Abstract |
The aim of this study was to identify how previously existing burnout and its changes during the pandemic contributed to PTSD symptoms and psychological distress in a cohort of 388 healthcare workers (HCWs). Each HCW was surveyed in Sep 2019 (before COVID-19) and again in Dec 2020-Jan 2021 (during the pandemic) to assess burnout (MBI); and in the second wave only to assess PTSD (PCL-5-SF), psychological distress (GHQ-12) and resilience (CD-RISC-10). Changes in emotional exhaustion (EE) and depersonalisation ( DEP) were stronger in HCWs with lower EE and DEP baseline values. HCWs with higher baseline poor personal accomplishment (PPA) improved more than those with lower baseline values. In multivariable-adjusted models, pre-pandemic EE and its changes were equally associated to both outcomes: standardised-βs of 0.52 and 0.54 for PTSD, respectively; and 0.55 and 0.53 for psychological distress. Changes in DEP were associated with PTSD only (0.10). Changes in PPA had a higher association with psychological distress (0.29) than pre-pandemic PPA (0.13). Resilience was associated with lower psychological distress (-0.25). Preventive actions aimed at reducing EE, e.g., addressing organisational dysfunctions, are needed to mitigate the impact of future crises, whereas improving personal accomplishment levels is a key target to protect HCWs from mental health disorders during a pandemic.
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Authors | Emanuele Maria Giusti, Giovanni Veronesi, Camilla Callegari, Rossana Borchini, Gianluca Castelnuovo, Francesco Gianfagna, Licia Iacoviello, Marco Mario Ferrario |
Journal | Psychiatry research
(Psychiatry Res)
Vol. 326
Pg. 115305
(08 2023)
ISSN: 1872-7123 [Electronic] Ireland |
PMID | 37331071
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V. |
Topics |
- Humans
- Mental Health
- Pandemics
- COVID-19
- Burnout, Psychological
- Disease Outbreaks
- Health Personnel
- Burnout, Professional
(epidemiology)
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