IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i15p7919-d601997.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Post-Traumatic Stress and Coping Strategies of South African Nurses during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Michelle C. Engelbrecht

    (Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, Faculty of The Humanities, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • J. Christo Heunis

    (Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, Faculty of The Humanities, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • N. Gladys Kigozi

    (Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, Faculty of The Humanities, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

Abstract

Prior to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the South African healthcare system was already under severe strain due to amongst others, a lack of human resources, poor governance and management, and an unequal distribution of resources among provinces and between the public and private healthcare sectors. At the center of these challenges are nurses, the backbone of the healthcare system, and the first point of call for most patients in the country. This research investigated post-traumatic stress and coping strategies of nurses during the second wave of COVID-19 in the country. A structured self-administered questionnaire captured the biographic characteristics, perceived risk factors for COVID-19, and views on infection control of 286 nurses Data were subjected to descriptive and binomial logistic regression analyses. More than four in every 10 nurses screened positive for higher levels of post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). Self-reported risk for contracting COVID-19 mainly centered on being a health worker and patients’ non-adherence to infection prevention guidelines. Unpreparedness to manage COVID-19 patients, poorer health, and avoidant coping were associated with PTSD. Nurses voiced a need for emotional support and empathy from managers. Emotional, psychological, and debriefing intervention sessions that focus on positive coping strategies to actively address stress are recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Michelle C. Engelbrecht & J. Christo Heunis & N. Gladys Kigozi, 2021. "Post-Traumatic Stress and Coping Strategies of South African Nurses during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:7919-:d:601997
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/15/7919/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/15/7919/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Natasha Khamisa & Brian Oldenburg & Karl Peltzer & Dragan Ilic, 2015. "Work Related Stress, Burnout, Job Satisfaction and General Health of Nurses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Lourdes Luceño-Moreno & Beatriz Talavera-Velasco & Yolanda García-Albuerne & Jesús Martín-García, 2020. "Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Levels of Resilience and Burnout in Spanish Health Personnel during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-29, July.
    3. Gabriele Giorgi & Luigi Isaia Lecca & Federico Alessio & Georgia Libera Finstad & Giorgia Bondanini & Lucrezia Ginevra Lulli & Giulio Arcangeli & Nicola Mucci, 2020. "COVID-19-Related Mental Health Effects in the Workplace: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-22, October.
    4. Gabriele d’Ettorre & Giancarlo Ceccarelli & Letizia Santinelli & Paolo Vassalini & Giuseppe Pietro Innocenti & Francesco Alessandri & Alexia E. Koukopoulos & Alessandro Russo & Gabriella d’Ettorre & L, 2021. "Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Healthcare Workers Dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-16, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Glory Makhado & Busisiwe Ntuli & Lindiwe Zungu & Ntevhe Thovhogi & Peter Modupi Mphekgwana & Sogolo Lucky Lebelo & Sphiwe Madiba & Perpetua Modjadji, 2024. "The Wellbeing of Healthcare Workers during COVID-19 Era in Public Primary Health Facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-20, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mehran Shayganfard & Fateme Mahdavi & Mohammad Haghighi & Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani & Serge Brand, 2021. "Sources of Health Anxiety for Hospital Staff Working during the Covid-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Gabriele d’Ettorre & Giancarlo Ceccarelli & Letizia Santinelli & Paolo Vassalini & Giuseppe Pietro Innocenti & Francesco Alessandri & Alexia E. Koukopoulos & Alessandro Russo & Gabriella d’Ettorre & L, 2021. "Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Healthcare Workers Dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Vanesa Ferreres-Galán & María Vicenta Navarro-Haro & Óscar Peris-Baquero & Silvia Guillén-Marín & Jordi de Luna-Hermoso & Jorge Osma, 2022. "Assessment of Acceptability and Initial Effectiveness of a Unified Protocol Prevention Program to Train Emotional Regulation Skills in Female Nursing Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, May.
