A Cross-Sectional Examination of the Mental Wellbeing, Coping and Quality of Working Life in Health and Social Care Workers in the UK at Two Time Points of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve around the world, it is important to examine its effect on societies and individuals, including health and social care (HSC) professionals. The aim of this study was to compare cross-sectional data collected from HSC staff in the UK at two time points during the COVID-19 pandemic: Phase 1 (May–July 2020) and Phase 2 (November 2020–January 2021). The HSC staff surveyed consisted of nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers from across the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland). Multiple regressions were used to examine the effects of different coping strategies and demographic and work-related variables on participants’ wellbeing and quality of working life to see how and if the predictors changed over time. An additional multiple regression was used to directly examine the effects of time (Phase 1 vs. Phase 2) on the outcome variables. Findings suggested that both wellbeing and quality of working life deteriorated from Phase 1 to Phase 2. The results have the potential to inform interventions for HSC staff during future waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, other infectious outbreaks or even other circumstances putting long-term pressures on HSC systems.

Decreasing Wellbeing and Increasing Use of Negative Coping Strategies: The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the UK Health and Social Care Workforce

“…Engaging in the negative, more avoidant coping strategies was also found in our earlier study phases [32][33][34] and within the literature, with the usage of these strategies being found to have a negative relationship and impact on mental wellbeing and resulting in increased burnout within the HSC workforce [50,60,62,63,[65][66][67]. Amongst respondents in Phase 3 of this present study there was widespread recognition that pandemic-related work responsibilities had affected respondents' quality of home life, with working from home not enabling a break from work for many of this workforce and it was noted that an emphasis should be placed on re/creating a more healthy work-life balance [68].…”

“…The results of Phase 3 of this study will be used to expand on recommendations from earlier phases that could be used to inform policies and procedures for HSC employers to help counteract the adverse long-term effects the pandemic on mental wellbeing and work-related quality of life. Other papers linked to the wider study have explored the findings of the earlier phases [32,33], social care and social workers [34] and the 'clapping for carers' initiative [35].…”

Mental impact of Covid-19 among Spanish healthcare workers. A large longitudinal survey

“…In the general population, several longitudinal studies suggest that initial high levels of anxiety, depression and other Covid-related psychopathology tend to remit with time (Hirten et al ., 2020; McFadden et al ., 2021; Miguel-Puga et al ., 2021; Sampaio et al ., 2021; Sasaki et al ., 2021; Van Steenkiste et al ., 2021). But evidence about this trajectory among healthcare workers, who have continued to be exposed to a very high workload related to the pandemic, is more limited and results are mixed.…”

“…But evidence about this trajectory among healthcare workers, who have continued to be exposed to a very high workload related to the pandemic, is more limited and results are mixed. Some studies suggest that distress and fear/worry of Covid-19 remained high or even increased in follow-up surveys (Jordan et al ., 2021; Lopez Steinmetz et al ., 2022; McFadden et al ., 2021; Miguel-Puga et al ., 2021; Sasaki et al ., 2021) while others indicate that depression and anxiety tended to decrease at follow-up (Hirten et al ., 2020; Roberts et al ., 2021; Rodriguez et al ., 2021; Sampaio et al ., 2021; Van Steenkiste et al ., 2021). Some of these studies are based on a relatively small number of healthcare workers or on short follow-up periods (Hirten et al ., 2020; Sampaio et al ., 2021; Van Steenkiste et al ., 2021) or do not focus on specific mental disorders (Hirten et al ., 2020; Roberts et al ., 2021; Sampaio et al ., 2021; Sasaki et al ., 2021).…”

The Correlation between Nurses’ COVID-19 Infections and Their Emotional State and Work Conditions during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

“…Social distancing and isolation may trigger numerous abnormal reactions, manifested by post-traumatic stress, anger and a sense of loss [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The pandemic has caused disturbances in everyday routines of human life [ 10 ]. People all over the world are troubled by uncertainty, job losses, isolation and separation from their families, as well as fear of getting infected and death.…”