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Factors Associated with Impact of Event Scores Among Ontario Education Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Iris Gutmanis

    (Sinai Health, 600 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Brenda L. Coleman

    (Sinai Health, 600 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
    School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Robert G. Maunder

    (Sinai Health, 600 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
    Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada)

  • Kailey Fischer

    (Sinai Health, 600 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada)

  • Veronica Zhu

    (Sinai Health, 600 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada)

  • Allison McGeer

    (Sinai Health, 600 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 1X5, Canada
    Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada)

Abstract

There is limited information regarding factors related to education workers’ responses to traumatic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study goal was to determine whether personal factors, behaviours that mitigate viral spread, and work-related factors were associated with post-traumatic symptoms. This observational study, embedded within a cohort study, recruited Ontario education workers from February 2021 to June 2023. Exposure data were collected at enrollment and updated annually. Participants completed the Impact of Event Scale (IES) at withdrawal/study completion. Modified Poisson regression was used to build hierarchical models of dichotomized IES scores (≥26: moderate/severe post-traumatic symptoms). Of the 1518 education workers who submitted an IES between September 2022 and December 2023, the incidence rate ratio of IES scores ≥26 was significantly higher among participants who usually/always wore a mask at work (1.48; 95% confidence interval 1.23, 1.79), usually/always practiced physical distancing (1.31; 1.06, 1.62), lived in larger households (1.06; 1.01, 1.12), and reported poor/fair/good health (1.27; 1.11, 1.46). However, models accounted for little of the variance in IES scores, suggesting the need for future studies to collect data on other factors associated with the development of PTSD, such as pre-existing mental health challenges. Early identification of those experiencing traumatic stress and the implementation of stress reduction strategies are needed to ensure the ongoing health of education workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Iris Gutmanis & Brenda L. Coleman & Robert G. Maunder & Kailey Fischer & Veronica Zhu & Allison McGeer, 2024. "Factors Associated with Impact of Event Scores Among Ontario Education Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(11), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:11:p:1448-:d:1510739
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Agata Chudzicka-Czupała & Soon-Kiat Chiang & Damian Grabowski & Marta Żywiołek-Szeja & Matthew Quek & Bartosz Pudełek & Kayla Teopiz & Roger Ho & Roger S. McIntyre, 2022. "Predictors of Psychological Distress across Three Time Periods during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-16, November.
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