Abstract
Fear of becoming infected is an important factor of the complex suite of emotional reactions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among healthcare workers (HWs), fear of infection can put at risk their psychological well-being and occupational efficiency. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of personality (i.e., the big five traits) and adult attachment in predicting levels of fear (as measured by the FCV-19S) in 101 HWs employed in a COVID-19 university hospital. The three significant predictors retained by the stepwise regression model were age (beta = 0.26, t = 2.89, p < 0.01), emotional stability (i.e., the inverse of neuroticism) (beta = −0.26, t = −2.89, p < 0.01), and fearful attachment (beta = 0.25, t = 2.75, p < 0.01). Older HWs with higher levels of neuroticism and fearful attachment reported more intense fear of COVID-19. Our results can be useful to identify vulnerable subgroups of HWs and to implement selective programs of prevention based on counseling and psychological support.
Highlights
COVID-19 has exposed healthcare workers (HWs) and their families to unprecedented levels of risk
HWs represent less than 3% of the population in the large majority of countries and less than 2% in almost all low- and middle-income countries, around 14% of COVID-19 cases reported to WHO is among
In pre-COVID times, Taylor [26] predicted that individuals high in neuroticism are vulnerable to elevated distress during pandemics because they are sensitive to stress and threats of infection
Summary
COVID-19 has exposed healthcare workers (HWs) and their families to unprecedented levels of risk. While carrying out their duties, HWs face the occupational risk of being infected or unknowingly infecting others. HWs represent less than 3% of the population in the large majority of countries and less than 2% in almost all low- and middle-income countries, around 14% of COVID-19 cases reported to WHO is among. As of 1 June 2021, the number of coronavirus cases recorded among medical staff in Italy reached 135,054 [2]. There is a substantial difference between fear of infection and fear of noninfectious medical conditions (i.e., cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes) that are feared the most in ordinary times [4]
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