Stigma on first responders during COVID-19.

Abstract

During the pandemic, first responders were at an increased risk of being stigmatized because of their direct exposure to COVID-19; stigmatization is an undesirable stereotype that can contribute to a myriad of adverse effects, including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, devaluing, rejection, stress, health problems, exposure to risks, and limiting protective factors. The objectives of this research were to understand stigma on first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the consequences of stigma on first responder's mental health. A qualitative phenomenological study used semistructured interviews to understand the experiences of first responders during the pandemic. This study included a convenience sampling of 31 first responders (e.g., physicians, nurses, paramedics, police officers, firefighters, etc.) located worldwide. First responders reported feelings of isolation, lack of support and understanding by family or friends, decreased or forced removal in immediate social interaction (e.g., within family and friend circles), sentiments of being infected or dirty, increased feelings of sadness and anxiety, and reluctance to ask for help or get treatment (e.g., self-approval of being isolated). By answering these research questions, this information highlighted additional challenges that may be faced by first responders aside from being a frontline worker during a pandemic, which is equally stressful. By understanding the role of stigma, public health practitioners during pandemics or emergency situations can seek to diminish it.

Salud mental en estudiantes chilenos durante confinamiento por Covid-19: revisión bibliográfica

“…La incertidumbre y los posibles sentimientos de incontrolabilidad están relacionados con una mayor ansiedad (Estes & ompson, 2020), por lo tanto, se puede predecir un importante aumento de los trastornos relacionados con el trauma y los factores de estrés, como el trastorno de estrés postraumático y otros trastornos de salud mental como la depresión, los trastornos de ansiedad, la disfunción psicosocial, los trastornos de disociación, el abuso de sustancias y los déficits en la calidad de vida (Ainamani et al, 2020). Muchos estudiantes de educación superior deben trabajar para poder costear sus estudios, por lo que aquellos que trabajen en áreas que se relacionan con el combate directo del COVID 19 pueden sufrir un problema de salud mental doble (temores e impacto económico), que ocurre cuando se agrega también el estigma (Zolnikov & Furio, 2020). Además, el estrés y la ansiedad pueden hacer que la mente divague, lo que a su vez compite por recursos cognitivos limitados (Boals & Banks, 2020).…”

“…Muchos estudiantes también han tenido que lidiar con la sensación de aislamiento y soledad que acompaña a la adherencia a las pautas para participar en el aislamiento físico o el distanciamiento social (Besser et al, 2020). A nivel mundial, respecto al impacto económico, existen estudiantes que no pueden dejar de trabajar, razón por la que se encuentran más expuestos al virus (Zolnikov & Furio, 2020). En esta situación podemos hablar de un evento traumático que se asocia tanto al temor como al impacto económico (Kira et al 2020).…”

Performance of Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of Emergency System in COVID-19 Pandemic. An Extensive Narrative Review

“…Along with medical staff and paramedic teams previously analyzed, mental health counselors, police and law enforcement officers, as well as military personnel were the first to confront the challenges of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak [ 44 ]. Although a considerable number of studies have been devoted to understanding the mental health consequences of this period on the above-mentioned professional groups [ 45 , 46 ], less attention has been given to the decision-making process in threatening situations that may depend on a variety of factors, such as the governments’ targeting, cultural influences, colleagues’ opinions, and subjective judgments.…”

Generational conflict, alcohol use and brotherhood: an exploratory survey of a rural career fire department in the Midwest

“…For the first subtheme, some men felt that they personally lacked skills to feel confident to respond to the wide array of calls they might have to respond to. In light of the recent world events including Black Lives Matters protest (some of which turned violent (Dave et al, 2020)) and the COVID-19 pandemic taking a unique toll on first responders (Zolnikov and Furio, 2020). I think our biggest issue is we are expected to know how to handle every situation (by the public), not that we don't want to help, but we are not trained to handle some of these situations.…”