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Hopelessness and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms among Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Any Role for Mediating Variables?

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  • Andrea Aguglia

    (Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Largo Paolo Daneo, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy)

  • Andrea Amerio

    (Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Largo Paolo Daneo, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy)

  • Alessandra Costanza

    (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva (UNIGE), 1206 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Nicolò Parodi

    (Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Largo Paolo Daneo, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy)

  • Francesco Copello

    (IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy)

  • Gianluca Serafini

    (Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Largo Paolo Daneo, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy)

  • Mario Amore

    (Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Largo Paolo Daneo, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy)

Abstract

The Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has many psychological consequences for the population, ranging from anxious-depressive symptoms and insomnia to complex post-traumatic syndromes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental well-being of healthcare workers, focusing on the association between hopelessness, death anxiety, and post-traumatic symptomatology. Eight hundred forty-two healthcare workers were recruited between 21 March 2020 and 15 May 2020. A specific questionnaire was administered to assess socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, together with psychometric scales: Beck Hopelessness Scale, Death Anxiety Scale (DAS), and Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS). Respondents with hopelessness scored higher in the DAS and DTS than respondents without hopelessness. Furthermore, death anxiety was identified as a potential mediator of the significant association between hopelessness and post-traumatic symptomatology. The impact of death anxiety should be recognized in vulnerable populations, such as frontline healthcare workers. Therefore, pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies could be useful to attenuate the negative psychological consequences and reduce the burden worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Aguglia & Andrea Amerio & Alessandra Costanza & Nicolò Parodi & Francesco Copello & Gianluca Serafini & Mario Amore, 2021. "Hopelessness and Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms among Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Any Role for Mediating Variables?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6579-:d:577516
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Carmen Trumello & Sonia Monique Bramanti & Giulia Ballarotto & Carla Candelori & Luca Cerniglia & Silvia Cimino & Monia Crudele & Lucia Lombardi & Silvia Pignataro & Maria Luisa Viceconti & Alessandra, 2020. "Psychological Adjustment of Healthcare Workers in Italy during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Differences in Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Burnout, Secondary Trauma, and Compassion Satisfaction between Frontli," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-13, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Karina Leksy & Mirosław Wójciak & Grzegorz Gawron & Rafał Muster & Kevin Dadaczynski & Orkan Okan, 2023. "Work-Related Stress of Polish School Principals during the COVID-19 Pandemic as a Risk Factor for Burnout," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Alessandro Morganti & Andrea Brambilla & Andrea Aguglia & Andrea Amerio & Norberto Miletto & Nicolò Parodi & Chiara Porcelli & Anna Odone & Alessandra Costanza & Carlo Signorelli & Gianluca Serafini &, 2022. "Effect of Housing Quality on the Mental Health of University Students during the COVID-19 Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-11, March.

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