Babaei A, Momeni F, Vahedi M, Davoudi M. The Relationship of Cognitive Flexibility and Self-compassion With Depression and Anxiety Among Healthcare Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal 2023; 21 (1) :39-48
URL:
http://irj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-1324-en.html
1- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychosis Research Center, School of Behavioral Sciences,University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Psychosis Research Center, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract: (2051 Views)
Objectives: The COVID-19 outbreak has considerably affected various aspects of our lives and different groups of society. In this regard, healthcare staff is more affected by the pressure of heavy workloads and daily exposure to suspected COVID-19 cases. This study aimed to investigate depression and anxiety as two basic factors of mental health among healthcare workers and the role of self-compassion and cognitive flexibility during the pandemic.
Methods: A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted. Healthcare workers were the target group, and the samples were collected through the online groups from healthcare staff of coronavirus hospitalized centers in Tehran. A convenience sampling method was used in this study. The general anxiety disorder-7 scale, patient health questionnaire, cognitive flexibility inventory, and self-compassion short-form scale were used online for data collection. Totally 551 respondents were entered into the analysis process of the current study.
Results: A total of 437 respondents (79.3%) had mild to severe anxiety symptoms, and 447(81.1%) had mild to severe depressive symptoms. Cognitive flexibility had a significant negative relationship with anxiety and depression (r=-0.40, r=-0.37, respectively, P<0.001). Similarly, the relationship between self-compassion and anxiety and depression was significantly negative (r=-0.48, r=-0. 47, respectively, P<0.001).
Discussion: This study demonstrates the positive effects of cognitive flexibility and self-compassion on healthcare staff during COVID-19.
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• Many healthcare workers suffer from anxiety and depression because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• People who lost someone because of COVID-19 and those with a chronic illness background are at more risk for anxiety and depression.
• Cognitive flexibility and self-compassion reduce the severity of anxiety and depression.
Plain Language Summary
In this article, we report on the role of cognitive flexibility and self-compassion in the mental health of medical staff. This topic is important because of the COVID-19 pandemic, high levels of anxiety, stress, and depression have already been observed in healthcare professionals who stand on the frontline of this crisis. Therefore, immediate interventions are essential to enhance psychological resilience for people who work under extreme pressure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study proposes that self-compassion and cognitive flexibility are two factors that can significantly strengthen the psychological capacity to expose difficult and long-lasting situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that this work can be beneficial for further interventions to enhance psychological resilience.
Article type:
Original Research Articles |
Subject:
Nursing Received: 2021/04/8 | Accepted: 2022/11/23 | Published: 2023/03/1
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