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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

Author

Listed:
  • Tiziana Maiorano

    (Department of Humanities, University of Urbino, 61029 Urbino, Italy)

  • Monia Vagni

    (Department of Humanities, University of Urbino, 61029 Urbino, Italy)

  • Valeria Giostra

    (Department of Humanities, University of Urbino, 61029 Urbino, Italy)

  • Daniela Pajardi

    (Department of Humanities, University of Urbino, 61029 Urbino, Italy)

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis has placed a heavy burden on medical staff and emergency workers, who may be at risk of developing psychological distress and secondary trauma. Coping and resilience to stress during a pandemic are protective factors that can mitigate the potential adverse psychological effects. Here, we investigated the direct and mediated effects of coping strategies and hardiness on secondary trauma among Italian medical staff (physicians and nurses, n = 140) and emergency workers (firefighters, civil protection, and ambulance personnel, n = 100) involved in the first phase of the pandemic. For this purpose, we collected data from participants through online questionnaires to measure emergency stress, coping strategies, hardiness, and secondary trauma. Other variables analyzed were age, sex, direct contact with COVID-19 patients, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). We performed a correlational analysis, regressions, and a mediation analysis. The results show that nurses and physicians experienced higher levels of emergency stress than emergency workers. Direct contact with COVID-19 patients, female sex, unexpected events, and lack of PPE were risk factors for emergency stress, while resilience and coping strategies played a protective role. Mediation analysis shows that coping strategies and hardiness are protective factors and reduce the effect of stress on secondary trauma.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:21:p:9004-:d:437085
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Monia Vagni & Tiziana Maiorano & Valeria Giostra & Daniela Pajardi, 2020. "Hardiness, Stress and Secondary Trauma in Italian Healthcare and Emergency Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Monia Vagni & Tiziana Maiorano & Valeria Giostra & Daniela Pajardi, 2020. "Hardiness and Coping Strategies as Mediators of Stress and Secondary Trauma in Emergency Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-27, September.
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    5. Samuele Baldassini Rodriguez & Yari Bardacci & Khadija El Aoufy & Marco Bazzini & Christian Caruso & Gian Domenico Giusti & Andrea Mezzetti & Stefano Bambi & Andrea Guazzini & Laura Rasero, 2022. "Promoting and Risk Factors of Nurses’ Hardiness Levels during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from an Italian Cohort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-22, January.
    6. Valentina Fietta & Francesca Bertoldo & Lorenzo Gasperi & Cristina Mazza & Paolo Roma & Merylin Monaro, 2023. "The Role of Work Engagement in Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic among Mental Healthcare Workers: An Italian Study to Improve Work Sustainability during Emergency Situations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-16, February.
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    10. Jessica Burrai & Alessandro Quaglieri & Umberto Aitella & Clarissa Cricenti & Ivan D’Alessio & Alessandra Pizzo & Giulia Lausi & Anna Maria Giannini & Emanuela Mari, 2022. "The Fear of COVID-19: Gender Differences among Italian Health Volunteers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-18, May.
    11. Monia Vagni & Tiziana Maiorano & Valeria Giostra & Daniela Pajardi, 2021. "Protective Factors against Emergency Stress and Burnout in Healthcare and Emergency Workers during Second Wave of COVID-19," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-16, May.
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