Stress and Burnout Among Mental Health Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has deeply altered social and working environments among health care workers. These health care workers are therefore at risk of additional psychosocial strain and ensuing metal health symptoms, which indirectly affects patient care. In this study, we aimed to assess the psychosocial and psychopathological impact of COVID-19 among acute care mental health and addictions staff. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey and contains a sample size of 60 mental health and addiction acute care workers recruited from within Nova Scotia Health Authority. The survey was constructed using the online survey system, Opinio, and consisted of three sections: demographic variables (gender, age group and profession); the DASS-21 Questionnaire (which provides dimensional measures of stress, anxiety and depression); and the MBI-HSS (MP) Questionnaire (which measures three dimensions of burnout—emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal achievement). Results: The majority of participants had at least one pathologic score on the DASS-21 and MBI-HSS (MP) sections (75.5% and 93.5%, respectively). The median severity on the DASS-21 and MBI-HSS (MP) were both moderate, with the younger age group (20-35 years) having more significant burnout scores (p = 0.0494). Simple logistic regression showed a significant relationship between burnout severity and pathologic distress, and simple linear regression showed significant correlation between DASS-21 and MBI-HSS (MP) scores, with a R2 value of 0.4633. Conclusion: More planning, programs, resources and further research are needed to support wellness and recovery of all health care professionals who work at the mental health and addictions acute care unit.

“About Navigating Chaos”: Latin American and Caribbean Mental Health Workers’ Personal Impact Due to SARS-CoV-2 in the First Hundred Days

“…More extreme feelings (e.g., “chaos”, being in “shock,” the situation being “horrible”) were common even as MHWs were expected to provide solace to other health professionals and service users. Similar patterns were later confirmed in other regions through anxiety, depression, and burnout scales [ 25 , 26 ]. However, metaphors frequently used by MHWs in LAC conveyed vivid desperation and, for some, a tragic experience of the pandemic.…”

“…Distance from frontline, greater seniority and professional fulfillment, have been reported in other studies as protective factors for burn-out during the pandemic [ 25 , 31 ], although seniority had been pointed as a negative factor in pre-pandemic studies [ 32 ]. Our study could not offer support in either direction.…”

Study of Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Wellbeing of Staff Working in a Forensic Mental Health Service

“…Our research found that those in the two younger age groups [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] appeared most negatively affected by the pandemic. This finding is consistent with the growing body of evidence that shows although least likely to be physically ill from COVID-19, young adults are experiencing the largest adverse effect on mental health [24,25].…”

“…More specifically, a study examining the psychosocial and psychopathological impact of the pandemic on mental health and addiction staff found that the younger age group (20-35 years) had significantly more burnout scores than their older peers [29]. In addition, a large-scale UK study found that younger staff tended to have poorer outcomes in terms of probable anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder than their older peers [30].…”

A Correlative Study on the Status Quo of Burnout of Pregnant Nurses and Its Influencing Factors

“…While they are pregnant, they also must face the pressure of the environment, family, work, and the change of their roles, which leads to varying degrees of stress and burnout in pregnant women [5]. Recent studies have shown that perceived organizational support (POS) [6], coping style (CS) [7], depression, anxiety and stress (DAS) [8], work and family conflict (WAFC) [9][10][11] have a certain impact on burnout of nurses. However, there is a gap in research on the characteristics of nurse burnout during pregnancy and its correlation with the appeal factors.…”