Anxiety, Depression and Risk of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Health Workers: The Relationship with Burnout during COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HW) have faced an extremely difficult work environment, with an increased workload and traumatic events. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on HW’s mental wellbeing. We analyzed the correlations between levels of burnout a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2021-09, Vol.18 (18), p.9929
Main Authors: Ghio, Lucio, Patti, Sara, Piccinini, Giulia, Modafferi, Cinzia, Lusetti, Eleonora, Mazzella, Massimo, Del Sette, Massimo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Burnout
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Generalized anxiety disorder
Insomnia
Intensive care
Likert scale
Medical personnel
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Mental health
Pandemics
Population
Post traumatic stress disorder
Psychological stress
Psychopathology
Questionnaires
Risk analysis
Risk factors
Signs and symptoms
Sleep disorders
Sociodemographics
Statistical analysis
Working conditions
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Summary:During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HW) have faced an extremely difficult work environment, with an increased workload and traumatic events. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on HW’s mental wellbeing. We analyzed the correlations between levels of burnout and other mental health disorders and we searched for the presence of specific risk factors of post-traumatic symptomatology related to the pandemic. A structured an on-line questionnaire and validated instruments were completed by a sample of HW from some hospitals in Genoa, Italy. Anxious, depressive, post-traumatic and other psychological symptoms were assessed and risk factors, related to the pandemic, were considered. Then, we investigated the correlation between levels of burnout and the risk of developing psychopathology. A total of 731 HW were screened, and we found increased levels of anxiety (61%), depression (62%), PTSD (34%) and high levels of burnout; especially emotional exhaustion (37%). A statistically significant association between burnout and insomnia, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic symptoms was demonstrated. This study indicates that during the COVID-19 pandemic, HW showed high levels of psychological distress and that burnout is an important predictor of sufferance. These findings support the idea to provide psychological and psychiatric support for HW.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph18189929