Predictive risk factors for post-traumatic stress symptoms among nurses during the Italian acute COVID-19 outbreak

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to investigate the posttraumatic stress disorder risk in nurses, detecting the relationship between distress experience and personality dimensions in the Italian acute COVID-19 outbreak. The study is an observational study conducted in March 2020. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE Mental screening was carried out in the Laboratory of Clinical Psychology on N = 36 nurses in the age range 22-64 years (M = 37.30, SD = 12.60). 76.3% were working in nursing care with confirmed COVID-19 patients: 47.4% of nurses worked in a high COVID-19 rate environment. whereas 52.6% worked in a low COVID-19 rate environment. RESULTS The results confirm relation between anxiety and peritraumatic dissociation and posttraumatic stress; also anxiety is positively correlated with the agreeableness variable. Our finding was obtained in an acute Italian COVID-19 outbreak and measured and quantified the psychological response of nurses in terms of anxiety as an early reaction for emotional distress and high risk for posttraumatic stress disorders; the personality dimensions did not mediate the emotional distress or the probable risk for posttraumatic stress disorder. Nurses appeared to be exposed to mental distress and needed help. CONCLUSIONS The results evidenced the need to carry out a mental health program for health workers (especially nursing professionals).

Automated summary

The study investigates the relationship between distress experience and personality dimensions in Italian nurses during the acute COVID-19 outbreak. Results show a correlation between anxiety, peritraumatic dissociation, and posttraumatic stress, with anxiety also positively correlated with agreeableness. Nurses in the study exhibited high levels of mental distress and may be at risk for posttraumatic stress disorders, highlighting the need for mental health programs for healthcare workers.