Psychological Resilience of Frontline Healthcare Workers in India: A Mixed-Methods Exploratory Study during COVID-19 Pandemic in India

Abstract

Objectives: To measure the resilience of the healthcare staff and frontline workers who played an active part during the COVID-19 pandemic in India and to explore the correlation of factors that bolster resilience. Materials and Methods: Mixed-methods study using convenience sampling, with a sample size of 103 respondents and a qualitative sample size of 18 respondents (11 doctors and 7 nurses) from all over India. The resilience was measured using the Brief Resilience Questionnaire. Results: The mean Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), indicative of the workforce’s psychological resilience, was 3.257 with a standard error of 0.07 (Max: 4.66 and Min: 1). The median score was 3.33. The study has shown a high positive correlation (r = 0.633) between the presence of a peer support mechanism (both formal and informal) in organisations and resilience of the healthcare workforce. There exists a moderate positive correlation between healthcare workers relationship status and their resilience (r = 0.226). A positive correlation with r = 0.122 was observed between the years of experience and the BRS scores. A weak but positive correlation was observed between the respondents’ self-reported positive adaptation to the pandemic and their BRS Scores. Conclusions: Enhancing the psychological resilience of healthcare workers, a key factor in delivering quality patient care, can be achieved through straightforward interventions leveraging fundamental human attributes such as peer support and interpersonal relationships.