Social support and optimism as protective factors for mental health among 7765 healthcare workers in germany during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of the voice study

Schug C, Morawa E, Geiser F, Hiebel N, Beschoner P, Jerg-Bretzke L, Albus C, Weidner K, Steudte-Schmiedgen S, Borho A, Lieb M, Erim Y (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Book Volume: 18

Article Number: 3827

Journal Issue: 7

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073827

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting mental health worldwide, particu-larly among healthcare workers (HCWs). Risk and protective factors for depression and generalized anxiety in healthcare workers need to be identified to protect their health and ability to work. Social support and optimism are known protective psychosocial resources, but have not been adequately studied in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers in Germany. Methods: Within the first wave of the VOICE study (n = 7765), a longitudinal web-based survey study among healthcare workers in Germany, we assessed symptoms of depression (PHQ-2) and generalized anxiety (GAD-2), social support (ENRICHD Social Support Inventory; ESSI), and generalized optimism as well as sociodemographic, occupational, and COVID-19 related variables. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between the constructs. Results: The analyses revealed that higher levels of social support and optimism were associated with lower levels of depression and generalized anxiety. They showed a higher association with depression and generalized anxiety than demographic or occupational risk factors such as female gender and direct contact with infected individuals. Conclusion: Psychosocial resources such as social support and optimism appear to contribute to successful coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and should be considered in future studies.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Bonn Germany (DE) Technische Universität Dresden Germany (DE) Universität zu Köln Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Ulm Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Schug, C., Morawa, E., Geiser, F., Hiebel, N., Beschoner, P., Jerg-Bretzke, L.,... Erim, Y. (2021). Social support and optimism as protective factors for mental health among 7765 healthcare workers in germany during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of the voice study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073827

MLA:

Schug, Caterina, et al. "Social support and optimism as protective factors for mental health among 7765 healthcare workers in germany during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of the voice study." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18.7 (2021).

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