Posttraumatic growth levels of healthcare workers in two periods with different intensities of COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic threatens health‐care workers' (HCW) mental health and well‐being. Although traumatic life events may result in psychiatric disorders, occasionally they give rise to positive changes, such as post‐traumatic growth. Accordingly, the present study evaluated the traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression levels of HCWs and their post‐traumatic growth levels during the pandemic. In addition, the study aimed to assess the changes in psychological outcomes during the pandemic. For this aim, the data were collected in two different periods. The first data‐collection period was between May and July 2020, and the second period started in November 2020 and ended in January 2021. The sociodemographic data form, Impact of Events Scale‐Revised (IES‐R), Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7 (GAD‐7), Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9), and Post‐traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) were used to collect data. Sixty‐six HCWs participated in the study. No significant differences appeared between the baseline scores and 6‐month follow‐up in the depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress levels of HCWs. Furthermore, the PTGI scores decreased significantly over time. Although the change in the psychological distress scores was not statistically significant, the depression and post‐traumatic stress scores increased over time. Previous research specified an inverse‐parabolic relationship between traumatic stress and PTGI. Our results support previous research; as the exposure to the stressors continues, individual traumatic stress levels increase, psychiatric disorders become frequent, and affirmative changes (like post‐traumatic growth) decline.

Posttraumatic growth of medical staff during COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

“… A longitudinal study: two-time points America 213 members of the multicenter radiation department PTGI A fair-to-moderate degree of PTG was observed in personal and interpersonal relationship factors whereas the least growth was noted in spiritual and religious beliefs. Yılmaz-Karaman et al [ 24 ] Evaluate the traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression levels of HCWs and their PTG levels during the pandemic. A longitudinal study: two-time points Turkey 66 HCWs cared for patients with COVID-19 PTGI 1) No significant differences appeared between the baseline scores and 6-month follow-up in the depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress levels of HCWs.…”

“…Two studies included in this review used it as a measurement [ 25 , 55 ]. PTG levels reached moderate and above with mean item scores of PTGI > 3 or total scores > 60 in two studies [ 24 , 38 ]. However, another study indicates that people who scored higher than the 60th percentile might have grown [ 37 ].…”

“…Another three-wave longitudinal study (n = 565) from China discovered that PTG gradually increased over two years of follow-up among HCWs, and four types of PTG trajectory were identified: persistent, steady increase, high with a drop, and fluid trajectory [ 22 ]. However, one study (two-point survey) from Turkey indicated that PTGI scores decreased significantly over time among 66 HCWs participated in the study [ 24 ]. Another two-wave survey from the U.S. radiology staff revealed a consistent trend toward lower PTGI [ 23 ].…”

“…The criteria for classifying different PTG levels varied across studies. Several studies [ 24 , 37 , 38 ] used total scores > 60, single entry scores > 3, or ≥ 60% of the total scores as an intermediate or higher level of PTG, while others did not report delineation criteria. Overall, a medium level of PTG was observed.…”

Nursing and Maternity in the Pandemic: A Qualitative Study from Turkey

“…It was reported that nurses had higher depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms in a meaningful level compared to the normal population (Muz & Erdoğan Yüce, 2021 ). In the studies, mental health problems that are assumed to be related to the professional activities of health workers such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and burnout were reported during the pandemics and in the years after (Ata et al, 2023 ; Yılmaz Karaman & Yastıbaş, 2021 ; Yılmaz Karaman et al, 2023 ). Some studies in the literature that found that long-term separation of individuals from their relatives due to the absence of contamination to their immediate environment causes burnout (Baltacı, & Coşar, 2020 ; Greenberg, 2020 ).…”