu ◽  
Md. Abid Bin Siddique ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) who are in the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic are often under significant pressures that may predispose them to symptoms of poor mental health. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among HCWs and factors correlated with mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. And, it also aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Bangla version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between July and August, 2020. A self-reported online questionnaire was utilized to collect data. The survey included questions concerning socio-demographic, lifestyle, and work setting, as well as the HADS. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple linear regression analysis were performed. Results Data from 803 HCWs (50.7% male; mean age: 27.3 [SD = 6.9]; age range: 18-58 years) were included in the final analysis. The Bangla HADS was psychometrically sound, and demonstrated good internal consistency and reliability (α = 0.83), and excellent construct validity. Prevalence estimates of anxiety and depression were 69.5%, and 39.5%, respectively, for less severe symptomology (at least borderline abnormal), and 41.2% and 15.7% for more severe (at least abnormal) symptomology. Regression analyses with the total HADS score as a dependent variable revealed significant (p < 0.05) associations with female gender, moderate and poor health status, infrequent physical exercising, smoking, having had regrets about one’s profession because of the pandemic and associated experiences, not updating on the latest COVID-19-related research, experiencing discrimination in the workplace, and facing social problems due to working in a lab or hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions Symptoms of anxiety and depression are prevalent among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. The findings suggest a need for screening for mental health concerns, and employing early intervention to help these individuals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Borregaard ◽  
S.N Nielsen ◽  
J.F Lassen ◽  
L.O Jensen ◽  
L Thrysoe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although survival rates among patients with coronary artery disease have increased since the introduction of treatment with percutaneous coronary intervention, PCI, the effect of psychological factors such as symptoms of anxiety and depression on adverse outcomes are sparsely described. Purpose The objective of the current study was to investigate the association between symptoms of anxiety and depression and 1-year mortality after PCI. Methods A national cross-sectional survey at hospital discharge (responders, n=3,366) with register-based follow-up among patients having undergone elective or emergency PCI. Mental health was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS, and divided into symptoms of anxiety (HADS-A) and symptoms of depression (HADS-D). The association between mental health (HADS-A and HADS-D) and 1-year all-cause mortality were investigated with Cox Proportional Hazard models with time to death as the underlying time scale. The results are presented as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and adjusted for sex, age and Tu-comorbidity score. Results At discharge, 32% of the population reported symptoms of anxiety (HADS-A ≥8) and 19% reported symptoms of depression (HADS-D ≥8). After one year, the mortality rate among patients being alive at discharge was 2.1%. All-cause mortality did not differ among patients reporting symptoms of anxiety compared to patients without symptoms of anxiety (2.3% vs 1.9%, p=0.454), whereas all-cause mortality was higher among patients reporting symptoms of depression compared to those, who did not (4.3% vs 1.6%, p≤0.001). In the regression analyses, symptoms of anxiety (HADS-A ≥8) was not associated with 1-year mortality (HR 1.16 95% CI 0.70–1.92); however, symptoms of depression was (HADS-D ≥8, HR 2.27 95% CI 1.38–3.73, adjusted analyses). Based on the continuous scores of HADS-D, a one-point increase in scores was associated with a 12% higher risk of 1-year mortality (HR 1.12 95% CI 1.05–1.18) (Figure 1). Conclusion After PCI, nearly one-third of patient report symptoms of anxiety and one-fifth symptoms of depression. Symptoms of anxiety was not associated with 1-year mortality, whereas symptoms of depression increased the risk of 1-year mortality. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ercan Kurt ◽  
İbrahim Ethem Ovalı ◽  
Umut Gulacti ◽  
Semih Canpolat ◽  
Mehtap Koparal ◽  
...  

Abstract Background/Aim: COVID-19 disease occurs in close contact due to its highly contagious nature. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are in the frontline of struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The thoughts, behaviors, attitudes, and psychosocial statuses of healthcare professionals working in this problematic condition have not yet been fully investigated in Turkey. We aimed to evaluate the mental health and psychosocial status, thoughts about the measures taken by the government, attitudes, and behaviors of healthcare workers facing the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether there is a difference between physician and non-physician HCWs. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, a 56-question multiple-choice test created based on similar surveys and scales was performed by a one-to-one interview with the HCWs in three registered hospitals fighting the COVID-19 pandemic from 20 May to 10 June 2020. Mental health variables were assessed via the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) and the Turkish Beck Depression Scale to specify psychological manifestations. A scoring system was applied using a four-point Likert scale, from no points (“strongly disagree”) to three points (“strongly agree”) to determine the levels of anxiety and depression. Participants were divided into two groups as physician and non-physician HCWs for subgroup analysis. Results: A total of 300 HCWs (45 physicians, 255 non-physician health care workers) enrolled in the survey. Only 0.8% of HCWs received psychological support from a therapist or psychiatrist. The most common concern during the COVID-19 pandemic was about “the elderly and other risky population being infected” (37.9%). Compared with non-physician HCWs, physicians felt more concerned about the spread of COVID-19 (80% vs 47.1%, P=0.006 χ2=12.591) and they agreed at a higher rate that the number of tests performed was sufficient (53.3% vs. 41.2%, P=0.030, OR: 0.29-0.35, χ2=7.047). For all HCWs, the "feeling of being infected with COVID-19” item had the highest mean total score (2.60 (0.97). The mean score of the “feeling nervous/anxious/on edge” item was 2.53 (0.52) for physicians and 2.26 (0.86) for non-physician HCWs. Non- physicians HCWs had a higher mean score for “Feeling of increased body pain and agony” item than physicians 0.27(0.80) vs 0.76 (1.23), mean dif=-0.50, 95% confidence interval=-1.002 to 0.006, P<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that healthcare professionals were most anxious about “being infected with COVID-19”. Both physician and non-physician HCWs were feeling nervous/anxious/on edge according to anxiety scores.


