Abstract
BackgroundThis study analyzed the difference in psychological distress of the healthcare workers in three different periods of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Argentina. Specifically, from the third week of the mandatory quarantine through the two following weeks.MethodsAnalysis of the responses of 1,458 members of the health personnel was done on a questionnaire on healthcare workers concerns regarding the care of patients with coronavirus, indicators of depression, anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and coping.ResultsThe psychological indicators that were considered presented differences between the evaluated periods. Perceived concerns about the possibility of infecting loved ones and infecting themselves were greatest in the periods after the onset of the pandemic. In addition, the perception of how the work environment worsened and how lack of sleep interfered with their work was also higher in periods 2 and 3. The same results were found in the indicators of depression, anxiety, and intolerance of uncertainty. Finally, the indicators of high tension and concurrent lack of emotional control, which was greater in the last periods evaluated, were also expressed in the coping strategies (showing emotional lability, only contained by hypercontrol).ConclusionThe differences found in the psychological indicators between the evaluated periods support the need for early psychological care of health personnel which should be a priority of public health and a fundamental fact to increase its immediate effectiveness in the care of infected patients.
Highlights
Mental health in disaster situations, like the current pandemic outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has become an important field for the development of scientific knowledge to face the moments in which a large number of people have their lives severely affected by natural catastrophes and manmade catastrophes (Bolton and Tang, 2004; Silove and Steel, 2006)
We had to analyze whether there was a difference in the indicators of depression, anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and coping among health professionals who worked in different areas while controlling all three periods
Results indicated that there were no differences between the indicators based on the work area of the health professionals included in the study [indicators of depression, FHotelling (16, 5,766) = 1.47, p = 0.10; indicators of anxiety, FHotelling (24, 5,762) = 1.18, p = 0.25; indicators of intolerance of uncertainty, FHotelling (12, 4,431) = 1.13, p = 0.33; and indicators of coping, FHotelling (32, 5,698) = 0.92, p = 0.60]
Summary
Mental health in disaster situations, like the current pandemic outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has become an important field for the development of scientific knowledge to face the moments in which a large number of people have their lives severely affected by natural catastrophes and manmade catastrophes (Bolton and Tang, 2004; Silove and Steel, 2006). Disasters have some key elements in common. The threat they represent to human survival and adaptation. When planning mental health initiatives after a disaster, it is important to optimize the emergent knowledge about these psychological reactions and how these shape the need for adequate mental health services (Silove, 2005). From the third week of the mandatory quarantine through the two following weeks
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