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.