Psychological outcomes, coping responses, and posttraumatic growth among health care workers during the COVID-19 outbreak in Southern Turkey: A cross-sectional study from the initial phase of the pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic posed severe psychological challenges to health care workers (HCWs). This study examines the acute psychological symptoms, coping responses, and posttraumatic growth among HCWs in Southern Turkey during the first wave of the outbreak. It aims to establish a baseline understanding of the initial psychological impact that preceded the development of chronic conditions documented in later pandemic phases.

METHOD: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted between April 30, 2020 and May 15, 2020, among 639 HCWs from two COVID-19 referral hospitals in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. Recruitment was conducted through internal hospital email lists and secure messaging groups. The survey was anonymous, and no incentives were offered. Participants completed the Turkish versions of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, Coping Responses Inventory, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was provided electronically. The completion rate was 93.8%.

RESULTS: Elevated psychological distress was observed, with scores indicating symptoms of depression in 60.0% of participants, anxiety in 54.4%, and stress in 41.8%. Female HCWs, nurses, and those with chronic conditions showed significantly higher Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 scores. Passive coping styles-particularly helplessness and submissiveness-were more frequently used by women. Simultaneously, participants reported moderate to high levels of posttraumatic growth, especially in dimensions of self-perception and life philosophy. As this was a cross-sectional study conducted in two hospitals, the findings have limited generalizability and do not permit causal inferences.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a critical snapshot of HCWs' psychological state during the earliest and most chaotic stage of the pandemic. The co-occurrence of distress and posttraumatic growth suggests a complex response to trauma. The prominence of passive coping strategies may contribute to long-term psychological sequelae, such as burnout. These findings highlight the urgent need for early institutional interventions that promote adaptive coping and support personal growth during public health emergencies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).