Psychological Impact on the Nursing Professionals of the Rioja Health Service (Spain) Due to the SARS-CoV-2 Virus

• Main Authors: Pablo Del Pozo-Herce, Rebeca Garrido-García, Iván Santolalla-Arnedo, Vicente Gea-Caballero, Pablo García-Molina, Regina Ruiz de Viñaspre-Hernández, Francisco José Rodríguez-Velasco, Raúl Juárez-Vela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: nursing; mental health; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/2/580
• ISSN: 1661-7827; 1660-4601

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency that has affected health professionals around the world, causing physical and mental exhaustion with a greater probability of developing mental disorders in professionals who provide healthcare. Objective: The objective of this study was to know the psychological impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the nursing professionals working for the Rioja Health Service. Methods: We conducted an observational and descriptive cross-sectional study. The nursing staff at the Rioja Health Service were invited to respond to a self-administered questionnaire between June and August 2020. Results: A total of 605 health professionals participated in the questionnaire; 91.9% were women, 63.14% were registered nurses, and 36.28% were auxiliary nurses. Risk factors for mental health professionals were identified in more than 90% of nurses (<i>p</i> = 0.009), affecting their psychological state with feelings of exhaustion, emotional overload (<i>p</i> = 0.002), and less use of coping strategies among women. Younger professionals with less experience had higher levels of stress compared to those with more than five years of experience, who showed a progressive reduction in the impact of stressors (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Professionals with dependent family members presented higher levels of emotional overload and coping problems (<i>p</i> = 0.009). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant psychological impact on health professionals in terms of stress, emotional well-being, and the use of coping strategies. Female health professionals with dependents, a temporary contract, and less work experience have been more psychologically affected.