Healthcare workers’ COVID-19 Omicron variant uncertainty-related stress, resilience, and coping strategies during the first week of World Health Organization alert

Abstract

Background: As the COVID-19 Omicron variant emerged and spread globally at an alarming speed, healthcare workers' (HCWs) uncertainties, worries, resilience, and coping strategies warrant assessment. The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe psychological impact on HCWs, including the development of Post-Traumatic Stress symptoms. Specific subgroups of HCWs, such as front-line and female workers, were more prone to poor mental health outcomes and difficulties facing stress. Methods: The responses to an online questionnaire among HCWs in Saudi Arabia (KSA) were collected December 1-5, 2021, aiming to assess their Omicron variant's uncertainties, worries, resilience, and coping strategies. Three validated instruments were used to achieve the study's goals: the Brief Resilient Coping Scale, the Standard Stress Scale (SSS), and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS) - Short Form. Results: The online survey was completed by 1285 HCWs. Females made up the majority (64%). The BRCS score of resilient coping was negatively and substantially linked with the SSS score of stress (r=-0.313, p = 0.010). Furthermore, the IUS had a positive and significant relationship with stress (r=0.326, p= 0.010). Increased stress levels were linked to a considerable drop in resilient coping scores. Furthermore, being a Saudi HCW or a nurse was linked to a significant reduction in resilient coping ratings. Coping by following healthcare authorities' preventative instructions and using the WHO website as a source of information was linked to a considerable rise in resilient coping. Conclusions: Following the emergence of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in late 2021, a rapid investigation into the correlates of stress and resilient coping among the HCWs in KSA was conducted. The negative association between resilient coping and stress was clearly shown, as well as how underlying intolerance of uncertainty is linked to higher stress among HCWs quickly following the development of a new infectious threat. The study provides early insights to develop and promote coping strategies for emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant: exploring healthcare workers’ awareness and perception of vaccine effectiveness: a national survey during the first week of WHO variant alert

“…HCWs were surveyed regarding their Omicron variant awareness, perceptions of the effectiveness of vaccinations and other preventive measures with the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant to prevent its spread or other future variants. The last part of the survey was focused on the HCW's resilience, anxiety and coping strategies, and was published as preprint [8]. The questionnaire was pilot-validated and sent through SurveyMonkey© electronic platform.…”

ChatGPT and the Future of Digital Health: A Study on Healthcare Workers’ Perceptions and Expectations

“…The research team distributed the survey link electronically through HCWs’ social media channels in Saudi Arabia, over a period of 2 weeks (21 February–6 March 2023), using SurveyMonkey which has previously been utilized as an online platform for rapid deployment of electronic surveys among HCWs [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Inclusion criteria included HCWs in Saudi Arabia willing to participate in the study.…”

Perceived Risk of COVID-19 and Employee Decision-Making: How Psychological Distress during the Pandemic Increases Negative Performance Outcomes among Healthcare Workers

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe psychological effects among healthcare workers [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. Although it resulted in the employment of more medical practitioners and increased medical research funding [ 21 ], healthcare workers are more vulnerable, since they work in an environment where COVID-19 infections are more likely to occur [ 42 , 43 ].…”

“…The perceived risk of COVID-19 has challenged the psychological resilience of workers [ 62 ] and increased their psychological distress [ 20 , 38 , 63 ]. Based on Lazarus and Folkman’s (1984) transactional stress model, threatening situations, such as pandemics, ignite anxiety [ 63 ].…”