1. INTRODUCTION
The COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the most stressful events in
recent times worldwide. This pandemic poses a major challenge to social,
economic, and, above all, the psychological resources of the population.
Undoubtedly, healthcare workers are the most exposed category. Their
psychological burden is likely due to the staff reorganisation, the
working intensity, and the anxiety of being exposed to the virus at
hospital and, in turn, of bringing the infection
home.1 The healthcare workers directly involved in the
care of patients with COVID-19 are at high risk of developing
psychological distress and other mental health symptoms such as
posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).2
The main aim of the present study was to investigate the psychological
impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Italian healthcare workers. First, we
compared the levels of psychological distress (i.e., anxiety/depressive
symptoms) and PTSS between healthcare professionals working in the front
line of COVID-19 and healthcare professionals working in other units.
Second, we explored which sociodemographic and clinical factors could
significantly predict psychological distress and PTSS levels in the
group of healthcare workers involved in the care of COVID-19 patients.