Coping strategies adopted by Australian frontline health workers to address psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives The Australian COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers Study investigated coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours, and their relationship to mental health symptoms experienced by Australian healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Australian HCWs were invited to participate a nationwide, voluntary, anonymous, single time-point, online survey between 27th August and 23rd October 2020. Complete responses on demographics, home and work situation, and measures of health and psychological wellbeing were received from 7846 participants. Results The most commonly reported adaptive coping strategies were maintaining exercise (44.9%) and social connections (31.7%). Over a quarter of HCWs (26.3%) reported increased alcohol use which was associated with a history of poor mental health and worse personal relationships. Few used psychological wellbeing apps or sought professional help; those who did were more likely to be suffering from moderate to severe symptoms of mental illness. People living in Victoria, in regional areas, and those with children at home were significantly less likely to report adaptive coping strategies. Conclusions Personal, social, and workplace predictors of coping strategies and help-seeking behaviour during the pandemic were identified. Use of maladaptive coping strategies and low rates of professional help-seeking indicate an urgent need to understand the effectiveness of, and the barriers and enablers of accessing, different coping strategies.

“Covid Just Amplified the Cracks of the System”: Working as a Frontline Health Worker during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Our data were collected as part of the Australian COVID-19 Frontline Health Workers Study, an anonymous, online, national survey conducted between 27 August and 23 October 2020 that investigated the psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 on health workers. Details of this survey method, including sampling and recruitment, have been reported, along with some of the findings from quantitative data [28]. Survey participants included all those who identified as "frontline" health workers, such as medical, nursing, allied health, medical laboratory, administrative, and other support staff.…”

“…(Allied Health, Emergency Department, female, age [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] Changes to the work setting were also described as challenges. Many of those working from home detailed difficulties with delivering patient care, and described difficulties managing their workspace at home, particularly if they had other family members at home.…”

“…(Junior Doctor, Hospital Aged Care, female, age [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] The factor that most exemplified the exposure to risk was the lack of access to appropriate PPE, and this was a recurring issue throughout descriptions of the challenges faced:…”

Differences in Coping Strategies and Help-Seeking Behaviours among Australian Junior and Senior Doctors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Workplace stressors and mental health problems are recognised issues for hospital doctors [1][2][3][4][5]. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) pandemic and associated public health restrictions have compounded these issues, resulting in significant workplace, social and financial disruption, moral distress, and mental health symptoms for frontline healthcare workers in Australia and internationally [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. Adaptation to repeated and sometimes sudden changes in workload, work roles, PPE and visitor guidelines, and to alternative delivery models such as telehealth, have been required, often with inadequate communication or support from the workplace [7].…”

“…A growing body of work has investigated the specific types of coping strategies utilised by doctors during crises, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) pandemic in 2003 [13], natural disasters [14], and more recently, COVID-19 [10,15,16]. Adopting effective positive coping strategies, such as engaging with social supports and maintaining physical exercise, during and after a crisis can mediate the impacts of crisis events on mental health [17,18].…”