Predictors of traumatic stress in nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Authors: Jakub Rajčáni , Simona Vytykačová , Viktória Botíková , Barbora Šuhajdová

Title variants

SK

Prediktory traumatického stresu u zdravotných sestier v dobe pandémie covid-19

• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Objectives. The global pandemic of COVID-19 represents a major stressor in the lives of health-care professionals. The present study investigat-ed experienced stress and self-reported trauma symptoms among Slovak nurses during the fall of 2020, aiming to describe the extent of expe-rienced stress and trauma, and explain the vari-ation in trauma symptoms using psychosocial predictors. Sample and settings. An online form measuring traumatic stress symptoms, social support, cop-ing strategies, sleep quality and overall experi-enced stress was distributed among nurses and other healthcare professionals. 565 participants responded between November 12th and Decem-ber 20th 2020. Statistical analyses. Several multiple linear re-gressions with demographic and psychosocial predictors were performed to explain variation in traumatic symptoms.Results. The present data shows that 83% of medical nurses perceived increased stress and more than 62% experienced trauma symptoms. Traumatic symptoms could be partly explained based on the participants’ age, perceived social support, and used coping strategies. Higher so-cial support and strategies of acceptance and positive reframing were related to fewer trauma symptoms, while avoidance strategies, such as self-distraction, self-blame, venting, and behav-ioral disengagement to more trauma symptoms. In line with the present findings, professional psychosocial support is important to alleviate stress and prevent traumatization in healthcare workers after the COVID-19 crisis.Limitations. Data were collected via an online form, with a sample consisting of mostly nurses and women lacking data on other medical pro-fessions and men. Finally, traumatic symptoms develop slowly, therefore it is not possible to measure their recovery at this point.

Keywords

EN

COVID-19; stress; trauma; coping; nurses

Discipline

• PSYCHOLOGY: PSYCHOLOGY

• Publisher: Institute of Psychology, Czech Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Československá psychologie (Czechoslovak Psychology)
• Year: 2022
• Volume: 66
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 17-29
• Document type: ARTICLE

Contributors

author

Jakub Rajčáni

• Československá psychologie, redakce, Psychologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i., Politických vězňů 7, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic

author

Simona Vytykačová

• Československá psychologie, redakce, Psychologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i., Politických vězňů 7, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic

author

Viktória Botíková

• Československá psychologie, redakce, Psychologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i., Politických vězňů 7, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic

author

Barbora Šuhajdová

• Československá psychologie, redakce, Psychologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i., Politických vězňů 7, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic