3. RESULTS
The total sample had a mean age of 42.90 (SD = 11.20) years, 72% (105)
of participants were female, and 43% (63) worked in COVID-19 wards. The
majority of the participants had at least one child (56%, 81) and were
in a relationship (61%, 88).
The group comparisons of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics,
quality of life and health-related data, and psychological measures
(BDI, STAI Y2, and PCL-5) are presented in Fig. 1 .
The results of comparisons showed that healthcare professionals who work
in COVID-19 wards were younger (mean ± SD: 39.05 ± 8.28 vs. 45.87 ±
12.24, t (140.91) = -3.993, p < .001, d =
0.65) and more likely not in a relationship (χ2(1) =
4.573, p = .032), compared to healthcare professionals working in
other facilities.
With regard to the psychological assessment, healthcare professionals
who work COVID-19 wards reported higher levels of both depressive
symptoms (p = .005, d = 0.40) and PTSS (p = .015,d = 0.47) compared to healthcare professionals working in
non-COVID-19 facilities. A chi-square test confirmed the presence of a
significant association between participants who scored above the PCL-5
cut-off (≥ 33) and those who worked in COVID-19 wards
(χ2(1) = 4.374, p = .036).
Considering the high levels of depressive symptoms and PTSS reported by
healthcare professionals who work COVID-19 wards, two multiple
regression analyses were performed to assess whether sociodemographic
and clinical variables (age, gender, having/not having children,
being/not being in a relationship, having/not having a medical
condition) significantly predicted the BDI and PCL-5 scores in this
subgroup of healthcare workers.
With regard to depressive symptoms, the multiple regression model
statistically significantly predicted the BDI total score, F (5,
57) = 4.970, p = .001, adj. R2 = .24.
Among the five predictors, gender (β = -0.252, p = .032)
and marital status (β = 0.441, p = .001) were
statistically significant. Particularly, being female and not in a
relationship were found to be associated with higher levels of
depressive symptoms.
Regarding PTSS, the multiple regression model statistically
significantly predicted the PCL-5 total score, F (5, 57) = 5.127,p = .001, adj. R2 = .25. Among the five
predictors, age (β = 0.554, p = .001) and gender (β= -0.398, p = .001) were statistically significant. Particularly,
being female and older were found to be related to higher levels of
PTSS.