BACKGROUND

Poor psychological functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic has been reported in several studies of healthcare workers from around the world. Factors that might predict this have yet to be established.

OBJECTIVES

First, to ascertain which factors were associated with poor psychological functioning in a cohort of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, to characterize key sociodemographic aspects of this cohort. Third, to determine the degree to which any predictors of poor psychological functioning were associated with each other.

METHODS

A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted of 144 healthcare workers in Patras, Greece, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire consisted of: (1) demographic survey questions; (2) the Psychological Consequences Questionnaire scale; (3) the Kessler Psychological Distress scale; and (4) Toulouse's scale for coping strategies. The data were analyzed using general linear modeling.

RESULTS

The statistical model (p < 10) indicated that smoking or taking drugs to calm anxiety, feeling ashamed, and being overwhelmed by one's feelings were all predictors of poor psychological functioning. Conversely, income was a protective factor. A network analysis showed that smoking or taking drugs to calm anxiety was relatively strongly associated with feeling ashamed; the latter was also associated with feeling overwhelmed. There was a weak negative association between income and feeling ashamed.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the critical importance of psychological functioning in shaping the mental well-being of healthcare professionals during pandemics. Prioritizing the mental health of frontline workers is crucial for their well-being and for the overall functioning of healthcare systems.