Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public and Environmental Health, Huachiew Chalermprakiet University, Samut Prakan, Thailand.
Department of Research and Medical Innovation, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand.
PLoS One. 2022 Jul 8;17(7):e0270924. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270924. eCollection 2022.
Healthcare workers (HCW), who are crucial workforce, have experienced stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been learning to fight against and support patients as much as possible. Thus, this study aims to account for the psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreaks on the healthcare workers of medical school hospitals in terms of their perceived stress and coping styles.
This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August, 2021. 517 HCWs self-administered the online survey. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) in Thai-version was used to examine the perceived stress symptoms. Brief-COPE score was used to determine the coping strategies. Independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multivariable regression analysis were utilized. The level of significance was set at p-value < 0.05.
The prevalence of perceived stress among the HCWs was 41.97%. Coping strategies were used to deal with stress during the outbreak for problem-solving (Mean ± SD = 0.25 ± 0.60) and positive attitude (Mean ± SD = 2.85 ± 0.62). Significant difference was observed in the use of coping strategies among those who differ in marital status (F2, 514 = 7.234, p-value = 0.001), having children (t515 = -4.175, p-value < 0.001), and days off (t515 = -1.992, p-value = 0.047). Multivariable regression analysis reported who those perceived stress symptoms using social support more than those normal stress (AOR 1.54, 95% CI 1.070-2.236, p-value = 0.02). The perceived stress symptoms group used the avoidance strategy 2.03 times more than the other group (AOR 2.03, 95% CI 1.406-2.934, p-value < 0.001). Interestingly, the participants who perceived stress symptoms applied a positive attitude strategy lesser than those who experienced normal stress (57.5%) (AOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.307-0.590, p-value < 0.001).
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental distress remains. The findings of this study suggest further study to assess the HCWs' stress after the pandemic. HCWs should consider merging each of the coping strategies to balance work and lifestyle in pandemic situations.
医护人员是至关重要的劳动力，在 COVID-19 大流行期间经历了压力。他们一直在努力尽可能地帮助和支持患者。因此，本研究旨在根据医学院附属医院医护人员的感知压力和应对方式，了解 COVID-19 疫情对他们的心理影响。
这是一项横断面研究，于 2021 年 6 月至 8 月进行。517 名医护人员自行在线填写了调查问卷。采用泰国版感知压力量表（PSS-10）评估感知压力症状。采用Brief-COPE 量表评估应对策略。采用独立样本 t 检验、单因素方差分析（ANOVA）和多变量回归分析。显著性水平设置为 p 值<0.05。
医护人员中感知压力的患病率为 41.97%。在疫情期间，他们使用应对策略来应对压力，包括解决问题（均值±标准差=0.25±0.60）和积极的态度（均值±标准差=2.85±0.62）。在婚姻状况（F2,514=7.234，p 值=0.001）、有子女（t515=-4.175，p 值<0.001）和休假天数（t515=-1.992，p 值=0.047）不同的医护人员中，应对策略的使用存在显著差异。多变量回归分析显示，与正常压力组相比，感知压力症状组更多地使用社会支持（优势比[OR]1.54，95%置信区间[CI]1.070-2.236，p 值=0.02）。感知压力症状组使用回避策略的可能性是其他组的 2.03 倍（OR 2.03，95% CI 1.406-2.934，p 值<0.001）。有趣的是，与正常压力组相比，感知压力症状组的积极态度策略应用较少（57.5%）（OR 0.42，95% CI 0.307-0.590，p 值<0.001）。
COVID-19 大流行对精神困扰的影响仍然存在。本研究结果表明，需要进一步研究评估大流行后医护人员的压力。医护人员应考虑合并每种应对策略，以平衡大流行期间的工作和生活方式。
