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The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on the Practices and Mental Health of Psychologists in Belgium: Between Exhaustion and Resilience

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  • Fabienne Glowacz

    (Department of Psychology-Adaptation Resilience and Change Research Unit (ARCh), University of Liege–Belgium, Place des Orateurs, 1-B33, 4000 Liège, Belgium)

  • Emilie Schmits

    (Department of Psychology-Adaptation Resilience and Change Research Unit (ARCh), University of Liege–Belgium, Place des Orateurs, 1-B33, 4000 Liège, Belgium)

  • Annabelle Kinard

    (Department of Psychology-Adaptation Resilience and Change Research Unit (ARCh), University of Liege–Belgium, Place des Orateurs, 1-B33, 4000 Liège, Belgium)

Abstract

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created psychological distress in the general population and increased the need for psychological care, little research has been done on how mental health practitioners (MHP) have been affected by the pandemic, and these health professionals have received little attention from public authorities. In this article, we focus on psychologists and the impact that the pandemic has had on their mental health and practices by exploring the adaptive and innovative responses generated. This study is based on an online survey (including multiple choice questions, several validated scales, and eight free text items) completed by 187 psychologists (86% female) one year after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium (February–April 2021). Most participants considered that the crisis had an impact on their well-being and mental health. However, the prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety was relatively low (17%; 12%). On the other hand, the majority of psychologists (72%) suffered from a medium level of burnout (BO), 7% suffered from a high level of BO, and only 21% had low levels of BO. Psychologists working in face-to-face settings had the highest scores on the “exhaustion” subscale of the BO, and those working primarily with patients in precarious situations had significantly higher scores of BO and exhaustion. Qualitative analysis of free text items showed that MHP were resilience and developed new frameworks and modes for proactive interventions in order to reach their patients, meet the psychological and social population’s needs, and maintain their relationships with the network. In a crisis or pandemic context, public policies should take into account the psychological and social needs of the most socially precarious populations in reinforcing and supporting mental health professionals working in this sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabienne Glowacz & Emilie Schmits & Annabelle Kinard, 2022. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on the Practices and Mental Health of Psychologists in Belgium: Between Exhaustion and Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14410-:d:962603
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jude Mary Cénat & Rose Darly Dalexis & Cyrille Kossigan Kokou-Kpolou & Joana N. Mukunzi & Cécile Rousseau, 2020. "Social inequalities and collateral damages of the COVID-19 pandemic: when basic needs challenge mental health care," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 65(6), pages 717-718, July.
    2. Mogesie Necho & Mekonnen Tsehay & Mengesha Birkie & Gebyaw Biset & Erkihun Tadesse, 2021. "Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 67(7), pages 892-906, November.
    3. Danijela Godinic & Bojan Obrenovic & Akmal Khudaykulov, 2020. "Effects of Economic Uncertainty on Mental Health in the COVID-19 Pandemic Context: Social Identity Disturbance, Job Uncertainty and Psychological Well-Being Model," International Journal of Innovation and Economic Development, Inovatus Services Ltd., vol. 6(1), pages 61-74, April.
    4. Emilie Schmits & Sarah Dekeyser & Olivier Klein & Olivier Luminet & Vincent Yzerbyt & Fabienne Glowacz, 2021. "Psychological Distress among Students in Higher Education: One Year after the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-10, July.
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