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Healthcare
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Depression, Anxiety and Emotional Problems Among Healthcare Workers
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Depression, Anxiety and Emotional Problems Among Healthcare Workers

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Medics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 2672

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sai-fu Fung

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
Interests: computational social science; health-related quality of life (HRQOL); political sociology; digital health; social gerontology; sports; psychometrics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This special issue aims to explore the pressing mental health concerns of depression, anxiety, and emotional problems among healthcare workers. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the already high levels of stress within this profession, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive research into the psychological well-being of these individuals.

Healthcare workers frequently face prolonged exposure to traumatic events, high workloads, and emotional exhaustion, which can lead to significant mental health challenges. This issue seeks to gather empirical studies, reviews, and case studies that address the prevalence, causes, and consequences of these issues, as well as effective interventions and support systems.

This Special Issue aims to invite contributions that examine various aspects, including the impact of workplace culture, the role of resilience, and the effectiveness of mental health resources. Additionally, papers focusing on specific subgroups, such as nurses, paramedics, and support staff, are particularly welcome. By shedding light on these critical issues, I hope to foster a deeper understanding and encourage the implementation of strategies that promote mental well-being, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for both healthcare workers and the patients they serve.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following: Prevalence and risk factors, coping mechanisms, intervention strategies, stigma and disclosure, role of training and education, comparative studies, and policy changes.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Sai-fu Fung
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mental health
  • occupational stress
  • burnout
  • resilience
  • well-being
  • depression
  • psychological support
  • work-life balance
  • trauma exposure
  • interventions

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 376 KiB  
Article
Impact of a Single Virtual Reality Relaxation Session on Mental-Health Outcomes in Frontline Workers on Duty During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Preliminary Study
by Sara Faria, Sílvia Monteiro Fonseca, António Marques and Cristina Queirós
Healthcare 2025, 13(12), 1434; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13121434 - 16 Jun 2025
Viewed by 265
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic affected frontline workers’ mental health, including healthcare workers, firefighters, and police officers, increasing the need for effective interventions. This study focuses on the pandemic’s psychological impact, perceived stress, depression/anxiety symptoms, and resilience, examining if a brief virtual reality [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic affected frontline workers’ mental health, including healthcare workers, firefighters, and police officers, increasing the need for effective interventions. This study focuses on the pandemic’s psychological impact, perceived stress, depression/anxiety symptoms, and resilience, examining if a brief virtual reality (VR)–based relaxation session could reduce psychological symptoms. Methods: In this preliminary study with data collected in 2025 from frontline workers who had served during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, 54 frontline workers completed a baseline assessment of the perceived psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic, general perceived well-being, perceived stress (PSS-4), anxiety/depression (PHQ-4) and resilience (RS-25). Each participant then engaged in a 10-min immersive VR relaxation session featuring a calming 360° nature environment with audio guidance, after which questionnaires were re-administered. Paired samples t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVA evaluated pre-/post-session differences, and a hierarchical multiple linear regression model tested predictors of the change in stress. Results: Pre-session results showed moderate perceived stress and resilience and low depression/anxiety. Occupation groups varied in baseline stress, mostly reporting negative pandemic psychological effects. After VR, significantly perceived well-being increased, and stress decreased, whereas depression/anxiety changes were nonsignificant. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a main effect of time on stress (p = 0.003) without occupation-by-time interaction (p = 0.246), indicating all occupational groups benefited similarly from the VR session. Hierarchical regression indicated baseline depression and higher perceived pandemic-related harm independently predicted greater stress reduction, whereas resilience and baseline anxiety showed no statistically significant results. Conclusions: A single VR relaxation session lowered perceived stress among frontline workers, particularly those reporting higher baseline depression or pandemic-related burden. Limitations include the absence of a control group. Results support VR-based interventions as feasible, rapidly deployable tools for high-stress settings. Future research should assess longer-term outcomes, compare VR to alternative interventions, and consider multi-session protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Depression, Anxiety and Emotional Problems Among Healthcare Workers)
17 pages, 543 KiB  
Article
Nurturing Resilience and Healing from Within: The Impact of an 8-Week Yoga Program on Nursing Students
by Beverley Martin, Blake Peck, Andy Davies and Daniel Terry
Healthcare 2025, 13(7), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070767 - 30 Mar 2025
Viewed by 838
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Nursing students encounter significant stress due to the demanding nature of their academic and clinical training, negatively impacting their mental health and overall wellbeing. Self-care strategies, such as yoga, have been suggested to effectively manage stress and promote resilience. Despite the growing [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Nursing students encounter significant stress due to the demanding nature of their academic and clinical training, negatively impacting their mental health and overall wellbeing. Self-care strategies, such as yoga, have been suggested to effectively manage stress and promote resilience. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of self-care in nursing education, there is limited research on the specific benefits of yoga. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceived benefits associated with undergraduate nursing students’ participation in an 8-week yoga study. Methods: A qualitative study using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach was conducted. Participants were Baccalaureate nursing students from an Australian university. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Reporting methods followed the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research guidelines. Results: Among the 14 students who participated, three main themes emerged: “Me Time”, highlighting the importance of prioritising self-care; “Slowing Down,” emphasising the psychological benefits of yoga; and “Self-Acceptance,” reflecting personal growth and improved self-awareness. Participants reported reduced stress, improved mood, and enhanced physical and mental wellbeing. Conclusion: Students who participated in yoga were positively impacted through greater stress management and wellbeing. As nursing students transition into the workplace, the ability to manage stress and maintain mental wellbeing becomes even more critical. The high-pressure environment of healthcare settings can exacerbate stress, leading to burnout and decreased job satisfaction. By incorporating self-care practices such as yoga into their routine, nursing students can develop resilience and coping mechanisms that will benefit them as students and throughout their careers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Depression, Anxiety and Emotional Problems Among Healthcare Workers)
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14 pages, 948 KiB  
Article
Stress as a Risk Factor for Informal Caregiver Burden
by Elena Cejalvo, Manuel Martí-Vilar, Júlia Gisbert-Pérez and Laura Badenes-Ribera
Healthcare 2025, 13(7), 731; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070731 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 895
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Informal caregivers, who provide essential support to dependent family members, often face high levels of stress and mental health problems due to the physical and emotional demands of the role. This study examined the connections between anxiety, depression, stress, and caregiver burden [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Informal caregivers, who provide essential support to dependent family members, often face high levels of stress and mental health problems due to the physical and emotional demands of the role. This study examined the connections between anxiety, depression, stress, and caregiver burden in informal caregivers. Methods: A total of 344 informal caregivers from the Valencian Community, selected by incidental sampling, took part. A total of 58.7% were female (n = 202) with a mean age of 46.37 years (SD = 14.79), while 41.3% were male (n = 142) with a mean age of 46.37 years (SD = 14.78). This study used the DASS-21 and the Zarit Burden Questionnaire. Data analysis was by structural equation modeling with latent factors. Results: The principal findings indicated that anxiety and depression were predictive factors for stress (p = 0.006, p = 0.002 respectively), while stress, in turn, was associated with a higher caregiver burden (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Anxiety and depression indirectly heighten caregiver burden through increased stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Depression, Anxiety and Emotional Problems Among Healthcare Workers)
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