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.