Nursing home staff mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland.
Loading...
Authors
Brady, Conan
Fenton, Caoimhe
Loughran, Orlaith
Hayes, Blánaid
Hennessy, Martina
Higgins, Agnes
Leroi, Iracema
Shanagher, Deirdre
McLoughlin, Declan M
Issue Date
2021-11-02
Type
Journal Article
Language
en
Keywords
Covid-19 , mental health , moral injury , nursing homes , post-traumatic stress
Alternative Title
Abstract
Nursing homes for older adults have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic with increased mortality of residents and staff distress.
To quantify the mental health of nursing home staff during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland.
Cross-sectional anonymous study of Republic of Ireland nursing home staff (n = 390) during the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Online survey collecting demographic information, Covid-19 exposure history and mental health measures.
There were significant differences between nurses, healthcare assistants (HCA) and non-clinical staff history in age, ethnicity, years' experience, history of Covid-19 infection and contact with Covid-19 positive acquaintances. Moderate-severe post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were found in 45.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 40.2%-50.1%) of all staff. A World Health Organisation-5 (WHO-5) wellbeing index score ≤32, indicating low mood, was reported by 38.7% (95% CI, 33.9%-43.5%) of staff; significantly more nurses reported low mood. Suicidal ideation and suicide planning were reported, respectively, by 13.8% (95% CI, 10.4%-17.3%) and 9.2% (95% CI, 6.4%-12.1%) of participants with no between-group differences. HCAs reported a significantly higher degree of moral injury than non-clinical staff. Nurses were more likely to use approach coping styles than non-clinical staff. Work ability was insufficient in 24.6% (95% CI 20.3%-28.9%) of staff.
Nursing home staff report high levels of post-traumatic stress, mood disturbance and moral injury during the Covid-19 pandemic. Differences in degree of moral injury, wellbeing and coping styles were found between staff groups, which need to be incorporated into planning supports for this neglected workforce.
To quantify the mental health of nursing home staff during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland.
Cross-sectional anonymous study of Republic of Ireland nursing home staff (n = 390) during the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Online survey collecting demographic information, Covid-19 exposure history and mental health measures.
There were significant differences between nurses, healthcare assistants (HCA) and non-clinical staff history in age, ethnicity, years' experience, history of Covid-19 infection and contact with Covid-19 positive acquaintances. Moderate-severe post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were found in 45.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 40.2%-50.1%) of all staff. A World Health Organisation-5 (WHO-5) wellbeing index score ≤32, indicating low mood, was reported by 38.7% (95% CI, 33.9%-43.5%) of staff; significantly more nurses reported low mood. Suicidal ideation and suicide planning were reported, respectively, by 13.8% (95% CI, 10.4%-17.3%) and 9.2% (95% CI, 6.4%-12.1%) of participants with no between-group differences. HCAs reported a significantly higher degree of moral injury than non-clinical staff. Nurses were more likely to use approach coping styles than non-clinical staff. Work ability was insufficient in 24.6% (95% CI 20.3%-28.9%) of staff.
Nursing home staff report high levels of post-traumatic stress, mood disturbance and moral injury during the Covid-19 pandemic. Differences in degree of moral injury, wellbeing and coping styles were found between staff groups, which need to be incorporated into planning supports for this neglected workforce.
Description
Citation
Brady, C., Fenton, C., Loughran, O., Hayes, B., Hennessy, M., Higgins, A., Leroi, I., Shanagher, D., & McLoughlin, D. M. (2021). Nursing home staff mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 37(1), 10.1002/gps.5648. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5648
Publisher
License
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Journal
International journal of geriatric psychiatry
Volume
37
Issue
1
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
1099-1166