Depression, anxiety, stress and trauma-related symptoms and their association with perceived social support in medical professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine

Abstract

Purpose: In a public health crisis medical professionals face immense psychological tension that leads to onset of negative mental health outcomes. We aimed to estimate the self-reported level of posttraumatic, anxiety, depression, and stress-related symptoms and their association with the level of perceived social support among healthcare professionals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Ukraine. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey conducted during the second wave of the pandemic involved 330 participants. Mental health variables were assessed via the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). The level of perceived social support was assessed via the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Results:The DASS-21 median score was 42.0 (IQR = 28.0-56.0), with 50.5% of respondents reporting moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms; 55.4% had moderate-to-severe anxiety levels; 42.4% had moderate-to-severe stress levels. The PCL-5 median score was 21.0 (IQR = 12.0-32.0), with 20% of the participants meeting the full criteria for PTSD. The MSPSS median score was 5.3 (IQR = 4.3-6.1), with 61.8% of the participants reporting high, 29.4% medium, and 8.8% low levels of social support, respectively. Logistic analysis revealed that being a younger person, female, having had previous exposure to COVID-19, working in inpatient facilities with COVID patients, and experiencing a lower level of social support were significant risk factors for the onset of mental disorders. Almost 75% of participants exhibited low-to-moderate adherence to psychological/psychiatric care. Conclusions: Health professionals working with COVID patients need to be screened for mental disorders. A campaign aimed at achieving the de-stigmatization of mental care is required.

Effects of Court-Issued Restricted Contact Orders on Perceived Social Support of Individuals Involved in Sexually Violent Offenses

“…The literature [24,25,26] suggests that the same results may be found for additional populations, including those that experience RCOs. While an individual's levels of PSS, anxiety, and depression may experience varied impacts due to such orders, research has not yet revealed how these impacts unfold after the legal system administers RCOs.…”

“…Interestingly, research by the MSPSS authors and others found that increased levels of perceived social support (PSS) are associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression symptoms [24][25][26]. The study by Tonsing and colleagues (2012) investigated this correlation in Urdu (n = 148) and Nepali (n = 153) populations living in Hong Kong, and the research by Martsenkovskyi and colleagues (2022) found similar outcomes among a cross-sectional sample of healthcare workers in Ukraine [24].…”

“…Interestingly, research by the MSPSS authors and others found that increased levels of perceived social support (PSS) are associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression symptoms [24][25][26]. The study by Tonsing and colleagues (2012) investigated this correlation in Urdu (n = 148) and Nepali (n = 153) populations living in Hong Kong, and the research by Martsenkovskyi and colleagues (2022) found similar outcomes among a cross-sectional sample of healthcare workers in Ukraine [24]. As no studies were found for individuals impacted by RCOs, this study will be the first, to the authors' knowledge, that examines a potential correlation between PSS levels and levels of self-reported anxiety and depression as assessed by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) in individuals who have experienced an RCO.…”

Physician Posttraumatic Stress Disorder During COVID-19

“…In total, 57 studies satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study (Table 1), involving a total of 28 965 physicians. Fifty-five studies (96.4%) [39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48] were cross-sectional while 2 (3.5%) were longitudinal. The number of participants in each study ranged from 7 to 5440 (mean, 508; median, 291).…”

Subjective Assessment of Changes in Life During Covid-19 Pandemic: Comparison of Polish and Ukrainian Adults

“…The intensity of trauma perceived in response to the pandemic depended on sociodemographic, personality as well as economic and political factors, however many similarities were found in responses provided by subjects from different countries. Research carried out in Poland and in Ukraine during the first stages of COVID-19 pandemic showed significant deterioration of mental health, particularly in students (Ochnik et al, 2021; Zasiekina, 2021), healthcare workers (Martsenkovskyi et al, 2022), women (Kostruba, 2021) and individuals with lower socioeconomic status (Sozański et al, 2021). The early phase of the pandemic was associated with increased anxiety, depression, uncertainty about the future, and more severe psychosomatic problems, however during the subsequent stages of the pandemic (e.g., in 2021) some of these symptoms were found to be less pronounced (O'Connor et al, 2021;Robinson et al, 2022).…”