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Factors Affecting Perceived Work Environment, Wellbeing, and Coping Styles: A Comparison between Physicians and Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Chiara Costa

    (Clinical and Experimental Medicine Department, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

  • Michele Teodoro

    (Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

  • Annalisa De Vita

    (Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

  • Federica Giambò

    (Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

  • Carmela Mento

    (Psychiatric Unit, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Clinical Psychology, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

  • Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello

    (Psychiatric Unit, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

  • Angela Alibrandi

    (Department of Economics, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

  • Sebastiano Italia

    (Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

  • Concettina Fenga

    (Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Occupational Medicine Section, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is a current emergency worldwide. All the consequent changes in sanitary systems have negatively affected the work–life balance. In particular, healthcare workers suffered from anxiety, stress, and depression, mostly nurses compared to physicians. To handle this situation, the adoption of different coping strategies has played a strategic role in psychophysical wellbeing. Our main goal is to the assess the perception of work environment and wellbeing (EQ-5D questionnaire), as well as to analyze possible differences in coping styles between physicians and nurses (brief COPE questionnaire). The arising differences were compared between the two groups, and associations with variables were assessed through a bivariate correlation analysis. This cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2020 through an online survey. A total of 172 respondents (117 physicians and 55 nurses), of which 102 were women and 70 were men, accepted to join the study. Our results showed that physicians referred a higher perception of wellbeing, and nurses reported an increased perception of work activity and efficiency, along with an unchanged economic status. The most frequently adopted coping strategies were Active and Planning (self-sufficient coping). Physicians showed a greater tendency to use avoidant coping strategies. More-experienced nurses and physicians were less prone to adopt socially supported coping strategies, emphasizing the need for novel organizational measures at the social dimension that favored sharing and interaction between peers. Future research should aim to further investigate the relationship between the perception of work environment and coping strategies in order to identify risk factors to be prevented by promoting adequate measures at an organizational level.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Costa & Michele Teodoro & Annalisa De Vita & Federica Giambò & Carmela Mento & Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello & Angela Alibrandi & Sebastiano Italia & Concettina Fenga, 2022. "Factors Affecting Perceived Work Environment, Wellbeing, and Coping Styles: A Comparison between Physicians and Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:11104-:d:906801
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giusi Briguglio & Michele Teodoro & Sebastiano Italia & Francesca Verduci & Manuela Pollicino & Manuela Coco & Annalisa De Vita & Elvira Micali & Angela Alibrandi & Giuseppe Lembo & Chiara Costa & Con, 2021. "Salivary Biomarkers and Work-Related Stress in Night Shift Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Holly Blake & Fiona Bermingham & Graham Johnson & Andrew Tabner, 2020. "Mitigating the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers: A Digital Learning Package," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Masatoshi Tahara & Yuki Mashizume & Kayoko Takahashi, 2020. "Coping Mechanisms: Exploring Strategies Utilized by Japanese Healthcare Workers to Reduce Stress and Improve Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Ka Po Wong & Fion Choi Hung Lee & Pei-Lee Teh & Alan Hoi Shou Chan, 2021. "The Interplay of Socioecological Determinants of Work–Life Balance, Subjective Wellbeing and Employee Wellbeing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-24, April.
    5. Chiara Costa & Michele Teodoro & Giusi Briguglio & Ermanno Vitale & Federica Giambò & Giuliano Indelicato & Elvira Micali & Sebastiano Italia & Concettina Fenga, 2021. "Sleep Quality and Mood State in Resident Physicians during COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-10, July.
    6. Amalia De Leo & Eloisa Cianci & Paolo Mastore & Caterina Gozzoli, 2021. "Protective and Risk Factors of Italian Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-17, January.
    7. Sebastiano Italia & Chiara Costa & Giusi Briguglio & Carmela Mento & Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello & Angela Alibrandi & Francesca Larese Filon & Giovanna Spatari & Michele Teodoro & Concettina Fenga, 2021. "Quality of Life, Insomnia and Coping Strategies during COVID-19 Pandemic in Hospital Workers. A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-16, November.
    8. Tiziana Maiorano & Monia Vagni & Valeria Giostra & Daniela Pajardi, 2020. "COVID-19: Risk Factors and Protective Role of Resilience and Coping Strategies for Emergency Stress and Secondary Trauma in Medical Staff and Emergency Workers—An Online-Based Inquiry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-18, October.
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    1. Silvia Vivarelli & Sebastiano Italia & Michele Teodoro & Manuela Pollicino & Carmen Vitello & Annalisa De Vita & Angela Alibrandi & Chiara Costa & Concettina Fenga, 2023. "Salivary Biomarkers Analysis and Neurobehavioral Assessment in Nurses Working Rotation Shifts: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-21, April.

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