The aim of this study is to examine the association between coping strategies, resilience, optimism and different mental health outcomes like stress, anxiety, and depression among the medical residents' during the COVID-19 pandemic, with consideration of different factors like seniority, frontliner, gender, and coping style.Methods: An electronic survey was sent to all medical residents in Qatar. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed by the DASS-21. Professional quality of life was measured by the ProQOL scale. The coping mechanisms were assessed with the Brief-COPE, and resilience was measured by the Brief Resilience Scale. Results:The most commonly used coping strategies were acceptance, religion, and active coping. The avoidant coping style scores were higher among junior residents (p = .032) and non-COVID-19 frontliners (p = .039). Optimism LOT-R score was higher in senior than in junior residents (p < .001). Lower avoidant coping scores, higher optimism, and higher resilience were associated with lower stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Conclusion:It seems that avoidant coping styles can exacerbate depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms in medical residents amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies promoting optimism, resilience, and approach coping styles can decrease the mental health burden of the pandemic on medical residents.

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AimsThe aims of our study were to assess and to examine i. the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical residents working on the front and second line, ii. the association between coping strategies, resilience and optimism and different mental health outcomes like stress, anxiety, and depression among the medical residents’ workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and iii. the coping strategies used on the same sample with consideration of different factors like seniority, frontliner, gender and coping style.MethodAn electronic survey was sent to all medical residents in Qatar. Depression, anxiety and stress were assessed by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 Items. Professional quality of life was measured by the Professional Quality of Life measure. The coping mechanisms were assessed with the Brief-COPE, resilience by the Brief Resilience Scale, and optimism by the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R).ResultOf the 640 medical residents contacted, 127 (20%) responded. A considerable proportion of residents reported symptoms of depression (42.5%), anxiety (41.7%) and stress (30.7%). Multivariate analysis of variance showed significant effects of seniority in residency, with junior residents having poorer outcomes. In addition, there was a statistically significant interaction effect with moderate effect sizes between gender and working on the front line, as well as gender, working on the front line and seniority, on mental health outcomes. The most commonly used coping strategies were acceptance, religion, and active coping. The least reported coping strategies were substance use and denial. Avoidant coping style scores were higher among junior residents (p = .032) and non-COVID-19 frontliners (p = .039). Optimism LOT-R score was higher in senior than in junior residents (p < .001). Another important finding is that optimism and resilience were associated with better mental health outcomes. In addition, we find that avoidant coping style is highly associated with depression.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic may have a negative impact on junior residents’ mental health. Preventive measures to reduce stress levels and easy access to professional mental health services are crucial. This study also raises awareness among residency programs on the psychological and coping responses and strategies of medical residents.

C o pyrig ht © 2019 Sa m i O ua ne s, MD -De pa rtm e nt o f Psyc hia try Ha m a d Me dic a l C o rpo ra tio n -Do ha , Q a ta r Ma le k Smid a 1 , Sa m i O ua ne s 1 , Ab d e lm o ne im Ab d e lha ka m 1 , Zia d Kro nfo l 2 1 Ha m a d Me d ic a l C o rp o ra tio n, De p a rtm e nt o f Psyc hia try, Do ha , Q a ta r. 2 We ill C o rne ll Me d ic a l C o lle g e , Me d ic a l Ed uc a tio n, Do ha , Q a ta r.