Author(s):  
Ayako Morita ◽  
Takeo Fujiwara

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are assumed to increase the risk of depression in late life via development of poor mental health conditions; however, the association between mental distress in childhood and geriatric depression has not been directly examined. This study examined the association between childhood suicidal ideation and geriatric depression, using population-based, cross-sectional survey data from 1140 community-dwelling, functionally independent older adults in Wakuya City, Japan. We assessed childhood suicidal ideation by asking the participants whether they had seriously considered attempting suicide before the age of 18, together with geriatric depression, using the Japanese version of the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Poisson regression was applied to adjust for potential confounders and mediators. In total, 6.1% of the participants reported childhood suicidal ideation. After adjustment for sex, age, personality attributes and ACEs, childhood suicidal ideation was positively associated with geriatric depression prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.40, 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI): 1.04–1.88). The increased PR of geriatric depression remained significant, even after further adjustment for adulthood socio-economic status, recent life stressors and current health status (PR: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.02–1.88). Further prospective studies are warranted, but efforts to deliver mental health services to children with suicidal ideation potentially diminish the highly prevalent geriatric depression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-350
Author(s):  
Iman Dianat ◽  
Sonia Azemi ◽  
Farahnaz Abdollahazade ◽  
Ahmad Bazazan ◽  
Mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi

Background: While it is acknowledged that self-efficacy plays a significant role in understanding consequences of occupational stress, no research has given much attention to the mediating effect of self-efficacy in the association between occupational stress and mental health (MH)problems. The aims of this study were to examine: (1) the associations between occupational stress, MH problems, and self-efficacy among nursing professionals, and (2) mediating effect of self-efficacy in the association between occupational stress and MH problems. Methods: A multi-hospital cross-sectional survey was adopted in eight hospitals in Tabriz, Iran. 389 nursing staff were recruited through a two-stage sampling procedure. Study variables included occupational stress (Health & Safety Executive [HSE] Management Standards RevisedIndicator Tool [MS–RIT]), mental health (General Health Questionnaire [GHQ–28]), and self efficacy (General Self-Efficacy [GSE–10]). Generalized structural equation modelling (GSEM)was applied. Results: Occupational stress (mean±SD=109.2±13.4), poor MH (41.9%), and low selfefficacy (mean±SD=17.7±4.9) were fairly common among the participants. The results showed significant direct effect of occupational stress on MH problems (β=- 0.38, P<0.001). Indirect effect of occupational stress on MH problems through self-efficacy was not significant. Conclusion: The findings highlight the role of other mechanisms or factors than self-efficacy in the association between occupational stress and MH problems that should be established in future work.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 971-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Farrell ◽  
Shuja Reagu ◽  
Suruchi Mohan ◽  
Riham Elmidany ◽  
Feras Qaddoura ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesThe physical health impact of the coronavirus disease infection (COVID-19) has received attention worldwide; however, data around the psychological impact of the pandemic is still emerging and little has been reported on psychological effects among vulnerable groups. This study was undertaken with the aim of studying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions on perinatal mental health among women in Qatar.MethodsA cross- sectional survey of women accessing maternity services in Qatar was carried out during the months of June and July 2020 at the local peak of the pandemic. Background data including relevant demographic details, pregnancy and mental health history, concerns, as well as helpful stress-reducing factors reported by women was collected. Depression and anxiety symptomatology was studied using the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety-Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS).ResultsThe survey results revealed a high prevalence of anxiety and Depressive symptomatology (34.4 and 39.2% respectively), based on PHQ-ADS scoring. These rates appeared much higher than the reported pre-pandemic prevalence and were not affected by occupation, previous mental health problems or pregnancy complications. Women’s most commonly reported concerns as well as coping factors are discussed.ConclusionsResults indicate a marked increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, among pregnant and puerperal individuals, who constitute a vulnerable group with respect to mental health morbidity. These findings can be used to inform public health interventions, among which, consideration should be given to routine mental health screening of vulnerable groups during major health crises.


2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110108
Author(s):  
Michelle Anne Adams ◽  
Matthew Brazel ◽  
Richard Thomson ◽  
Hannah Lake

Objectives: To ascertain whether doctors were experiencing higher rates of distress during Covid-19 and whether this was impacted by demographic factors. Our hypotheses were that being a junior doctor, having a previous mental health diagnosis and treating Covid-19 positive patients would predict higher rates of distress. Methods: Cross-sectional survey conducted via Survey Monkey. Voluntary participants were recruited from the mailing list of a national-based referral service for doctors to psychiatrists. Distress was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Demographic factors were analysed for predictive value of a higher rating on the K10. Areas of concern in relation to Covid-19 and preference for support services were measured on a Likert scale and compared to levels of distress. Results: The rate of very high distress was 15%. Being a junior doctor and having a previous mental health diagnosis were predictive factors of a higher K10 score. K10 was not affected by likelihood of contact with Covid-19-positive patients. Social isolation had a larger impact on mental health in the context of a previous psychiatric diagnosis. Face-to-face assessments were preferred. Conclusions: Rates of distress in doctors have been higher than baseline during Covid-19. Some groups have been particularly vulnerable.


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