The Severity of Traumatic Stress Associated with Covid-19 Pandemic, Perception of Support, Sense of Security, and Sense of Meaning in Life among Nurses

Research Protocol and Preliminary Results from Poland

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15467463
AutoresGrzegorz Nowicki (0000-0002-0503-8847, Medical University of Lublin, autor de correspondencia), Barbara Ślusarska (0000-0003-0101-9216, Medical University of Lublin), Kinga Tucholska (0000-0001-9226-1328, Jagiellonian University), Katarzyna Naylor (0000-0002-1307-5015, Medical University of Lublin), Agnieszka Chrzan‐Rodak (0000-0001-8786-4079, Medical University of Lublin), Agnieszka Chrzan-Rodak (Medical University of Lublin), Barbara Niedorys (0000-0002-6101-783X, Medical University of Lublin)
Año2020
Volumen17
Número18
Páginas6491-6491
Fecha de publicación2020-09-07
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditorialMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17186491
PMID32906590
OpenAlexW3047552673
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas32
Referencias citadas55

The COVID-19 pandemic can not only affect physical health, but also mental health, resulting in sleep problems, depression, and traumatic stress. Our research investigates the level of posttraumatic stress, perceived social support, opinions on positive and negative consequences of the pandemic, sense of security and sense of meaning among nurses in the face of this new and not fully understood global epidemiological phenomenon. For this purpose, computer-assisted web interviews were conducted between May 1 and May 15, 2020. Participating nurses completed the following research tools: The Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), The Changes in Outlook Questionnaire (CIOQ), The Safety Experience Questionnaire (SEQ) and The Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). Three hundred and twenty-five nurses of an average age of 39.18 ± 11.16 years and working throughout Poland joined the study. The average overall IES-R score in the study group was 1.78 ± 0.65. Among the dimensions of traumatic stress, the highest score was obtained in the "avoidance" dimension was 1.86 ± 0.73. Amongst participating nurses, the highest support rates were provided by significant others (22.58 ± 5.22). Higher average scores were noted among participants in the subscale measuring positive psychological changes (18.56 ± 4.04). The mean MLQ score was 5.33 ± 0.87. A slightly higher result was observed in the subscale "presence" (5.35 ± 1.14). The results of the research implemented during the period of severe psychological pressure associated with the COVID-19 pandemic provided information on symptoms of traumatic stress in the examined group of nurses. Their sense of security has been lowered and accompanied by an intensified reflection on issues concerning security. However, their current sense of meaning in life remains higher than the tendency to searching for it. The surveyed nurses received individual support mostly from significant others (i.e., other than family and friends). They see positive changes resulting from painful experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be characterized by adaptation in the form of post-traumatic growth

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Meaning (existential · Mental health · Pandemic · Psychiatry · Scale (ratio · Social support · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Medicine · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Psychology