A study on psychological implications of COVID-19 on nursing professionals

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic on 11 March, 2020, followed by an unprecedented global increase of the disease in recent times. Healthcare workers, including Nursing Professionals (NP), are more likely to experience psychological distress during the pandemic. The purpose of the study is to examine the stress, depression, and anxiety experienced by the nursing professionals in India, who provide care to COVID positive patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional, web-based survey collected demographic data and mental health measurements from 187 NPs from 29 April, 2020 to 15 May, 2020. Eligibility criterion was NPs’ treating COVID positive patients during the pandemic period.

Results

A total of 103 (55.08%) participants were screened positive for depression, 105 (56.14%) for anxiety, and 80 (42.78%) for stress. In addition, 24 (12.83%) participants experienced comorbid conditions, suffering from extremely severe or severe forms of stress-anxiety-depression levels.

Conclusion

Participants reported high rates of depression, anxiety, and stress especially frontline NPs directly engaged in providing services for patients with COVID-19. The paper recommends counseling, mentorship, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and specialty trainings focused on patient care, as possible interventions for managing the psychological wellness of NPs during these testing times.

KEYWORDS:

• Nursing professional
• mental health
• COVID-19
• psychological intervention
• DASS-21

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the nursing professionals involved in this study for their cooperation and support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rahul P. Kotian

Dr Rahul P. Kotian is working as Principal and Professor in the Department of Radio and Imaging Technology, NIMS College of Paramedical Technology, NIMS University, Jaipur. He obtained PhD in Magnetic Resonance Imaging from Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal. He is recognized internationally and nationally as a leader in the field of Medical Imaging in DTI and FA imaging.

Brayal D’souza

Brayal D’souza is working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Innovation, PSPH, at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal. She is an expert in hospital administration, hospital operations, and nursing administration.

Shreyas Suresh Rao

Dr Shreyas Suresh Rao is working as Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management, Mangalore, India. He obtained PhD in the field of Enterprise Software Engineering from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal and MS in Software Systems from BITS, Pilani. He has 17+ years of experience in IT, research, and teaching.