Perceived Job Insecurity and Depressive Symptoms among Italian Dentists: The Moderating Role of Fear of COVID-19

Roberta Gasparro, Cristiano Scandurra, Nelson Mauro Maldonato, Pasquale Dolce, Vincenzo Bochicchio, Alessandra Valletta, Gilberto Sammartino, Pasquale Sammartino, Mauro Mariniello, Alessandro Espedito di Lauro and Gaetano Marenzi
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Roberta Gasparro: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Cristiano Scandurra: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Nelson Mauro Maldonato: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Pasquale Dolce: Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Vincenzo Bochicchio: Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
Alessandra Valletta: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Gilberto Sammartino: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Pasquale Sammartino: Private Practice, 80131 Naples, Italy
Mauro Mariniello: Private Practice, 80131 Naples, Italy
Alessandro Espedito di Lauro: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
Gaetano Marenzi: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-12

Abstract: Containment measures adopted to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have produced a general perception of job insecurity. Dentists have been highly affected by such measures, as they represent an easy source of contagion. As perceived job insecurity is associated with psychological distress and Italian dentists have been highly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in terms of potential financial loss and the risk of being infected, this study aimed at assessing whether the fear of COVID-19 moderated the effect of perceived job insecurity on depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional online study has included 735 Italian dentists recruited during the lockdown and ranging in age from 27 to 70 years old (495 men and 240 women). A quantile regression model with an inference based on the median and with an interaction term between the fear of COVID-19 and perceived job insecurity has been used to estimate the hypothesized associations. The results indicated that both perceived job insecurity and fear of COVID-19 were positively associated with depressive symptoms, and that the effect of perceived job insecurity on depressive symptoms was weaker among those with a low fear of COVID-19. The findings may inform public health policies for dentists in relation to reducing the risk of developing negative mental health outcomes.

Keywords: COVID-19; dentists; fear; job insecurity; depression (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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