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A Qualitative Approach to Understanding Canadian Healthcare Workers’ Use of Coping Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Mauda Karram

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
    Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L6, Canada)

  • Andrea M. D'Alessandro-Lowe

    (Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L6, Canada)

  • Kimberly Ritchie

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
    Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
    Trent/Fleming School of Nursing, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada)

  • Andrea Brown

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada)

  • Yuanxin Xue

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
    Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada)

  • Mina Pichtikova

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
    Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1V6, Canada)

  • Maxwell Altman

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada)

  • Isaac Beech

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
    Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada)

  • Heather Millman

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada)

  • Fardous Hosseiny

    (Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
    Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada)

  • Sara Rodrigues

    (Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
    Institute of Mental Health Research at the Royal, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada)

  • Alexandra Heber

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
    Veteran’s Affairs Canada, Ottawa, ON K1H 1A1, Canada)

  • Charlene O'Connor

    (Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada)

  • Hugo Schielke

    (Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada)

  • Ann Malain

    (Homewood Health Centre, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada)

  • Ruth A. Lanius

    (Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
    Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada)

  • Randi E. McCabe

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
    St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada)

  • Margaret C. McKinnon

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L9C 0E3, Canada
    Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON N1E 6K9, Canada
    St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6, Canada)

Abstract

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have been exposed to highly stressful situations, including increased workloads and exposure to mortality, thus posing a risk for adverse psychological outcomes, including acute stress, moral injury, and depression or anxiety symptoms. Although several reports have sought to identify the types of coping strategies used by HCWs over the course of the pandemic (e.g., physical activity, religion/spirituality, meditation, and alcohol), it remains unclear which factors may influence HCWs’ choice of these coping strategies. Accordingly, using a qualitative approach, the purpose of the present study was to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing HCWs’ choice of coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Fifty-one HCWs participated in virtual, semi-structured interviews between February and June 2021. Interview transcripts were analysed through an inductive thematic approach, yielding two primary themes. First, HCWs described an ongoing shift in their approach to coping depending on their mental “bandwidth”, ranging from “quick fix” to more “intentional effort” strategies to engage in proactive strategies to improve mental health. Second, many HCWs identified various barriers to desired coping strategies during the pandemic, including the preponderance of pandemic- and other circumstantial-related barriers. The findings from this study offer a unique understanding of the factors influencing HCWs’ choice of coping strategies under novel and increased stress. This knowledge will be central to developing appropriate forms of support and resources to equip HCWs throughout and after the pandemic period, and in mitigating the potential adverse mental health impacts of this period of prolonged stress and potential trauma.

Suggested Citation

  • Mauda Karram & Andrea M. D'Alessandro-Lowe & Kimberly Ritchie & Andrea Brown & Yuanxin Xue & Mina Pichtikova & Maxwell Altman & Isaac Beech & Heather Millman & Fardous Hosseiny & Sara Rodrigues & Alex, 2023. "A Qualitative Approach to Understanding Canadian Healthcare Workers’ Use of Coping Strategies during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2551-:d:1052772
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hadas Marciano & Yohanan Eshel & Shaul Kimhi & Bruria Adini, 2022. "Hope and Fear of Threats as Predictors of Coping with Two Major Adversities, the COVID-19 Pandemic and an Armed Conflict," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Caterina Schug & Eva Morawa & Franziska Geiser & Nina Hiebel & Petra Beschoner & Lucia Jerg-Bretzke & Christian Albus & Kerstin Weidner & Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen & Andrea Borho & Marietta Lieb & Yes, 2021. "Social Support and Optimism as Protective Factors for Mental Health among 7765 Healthcare Workers in Germany during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of the VOICE Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-18, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrea M. D’Alessandro-Lowe & Mauda Karram & Kim Ritchie & Andrea Brown & Heather Millman & Emily Sullo & Yuanxin Xue & Mina Pichtikova & Hugo Schielke & Ann Malain & Charlene O’Connor & Ruth Lanius &, 2023. "Coping, Supports and Moral Injury: Spiritual Well-Being and Organizational Support Are Associated with Reduced Moral Injury in Canadian Healthcare Providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(19), pages 1-17, September.

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