Emotions, Stress and Coping among Healthcare Workers in a Reproductive Medicine Unit during the First and Second COVID-19 Lockdowns

Marcella Paterlini, Erica Neri, Alessia Nicoli, Federica Genova, Maria Teresa Villani, Sara Santi and Francesca Agostini
Additional contact information
Marcella Paterlini: Department of Obstetrics and Pediatrics, AUSL-IRCCS, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
Erica Neri: Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Alessia Nicoli: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AUSL-IRCCS, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
Federica Genova: Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Maria Teresa Villani: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AUSL-IRCCS, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
Sara Santi: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AUSL-IRCCS, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
Francesca Agostini: Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global healthcare workers’ (HCWs) mental health has been well documented in the last two years; however, little is known regarding HCWs working in specific healthcare fields. During two subsequent periods of national lockdown in Italy (June–July 2020, T1, and November–December 2020, T2), a total sample of 47 HCWs working in a reproductive medicine hospital unit completed an ad hoc questionnaire for assessing emotional reactions to the pandemic, stress symptoms, and ways of coping. Moderate–high levels of anger and sadness were experienced by 65.9% and 68.1% of the HCWs, respectively, while moderate–high levels of anxiety and fear were experienced by 51.1% and 56.8%, respectively. Higher stress symptoms experienced by HCWs were hypervigilance, avoidance of thoughts and memories, and tiredness/low energy. At T2, levels of hypervigilance, irritability, intrusive thoughts, and detachment were higher than at T1, while avoidance of external triggers decreased. Moderate–high levels of anxiety resulted significantly associated with several symptoms of stress: irritability/fearfulness, depression/hopelessness, tiredness/low energy, problems with concentration, and intrusive thoughts. Regarding coping strategies, HCWs tended to adopt more problem-focused coping (e.g., contributing to improving a situation) and this tendency was higher at T2. Overall findings suggest a risk for the persistence of stress symptoms and, therefore, a risk for a chronic course, which might interfere with the global quality of mental health at work and the care provided to patients. Clinical implications highlight the relevance of implementing support programs for this category of HCWs focused on the elaboration of negative emotions and on fostering adaptive coping strategies.

Keywords: healthcare workers; reproductive medicine; COVID-19 lockdown; mental health; psychological wellbeing; emotions; stress impact; coping (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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