Associations between Personality Traits, Intolerance of Uncertainty, Coping Strategies, and Stress in Italian Frontline and Non-Frontline HCWs during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Multi-Group Path-Analysis

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic represented a very difficult physical and psychological challenge for the general population and even more for healthcare workers (HCWs). The main aim of the present study is to test whether there were significant differences between frontline and non-frontline Italian HCWs concerning (a) personality traits, intolerance of uncertainty, coping strategies and perceived stress, and (b) the models of their associations. A total of 682 Italian HCWs completed a self-report questionnaire: 280 employed in COVID-19 wards and 402 in other wards. The analysis of variance omnibus test revealed significant differences between the two groups only for perceived stress, which was higher among the frontline. The multi-group path analysis revealed significant differences in the structure of the associations between the two groups of HCWs, specifically concerning the relations between: personality traits and intolerance of uncertainty; intolerance of uncertainty and coping strategies. Regarding the relation between coping strategies and stress no difference was identified between the two groups. In both of them, emotionally focused coping was negatively related with perceived stress, whereas dysfunctional coping was positively related with stress. These results could be useful in planning actions aiming to reduce stress and improve the effectiveness of HCWs’ interventions. Training programs aimed to provide HCWs with a skillset to tackle uncertain and stressful circumstances could represent an appropriate support to develop a preventive approach during outbreaks.

Healthcare Workers’ SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Uncertainty-Related Stress, Resilience, and Coping Strategies during the First Week of the World Health Organization’s Alert

“…In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, higher intolerance of uncertainty has been found to correlate with stress and anxiety in various countries during the pandemic [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. A similar correlation was also observed in HCWs, whose intolerance of uncertainty was correlated with their utilized coping strategies in the face of the pandemic [ 33 ]. Thus, it is crucial to study HCWs’ intolerance of uncertainty, and a vital construct for additional studies as the uncertainties of the pandemic persists.…”

Healthcare workers’ COVID-19 Omicron variant uncertainty-related stress, resilience, and coping strategies during the first week of World Health Organization alert

“…The stress that HCWs reported shortly after the announcement of the Omicron variant varied in our study, and some of that variation could be explained by their underlying intolerance of uncertainty. As has been demonstrated in other HCWs’ samples [31,36], higher intolerance of uncertainty is associated with higher stress. It is likely that this association is particularly relevant when new infectious strains are discovered, since such events are often shrouded with uncertainties.…”

“…In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, higher intolerance of uncertainty has been found to correlate with stress and anxiety in various countries during the pandemic [22-30]. A similar correlation was also observed in HCWs, whose intolerance of uncertainty was correlated with their utilized coping strategies in the face of the pandemic[31]. Thus, it is crucial to study HCWs’ intolerance of uncertainty, and a vital construct for additional studies as the uncertainties of the pandemic persists.…”

“…The number one reason for intolerance of uncertainty (IUS-12) was that HCWs wanted to be able to organize everything in advance. Generally, HCWs tend to be more on the need for the occurrence of predictability and active engagement to increase certainty and avoid uncertainty[31]. One study showed that maladaptive coping behaviors and being neurotic were associated with risks of distress among HCWs during the COVID-19 epidemics[53].…”

“…The average Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12) score was 31.8, or 53.0% if the possible score range is changed to a percentage. In a study from Italy, high levels of prospective intolerance of uncertainty as measured by the IUS-12 was a well-recognized feature of the studied Italian HCWs[31]. This is understandable as HCWs tend to have a tendency to be able to predict the future and to relay the prognosis and outcome of disease status to their patients and families.…”