Differences in Coping Strategies and Help-Seeking Behaviours among Australian Junior and Senior Doctors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital medical staff (HMS) have faced significant personal, workplace, and financial disruption. Many have experienced psychosocial burden, exceeding already concerning baseline levels. This study examines the types and predictors of coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours utilised by Australian junior and senior HMS during the first year of the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of Australian frontline healthcare workers was conducted between 27th August and 23rd October 2020. Data collected included demographics, personal and workplace disruptions, self-reported and validated mental health symptoms, coping strategies, and help-seeking. Results: The 9518 participants included 1966 hospital medical staff (62.1% senior, 37.9% junior). Both groups experienced a high burden of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and burnout. Coping strategies varied by seniority, with maintaining exercise the most common strategy for both groups. Adverse mental health was associated with increased alcohol consumption. Engagement with professional support, although more frequent among junior staff, was uncommon in both groups. Conclusions: Junior and senior staff utilised different coping and help-seeking behaviours. Despite recognition of symptoms, very few HMS engaged formal support. The varied predictors of coping and help-seeking identified may inform targeted interventions to support these cohorts in current and future crises.

Barbershops as a setting for supporting men's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study from the UK

“…32 There are also indications that men (at least from certain occupational groups) have been relatively less likely to seek formal help for mental health problems occurring during the pandemic. 33 Barbers participating in the current study recognised that barbershops ordinarily provide men with a safe and familiar setting in which to socialise and discuss sensitive matters that may not be readily disclosed to others. Previous research has established that informal social interactions can enhance social belonging and cognitive functioning 34,35 and that social connectedness is a strong and consistent predictor of positive mental health.…”

“…32 There are also indications that men (at least from certain occupational groups) have been relatively less likely to seek formal help for mental health problems occurring during the pandemic. 33…”

“…'Pushing more barbers to do this free course is definitely the way forward' (Respondent 21, avg client age [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35].…”

“…The 'role boundaries' sub-theme recognised concerns among some barbers about moving too far beyond their core professional role and making unwelcome incursions into clients' private lives: 'Clients don't need to be counselled by me' (Respondent 12, avg client age 18-25) 'There is only so much you can do as a barber unless you are trained […] but if you are trained you wouldn't be cutting hair as you would be a therapist' (Interviewee 2, Sussex) 'Not every barber is going to have the same view about it, some get it and want to help but some don't, and they avoid talking about mental health' (Respondent 13, avg client age 18-25) 'I don't feel I am responsible for helping people with their mental health' (Respondent 2, avg client age 18-25) 'I wouldn't want to break the trust of a client confiding certain details to me' (Respondent 18, avg client age 26-35) 'Some clients may hate the fact that you're suggesting they may need help. You don't want to lose customers' (Respondent 9, avg client age [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35].…”

“It’s Been Ugly”: A Large-Scale Qualitative Study into the Difficulties Frontline Doctors Faced across Two Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…This may reflect anonymous uncensored responses without concerns for potential consequences. Social support has been shown to be a protective factor for adverse mental health outcomes in HCW during the pandemic [ 10 , 65 ], with one third of junior and senior doctors reporting it as a key coping strategy [ 66 ], highlighting the need for implementation of formal and informal peer interventions for all professional grades to ensure that frontline doctors feel supported going forwards.…”