Severe Burnout and Poor Mental Health Among Healthcare Workers 6 Months After COVID-19 Pandemic Declaration: What Can We Learn for Future Emergencies?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the predictors associated with severe burnout and poor mental health among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic as a learning opportunity for future emergent situations. BACKGROUND: Modifiable predictors of mental health need to be further examined and quantified to prioritize human resource support in organizations as healthcare workers confront stressful situations. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 271 healthcare workers from September 8 to October 10, 2020. RESULTS: Approximately one-third reported severe burnout, as well as moderate/severe anxiety and depression. Feeling protected working with COVID-19 patients, high family functioning, and spirituality were associated with 2- to 4-fold lower odds of severe burnout. Satisfaction with the organization's communications predicted 2-fold lower odds of anxiety, whereas high resilience was associated with almost 4-fold lower odds of stress and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare organizations may consider adopting programs to foster resilience, family and spiritual support, and effective communication strategies to reduce burnout and poor mental health among healthcare workers during pandemics and other situations of high stress.

Impacts of Coping Mechanisms on Nursing Students' Mental Health during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown have precipitated significant disruption in the educational system. Nursing students are known to have higher levels of stress and anxiety than other non-nursing students, but there is a dearth of evidence regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown on their mental health and coping mechanisms. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the influence of coping mechanisms as predictors of stress, anxiety, and depression among nursing students during the COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 20 April to 10 May 2020 among 173 nursing students at a private university in Southern California, USA. RESULTS: Self-reported stress, anxiety, and depression were significantly higher during the lockdown compared to the pre-lockdown period (p < 0.001). Almost a quarter of participants reported high stress, while more than half reported moderate-to-severe symptoms of anxiety and depression. High resilience was negatively associated with high stress (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.46; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.22-0.98; p = 0.045), moderate-to-severe anxiety (OR = 0.47; 95%CI = 0.25-0.90; p = 0.022), and moderate-to-severe depression (OR = 0.50; 95%CI = 0.26-0.95; p = 0.036). Similarly, high family functioning was negatively associated with high stress (OR = 0.41; 95%CI = 0.20-0.86; p = 0.018), moderate-to-severe anxiety (OR = 0.41; 95%CI = 0.21-0.80; p = 0.009), and moderate-to-severe depression (OR = 0.41; 95%CI = 0.20-0.81; p = 0.011). High spiritual support was negatively associated with moderate-to-severe depression (OR = 0.48; 95%CI = 0.24-0.95; p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 lockdown, nursing students experienced remarkable levels of poor mental health. High levels of resilience and family functioning were associated with 2- to 2.4-fold lower risk of stress, anxiety, and depression, whereas high spiritual support was associated with 2-fold lower risk of depression. As the pandemic evolves, fostering these coping mechanisms may help students to maintain their psychological wellbeing.

Predictors of poor mental health among nurses during COVID-19 pandemic.

AIMS: To examine the impact of various factors affecting nurses' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: An online cross-sectional study. METHODS: Registered nurses who graduated from a nursing school in Southern California, USA, participated in the study from 20 April-10 May 2020 (N = 320). Kendall's tau correlations and multivariate logistic regression procedures were performed with stress, anxiety and depression as outcome variables. RESULTS: Most nurses reported moderate/high stress (80.1%), while 43% and 26% reported moderate/severe anxiety and depression, respectively. COVID-19 patient care was positively associated with moderate/severe high stress (OR = 2.25; p = .012) and moderate/severe anxiety (OR = 3.04; p < .001), whereas quarantine was associated with moderate/severe depression (OR = 2.68; p < .001). High levels of family functioning, resilience and spirituality predicted two- to sixfold lower odds of moderate/severe stress, anxiety or depression. High resilience, spirituality and family functioning appear to be good coping mechanisms for nurses against stress, anxiety and depression during the pandemic.