COVID‐19‐related discrimination, PTSD symptoms, and psychological distress in healthcare workers

Abstract

To date, little effort has been made to examine if frontline workers who deal with COVID‐19 patients are more likely to experience discrimination than second‐line workers. Also, little information has appeared on how COVID‐19‐related discrimination affects PTSD symptoms in healthcare workers. We aimed to examine the association between COVID‐19‐related discrimination and frontline worker status. We further aimed to examine how COVID‐19‐related discrimination was associated with PTSD symptoms and psychological distress. We studied 647 healthcare workers. For the association between COVID‐19‐related discrimination and frontline worker status, we conducted multivariable logistic regression adjusting for age, sex and living alone. For the association of COVID‐19‐related discrimination with PTSD symptoms and psychological distress, we performed multivariable regression using hierarchical adjustments for age, sex, living alone, alcohol consumption, exercise and frontline worker status. Bias‐corrected and accelerated bootstrap confidence intervals (CIs) were used. A total of 136 individuals worked on the frontline and the largest group were nurses ( n = 81, 59.6%). Frontline workers had increased odds of COVID‐19‐related discrimination compared with second‐line workers (odds ratio = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.37–4.96). COVID‐19‐related discrimination was associated with PTSD symptoms and psychological distress even at the highest level of adjustment ( β = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.10–1.23; β = 2.43, 95% CI = 0.91–3.95, respectively). Frontline workers are more likely to experience COVID‐19‐related discrimination than second‐line workers. Such discrimination may result in PTSD symptoms and psychological distress. Interventions to prevent COVID‐19‐related discrimination against healthcare workers, for example anti‐discrimination campaigns, are important.

Association of fear of COVID-19 and resilience with psychological distress among health care workers in hospitals responding to COVID-19: analysis of a cross-sectional study

“…For HCWs at a national medical institution designated for COVID-19 treatment, chronic physical conditions were significantly associated with depressive symptoms ( 18 ). In another survey, frontline workers had increased odds of COVID-19-related discrimination, which was associated with PTSD symptoms and psychological distress, compared with second-line workers ( 19 ). According to a multi-center collaborative survey, COVID-19-related discrimination was significantly associated with subsequent depression and suicidal ideation among HCWs ( 20 ).…”

Association of COVID-19-related discrimination with subsequent depression and suicidal ideation in healthcare workers

“…Selecting “yes” for either of these items was considered to experience COVID-19-related discrimination. These items were used based on past reports ( Do Duy et al, 2020 ; Narita et al, 2022 ).…”

“…COVID-19-related discrimination against healthcare workers is reportedly linked to poorer mental health ( Labrague et al, 2021 ; Monterrosa-Castro et al, 2020 ; Narita et al, 2022 ; Shrestha et al, 2022 ). Specifically, cross-sectional studies showed that depression correlated with COVID-19-related discrimination ( Campo-Arias et al, 2021 ; Correia da Silva et al, 2022 ; Moro et al, 2022 ).…”

Associations of self‐isolation, social support and coping strategies with depression and suicidal ideation in U.S. young adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Associations of self-isolation, social support and coping strategies with depression and suicidal ideation in U.S. young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic Zui Narita 1 | Jordan Devylder 2,3 | Melissa Bessaha 4 | Lisa Fedina 5 have a detrimental impact on mental health during the pandemic, such as economic decline, unemployment, stigma, self-isolation and social distancing measures and a general decrease in socialization and access to support from others (Narita et al, 2022(Narita et al, , 2023Panchal et al, 2021;Robinson et al, 2022;Samji et al, 2022). Such stressors and how individuals respond to them might moderate the detrimental effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health.…”

“…Evidence also suggests that the pandemic has harmed mental health in the general population (Xiong et al, 2020). Multiple factors are suggested to have a detrimental impact on mental health during the pandemic, such as economic decline, unemployment, stigma, self‐isolation and social distancing measures and a general decrease in socialization and access to support from others (Narita et al, 2022, 2023; Panchal et al, 2021; Robinson et al, 2022; Samji et al, 2022). Such stressors and how individuals respond to them might moderate the detrimental effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on mental health.…”