Mood Disorders in Healthcare Providers in the Post-pandemic COVID Scenario

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Coronaviruses (CoV) and COVID-19 Pandemic".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (27 October 2023) | Viewed by 5189

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has deeply affected both economic health and the psychosocial structure of humankind. Faced with both physical and emotional effort, healthcare professionals quickly manifest tiredness, fatigue, and exhaustion. Thus, the mental health and resilience of healthcare professionals have become a major health issue. Healthcare providers that were on the frontline with COVID-19 patients are among the healthcare professionals that present the strongest signs of emotional distress, in the form of physical exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout. Healthcare professionals’ well-being directly impacts the health of the general population. However, as a relevant and urgent public health issue, this topic is still very new and has been little discussed. This Special Issue aims to promote an active and up-to-date forum for the discussion of the neurobiological, psychological, and social mechanisms affecting the mental health of healthcare professionals, as well as to provide active discussion on preventative and mitigation measures for the associated mood disorders in these professionals as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prof. Dr. Rúben Fernandes
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • COVID-19 pandemic
  • healthcare professionals
  • mood disorders
  • emotional distress
  • neurobiology

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 1376 KiB  
Article
Psychological Toll of the COVID-19 Pandemic: An In-Depth Exploration of Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia and the Influence of Quarantine Measures on Daily Life
by Musheer A. Aljaberi, Mohammed A. Al-Sharafi, Md. Uzir Hossain Uzir, Aiche Sabah, Amira Mohammed Ali, Kuo-Hsin Lee, Abdulsamad Alsalahi, Sarah Noman and Chung-Ying Lin
Healthcare 2023, 11(17), 2418; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11172418 - 29 Aug 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2082
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, on a global scale, has prompted multifaceted challenges, including a notable psychological toll on the general population. This study uses mixed-method approach for a nuanced exploration of these experiences. Using a phenomenological strategy, qualitative responses from 999 participants were analyzed [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic, on a global scale, has prompted multifaceted challenges, including a notable psychological toll on the general population. This study uses mixed-method approach for a nuanced exploration of these experiences. Using a phenomenological strategy, qualitative responses from 999 participants were analyzed regarding their pandemic-induced anxiety and the influence of quarantine measures on their lives. Quantitative measures, including the revised Impact of Event Scale (IES-R), patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the seven-item generalized anxiety disorder assessment (GAD-7), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), were used to quantify trauma, depression, anxiety, and insomnia attributed to COVID-19. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was utilized for quantitative data analysis. The anxiety-related responses were mainly clustered into four themes: life threats, support shortage, economic consequences, and disruptions to family and social life. Subthemes that addressed the perceived effects encapsulated disruptions to academic and professional lives, familial and social relationships, psychopathological stress, and movement limitations. The findings from quantitative analysis revealed the significant associations between COVID-19-related trauma and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia, as indicated by coefficients exceeding 0.10 (all z-values > 1.96; p-values < 0.05). In conclusion, the findings underscore COVID-19’s role in escalating anxiety, influenced by various factors, and its disruptive effects on daily life due to quarantine measures. The strong associations between the pandemic and the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and insomnia underscore the urgency of comprehensive psychological and public health interventions to alleviate these impacts. Full article
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11 pages, 314 KiB  
Opinion
Unveiling the Path to Resilience: Prioritizing Mental Health, Sleep, and Nutrition in the Post-COVID Era
by Susana Ramalho, Daniela Martins-Mendes, José Mário Macedo, Carla Barros, Carla Luis, Sara Sá, Álvaro Gestoso, Ana Cláudia Pereira, Pilar Baylina and Rúben Fernandes
Healthcare 2023, 11(17), 2463; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11172463 - 4 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2194
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted daily life, impacting relationships, work, and education. This has led to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, along with altered sleep patterns and eating behaviors. Quarantine and isolation have worsened mental health, especially in children and the elderly, due [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted daily life, impacting relationships, work, and education. This has led to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, along with altered sleep patterns and eating behaviors. Quarantine and isolation have worsened mental health, especially in children and the elderly, due to the loss of activities and physical contact. Sleep disorders and negative dreams perpetuate poor sleep quality, increasing the risk of health issues. Sedentary lifestyles and emotional effects contribute to unhealthy eating patterns and obesity, exacerbated by disrupted routines and limited outdoor activities. Addressing these challenges requires prioritizing mental health, promoting healthy sleep habits, and addressing obesity factors. The pandemic has profoundly affected human well-being, but resilience, mental health, sleep, and nutrition can enhance overall well-being and adaptability in the post-COVID era. This comprehensive opinion aims to raise awareness of the wide-ranging impacts of this pandemic on various aspects of human well-being and to emphasize the importance of implementing strategies that prioritize mental health, improve sleep habits, address eating behaviors, and foster resilience to navigate and thrive in the face of future challenges. Full article
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