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Sense of Coherence and Psychological Distress Among Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

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  • Juan Gómez-Salgado

    (Department of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
    Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, 092301 Guayaquil, Ecuador
    Co-first authors, these authors contributed equally to this work and should be regarded as equal.)

  • Sara Domínguez-Salas

    (Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Dos Hermanas, Sevilla, Spain
    Co-first authors, these authors contributed equally to this work and should be regarded as equal.)

  • Macarena Romero-Martín

    (Centro Universitario de Enfermería Cruz Roja, University of Sevilla, 41009 Sevilla, Spain)

  • Mónica Ortega-Moreno

    (Department of Economy, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
    Senior authors, these authors contributed equally to this work and should be regarded as equal.)

  • Juan Jesús García-Iglesias

    (Department of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain)

  • Carlos Ruiz-Frutos

    (Department of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
    Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, 092301 Guayaquil, Ecuador
    Senior authors, these authors contributed equally to this work and should be regarded as equal.)

Abstract

The health crisis triggered by COVID-19 and the preventive measures taken to control it have caused a strong psychological impact on the population, especially on healthcare professionals. Risk exposure, uncertainty about how to approach the disease, care and emotional overburden, lack of resources, or unclear ever-changing protocols are, among others, psychological distress risk factors for the healthcare professionals who have faced this dramatic scenario on the front line. On the other hand, the Sense of Coherence (SOC) is a competence that could help these professionals perceive the situation as understandable, manageable, and meaningful, facilitating the activation of their resilience. This work aims to describe the levels of psychological distress and SOC of healthcare professionals during the crisis caused by COVID-19, the relationship between both variables, and their health status. A cross-sectional descriptive study with a sample of 1459 currently active healthcare workers was developed. GHQ-12 and SOC-13 were used for data collection. Bivariate analyses were performed, including Chi-Squared Test, Student’s T-Test, Analysis of Variance—ANOVA (with Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons), and correlations. Cohen’s d or Cramer’s V effect size measurements were also provided. The results showed that 80.6% of healthcare professionals had psychological distress, and the mean score on the SOC-13 scale was 62.8 points (SD = 12.02). Both psychological distress and SOC were related to the presence of COVID-19 symptoms, as well as with contact history. Professionals with psychological distress showed a lower SOC. Taking care of the mental health of healthcare professionals is essential to effectively cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the psychological impact of working in the current menacing scenario, people on the front line against the disease should be protected, minimizing risks, providing them with resources and support, and fostering their coping skills.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Gómez-Salgado & Sara Domínguez-Salas & Macarena Romero-Martín & Mónica Ortega-Moreno & Juan Jesús García-Iglesias & Carlos Ruiz-Frutos, 2020. "Sense of Coherence and Psychological Distress Among Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:17:p:6855-:d:403257
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul T E Cusack, 2020. "On Pain," Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, Biomedical Research Network+, LLC, vol. 31(3), pages 24253-24254, October.
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    1. Michal Einav & Malka Margalit, 2023. "Loneliness before and after COVID-19: Sense of Coherence and Hope as Coping Mechanisms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-11, May.
    2. M. Ángeles López-Cabarcos & Analía López-Carballeira & Carlos Ferro-Soto, 2020. "New Ways of Working and Public Healthcare Professionals’ Well-Being: The Response to Face the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-9, September.
    3. Alessandro de Sire & Nicola Marotta & Simona Raimo & Lorenzo Lippi & Maria Teresa Inzitari & Anna Tasselli & Alessandra Gimigliano & Liana Palermo & Marco Invernizzi & Antonio Ammendolia, 2021. "Psychological Distress and Work Environment Perception by Physical Therapists from Southern Italy during COVID-19 Pandemic: The C.A.L.A.B.R.I.A Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Rocío Rodríguez-Rey & Helena Garrido-Hernansaiz & Nereida Bueno-Guerra, 2020. "Working in the Times of COVID-19. Psychological Impact of the Pandemic in Frontline Workers in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-23, November.
    5. Anita Padmanabhanunni & Tyrone Brian Pretorius & Ashraf Kagee, 2022. "The Health-Sustaining, Moderating, and Mediating Roles of Sense of Coherence in the Relationship between Fear of COVID-19 and Burnout among South African Teachers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-13, April.
    6. María Mercedes Reguera-García & Cristina Liébana-Presa & Lorena Álvarez-Barrio & Lisa Alves Gomes & Elena Fernández-Martínez, 2020. "Physical Activity, Resilience, Sense of Coherence and Coping in People with Multiple Sclerosis in the Situation Derived from COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-13, November.
    7. Sam S. S. Lau & Eric N. Y. Shum & Jackie O. T. Man & Ethan T. H. Cheung & Padmore Adusei Amoah & Angela Y. M. Leung & Orkan Okan & Kevin Dadaczynski, 2022. "Teachers’ Well-Being and Associated Factors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Hong Kong, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-17, November.
    8. Davis Cooper-Bribiesca & Dulce María Rascón-Martínez & José Adan Miguel-Puga & María Karen Juárez-Carreón & Luis Alejandro Sánchez-Hurtado & Tania Colin-Martinez & Juan Carlos Anda-Garay & Eliseo Espi, 2023. "Physicians’ Distress Related to Moral Issues and Mental Health In-Between Two Late Waves of COVID-19 Contagions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-19, February.
    9. Claude-Hélène Mayer & Cemonn Wegerle & Rudolf M. Oosthuizen, 2021. "Sense of Coherence in Managers during COVID-19 and the New World of Work: A Mixed-Method Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-21, October.

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