Factors associated with Brazilian physical therapists’ perception of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the stress perception among Brazilian physical therapists (PTs) during COVID-19 pandemic and to identify which psychosocial demands, sociodemographic, professional and clinical factors do associate with the PTs' stress perception. This cross-sectional survey was based on a convenience sample of PTs, who answered a questionnaire about: 1) sociodemographic and professional characteristics, 2) clinical characteristics and information related to COVID-19, 3) psychosocial demands, and 4) 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Full responses were obtained from 417 PTs. The average PSS-10 score was 19.2 (95% CI 18.5 to 19.9), which was higher than in other Brazilians before COVID-19 and figured among the highest one observed in healthcare workers from different countries during COVID-19 pandemic. After multivariate analysis, PTs' perceived stress remained associated with female sex, younger age, previous diagnosis of depressive or anxiety disorder, worsening in sleep patterns, large reduction in family income, housework, relationship with the partner, concern about close people/family members being infected by SARS-CoV-2, and loneliness.

Mental health impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on therapists at an inpatient rehabilitation facility

“… 26 Therapists working in IRFs have exhibited similar psychological distress and concern for safety as therapists working in the acute care hospital setting. 25 , 26 , 27 The present analysis found that therapists younger than 30 years old had significantly higher GAD‐7 scores compared to therapists aged 30 to 39 years. This is consistent with the results of an investigation that found elevated stress in physical therapists under 35 years old.…”

“…This is consistent with the results of an investigation that found elevated stress in physical therapists under 35 years old. 27 In contrast, a study by Yang et al demonstrated a significantly increased risk of depression for PTs in their 30s and 50s compared with PTs younger than 30 years old. 26 Several more studies reported higher than usual rates of depression, anxiety, insomnia, posttraumatic stress disorder, and burnout in healthcare workers associated with the pandemic.…”

Perceptions and Feelings of Brazilian Health Care Professionals Regarding the Effects of COVID-19: Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey

“…It means that these health professionals work with insecurities and worry about being infected during their journey times—many of them who work as frontline health care professionals. Some studies described different aspects of health professionals from Brazil during the pandemic with lesser numbers of participants from specific states or regions and different evaluation aspects, sometimes including examining the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic such as those reported by Campos et al [ 43 ], Duarte et al [ 52 ], and Cotrin et al [ 53 ]. Some of these studies showed that Brazil had the largest preponderance of death records caused by COVID-19, especially among nursing professionals, because of several factors such as direct contact with patients, the frequency in performing different procedures, and the lack or inadequate use of PPEs, among others.…”

Psychological Distress and Work Environment Perception by Physical Therapists from Southern Italy during COVID-19 Pandemic: The C.A.L.A.B.R.I.A Study

“…In this scenario, a better understanding of the relationships between clinical and emotional outcomes would increase our knowledge of these protective or vulnerability factors associated with the development of negative emotions in healthcare workers [ 25 ]. Moreover, in addition to the personal experiences of trauma, several reports have underlined many operational difficulties stemming from power hierarchies, inequality and a perceived disconnection between senior management and front-line staff [ 26 , 27 ].…”