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From Recession to Depression? Prevalence and Correlates of Depression, Anxiety, Traumatic Stress and Burnout in Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece: A Multi-Center, Cross-Sectional Study

Author

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  • Sofia Pappa

    (Department of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
    Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece)

  • Nikolaos Athanasiou

    (Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece)

  • Nikolaos Sakkas

    (Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece)

  • Stavros Patrinos

    (Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece)

  • Elpitha Sakka

    (Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
    School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, University of Brighton, Brighton BN2 4AT, UK)

  • Zafeiria Barmparessou

    (Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece)

  • Stamatoula Tsikrika

    (Respiratory Failure Clinic, Sotiria Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

  • Andreas Adraktas

    (Pammakaristos Hospital, 111 44 Athens, Greece)

  • Athanasia Pataka

    (Respiratory Failure Unit, Papanikolaou Hospital Thessaloniki, 570 10 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Ilias Migdalis

    (417 Army Equity Fund Hospital (NIMTS), 115 21 Athens, Greece)

  • Sofia Gida

    (Trikala Hospital, 421 00 Trikala, Greece)

  • Paraskevi Katsaounou

    (Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
    Pulmonary and Respiratory Failure Department, First ICU, Evaggelismos Hospital, 106 76 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to adversely affect the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs). The public healthcare system in Greece was already facing serious challenges at the outset of the outbreak following years of austerity and an escalating refugee crisis. This multi-center, cross-sectional study aims to assess the levels and associated risk factors of anxiety, depression, traumatic stress and burnout of frontline staff in Greece. A total of 464 self-selected HCWs in six reference hospitals completed a questionnaire comprising sociodemographic and work-related information and validated psychometric scales. The proportion of HCWs with symptoms of moderate/severe depression, anxiety and traumatic stress were 30%, 25% and 33%, respectively. Burnout levels were particularly high with 65% of respondents scoring moderate/severe in emotional exhaustion, 92% severe in depersonalization and 51% low/moderate in personal accomplishment. Predictive factors of adverse psychological outcomes included fear, perceived stress, risk of infection, lack of protective equipment and low social support. The psychological burden associated with COVID-19 in healthcare professionals in Greece is considerable, with more than half experiencing at least mild mental health difficulties. Findings signal the need for immediate organizational and individually tailored interventions to enhance resilience and support wellbeing under pandemic conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Sofia Pappa & Nikolaos Athanasiou & Nikolaos Sakkas & Stavros Patrinos & Elpitha Sakka & Zafeiria Barmparessou & Stamatoula Tsikrika & Andreas Adraktas & Athanasia Pataka & Ilias Migdalis & Sofia Gida, 2021. "From Recession to Depression? Prevalence and Correlates of Depression, Anxiety, Traumatic Stress and Burnout in Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece: A Multi-Center, Cross-Section," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2390-:d:508371
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    4. Katarzyna Gustavsson & Zuzanna Goetz-Kundera & Magdalena Flaga-Łuczkiewicz & Adam Wichniak, 2023. "Which Aspects of Work Safety Satisfaction Are Important to Mental Health of Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-9, February.
    5. Jennifer E. Moreno-Jiménez & Luis Manuel Blanco-Donoso & Evangelia Demerouti & Sylvia Belda Hofheinz & Mario Chico-Fernández & Bernardo Moreno-Jiménez & Eva Garrosa, 2021. "The Role of Healthcare Professionals’ Passion in Predicting Secondary Traumatic Stress and Posttraumatic Growth in the Face of COVID-19: A Longitudinal Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-16, April.
    6. Bram P. I. Fleuren & Lieze T. Poesen & Rachel E. Gifford & Fred R. H. Zijlstra & Dirk Ruwaard & Frank C. van de Baan & Daan D. Westra, 2021. "We’re Not Gonna Fall: Depressive Complaints, Personal Resilience, Team Social Climate, and Worries about Infections among Hospital Workers during a Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-14, April.
    7. M. Lelinneth B. Novilla & Victor B. A. Moxley & Carl L. Hanson & Alisha H. Redelfs & Jeffrey Glenn & Paola G. Donoso Naranjo & Jenna M. S. Smith & Lynneth Kirsten B. Novilla & Sarah Stone & Rachel Laf, 2023. "COVID-19 and Psychosocial Well-Being: Did COVID-19 Worsen U.S. Frontline Healthcare Workers’ Burnout, Anxiety, and Depression?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-20, March.
    8. Ilana Dubovi & Angela Ruban & Anat Amit Aharon, 2022. "The Role of Science-Based Knowledge on the SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Reducing COVID-19-Induced Anxiety among Nurses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-10, June.

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