Abstract:
Healthcare workers are amongst the high-risk group to acquire COVID-19
infection (Minder & Peltier, 2020). Therefore, they are vulnerable to complex
emotional reactions and psychological distress (Bai, Yao, Wei, Tian, Jin, Chen
& Wang, 2020). Using a positivist paradigm, the study examined the level of
psychological distress and psychological well-being of healthcare workers
amid the pandemic and the role of coping mechanisms as a moderator. A
sample of 115 respondents was recruited for the study. The Kessler
Psychological Distress Scale, Ryff's Scale of Psychological Well-being, and
Brief-COPE were administered to participants in this descriptive survey. Data
was analysed using frequencies and percentages, multivariate regression,
independent samples t-test, Pearson product moment correlation coefficient
and Hayes PROCCESS Approach. The study found that close to half of the
respondents experienced psychological distress. Result also showed that
healthcare workers had good psychological well-being amid the pandemic.
Further analysis revealed no significant gender variation. The study concludes
that some healthcare workers experienced psychological distress and that
problem-focused coping is a good moderator. In view of this, it was
recommended that Nkwanta South Municipal Health Directorate put in place
mechanisms to address psychological issues confronting healthcare workers in
the municipality. Besides, the study recommends that clinical health
psychologists should educate their clients on various problem-focused coping
strategies for appropriate usage.
