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Psychological Distress in Healthcare Workers between the First and Second COVID-19 Waves: The Role of Personality Traits, Attachment Style, and Metacognitive Functioning as Protective and Vulnerability Factors

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  • Loredana Cena

    (Observatory of Perinatal Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Matteo Rota

    (Unit of Biostatistics, Biomathematics and Bioinformatics, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Stefano Calza

    (Unit of Biostatistics, Biomathematics and Bioinformatics, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Jessica Janos

    (Observatory of Perinatal Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
    Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA)

  • Alice Trainini

    (Observatory of Perinatal Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

  • Alberto Stefana

    (Observatory of Perinatal Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Section of Neuroscience, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) since its outbreak, but little attention has been paid to person-level vulnerability and protective factors. This study aims to determine the prevalence of both general and pandemic-related psychological distress among HCWs between the first and second COVID-19 waves in Italy and analyze associations between psychological distress and personality traits, attachment style, and metacognitive functioning. Between June and October 2020, 235 Italian HCWs completed questionnaires concerning psychological stress, personality traits, attachment style, and metacognitive functioning; 26.5% of respondents presented with moderate to extremely severe levels of general psychological distress and 13.8% with moderate to extremely severe levels of pandemic-related psychological distress. After controlling for demographic and occupational variables, significant associations emerged among high emotional stability as a personality trait and both general (aOR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.41–0.79) and pandemic-related psychological stress (aOR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.41–0.90). Additionally, higher scores regarding one’s ability to understand others’ emotional states were associated with lower odds of developing psychological distress (aOR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.63–0.93). Lastly, when comparing those with fearful attachment styles to those with secure attachments, the aOR for psychological distress was 4.73 (95% CI: 1.45–17.04). These results highlight the importance of conducting baseline assessments of HCWs’ person-level factors and providing regular screenings of psychological distress.

Suggested Citation

  • Loredana Cena & Matteo Rota & Stefano Calza & Jessica Janos & Alice Trainini & Alberto Stefana, 2021. "Psychological Distress in Healthcare Workers between the First and Second COVID-19 Waves: The Role of Personality Traits, Attachment Style, and Metacognitive Functioning as Protective and Vulnerabilit," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:11843-:d:677143
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yufei Li & Nathaniel Scherer & Lambert Felix & Hannah Kuper, 2021. "Prevalence of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder in health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Loredana Cena & Matteo Rota & Stefano Calza & Barbara Massardi & Alice Trainini & Alberto Stefana, 2021. "Mental Health States Experienced by Perinatal Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-14, June.
    3. Rob Eisinga & Manfred Grotenhuis & Ben Pelzer, 2013. "The reliability of a two-item scale: Pearson, Cronbach, or Spearman-Brown?," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(4), pages 637-642, August.
    4. Horsman, Janet M. & Sheeran, Paschal, 1995. "Health care workers and HIV/AIDS: A critical review of the literature," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 41(11), pages 1535-1567, December.
    5. Cristina Mazza & Eleonora Ricci & Daniela Marchetti & Lilybeth Fontanesi & Serena Di Giandomenico & Maria Cristina Verrocchio & Paolo Roma, 2020. "How Personality Relates to Distress in Parents during the Covid-19 Lockdown: The Mediating Role of Child’s Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties and the Moderating Effect of Living with Other People," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-13, August.
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