Investigation of the preference of psychological resistance and affecting factors in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic period

Objective: To investigate the presence and prevalence of pandemic-related psychiatric symptoms, psychological resilience, and the factors affecting them in healthcare workers working in a university hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The secondary aim of the study was to evaluate the current mental health burden in order to improve the mental and mental well-being of healthcare workers. Method: 444 healthcare professionals working at Aydın Adnan Menderes University Hospital were included in the study. Data collection is scheduled face-to-face or online with Google Forms. Sociodemographic data form, SCL-90-R symptom screening test, resilience scale for adults, SAVE-9 scale were administered to the participants. Student's t test and ANOVA test were used to examine the relationship between SCL-90-R mean scores and independent variables. Pearson correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between GSI and SAVE-9 scores and variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test the predictiveness of the variables affecting the mean GSI scores. SPSS 25.0 package program was used in the analysis. Statistical significance level was accepted as p<0.05. Results: During the pandemic process, %97,1 of the participants stated that they had psychological difficulties, %40,1 experienced a mental illness and %30,7 stated that they were adversely affected in terms of stress and anxiety levels. The general symptom level was found to be high in %23 of the participants. GSI score averages are for women, nurses/midwives, cleaning staff/caregivers occupational groups, those with low income, those aged 65 and over and/or living with someone with a chronic illness, those who feel alone, no time for social relations, hobbies and sports exercise. It was found to be higher in those who could not distinguish than the others. The mean GSI score was found to be related to SAVE-9 score and the length of time worked in the intensive care unit during the pandemic, SAVE-9 score was found to be associated with age and duration of work in the pandemic intensive care unit. As a result of the linear regression analysis, it was determined that the increase in the SAVE-9 score increased the GSI, and spending time for social relations and hobbies and doing sports/exercise regularly decreased the GSI score. Conclusion: Healthcare workers, whose normal working order and tempo suddenly changed during epidemic periods, experienced mental problems. Although mental symptoms were detected more frequently in some groups, it is important that the majority of the participants stated that they had psychological difficulties during the pandemic. Sustainability of quality health care is important for public health. For this reason, it is critically important to support health workers spiritually and socially in extraordinary conditions such as pandemics. More studies are needed on the subject. Thus, a more effective fight can be achieved against new pandemics or extraordinary conditions that may develop in the future. Keywords: COVID-19, Healthcare workers, Psychological resilience, SAVE-9, SCL-90-R.