Authors

Juan José Hernández-Morante1, Cristina Reche García1

Position

1Doctor/a. Profesor/a titular. Facultad de Enfermería. Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia. Guadalupe, Murcia (España)

Contact address

Cristina Reche García. Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM). Unidad de Investigación en Trastornos Alimentarios. Campus de Guadalupe, s/n. 30107 Guad

Contact email: creche@ucam.edu

Abstract

Objective: to understand the psychological wellbeing, resilience and optimism of healthcare professionals from the Emergency Units during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to identify those factors associated with psychological wellbeing.
Method: a descriptive study (January-April 2021). The study population were healthcare professionals working in the Emergency Units during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Murcia (Spain). A questionnaire was designed to collect sociodemographic and professional data; it included three validated scales to assess optimism, emotional wellbeing and resilience. The questionnaire was sent by e-mail. There was descriptive and analytical analysis.
Results: the study included 197 workers; 145 (73.6%) were female. Their mean age (SD) was 36.7 (9-98) years. Professionals showed a medium-high level of psychological wellbeing (80%); lack of independence was the most affected area, particularly in women. Regarding resilience and optimism, there were moderate mean values, with those healthcare professionals with more years of experience presenting better levels of resilience (p= 0.03). The variables which better explained the levels of psychological wellbeing were optimism and resilience.
Conclusions: the majority of healthcare professionals reported high average levels of psychological wellbeing, and medium levels of resilience and optimism. The lowest psychological wellbeing perceived appeared in women, nurses, and those with less years of experience. The most affected dimension was dependence in decision making. An optimistic and resilient attitude contributed to explain the wellbeing perceived among healthcare professionals.

Keywords:

resilience; optimism; psychological well-being; coronavirus; emergency department; health workers

Versión en Español

Título:

Bienestar psicológico del personal sanitario de urgencias durante la pandemia por COVID-19