Mental health in Austrian psychotherapists during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Although the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health has been reported in different communities, little is known about the mental health of psychotherapists during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austrian psychotherapists and compare it with the general population. A total of n = 513 psychotherapists (80.5% women; mean age: 53.06 ± 9.94 years) took part in an online survey conducted from April to June 2022. At the same time, a representative sample (N = 1,031) of the Austrian general population was surveyed online. Indicators of mental health were mental wellbeing (WHO-5), depression (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-2), insomnia (ISI-2), and stress (PSS-10). The general population sample was matched according to age and gender with the psychotherapist's data using propensity scores, yielding a final sample of n = 513 (80.5% women; mean age: 52.33 ± 13.39 years). Psychotherapists showed lower odds for exceeding cut-offs for clinically relevant depressive, anxiety, insomnia and stress symptoms (0.34–0.58) compared to the general population. Further studies should elucidate the protective factors underlying these findings.

The indirect impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and without COVID-19 infection: Systematic review and meta-analysis

“…One study [59] examined the impact of the 2003 SARS epidemic retrospectively and found a short-term dramatic decline in healthcare utilization would lead to increased diabetic mortality one year after the outbreak [relative risk:1.08 (CI: 1.03 – 1.15)]. This previous experience raises similar concerns during the present pandemic, as the present pandemic has lasted more extended time and affected more globally than the SARS epidemic, with the on-and-off disease-control policies, like repeated lockdown implementation when facing emerging virus variants [60] , [61] . This study provides a window to view if disruptions in care or re-allocation of resources and daily life alterations may have affected diabetes management, informing in response to this burden.…”

Understanding pandemic resilience: a mixed-methods exploration of burdens, resources, and determinants of good or poor well-being among Austrian psychotherapists

“…Factors contributing to heightened stress levels among psychotherapists included concerns regarding infection during direct patient contact, adjustments in day-to-day practices such as transitioning to remote therapy and working while wearing masks, managing increased demand for treatment and waitlists, and modifications in patient symptoms ( 18 ). More recent research in Austria showed that Austrian psychotherapists manifested better psychological health than the general population during the COVID-19 outbreak ( 16 ). Notwithstanding the comparatively favorable psychological well-being of psychotherapists as compared to the general population, a substantial proportion of them surpassed the threshold for clinically significant insomnia (5%), depression (11%), anxiety (11%), and stress (37%) ( 16 ).…”

“…More recent research in Austria showed that Austrian psychotherapists manifested better psychological health than the general population during the COVID-19 outbreak ( 16 ). Notwithstanding the comparatively favorable psychological well-being of psychotherapists as compared to the general population, a substantial proportion of them surpassed the threshold for clinically significant insomnia (5%), depression (11%), anxiety (11%), and stress (37%) ( 16 ). The escalating need for therapeutic aid and the heightened psychological strain experienced by patients because of COVID-19-related restrictions, illness anxiety, unemployment, economic downturns, and societal fluctuations pose a severe challenge ( 19 , 20 ), which has led to a surge in burnout among mental health professionals ( 21 , 22 ).…”

“…Moreover, further research is required to decipher why psychotherapists, despite this confluence of strains, still show lower odds of exceeding cut-offs for clinically relevant depression (aOR 0.41; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.57), anxiety (aOR 0.58; 95% CI: 0.40, 0.83), insomnia (aOR 0.51; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.83) and moderate to high stress levels (aOR 0.34; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.44) compared to the general population. Previously assumed factors contributing to this relative resilience include high professional motivation, a secure social background and the possibility of independent time management since most are self-employed ( 16 ).…”

“…It has been found that both psychotherapists and clinical psychologists in Austria experienced better mental health than the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 23 ). Through a qualitative exploration of their self-reported strains and resources, it was discovered that these professionals possessed a heightened awareness of pandemic-related mental health issues and adeptly employed adaptive coping strategies to address them ( 24 ). Also, in a Brazilian study, the resilience of psychologists during the pandemic has been attributed to their training and mastery of adaptive measures ( 25 ).…”