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Psychological Distress in South African Healthcare Workers Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of Associations and Mitigating Factors

Author

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  • Hsin-Ling Lee

    (Global Health Research Program, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada)

  • Kerry S. Wilson

    (National Institute for Occupational Health, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
    School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa)

  • Colleen Bernstein

    (Department of Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa)

  • Nisha Naicker

    (National Institute for Occupational Health, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
    Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Annalee Yassi

    (Global Health Research Program, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada)

  • Jerry M. Spiegel

    (Global Health Research Program, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada)

Abstract

While the global COVID-19 pandemic has been widely acknowledged to affect the mental health of health care workers (HCWs), attention to measures that protect those on the front lines of health outbreak response has been limited. In this cross-sectional study, we examine workplace contextual factors associated with how psychological distress was experienced in a South African setting where a severe first wave was being experienced with the objective of identifying factors that can protect against HCWs experiencing negative impacts. Consistent with mounting literature on mental health effects, we found a high degree of psychological distress (57.4% above the General Health Questionnaire cut-off value) and a strong association between perceived risks associated with the presence of COVID-19 in the healthcare workplace and psychological distress (adjusted OR = 2.35, p < 0.01). Our research indicates that both training (adjusted OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21–0.81) and the reported presence of supportive workplace relationships (adjusted OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.27–0.97) were associated with positive outcomes. This evidence that workplace resilience can be reinforced to better prepare for the onset of similar outbreaks in the future suggests that pursuit of further research into specific interventions to improve resilience is well merited.

Suggested Citation

  • Hsin-Ling Lee & Kerry S. Wilson & Colleen Bernstein & Nisha Naicker & Annalee Yassi & Jerry M. Spiegel, 2022. "Psychological Distress in South African Healthcare Workers Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of Associations and Mitigating Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-20, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9722-:d:882360
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    Cited by:

    1. Pinky Mahlangu & Yandisa Sikweyiya & Andrew Gibbs & Nwabisa Shai & Mercilene Machisa, 2023. "“I Carry the Trauma and Can Vividly Remember”: Mental Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Frontline Health Care Workers in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Nokwanda P. Bokolo & Rudolph Leon Van Niekerk & Verona Mathews & Lloyd Leach, 2023. "A Systematic Review Protocol for the Effectiveness of Psycho-Educational Intervention Programmes in Addressing the Psychological Risk Factors Associated with Non-Communicable Diseases among Adolescent," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Lavinia Denisia Cuc & Andrea Feher & Paul Nichita Cuc & Silviu Gabriel Szentesi & Dana Rad & Gavril Rad & Mioara Florina Pantea & Cosmin Silviu Raul Joldes, 2022. "A Parallel Mediation Analysis on the Effects of Pandemic Accentuated Occupational Stress on Hospitality Industry Staff Turnover Intentions in COVID-19 Context," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-20, September.

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