The relationship between Depression, Anxiety, Stress levels and Coping Strategies and Self-Compassion of Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Previous studies have shown that stress, anxiety levels, and depressive symptoms were more common in healthcare workers than in the normal population during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of our study was to compare the depression, anxiety and stress levels, coping strategies and self-compassion levels of healthcare workers who had significant anxiety of transmitting the disease to their loved ones and others. Method: Our study was conducted in May 2020. The sample was consisted of 113 healthcare professionals actively working during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research scales were transferred to the electronic environment via the Google Forms program and delivered to the participants. Result: In our study, it was found that the most important reason for the anxiety of healthcare workers was to infect their loved ones. People who had significant anxiety about infecting loved ones used more functional coping strategies, had lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and higher levels of self-compassion than those who did not have significant anxiety about infecting loved ones. Conclusion: It has been observed that this anxiety may have a functional effect rather than a loss of function in healthcare workers who are concerned about transmitting the disease to their loved ones. In order to protect health professionals from depression, anxiety and stress, studies should be carried out for individuals to gain self-compassion skills and functional coping strategies.