A Qualitative Approach to Understanding Canadian Healthcare Workers’ Use of Coping Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mauda Karram, Andrea M. D'Alessandro-Lowe, Kimberly Ritchie, Andrea Brown, Yuanxin Xue, Mina Pichtikova, Maxwell Altman, Isaac Beech, Heather Millman, Fardous Hosseiny, Sara Rodrigues, Alexandra Heber, Charlene O'Connor, Hugo Schielke, Ann Malain, Ruth A. Lanius, Randi E. McCabe and Margaret C. McKinnon ()
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Mauda Karram: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
Andrea M. D'Alessandro-Lowe: Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L6, Canada
Kimberly Ritchie: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
Andrea Brown: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
Yuanxin Xue: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
Mina Pichtikova: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
Maxwell Altman: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
Isaac Beech: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
Heather Millman: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
Fardous Hosseiny: Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
Sara Rodrigues: Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
Alexandra Heber: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
Charlene O'Connor: Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
Hugo Schielke: Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
Ann Malain: Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
Ruth A. Lanius: Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
Randi E. McCabe: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
Margaret C. McKinnon: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-15

Abstract: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have been exposed to highly stressful situations, including increased workloads and exposure to mortality, thus posing a risk for adverse psychological outcomes, including acute stress, moral injury, and depression or anxiety symptoms. Although several reports have sought to identify the types of coping strategies used by HCWs over the course of the pandemic (e.g., physical activity, religion/spirituality, meditation, and alcohol), it remains unclear which factors may influence HCWs’ choice of these coping strategies. Accordingly, using a qualitative approach, the purpose of the present study was to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing HCWs’ choice of coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Fifty-one HCWs participated in virtual, semi-structured interviews between February and June 2021. Interview transcripts were analysed through an inductive thematic approach, yielding two primary themes. First, HCWs described an ongoing shift in their approach to coping depending on their mental “bandwidth”, ranging from “quick fix” to more “intentional effort” strategies to engage in proactive strategies to improve mental health. Second, many HCWs identified various barriers to desired coping strategies during the pandemic, including the preponderance of pandemic- and other circumstantial-related barriers. The findings from this study offer a unique understanding of the factors influencing HCWs’ choice of coping strategies under novel and increased stress. This knowledge will be central to developing appropriate forms of support and resources to equip HCWs throughout and after the pandemic period, and in mitigating the potential adverse mental health impacts of this period of prolonged stress and potential trauma.

Keywords: COVID-19; healthcare workers; coping strategy; stress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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