High Levels of Well‐Being and Being Infected With the COVID‐19 Virus Predicted Post‐Traumatic Growth in Healthcare Workers

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are continuously exposed to stress and potentially traumatic experiences, as during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research aims to investigate the correlates and predictors of Post-traumatic growth (PTG), a positive outcome following adversity, in a group of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

Cross-sectional design.

Methods

The sample included 168 HCWs (almost 43% were nurses working in hospitals or aging facilities) who were assessed with the PTG Inventory (PTGI) and other indicators of psychological distress (DASS-21) and well-being such as the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Mental Health Continuum Short-Form (MHC-SF), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Regression analyses were calculated to evaluate the relationships among variables.

Results

PTG Inventory positively correlated with SWLS (r = 0.256, p < 0.001) and MHC (r = 0.315, p < 0.001), but no correlations with anxiety and depression emerged. Female gender (β = 0.248, p = 0.001), COVID-19 infection (β = 0.222, p = 0.003), and MHC Total score (β = 0.294, p = 0.008) predicted PTGI. Additionally, a significant curvilinear U-shaped relationship existed between DASS-stress and PTGI levels (β = 0.541, p = 0.021), meaning that PTG was lower at a medium level of stress.

Conclusions

During the pandemic PTGI in HCWs was more directly predicted by well-being indicators than distress. Prioritizing their well-being, especially in times of crises, could aid in managing stress and trauma in healthcare settings.