Psychological Impact on the Nursing Professionals of the Rioja Health Service (Spain) Due to the SARS-CoV-2 Virus

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency that has affected health professionals around the world, causing physical and mental exhaustion with a greater probability of developing mental disorders in professionals who provide healthcare. Objective: The objective of this study was to know the psychological impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the nursing professionals working for the Rioja Health Service. Methods: We conducted an observational and descriptive cross-sectional study. The nursing staff at the Rioja Health Service were invited to respond to a self-administered questionnaire between June and August 2020. Results: A total of 605 health professionals participated in the questionnaire; 91.9% were women, 63.14% were registered nurses, and 36.28% were auxiliary nurses. Risk factors for mental health professionals were identified in more than 90% of nurses (p = 0.009), affecting their psychological state with feelings of exhaustion, emotional overload (p = 0.002), and less use of coping strategies among women. Younger professionals with less experience had higher levels of stress compared to those with more than five years of experience, who showed a progressive reduction in the impact of stressors (p < 0.001). Professionals with dependent family members presented higher levels of emotional overload and coping problems (p = 0.009). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant psychological impact on health professionals in terms of stress, emotional well-being, and the use of coping strategies. Female health professionals with dependents, a temporary contract, and less work experience have been more psychologically affected.

Correlation between Positive Orientation and Control of Anger, Anxiety and Depression in Nursing Students in Poland, Spain and Slovakia during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Referring to the current situation of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic, it should be noted that similar psychological support should be provided to graduate nurses who have recently started work and have little professional experience and are more exposed to stressors in the work environment than those with longer experience. This is supported by the results of a study conducted in Spain by Del Pozo-Herce et al [76].…”

Relationship between ABO Blood Group Distribution and COVID-19 Infection in Patients Admitted to the ICU: A Multicenter Observational Spanish Study

“…Spain is one of the most affected countries worldwide, with high rates of patients diagnosed, hospitalized, and deceased due to COVID-19 infection [ 2 ]. Different characteristics such as advanced age, male sex or some chronic diseases seem to increase the risk of more severe disease due to SARS-CoV-2 [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Landsteiner ABO blood groups were described on the basis of carbohydrate epitopes, which are present on the surface of erythrocytes and in many other types of human cells [ 7 ].…”

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Nurses and Auxiliary Nursing Care Technicians—A Voluntary Online Survey

“…Nurses and ANCTs with less experience (0-5 and 6-10 years) were more likely to be depressed. There are no references in relation to increased depression in one group or the other, but there are references in relation to increased stress in less experienced professionals [16]. This may be due to the choice of data collection questionnaire, timing of data collection and different geographical areas.…”

“…Pandemics impose an immense psychological burden on healthcare workers due to a combination of workplace stressors and personal fears [13,14], including lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other resources, long working hours, exposure to COVID-19-positive patients, fear of spreading the virus to family and relatives, increased workload, isolation, stigmatisation and the loss of a colleague, among others [15,16]. These factors contribute to increased physical and psychological burden on healthcare professionals [17], which can lead to the development of stress, insomnia, depression and/or anxiety [18].…”