Coping Mechanisms and Their Associations With Depression and Anxiety Among Healthcare Workers in the Aftermath of COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the associations between anxiety, depression, and coping in healthcare workers during coronavirus disease 2019.

METHODS

A survey used the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2 to assess anxiety, the Patient Health Questionnaire 2 to assess depression, and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) scale to evaluate coping mechanisms.

RESULTS

Of the 1172 participants who provided data, 24.7% screened positive for anxiety and 15.7% for depression. Logistic regression indicated that avoidance coping (odds ratio [OR], 3.92 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.91-5.29]; P < 0.001) and substance use coping (OR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.00-1.90]; P = 0.049) were associated with higher odds of depression. Avoidance coping (OR, 2.81 [95% CI, 2.15-3.67]; P < 0.001) and social support coping (OR, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.22-2.08]; P = 0.001) were associated with higher odds of anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions are needed to improve healthcare workers' coping and well-being.