Elevated depressive symptoms among newer and younger healthcare workers in Japan during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Aim Depression is a frequent outcome of long‐term stress, but no studies have examined depression rates among Japanese healthcare workers fighting the COVID‐19 pandemic. Therefore, we conducted a web‐based interview of hospital employees to assess depression prevalence and factors. Methods This observational cohort study was conducted from July to August, 2020, as part of a mandatory health checkup of Juntendo University Hospital employees (Tokyo, Japan). A total of 4239 participants completed a web‐based questionnaire on medical history and current health status. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) was used for self‐assessment, with a score of ≥16 considered to indicate depression. Results Among all employees, the proportion of depression was 31.3% in 2020, the highest measured in the last 10 years and substantially greater than the pre‐pandemic value in 2019 (27.5%). The proportion of depression for 2020 was significantly higher in new recruits than in employees with more than 2 years of experience (47.0% vs 29.9%, respectively, P < .0001) and in new recruits in 2019 (26.4%, P < .0001). When subdivided by occupation, nurses demonstrated the highest depression rate (43.2%), followed by paramedics (35.1%) and clerks (31.6%), whereas residents (22.9%), doctors (20.4%), teaching staff (18.0%), and part‐time staff (15.3%) reported lower depression rates. The positive CES‐D score significantly correlated with age ( P < .0001). Conclusions Younger and newer employees demonstrated the highest rates of depression independent of occupation. Therefore, mental healthcare programs focusing on these vulnerable groups need to be established.

New Graduate Nurses Navigating Entry to Practice in the Covid-19 Pandemic

“…There is also a growing body of literature illuminating the complexity of new graduate nurse transition during the Covid-19 pandemic. Collectively the findings highlight experiences of fear, uncertainty and self-doubt (Aukerman et al, 2022;García-Martín et al, 2021;Kovanci & Atlı Özbaş, 2022) alongside negative impacts on psychological health (Katsuta et al, 2021;Nayor et al, 2021), while other findings reveal themes of resilience and commitment to the profession of nursing (Casey et al, 2021;Nayor et al, 2021;Sessions et al, 2021). Some of these emerging experiences have also been reflected in past endemics, however the longevity and magnitude of the Covid-19 pandemic may serve to mediate experiences in ways that may not parallel these past experiences.…”

The Big Five personality traits and the fear of COVID-19 in predicting depression and anxiety among Japanese nurses caring for COVID-19 patients: A cross-sectional study in Wakayama prefecture

“…In a study, it was reported that between 20% and 30% of nurses tending to the COVID-19 patients were in a state of high mental distress, and the increase in the number of patients was a factor affecting their mental health problems and the intention to resign [ 6 ]. Another study in a university hospital showed that approximately 30% of young nurses with depression showed depressive symptoms during the pandemic [ 16 ]. Nurses in closer contact with patients are considered more likely to have mental health problems than other healthcare employees.…”

The prevalence of probable mental health disorders among hospital healthcare workers during COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…18 datasets conducted in 11 countries during COVID-19 reported the prevalence of probable mental health disorders across different timepoints (details in S10 Appendix) (Algattas et al, 2021; Baumann et al, 2021; Cai et al, 2020; Castioni et al, 2021; Chene et al, 2021; De Kock et al, 2022; Doulias et al, 2021; Gündoĝmuş et al, 2021; Katsuta et al, 2021; Lasalvia et al, 2021; Lasalvia et al, 2020; Li et al; Magnavita et al, 2021a, b; Magnavita et al, 2020; Moore et al, 2021; Mosolova et al, 2021; Noaimi et al, 2021; Schmid et al, 2021; Shechter et al, 2021; Th’ng et al, 2021). Due to the variation in timepoints, differences in context, and the small number of studies, the temporal relationship between prevalence rates of mental health outcomes and the COVID-19 pandemic were narratively synthesised to avoid combining quantitative data inappropriately.…”

“…Two studies (Katsuta et al, 2021; Moore et al, 2021) compared pre-pandemic rates with COVID-19 rates in hospital HCWs. One study (Katsuta et al, 2021) (n-T1=2529, n-T2=2501) found no significant difference in the prevalence of depression pre-pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic among hospital HCWs.…”

“…Two studies (Katsuta et al, 2021; Moore et al, 2021) compared pre-pandemic rates with COVID-19 rates in hospital HCWs. One study (Katsuta et al, 2021) (n-T1=2529, n-T2=2501) found no significant difference in the prevalence of depression pre-pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic among hospital HCWs. Similar results were found for the prevalence of anxiety in Moore et al (2021) study among medical students (n-T1=3775, n-T2=836), which found no significant difference in both timepoints.…”