Key predictors of psychological distress and wellbeing in Australian frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 (Omicron wave)
IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant challenges for frontline healthcare workers’ (FHW), raising many mental health and wellbeing concerns for this cohort. To facilitate identification of risk and protective factors to inform treatment and interventions, this study investigated k...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1200839/full |
| _version_ | 1797785267811123200 |
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| author | Brian En Chyi Lee Mathew Ling Mathew Ling Leanne Boyd Craig A. Olsson Craig A. Olsson Craig A. Olsson Jade Sheen |
| author_facet | Brian En Chyi Lee Mathew Ling Mathew Ling Leanne Boyd Craig A. Olsson Craig A. Olsson Craig A. Olsson Jade Sheen |
| author_sort | Brian En Chyi Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant challenges for frontline healthcare workers’ (FHW), raising many mental health and wellbeing concerns for this cohort. To facilitate identification of risk and protective factors to inform treatment and interventions, this study investigated key predictors of psychological distress and subjective wellbeing in FHWs.MethodsDuring the Omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (January 2022), Victorian (Australia) doctors, nurses, allied health and non-medical staff from Emergency Departments, Intensive Care units, Aged Care, Hospital In The Home, and COVID Wards completed a cross-sectional survey consisting of the Kessler 6 item (Psychological Distress), Personal Wellbeing Index (Subjective Wellbeing), Coronavirus Health Impact Survey tool (COVID-19 related factors) and occupational factors. Multivariable linear regressions were used to evaluate unadjusted and adjusted associations. Relative weight analysis was used to compare and identify key predictors.ResultsOut of 167 participants, 18.1% screened positive for a probable mental illness and a further 15.3% screened positive for low wellbeing. Key risk factors for greater psychological distress included COVID infection worries, relationship stress and younger age. For both psychological distress and lower wellbeing, health status and supervisor support were key protective factors, while infection risks were key risk factors. Only positive changes in relationship quality was protective of lower wellbeing.ConclusionThis study highlights the significance of social determinants and individual level factors alongside work related factors, in influencing FHWs’ mental health and wellbeing during public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings suggest that future interventions and supports should take a more holistic approach that considers work, social and individual level factors when supporting FHWs’ mental health and wellbeing. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T00:51:40Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T00:51:40Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d0c0bda6f09f4d688ad15c4a4a5fe73e2023-07-07T14:06:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-07-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.12008391200839Key predictors of psychological distress and wellbeing in Australian frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 (Omicron wave)Brian En Chyi Lee0Mathew Ling1Mathew Ling2Leanne Boyd3Craig A. Olsson4Craig A. Olsson5Craig A. Olsson6Jade Sheen7Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaCentre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaNeami National, Preston, VIC, AustraliaEastern Health, Box Hill, VIC, AustraliaCentre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaDepartment of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaCentre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, AustraliaCentre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaIntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant challenges for frontline healthcare workers’ (FHW), raising many mental health and wellbeing concerns for this cohort. To facilitate identification of risk and protective factors to inform treatment and interventions, this study investigated key predictors of psychological distress and subjective wellbeing in FHWs.MethodsDuring the Omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (January 2022), Victorian (Australia) doctors, nurses, allied health and non-medical staff from Emergency Departments, Intensive Care units, Aged Care, Hospital In The Home, and COVID Wards completed a cross-sectional survey consisting of the Kessler 6 item (Psychological Distress), Personal Wellbeing Index (Subjective Wellbeing), Coronavirus Health Impact Survey tool (COVID-19 related factors) and occupational factors. Multivariable linear regressions were used to evaluate unadjusted and adjusted associations. Relative weight analysis was used to compare and identify key predictors.ResultsOut of 167 participants, 18.1% screened positive for a probable mental illness and a further 15.3% screened positive for low wellbeing. Key risk factors for greater psychological distress included COVID infection worries, relationship stress and younger age. For both psychological distress and lower wellbeing, health status and supervisor support were key protective factors, while infection risks were key risk factors. Only positive changes in relationship quality was protective of lower wellbeing.ConclusionThis study highlights the significance of social determinants and individual level factors alongside work related factors, in influencing FHWs’ mental health and wellbeing during public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings suggest that future interventions and supports should take a more holistic approach that considers work, social and individual level factors when supporting FHWs’ mental health and wellbeing.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1200839/fullhealthcaredoctorsnursesCOVIDpandemicpublic and global mental health |
| spellingShingle | Brian En Chyi Lee Mathew Ling Mathew Ling Leanne Boyd Craig A. Olsson Craig A. Olsson Craig A. Olsson Jade Sheen Key predictors of psychological distress and wellbeing in Australian frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 (Omicron wave) Frontiers in Psychology healthcare doctors nurses COVID pandemic public and global mental health |
| title | Key predictors of psychological distress and wellbeing in Australian frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 (Omicron wave) |
| title_full | Key predictors of psychological distress and wellbeing in Australian frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 (Omicron wave) |
| title_fullStr | Key predictors of psychological distress and wellbeing in Australian frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 (Omicron wave) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Key predictors of psychological distress and wellbeing in Australian frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 (Omicron wave) |
| title_short | Key predictors of psychological distress and wellbeing in Australian frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 (Omicron wave) |
| title_sort | key predictors of psychological distress and wellbeing in australian frontline healthcare workers during covid 19 omicron wave |
| topic | healthcare doctors nurses COVID pandemic public and global mental health |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1200839/full |
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