Emotional distress, stress, anxiety, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early- to mid-career women in healthcare sciences research
Abstract Objectives: The main objective of this study was to report stress and anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic on early- to mid-career women researchers in healthcare sciences research and determine the associated factors. Methods: A 50-item self-administered internet questionnaire w...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866122004174/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1811156536146264064 |
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| author | Noor Bittar Andrea Cohee Surya Sruthi Bhamidipalli April Savoy Heba M. Ismail |
| author_facet | Noor Bittar Andrea Cohee Surya Sruthi Bhamidipalli April Savoy Heba M. Ismail |
| author_sort | Noor Bittar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Abstract
Objectives:
The main objective of this study was to report stress and anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic on early- to mid-career women researchers in healthcare sciences research and determine the associated factors.
Methods:
A 50-item self-administered internet questionnaire was developed using a mix of Likert-type scales and open-ended response questions. The survey was distributed June 10–August 3, 2020. Anxiety and stress as well as personal/family demands were assessed through validated measures (Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System [PROMIS]-Anxiety Short Form and Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]) and open-ended responses.
Results:
One hundred and fifty-one early-career women in healthcare sciences research completed the survey; mean respondent age was 37.3 ± 5.2 years; and all had a college degree or higher, 50.3% holding a PhD and 35.8% MD. Race and ethnicity were reported in 128; the majority were White (74.0%). One-third (31.2%) reported being “very much” concerned about reaching their research productivity goals and 30.1% were “very much” concerned about academic promotion and tenure. Fifty percent reported a “moderate” PROMIS anxiety score and 72.1% reported a “moderate” PSS score. For the open-ended responses, 65.6% reported a worry about their professional goals because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Major concerns revolved around finances, childcare, and job security.
Conclusions:
Throughout the pandemic, early- and mid-career women in healthcare sciences research have reported moderate to high overall stress, anxiety, and worries. These concerns appear related to household settings, additional responsibilities, financial concerns, and reduced research productivity. Institutions and funding agencies should take these concerns into consideration and offer support.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:53:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0c3a526aad754bc7b81b9181dc9dc0fe |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2059-8661 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:53:20Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-0c3a526aad754bc7b81b9181dc9dc0fe2023-03-09T12:31:03ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Clinical and Translational Science2059-86612022-01-01610.1017/cts.2022.417Emotional distress, stress, anxiety, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early- to mid-career women in healthcare sciences researchNoor Bittar0Andrea Cohee1Surya Sruthi Bhamidipalli2April Savoy3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9002-9234Heba M. Ismail4https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0102-0030Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USADepartment of Community and Health Systems, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN, USADepartment of Biostatistics and Health Data Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine & Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN, USACenter for Health Information and Communication, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Health Services Research and Development Service CIN 13-416, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA Indiana University Center for Health Services and Outcomes Research, Indianapolis, IN, USA Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA Abstract Objectives: The main objective of this study was to report stress and anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic on early- to mid-career women researchers in healthcare sciences research and determine the associated factors. Methods: A 50-item self-administered internet questionnaire was developed using a mix of Likert-type scales and open-ended response questions. The survey was distributed June 10–August 3, 2020. Anxiety and stress as well as personal/family demands were assessed through validated measures (Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System [PROMIS]-Anxiety Short Form and Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]) and open-ended responses. Results: One hundred and fifty-one early-career women in healthcare sciences research completed the survey; mean respondent age was 37.3 ± 5.2 years; and all had a college degree or higher, 50.3% holding a PhD and 35.8% MD. Race and ethnicity were reported in 128; the majority were White (74.0%). One-third (31.2%) reported being “very much” concerned about reaching their research productivity goals and 30.1% were “very much” concerned about academic promotion and tenure. Fifty percent reported a “moderate” PROMIS anxiety score and 72.1% reported a “moderate” PSS score. For the open-ended responses, 65.6% reported a worry about their professional goals because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Major concerns revolved around finances, childcare, and job security. Conclusions: Throughout the pandemic, early- and mid-career women in healthcare sciences research have reported moderate to high overall stress, anxiety, and worries. These concerns appear related to household settings, additional responsibilities, financial concerns, and reduced research productivity. Institutions and funding agencies should take these concerns into consideration and offer support. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866122004174/type/journal_articleStressanxietywomenacademia |
| spellingShingle | Noor Bittar Andrea Cohee Surya Sruthi Bhamidipalli April Savoy Heba M. Ismail Emotional distress, stress, anxiety, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early- to mid-career women in healthcare sciences research Journal of Clinical and Translational Science Stress anxiety women academia |
| title | Emotional distress, stress, anxiety, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early- to mid-career women in healthcare sciences research |
| title_full | Emotional distress, stress, anxiety, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early- to mid-career women in healthcare sciences research |
| title_fullStr | Emotional distress, stress, anxiety, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early- to mid-career women in healthcare sciences research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Emotional distress, stress, anxiety, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early- to mid-career women in healthcare sciences research |
| title_short | Emotional distress, stress, anxiety, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on early- to mid-career women in healthcare sciences research |
| title_sort | emotional distress stress anxiety and the impact of the covid 19 pandemic on early to mid career women in healthcare sciences research |
| topic | Stress anxiety women academia |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866122004174/type/journal_article |
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