    4. Paula Franklin & Anna Gkiouleka, 2021. "A Scoping Review of Psychosocial Risks to Health Workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-20, March.
    5. Borja Nicolás Santana-López & Yeray Gabriel Santana-Padilla & María Desamparados Bernat-Adell & Jesús María González-Martín & Luciano Santana-Cabrera, 2022. "The Need for Psychological Support of Health Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Influence on Their Work," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-18, July.
    6. Maria Karanikola & Meropi Mpouzika & Elizabeth Papathanassoglou & Katerina Kaikoushi & Anna Hatzioannou & Ioannis Leontiou & Chris Livadiotis & Nicos Christophorou & Andreas Chatzittofis, 2022. "Work-Related Traumatic Stress Response in Nurses Employed in COVID-19 Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-15, September.
    7. M. Graça Pereira & Ana Filipa Gonçalves & Laura Brito, 2023. "The Moderating Role of Self-Care Behaviors in Personal Care Aides of Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-13, March.
    8. Michela Gabelloni & Lorenzo Faggioni & Roberta Fusco & Federica De Muzio & Ginevra Danti & Francesca Grassi & Roberta Grassi & Pierpaolo Palumbo & Federico Bruno & Alessandra Borgheresi & Alessandra B, 2023. "Exploring Radiologists’ Burnout in the COVID-19 Era: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.
    9. Jo Daniels & Jenny Ingram & Anna Pease & Elaine Wainwright & Kate Beckett & Lalitha Iyadurai & Sophie Harris & Olivia Donnelly & Tom Roberts & Edward Carlton, 2021. "The COVID-19 Clinician Cohort (CoCCo) Study: Empirically Grounded Recommendations for Forward-Facing Psychological Care of Frontline Doctors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-18, September.
    10. Amanda T. Sawyer & Hong Tao & Amanda K. Bailey, 2023. "The Impact of a Psychoeducational Group Program on the Mental Well-Being of Unit-Based Nurse Leaders: A Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-19, June.
    11. Yifat Rom & Ido Morag & Yuval Palgi & Michal Isaacson, 2024. "The Architectural Layout of Long-Term Care Units: Relationships between Support for Residents’ Well-Being and for Caregivers’ Burnout and Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(5), pages 1-17, April.
    12. Gemma Seda-Gombau & Juan José Montero-Alía & Eduard Moreno-Gabriel & Pere Torán-Monserrat, 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Burnout in Primary Care Physicians in Catalonia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-12, August.
    13. Ullah, Faiz & Harrigan, Nicholas M., 2022. "A natural experiment in social security as public health measure: Experiences of international students as temporary migrant workers during two Covid-19 lockdowns," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    14. Ana Magro & Aida Gutiérrez-García & Marta González-Álvarez & Mario Del Líbano, 2022. "Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Professionals in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-14, November.
    15. Michał Błaszczyk & Milan Popović & Karolina Zajdel & Radosław Zajdel, 2022. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Organisation of Remote Work in IT Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-14, October.
    16. Francesco Pace & Giulia Sciotto & Naomi Alexia Randazzo & Vincenza Macaluso, 2022. "Teachers’ Work-Related Well-Being in Times of COVID-19: The Effects of Technostress and Online Teaching," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-10, October.
    17. Hsiao-Mei Chen & Chien-Chi Liu & Shang-Yu Yang & Yu-Rung Wang & Pei-Lun Hsieh, 2021. "Factors Related to Care Competence, Workplace Stress, and Intention to Stay among Novice Nurses during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-10, February.
    18. Jennifer E. Moreno-Jiménez & Luis Manuel Blanco-Donoso & Evangelia Demerouti & Sylvia Belda Hofheinz & Mario Chico-Fernández & Bernardo Moreno-Jiménez & Eva Garrosa, 2021. "The Role of Healthcare Professionals’ Passion in Predicting Secondary Traumatic Stress and Posttraumatic Growth in the Face of COVID-19: A Longitudinal Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-16, April.
    19. Clément Cormi & Stéphane Sanchez & Valentine de l’Estoile & Laura Ollivier & Aude Letty & Gilles Berrut & Emmanuel Mulin, 2021. "Telepsychiatry to Provide Mental Health Support to Healthcare Professionals during the COVID-19 Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Survey among 321 Healthcare Professionals in France," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-14, September.
    20. Natasha Li & Sarah R. Martin & Theodore W. Heyming & Chloe Knudsen-Robbins & Terence Sanger & Zeev N. Kain, 2022. "Recurrent SARS-CoV-2 Serology Testing and Pandemic Anxiety: A Study of Pediatric Healthcare Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-9, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:7919-:d:601997. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.