Anxiety, Depression and Risk of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Health Workers: The Relationship with Burnout during COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

Lucio Ghio, Sara Patti, Giulia Piccinini, Cinzia Modafferi, Eleonora Lusetti, Massimo Mazzella and Massimo Del Sette
Additional contact information
Lucio Ghio: Psychiatry Branch, Galliera Hospital, Mura delle Cappuccine, 14, 16128 Genoa, Italy
Sara Patti: Psychiatry Branch, Galliera Hospital, Mura delle Cappuccine, 14, 16128 Genoa, Italy
Giulia Piccinini: Psychiatry Branch, Galliera Hospital, Mura delle Cappuccine, 14, 16128 Genoa, Italy
Cinzia Modafferi: V.I.E. Development, Innovation, Empowerment srl Spinoff, University of Genoa, Via Eugenia Ravasco 12, 16128 Genoa, Italy
Eleonora Lusetti: Psychiatry Branch, Galliera Hospital, Mura delle Cappuccine, 14, 16128 Genoa, Italy
Massimo Mazzella: Maternal and Infant Department, Galliera Hospital, Mura delle Cappuccine, 14, 16128 Genoa, Italy
Massimo Del Sette: Neurology Unit, Galliera Hospital, Mura delle Cappuccine, 14, 16128 Genoa, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-13

Abstract: During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HW) have faced an extremely difficult work environment, with an increased workload and traumatic events. Our study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on HW’s mental wellbeing. We analyzed the correlations between levels of burnout and other mental health disorders and we searched for the presence of specific risk factors of post-traumatic symptomatology related to the pandemic. A structured an on-line questionnaire and validated instruments were completed by a sample of HW from some hospitals in Genoa, Italy. Anxious, depressive, post-traumatic and other psychological symptoms were assessed and risk factors, related to the pandemic, were considered. Then, we investigated the correlation between levels of burnout and the risk of developing psychopathology. A total of 731 HW were screened, and we found increased levels of anxiety (61%), depression (62%), PTSD (34%) and high levels of burnout; especially emotional exhaustion (37%). A statistically significant association between burnout and insomnia, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic symptoms was demonstrated. This study indicates that during the COVID-19 pandemic, HW showed high levels of psychological distress and that burnout is an important predictor of sufferance. These findings support the idea to provide psychological and psychiatric support for HW.

Keywords: COVID-19; healthcare; healthcare workers; burnout; post-traumatic stress disorder; psychological trauma; depression; risk factors; anxiety; pandemic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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