Association of the COVID-19 pandemic on the risk of mental disorders among healthcare personel

Abstract

ASSOCIATION OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE RISK OF MENTAL DISORDERS AMONG HEALTHCARE PERSONEL

Introduction. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has left a physical and psychological mark on human beingsall around the world. Regardless of age, gender or social status, the burden of the pandemic and its eff ects are felt by the entire population. Depending on the SARS-CoV-2 variant and risk factors the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection can vary, both in frequency and severity. In clinical practice, the severity of the disease is determined by using a four-grade scale, to which the patient’s treatment, care and rehabilitation are individually tailored . A separate issue of the aftermath of SARS-CoV-2 is the psychological eff ects on those at risk, patients and medical personnel. The widespread of the pandemic, the imposed restrictions and the continuing scale of the disease have negatively aff ected mental health, which cannot be underestimated. An important task is to implement prevention and recovery programs to counteract the long-term eff ects of the pandemic.

Aim. The aim of this study is to assess risk of depression, anxiety, stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among medical personnel associated with the SARS-COV-2 pandemic and pandemic threat.

Material and methods. The study included 133 medical professionals. A diagnostic survey was adopted as the method for the study using a self-administered questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Impact of Events Scale (IES-R). The data was collected online, using the Google Form application.

Results. The highest mean value in the evaluation of negative psychological states experienced while working under pandemic conditions was obtained in the stress category (M=7.8; SD±3.29), although only 8% of the respondents experienced it to a severe or extremely severe degree. When analyzing the severity of the study variables to a severe or extremely severe degree, anxiety was the most severe (15%). When it came to depression, 43% of medical professionals declared a moderate condition. 23% of respondents declared the presence of most of the symptoms characteristic of PTSD. The highest average value was obtained in the area of hyperarousal. The risk of developing symptoms of traumatic stress/posttraumatic stress disorder is not dependent on sociodemographic variables.

Conclusions. Within the examined areas concerning the occurrence of depressive, anxiety and stress disorders, stress was the most severe disorder. Personnel working periodically in direct contact with a COVID-19-infected patient were at the highest risk of developing PTSD in the future.