Depressive symptoms, burnout, resilience, and psychosocial support in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide study in Japan.

Aim: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health of healthcare workers. This study aimed to assess the mental health of healthcare workers and identify risk and protective factors. Methods: We surveyed 48,031 healthcare workers at 63 Japanese Red Cross hospitals from December 15, 2022 to January 15, 2023. Mental health was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Japanese Burnout Scale, and 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Furthermore, we inquired about the psychosocial support activities provided to the healthcare workers within their workplaces. Results: This study included 3815 healthcare workers (250 doctors, 32 residents, 2588 nurses, 504 co-medical staff, and 441 administrative staff). Symptoms of depression were noted in 31.5% of all participants and 46.9% of resident doctors. Women and those who were young, lived alone, had a nonmanagement position, had contact with coronavirus disease 2019 patients, or had passive motivation to coronavirus disease 2019 work had a significantly higher total Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score than in the corresponding groups with the opposite characteristics. High emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores on the Japanese Burnout Scale were risk factors for depressive symptoms, while living with family was a protective factor. Moreover, interventions such as job performance support (skills, knowledge, information, and safety), peer support, and organizational support (infection control team, patient care rotation systems) were effective. Conclusion: The impact of the prolonged coronavirus pandemic on mental health among healthcare workers is clear, and organized psychosocial support is needed.

Comparison of Mental Health among Japanese Healthcare Workers at Two Points during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The prolonged pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in mental burden among healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to conduct a repeated study to assess changes in psychological concerns among Japanese HCWs. METHODS: This study is the second survey involving HCWs at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center conducted between November 20, 2020 and December 4, 2020. The degree of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and resilience was assessed using the Japanese versions of the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, respectively. RESULTS: The survey included 594 HCWs, comprising 95 physicians, 261 nurses, 150 other co-medical staff, and 88 office workers. Among them, 46 (7.7%) and 152 (25.6%) developed moderate-to-severe symptoms of anxiety and depression, respectively. Compared with those in the initial survey conducted 6 months earlier, the resilience score did not change, whereas the anxiety and depression scores improved significantly (P < 0.001, P = 0.033, respectively). However, the frequency of HCWs developing moderate-to-severe symptoms of anxiety or depression did not significantly improve. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that having higher anxiety symptoms was a risk factor for depression symptoms, while older HCWs and those with higher resilience were less likely to develop depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Many HCWs still suffer from psychological concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anxiety, Depression, and Resilience of Healthcare Workers in Japan During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak.

Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading around the world. The aim of this study was to assess the degree of anxiety, depression, resilience, and other psychiatric symptoms among healthcare workers in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This survey involved medical healthcare workers at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center (Tokyo, Japan) between April 22 and May 15, 2020. The degree of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and resilience was assessed using the Japanese versions of the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Furthermore, we added original questionnaires comprising three factors: (i) anxiety and fear of infection and death; (ii) isolation and unreasonable treatment; and (iii) motivation and escape behavior at work. Results In total, 848 healthcare workers participated in this survey: 104 doctors, 461 nurses, 184 other co-medical staff, and 99 office workers. Among all participants, 85 (10.0%) developed moderate-to-severe anxiety disorder, and 237 (27.9%) developed depression. Problems with anxiety and fear of infection and death, isolation and unreasonable treatment, and motivation and escape from work were higher in the depression group than in the non-depression group (total CES-D score ≥ 16 points). Being a nurse and high total GAD-7 scores were risk factors of depression. Older workers and those with higher resilience were less likely to develop depression than others. Conclusion During the COVID-19 epidemic, many healthcare workers suffered from psychiatric symptoms. Psychological support and interventions for protecting the mental health of them are needed.