Mental Health and Psychosocial Problems of Medical Health Workers during the Covid-19 Epidemic in China

Bibliographic Data

ID23384272
AuthorsWen-rui Zhang (Capital Medical University), Kun Wang (0000-0002-6199-4315, Capital Medical University), Lu Yin (0009-0008-3327-9788), Wen-feng Zhao (Capital Medical University), Qing Xue (0000-0003-2946-9489, Capital Medical University), Peng Mao (0000-0002-8985-1500, Capital Medical University), Mao Peng, Bao-quan Min (Capital Medical University), Qing Tian (0000-0001-5776-4587, Capital Medical University), Hai-xia Leng (Capital Medical University), Jia-lin Du (Capital Medical University), Hong Chang (0000-0002-2279-437X, Capital Medical University), Yuan Yang (0000-0002-3030-5476, Tongji Hospital), Wei Li (0000-0002-3581-849X, Chengdu Second People's Hospital), Fang-fang Shangguan (Capital Normal University), Tian-yi Yan (Beijing Institute of Technology), Hui-qing Dong (Capital Medical University), Ying Han (0000-0002-4759-6839, Capital Medical University), Yu‐ping Wang (0000-0001-9340-5864, Capital Medical University), Yu-Ping Wang (0000-0003-4129-7704), Fiammetta Cosci (0000-0002-5022-0488, University of Florence), Hong-xing Wang (Capital Medical University)
Year2020
Volume89
Issue4
Pages242-250
Publication date2020-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychotherapy and Psychosomatics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-3190 • E-ISSN: 1423-0348
PublisherS. Karger AG (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.1159/000507639
PMID32272480
OpenAlexW3015811538
LanguageEN
Citations received244
References cited20

Objective: We explored whether medical health workers had more psychosocial problems than nonmedical health workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: An online survey was run from February 19 to March 6, 2020; a total of 2,182 Chinese subjects participated. Mental health variables were assessed via the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Symptom Check List-revised (SCL-90-R), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), which included a 2-item anxiety scale and a 2-item depression scale (PHQ-2). Results: Compared with nonmedical health workers ( n = 1,255), medical health workers ( n = 927) had a higher prevalence of insomnia (38.4 vs. 30.5%, p < 0.01), anxiety (13.0 vs. 8.5%, p < 0.01), depression (12.2 vs. 9.5%; p < 0.04), somatization (1.6 vs. 0.4%; p < 0.01), and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (5.3 vs. 2.2%; p < 0.01). They also had higher total scores of ISI, GAD-2, PHQ-2, and SCL-90-R obsessive-compulsive symptoms ( p ≤ 0.01). Among medical health workers, having organic disease was an independent factor for insomnia, anxiety, depression, somatization, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms ( p < 0.05 or 0.01). Living in rural areas, being female, and being at risk of contact with COVID-19 patients were the most common risk factors for insomnia, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and depression ( p < 0.01 or 0.05). Among nonmedical health workers, having organic disease was a risk factor for insomnia, depression, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms ( p < 0.01 or 0.05). Conclusions: During the COVID-19 outbreak, medical health workers had psychosocial problems and risk factors for developing them. They were in need of attention and recovery programs.

Anxiety · Depression (economics) · Depressive symptoms · Mental health · Patient Health Questionnaire · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Somatization · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 · Medicine