Predictors of the Psychological Distress of Public Health Professionals during COVID-19

Authors

Abstract

The present work aims to identify the predictive power of psychosocial factors at work (work and family conflict, bullying at work, work stress), and sociodemographic and health variables for the outcome of psychological distress in public health professionals during the pandemic. It is a quantitative study, with a sample composed of 478 public health professionals during COVID-19. The instruments, applied online, were sociodemographic, work and health data sheet; questionnaire on psychosocial risk factors at work; the Work-Family Conflict Scale, and the Clinical Outcome Routine Evaluation- Outcome Measures (CORE-OM). Data analysis was executed by multiple linear regression. Work-family conflict was the main cause of psychological distress, followed by bullying at work, family-work interaction, and prior psychiatric/psychological diagnosis. These variables predicted 37.8% of the sample's psychological distress. It should be noted that the pandemic may have contributed to the escalation of existing symptoms. These psychosocial risk factors, particularly work-family conflict, should be considered when planning interventions that aim to promote mental health.

Keywords: COVID-19, health personnel, occupational health.

Author Biographies

Janine Kieling Monteiro, Unisinos University, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Psicologia

Júlia Consoli, Unisinos University, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil

Bolsista de iniciação científica voluntária do Programa de Pós-graduação em Psicologia Clínica, pela Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, graduanda em Psicologia pela Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos.

Kaell Judá Sesterheim da Silva, Unisinos University, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil

Bolsista CAPES no mestrado do Programa de Pós-graduação em Psicologia Clínica, pela Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, possui graduação em Psicologia e é especializando em Psicanálise e Prática Clínica, pela Universidade Feevale.

Kamila Nunes Pires, Unisinos University, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil

Especializanda em Psicologia Clínica pela Instituição de Ensino Faculdade Dom Alberto. É aluna especial no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem na Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPEL. Bacharel em Psicologia  pela Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos.

Laura Cunha da Silva, Unisinos University, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil

Bolsista de iniciação científica FAPERGS do Programa de Pós-graduação em Psicologia Clínica, pela Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, graduanda em Psicologia pela Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos.

Marina Guerin, Unisinos University, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil

Graduada em Psicologia pela Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, docente no Programa Jovem Aprendiz no SENAC/RS.

Vanessa Ruffatto Gregoviski, Unisinos University, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil

Bolsista CAPES no doutorado do Programa de Pós-graduação em Psicologia Clínica, pela Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos. É bacharel em Psicologia, especialista em Residência Multiprofissional em Saúde Mental e mestre em Psicologia Clínica.

Murilo Ricardo Zibetti, Unisinos University, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil

Professor na Graduação e na Pós-Graduação em Psicologia na Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos,  possui graduação, mestrado e doutorado em Psicologia pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul.

Fernanda Barcellos Serralta, Unisinos University, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil

Bolsista de Produtividade em Pesquisa do CNPQ, possui graduação e mestrado em Psicologia na Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, e doutorado em Ciências Médicas: Psiquiatria na Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. É professora convidada no Estudos Integrados em Psicoterapia Psicanalítica e membro da Society for Psychotherapy Research e da Rede Latinoamericana de Pesquisa em Psicoterapia.

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Published

2023-07-01

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 3 (2023): rPOT N3/2023 - Ahead of print

Section

Articles

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